Ốc lễ

Ốc lễ are small Vietnamese sea snails that are hand-harvested from the ocean. They are usually steamed with red chili peppers, lemongrass, and similar aromatic seasonings. Once prepared, these sea snails are often presented for sale in large bowls, and they sometimes come with long thorns which are used to pluck the snail meat out of their spiral shells.

The flavor is reminiscent of the sea and salty clams, with lots of umami. These snails are also prepared at home during social gatherings because they're usually eaten slowly while talking with friends and family.