As a seaside city, Nha Trang's best food revolves around fish, squid, jellyfish and fresh seafood. Here are eight dishes to try.
1. Fish-cake noodle soup (bun cha ca)
Nha Trang's favourite breakfast: fried and steamed fish cakes in a light, sweet fish-bone broth with fresh herbs. Pick a place full of locals.
2. Jellyfish noodle soup (bun sua)
Crunchy jellyfish with fish cakes in a refreshing broth — a speciality you'll rarely find elsewhere.
3. Banh can
Hot rice cakes from clay moulds topped with egg, squid or prawn, dipped in fermented anchovy sauce or fish sauce with minced mango.
4. Ninh Hoa grilled pork rolls (nem nuong)
Fragrant grilled pork rolled in rice paper with herbs, sour starfruit and green banana, dipped in a thick signature sauce. Originally from Ninh Hoa but sold all over Nha Trang.
5. Banh canh cha ca
Chewy noodles with fish cakes in a rich broth — another breakfast favourite.
6. Squid pancakes (banh xeo muc)
Small mould-cooked pancakes filled with fresh squid, eaten with herbs and fish sauce.
7. Fresh seafood
Lobster, crab, scallops, snails, squid… grilled or steamed. The seafront and seafood markets are packed in the evening.
8. Bird's nest (yen sao)
Khanh Hoa's famous delicacy — try bird's-nest sweet soup or buy some as a gift (from a reputable shop).
Eating tips
- Ask prices first when ordering seafood, especially by weight, and choose places with clearly posted prices.
- Fish-cake noodles and banh can are best in the morning; seafood spots get busy at night.
- Buy dried specialities (sun-dried squid, dried fish) at Dam Market and remember to bargain.
Nha Trang is only about 3.5 hours from Da Lat. Book a private car with Minh Hy Travel, door to door.
Cover photo: Quangpraha · CC0, Wikimedia Commons
