Olivier Corti, originally from Lyon, France, is the chef and co-owner of a Michelin-selected French fine-dining restaurant in Da Nang. Having lived in Da Nang for almost 10 years, he's known for his recommendations of affordable and delicious local eateries.

"A bowl of mi Quang is the clearest sign you're in Da Nang," says Corti. Originally from Quang Nam province, mi Quang is typically served with a small amount of turmeric broth and toppings like shrimp, fish, eel, pork, chicken, or jellyfish, depending on preference. It’s accompanied by fresh herbs such as basil, mint, and Vietnamese coriander, along with chili, a boiled egg, shredded lettuce, lime, and shrimp crackers.

For the best mi Quang, Corti recommends Mi Quang Co Sau on Tran Hung Dao Street, along the Han River. "I always go there when I have a craving," he says.

Chef Olivier Corti. Photo: Instagram

Chef Olivier Corti. Photo: Instagram

Seafood is Corti's second must-try in Da Nang. He believes some of the city's best chefs are its street food vendors, who often operate all night and into the early morning, perfecting their signature dishes over decades.

Chau Son 1, located on An Hai Bac Street, is a simple establishment with low tables and plastic chairs on the sidewalk. "The chefs source fresh seafood daily from the early morning fishing boats. Their charcoal grill serves up simply grilled seafood like oysters, clams, and squid. They also offer classic dishes like seafood hot pot, garlic butter shrimp, and steamed clams," Corti describes.

Another favorite is Ba Ro Fresh Seafood on Ly Tu Trong Street, which offers a variety of dishes, including chili crab, garlic butter oysters, and creamy shrimp. This spot is located a bit north of the city center, near the Linh Ung Pagoda. For a more upscale experience, Quan Moc on To Hien Thanh Street offers air conditioning and modern decor. Their seafood selection includes snails, oysters, scallops, sashimi, lobster, and other premium options prepared with garlic butter, sweet and sour sauce, fried garlic, or black pepper sauce.

Banh xeo at Ba Duong. Photo: Instagram/duongvux

Banh xeo at Ba Duong. Photo: Instagram/duongvux

Next, Corti suggests banh xeo, a crispy crepe made with rice flour, water, and turmeric powder. The savory filling typically includes shrimp and chicken, served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and rice paper wrappers. He recommends Ba Duong on Hoang Dieu Street, a restaurant that has been operating for over 30 years. They also serve nem lui Hue, grilled minced pork skewers flavored with lemongrass.

"Enjoy nem lui on its own or wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs. The best way to eat it is to use the rice paper to slide the nem lui off the skewer, then dip it in a sauce made from ground pork, garlic, shallots, peanuts, and other spices," Corti instructs.

For breakfast, Corti advises trying a bowl of bun, a Vietnamese vermicelli noodle soup, like a local, rather than searching for pho. Bun cha ca (fish cake noodle soup) or banh canh (thick noodle soup) are good choices. The broth, often orange-hued from tomatoes and fish or pork bones, has a rich, sweet flavor. Most restaurants offer a variety of toppings, including fish balls, fish cakes, fresh fish, fresh shrimp, and crab cakes, served with crispy fried dough. Bun cha ca and banh canh stalls are usually bustling in the morning and at lunchtime.

If bun isn't your preference, try bo ne. "This Vietnamese-style steak is served on a sizzling hot plate with a slice of beef, a beef patty, and a fried egg. It comes with bread, fresh vegetables, and broth. Be sure to try the restaurant's dipping sauces, such as chili sauce, and order a Vietnamese coffee for a perfect start to the day," Corti suggests.

Vietnamese beefsteak, also known as bo ne. Photo: Instagram/dcfoodiemy

Vietnamese beefsteak, also known as bo ne. Photo: Instagram/dcfoodiemy

Beyond traditional Vietnamese cuisine, Da Nang also offers international options, particularly Korean and Japanese. Veteran Restaurant on Dinh Nghe Street is a popular Korean spot. "The meat is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the service is excellent. I often go there after 10:30 pm," Corti adds. For Japanese, he recommends Nagisa on An Thuong Street, where the ramen is "excellent, with quality ingredients and a peaceful atmosphere."

Da Nang has a wealth of dining options, with new restaurants constantly opening alongside long-standing family businesses. "Da Nang’s dining scene is like the city itself: rapidly developing, full of surprises, and finding its own rhythm," Corti observes.

Tam Anh (SCMP)