Trying New Fruits In Vietnam: Rambutan
To us, Rambutan fruit (also known in Vietnam as “Chom Chom”) looks like a magnified microbe or a creature you’d encounter in the deep ocean. Common throughout Asia, this spiny/hairy fruit may look menacing, however it’s actually quite soft to the touch. To eat this sweetly floral, slightly tart fruit, you must first remove its outer leathery skin to reveal the translucent white orb within. Careful when biting because there is an almond-sized pit that you’ll need to pry out or eat around. Similar in appearance and flavor to the lychee fruit, rambutan is slightly higher in calories but also contains more fiber which means you’ll feel fuller, longer after snacking. It’s also a great source of iron and vitamin C. We like to serve rambutan at cocktail parties because they look fabulous in a bowl and they’re easy finger foods to eat while chatting.
