7 Must-Try Foods in Da Nang
Da Nang is renowned not only for its stunning beaches but also for its rich and distinctive cuisine, which showcases the flavors of Central Vietnam. The delectable dishes found here are considered some of the finest in Vietnam, and they truly enhance your overall experience in Da Nang.
1. Mi Quang
One of the must-try dishes in Da Nang is Mi Quang. This dish originated from Quang Nam, which was previously part of Da Nang. In Central Vietnam, where Da Nang is located, the dry season can be too hot to enjoy a traditional hot noodle soup. As a result, Mi Quang was created as a unique culinary innovation, combining elements of both soup and salad.
Unlike other noodle soups, Mi Quang is served with a small amount of savory pork and chicken broth. The dish features yellow rice noodles colored with turmeric powder, along with various protein options such as slices of pork belly and whole shrimp. Toppings include sesame rice crackers and roasted peanuts, and it is typically served with fresh herbs and vegetables on the side.
Here are some famous Mi Quang restaurants in Da Nang:
1. Mi Quang Thi
Address: 251 Hoang Dieu, Hai Chau District
Price range: 25,000 VND – 55,000 VND ($1.05 – $2.35)
2. Mi Quang Ba Mua
Address: 19 Tran Binh Trong, Hai Chau District
Price range: 35,000 VND – 55,000 VND
3. Mi Quang Ba Vi
Address: 166 Le Dinh Duong, Hai Chau District
Price range: 30,000 VND – 40,000 VND
2. COM GA
Another popular dish in Da Nang is Com Ga, also known as chicken rice. It is a flavorful and aromatic dish with a meticulous cooking process. The rice is cooked in chicken broth and seasoned with turmeric powder to achieve a vibrant yellow color. It is served with a small bowl of chicken broth seasoned with black pepper and chopped green onions. The dish is accompanied by a chicken salad made with shredded chicken, lemon leaves, onions, laksa leaves, and onions.
Com Ga is widely available in Da Nang, and here are some recommended restaurants to try:
1. Com Ga A Hai
Address: 100 Thai Phien, Hai Chau District
Price range: 40,000 VND – 65,000 VND
2. Com Ga Ba Buoi Hoi An
Address: 253 Ho Nghinh, Son Tra District
Price range: 45,000 VND – 75,000 VND
3. Com Ga Hong Ngoc
Address: 193 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau District
Price: 55,000 VND
These restaurants offer delicious and authentic Com Ga dishes for you to enjoy during your visit to Da Nang.
3. BANH TRANG CUON
Banh Trang Cuon, also known as self-served spring rolls, is a unique dish in Da Nang. It features simple ingredients but offers a different dining experience compared to traditional spring rolls. When eating Banh Trang Cuon, you’ll be provided with a plate of sliced pork belly, thin rice paper, a variety of fresh vegetables, and a dipping sauce.
To enjoy this dish, you start by taking a sheet of rice paper and adding a slice of pork belly, along with green herbs, shredded green mangoes, and a slice of green banana. You then wrap them up and dip the rolls into the sweet and sour fish sauce or the iconic fermented sauce according to your preference. The combination of flavors is delightful, with the richness of the pork, freshness from the vegetables, a hint of sourness from the green mangoes, a touch of bitterness from the green banana, and the sweet and spicy notes from the dipping sauce.
In Da Nang, you can find numerous banh trang cuon restaurants, and here are some recommended locations:
1. Banh Trang Cuon Dai Loc
Address: 75 Trung Nu Vuong, Hai Chau District
Price: 55,000 VND
2. Banh Trang Cuon Tran
Address: 04 Le Duan, Hai Chau District
Price: 189,000 VND
3. Banh Trang Cuon Mau
Address: 35 Do Phuc Tinh, Cam Le District
Price: 75,000 VND
These restaurants offer delicious banh trang cuon with a variety of ingredients for you to create your own rolls and enjoy the unique flavors of this Da Nang specialty.
4. Bun mam nem
Bun Mam Nem is a unique dish that showcases the distinct flavors of Central Vietnam cuisine, characterized by its salty and spicy taste. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its fermented fish sauce, it is a highlight of the region’s culinary offerings. Similar to Banh Trang Cuon, Bun Mam Nem consists of rice vermicelli noodles, roasted pork belly, crunchy boiled pork ears, cured beef, green herbs, and roasted peanuts. The combination is then dressed in fermented fish sauce, which is mixed with lime juice and chilies to create a flavorful and aromatic sauce.
If you’re adventurous and would like to give Bun Mam Nem a try, here are some recommended restaurants in Da Nang:
1. Bun Mam Liem
www.bunmamliem.com
Address: 41 Đoàn Thị Điểm, Hải Châu 2, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000
Phone : 090 505 57 75
Price: 30,000 VND – 40,000 VND
2. Ba Dong
Address: 141 Huynh Thuc Khang, Hai Chau District
Price: 35,000 VND – 45,000 VND
3. Bun Mam Nem Ba Van
Address: 23/14 Tran Ke Xuong, Hai Chau District
Price: 25,000 VND – 35,000 VND
These restaurants specialize in serving delicious Bun Mam Nem, allowing you to experience the unique flavors and aromas of this Central Vietnamese dish. Embrace the boldness of the fermented fish sauce and savor the complexity of flavors that make Bun Mam Nem a special culinary delight in Da Nang.
5. BANH XEO
Banh Xeo is another must-try dish in Da Nang. While banh xeo is a popular Vietnamese dish across the country, the version in Da Nang has its own unique characteristics. Unlike the larger and thinner pancakes commonly found in southern Vietnam, banh xeo in Da Nang is smaller in size but features a crispy golden crust. It is filled with a delicious combination of pork, shrimp (and sometimes baby squids), green onions, and bean sprouts. What sets banh xeo in Da Nang apart is the addition of nem lui, pork sticks that are grilled over charcoal.
When enjoying banh xeo, you will wrap it in a sheet of rice paper along with sliced cucumber, papaya pickles, and other fresh vegetables. The dish is best enjoyed with the accompanying peanut sauce, which adds a rich and nutty flavor to the combination. Make sure to include a bit of everything to experience the perfect balance of flavors.
For tasty banh xeo in Da Nang, you can visit the following restaurants:
1. Banh Xeo Mien Trung
Address: 14 Hoang Dieu, Hai Chau District
Price: 75,000 VND per dish
2. Ba Duong
Address: 23 Hoang Dieu, Hai Chau District
Price: 75,000 VND per dish
These establishments are known for serving delicious banh xeo that captures the essence of this Vietnamese specialty. Indulge in the crispiness of the pancake, the savory filling, and the delightful combination of flavors when you wrap it with fresh vegetables and dip it in the peanut sauce. Banh xeo is a delightful culinary experience that should not be missed during your visit to Da Nang.
6. BUN CHA CA
Bun Cha Ca, also known as fish cake noodle soup, is a delicious dish that showcases the bounty of seafood in Da Nang. The broth of this dish is clear, flavorful, and has a delightful balance of sweetness and sourness derived from ingredients like tomatoes, pineapples, and local tamarind. The aromatic soup is enhanced with the addition of chopped green onions and cilantro, adding freshness to every spoonful. Bun cha ca is a delightful and refreshing dish that will tantalize your taste buds.
When visiting Da Nang, make sure to try bun cha ca at the following recommended restaurants:
1. Bun Cha Ca Ba Lu
Address: 319 Hung Vuong, Thanh Khe District
Price: 25,000 VND – 40,000 VND
2. Bun Cha Ca Ba Hoa
Address: 27 Le Hong Phong, Hai Chau District
Price: 30,000 VND – 60,000 VND
3. Ong Ta
Address: 113A Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau District
Price: 30,000 VND – 70,000 VND
These establishments are known for serving delicious and authentic bun cha ca that captures the essence of this seafood specialty. The combination of fish cakes, noodles, and the flavorful broth creates a harmonious and satisfying dish. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in this delightful culinary experience during your time in Da Nang.
7. BANH TRANG KEP
Banh Trang Kep, or rice paper sandwiches, are a popular street food snack in Da Nang that you shouldn’t miss. These delightful treats are loved by locals for their variety of toppings and flavors. The preparation starts with cutting rice papers into triangular shapes resembling pizza slices. They are then topped with minced pork, sausage, green onions, fried red onions, and quail eggs. The assembled sandwiches are grilled over an open fire until the rice paper turns crispy and delicious. For those who enjoy spice, you can dip the banh trang kep in sauteed sauce to add some heat.
When exploring the streets of Da Nang, you will easily find vendors selling banh trang kep. Typically, they are priced around 10,000 VND, making them an affordable and tasty snack option. These crispy rice paper sandwiches are perfect for enjoying in between meals or at any time of the day when you crave a flavorful and satisfying treat. Grab one from a street vendor and savor the unique combination of textures and flavors that banh trang kep has to offer.
