Nha Trang's cuisine is a harmonious blend of local ingredients and specialties from neighboring regions, creating the rich and unique flavors of coastal Vietnamese cuisine.
Many tourists choose this city for a culinary adventure. This two-day Nha Trang food tour is based on a VnExpress survey and recommendations from Cam Anh, a local foodie. The suggested restaurants are chosen for their local character, long history, and central Nha Trang location.
Day 1
Morning
Fish cake noodle soup is a popular breakfast in Nha Trang. A local favorite is Co Thu on Dong Nai street, a two-generation family business. The broth is made from fish, clear, sweet, and aromatic. The special bowl includes fried fish cakes, quail eggs, fish eggs, and shredded fish. Add a squeeze of lime and some chili fish sauce for extra flavor. If you don't like spicy food, ask them to leave it out. Each bowl starts at 30,000 VND.
After breakfast, find a beachfront cafe, or grab a coffee to enjoy while strolling along Tran Phu street. The blue sea, golden sun, and strong coffee, brewed to local taste, will make for a memorable morning.
Lunch
Don't miss Nha Trang's specialty: grilled fermented pork rolls (nem nuong), originally from Ninh Hoa, sold all over the city. A recommended spot is Nem Nuong Dang Van Quyen on Lan Ong street, a long-standing establishment known for its traditional flavor.
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Grilled fermented pork rolls at Dang Van Quyen. Photo: Ryan |
Grilled fermented pork rolls at Dang Van Quyen. Photo: Ryan
A serving of nem nuong includes skewers of grilled pork, crispy rice paper, and various herbs. The herbs vary seasonally but usually include around 10 kinds, offering a mix of spicy, sour, and bitter flavors, such as fish mint, chives, basil, lettuce, cucumber, unripe banana, starfruit, and green mango. Many places also offer pickled vegetables and onions.
In the early afternoon, visit Banh Can 134 on Tran Quy Cap street for another Nha Trang specialty: banh can. Similar to southern Vietnam's banh khot, banh can are made from soaked and ground rice flour, cooked in clay molds. Fillings include meat, eggs, squid, and shrimp. They are served with fermented fish sauce or sweet and sour dipping sauce, and shredded green mango. Prices start at 30,000 VND.
Evening
No trip to Nha Trang is complete without seafood. Thanh Suong on Tran Phu street is a good choice for dinner. The restaurant is spacious and airy, with ocean views. Fresh seafood is displayed in large tanks and cooked to order. Staff wearing gloves prepare shellfish and shrimp for easy enjoyment.
Cam Anh recommends the butter-garlic lobster, a house favorite. Prices range from 150,000 to 1,000,000 VND, depending on your choice of seafood. Reservations are recommended to avoid waiting.
Day 2
Morning
For an energizing start to the day, visit Bun Ca Nguyen Loan on Ngo Gia Tu street. Open for almost 45 years, it's a favorite of locals and tourists alike.
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Fish noodle soup at Nguyen Loan. Photo: Xuan Phuong |
Fish noodle soup at Nguyen Loan. Photo: Xuan Phuong
The noodle soup features fresh fish, fish cakes, and jellyfish. Order the traditional version with fish cakes and fresh fish, or the full version with added jellyfish. They also serve banh canh and banh mi xiu mai (steamed pork buns), priced from 40,000 to 60,000 VND.
Cam Anh suggests other local breakfast options like sticky rice with fish, squid pancakes, or Mi Quang noodles.
Lunch
Nha Trang afternoons can be hot. Ca Men - Com Ca Bien on De Po street is a good place to escape the heat. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating. The menu has over 30 dishes, mainly coastal Vietnamese staples like braised fish, fish salad, fish soup, and various fish sauces. A meal of 4-5 dishes costs around 150,000-250,000 VND per person.
Evening
Before leaving Nha Trang, have dinner at Lac Canh grilled beef on Nguyen Binh Khiem street. Open since 1963, foodies say, "Visiting Nha Trang without trying Lac Canh grilled beef is like only seeing half of Nha Trang."
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Grilled beef at Lac Canh. Photo: Cam Anh
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Fried rice and grilled frog at Lac Canh. Photo: Cam Anh
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Beef salad at Lac Canh. Photo: Cam Anh
The restaurant's specialty is grilled beef. The beef is marinated in honey and over 10 spices according to a family recipe, then cut into 2 cm squares. Customers grill the meat themselves over hot coals until tender and flavorful. It's served with fresh herbs, bread, and a dipping sauce of lime, chili, and salt or red fermented tofu.
Besides grilled beef, they also serve fried rice with e leaves, stewed eel with fresh milk, and steamed eel. Dishes start at 100,000 VND.
Alongside this two-day culinary journey, visit attractions like Tram Huong Tower, Ponagar Tower, the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, or Co Tien Mountain, all easily accessible from the city center.
Tuan Anh
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