8 Best Local Food in Nha Trang

Nestled on the south-central coast of Vietnam, Nha Trang has long been famous for its pristine beaches. But for those in the know, it’s the local food in Nha Trang that truly steals the show. This culinary paradise offers a unique blend of flavors that reflect its coastal heritage, cultural diversity, and the bounty of both land and sea. In this gastronomic journey, we’ll explore 8 iconic dishes that capture the essence of local food in Nha Trang. Let’s begin our culinary adventure!

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Seafood

No exploration of local food in Nha Trang would be complete without indulging in the city’s famous seafood. With its prime coastal location, Nha Trang offers some of the freshest and most diverse seafood you’ll find in Vietnam.

As you stroll along the beachfront or through the local markets, you’ll be amazed by the variety of sea creatures on display. From plump shrimp and succulent crabs to tender squid and a myriad of fish species, the options are endless. One of the best ways to enjoy this bounty is at one of the many seafood restaurants that line the shore. With the wide variety of seafood available, the prices for a seafood meal in Nha Trang are very reasonable, allowing you to comfortably choose the best dishes.

Try it at:

• Hai san oc Nhang Nha Trang – 202 Xom Con, Van Thanh, Nha Trang
• Hai san Moc quan Nha Trang – 74 Hong Bang, Tan Lap, Nha Trang

Nem nuong – Grilled fermented pork rolls

Moving away from the sea and onto land, we come to nem nuong, a dish that has become synonymous with local food in Nha Trang. Nem nuong consists of seasoned ground pork that’s shaped into small sausages and grilled over charcoal. The result is a smoky, savory delight that’s typically served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and vegetables. To eat, you wrap the nem nuong and accompaniments in rice paper, creating a fresh spring roll bursting with flavors and textures.

The best place to enjoy nem nuong is at local street food stalls or small family-run restaurants. Here, you’ll often see the nem nuong being grilled fresh to order, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back for more – nem nuong has a way of becoming addictive!

Try it at:

• Nem nuong Dang Van Quyen – 16A Lan Ong, Xuong Huan, Nha Trang
• Nem nuong A Long – 27 Phu Dong, Phuoc Tien, Nha Trang

Bun sua – Jellyfish vermicelli noodle soup

When it comes to unique local food in Nha Trang, bun sua stands out as a true regional specialty. Bun sua consists of rice vermicelli noodles in a savory broth, topped with jellyfish, pork, and fresh herbs. The jellyfish adds a delightful crunch to the soup, contrasting beautifully with the soft noodles and tender pork. The broth, typically made from pork bones and dried shrimp, is light yet flavorful, often enhanced with a squeeze of lime and a dash of chili.

You’ll find bun sua served at many local eateries and street food stalls, particularly in the morning when it’s enjoyed as a breakfast dish. As you slurp up this distinctive soup, you’ll be tasting a true piece of Nha Trang’s culinary identity.

Try it at:

• Bun ca Nguyen Loan – 123 Ngo Gia Tu, Tan Lap, Nha Trang
• Banh canh Ba Thua – 10A Phan Chu Trinh, Xuong Huan, Nha Trang

Bun cha ca – Grilled fish noodle soup

Continuing our noodle soup journey, we come to bun ca, another beloved local food in Nha Trang.  At its heart, bún chả cá is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The star of the dish is the grilled fish cake, made from freshly caught fish that’s pounded into a paste, seasoned with local spices, and grilled to perfection. The result is a tender, slightly chewy cake with a delightful smoky flavor that’s uniquely Nha Trang.

These flavorful grilled fish are served atop a bed of rice vermicelli noodles, swimming in a light, fragrant broth. The broth itself is a marvel – typically made from fish bones and aromatic herbs, it’s clear yet full of depth, providing the perfect backdrop for the other ingredients.

You’ll find bun cha ca served at many local eateries in Nha Trang, from humble street-side stalls to more upscale restaurants. It’s particularly popular as a breakfast dish, with locals starting their day with a steaming bowl of this nutritious soup. However, its light yet satisfying nature makes it a perfect meal any time of day, especially in Nha Trang’s tropical climate.

Try it at:

• Bun ca Nha Trang Hanh Nhien – 32C Le Dai Hanh, Nha Trang
• Bun cha ca co Ba – 105 Hoang Hoa Tham, Loc Tho, Nha Trang

Banh can – Rice flour pancakes

As we continue our exploration of local food in Nha Trang, we come to banh can, a dish that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious. These small, round rice flour pancakes are a popular street food that originated in the south-central region of Vietnam.

Banh can are made from a batter of rice flour and egg, cooked in small round molds over a charcoal stove. They’re typically topped with quail eggs, green onions, and sometimes ground pork or shrimp. The result is a crispy-edged pancake with a soft, slightly chewy center. Unlike in other regions where fish sauce is the norm, Nha Trang-style banh can is often served with a rich, savory sauce made from ground pork and tomatoes. This unique pairing adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish.

You’ll find banh can vendors throughout Nha Trang, often recognizable by their distinctive cooking apparatus – a large metal tray with multiple round molds. The best time to enjoy banh can is in the late afternoon or evening when the streets come alive with food vendors and hungry locals.

Try it at:

• Banh can 2/4 Street – No. 109, 2/4 Street, Nha Trang
• Banh canh 151 – 151 Hoang Van Thu, Nha Trang

Banh xeo – Crispy pancakes, Nha Trang style

While this crispy, savory pancake is enjoyed throughout Vietnam, Nha Trang puts its own spin on this classic dish. Nha Trang-style banh xeo is typically smaller and crispier than its counterparts in other regions. The pancake is made from a batter of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, giving it its characteristic golden color. It’s then filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and sometimes mushrooms.

What sets Nha Trang’s banh xeo apart is the emphasis on seafood fillings, reflecting the city’s coastal bounty. You might find versions stuffed with squid, fish, or even jellyfish alongside the traditional pork and shrimp. You’ll find banh xeo at many local restaurants and street food stalls in Nha Trang. It’s a perfect dish to share with friends, allowing you to experience the interactive, communal nature of Vietnamese dining.

Try it at:

• Banh Xeo 31 – 31 Ngo Duc Ke, Tan Lap, Nha Trang
• Banh Xeo Co Tam – 66 Thap Ba, Vinh Tho, Nha Trang

Banh canh – Noolde soup

As we delve deeper into the local food in Nha Trang, we encounter banh canh, a hearty noodle soup that’s a favorite among locals. This dish features thick, chewy noodles made from a mixture of rice and tapioca flour, giving them a distinctive texture that sets them apart from other Vietnamese noodle soups.

In Nha Trang, you’ll often find banh canh served with seafood, particularly crab (banh canh cua). The broth is rich and flavorful, often thickened slightly with tapioca starch. Toppings may include pieces of crab meat, fish cake, and quail eggs, along with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime.

Try it at:

• Banh canh Hong – 42 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Van Thanh, Nha Trang
• Banh canh co Cuoi – 7 Bach Dang, Phuoc Tien, Nha Trang

Lac Canh grilled beef

Our culinary journey through Nha Trang concludes with a visit to Lac Canh, a local institution famous for its grilled beef. While not a dish in itself, the Lac Canh experience is so integral to Nha Trang’s food scene that it deserves a spot on our list.

Lac Canh restaurant has been serving its signature grilled beef since 1949. The beef is marinated in a secret blend of spices and grilled at your table over a charcoal brazier. The beef is typically served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and vegetables, allowing you to make your own fresh spring rolls. The combination of the smoky grilled beef with the fresh, crisp vegetables creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Address: 77 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Xuong Huan, Nha Trang

Savor the best of local food in Nha Trang with this perfect itinerary:

As we wrap up our local food in Nha Trang tour, it’s clear that the local food scene in this coastal city is as diverse and vibrant as its famous beaches. From the fresh seafood that celebrates Nha Trang’s maritime heritage to unique specialties like bun sua and nem nuong, each dish brings a new experience in Nha Trang.

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If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, why not let the experts guide you? Asia Encounter’s customized tours are a fantastic way to dive deep into Nha Trang’s culinary world. We’ll take you to those hidden gems that only locals know about, and you’ll learn the stories behind each dish. It’s like having a foodie friend show you around the town!