The First-timer's Guide To Sampling Nha Trang Delicacies

1. Banh Căn (rice flour mini pancakes)

A feast on Nha Trang's specialties should always start with some pairs of "banh can". This kind of rice flour mini pancake is made in a round shape filled with egg, onion, shrimp, and also fresh squid inside. Next, it will be baked in a special terracotta mold under the scorching heat.

Photo: @tuantrach

"Banh can" is often eaten with shredded green mango, raw vegetables, and pork meatballs. All will be dipped into spicy fish sauce topped with garlic, chili, and lime.

Where to eat:

• 19 Le Thanh Ton Street, Nha Trang City
• 48 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Nha Trang City
• 151 Hoang Van Thụ Street, Nha Trang City

2. Grilled Fish Noodle Soup Nha Trang

Locally called "bun ca", this special rice noodle soup with grilled fish in Nha Trang makes any visitors mouth-watering. You will find a variety of stalls serving this dish on major streets of Nha Trang City. A bowl of "Bun ca" Nha Trang is made from various home-grown ingredients such as rice noodles in the light sweet broth of head fish, tomato, onion, pineapple, and filled with crispy grilled fish on top. Bean sprouts, other kinds of vegetables, and fish sauce are also accompanied to create a perfect grilled fish noodle soup.

Photo: @vietgal.cooking

Where to eat:

• Bun Ca Co Ba: 123 Yersin Street, Nha Trang City
• 170 Bach Dang Street, Nha Trang City
• 5A Phan Chu Trinh, Nha Trang City

3. Ninh Hoa Grilled Pork Roll 

The name Ninh Hoa grilled pork roll is derived from Ninh Hoa Town, its origin. This specialty mainly comprises lean pork and pork skin grilled on charcoal. The meat is added with spices including sugar, garlic, pepper, salt, and so on. Therefore, it is fat and sweet. 

Photo: @julie.recipe

A plate of Ninh Hoa grilled pork rolls has some indispensable ingredients such as grilled meat roll, lettuce, fresh herbs, sliced cucumber, star fruit, and mango. All are wrapped in a spring roll and dipped in the sauce. 

Where to eat:

• 16A Lan Ong Street & 2-4 Phan Boi Chau Street, Nha Trang City
• 29-31 Le Loi Street, Nha Trang City
• 59 Le Thanh Phuong Street, Nha Trang City

4. Nha Trang Squid Pancake 

"Banh xeo muc" or squid pancake lures any tourists for its delicious flavor. Similar to other kinds of crispy pancakes, squid pancake is folded in half. Yet apart from being filled with shrimps and green bean sprouts, the highlight of this quid pancake is fresh squid. 

Photo: @sityofangel0

Sampling a piece of squid cake with raw vegetables and sour & spicy fish sauce creates a bold unforgettable flavor.

Where to eat: 

• 85 To Hien Thanh Street, Nha Trang City
• 6 Thap Ba Street, Nha Trang City
• 18 Le Quy Don Street, Nha Trang City

5. Jellyfish Noodle

Nha Trang jellyfish noodle is a must-try dish to round off the list. It brings the authentic taste of the sea and helps to cool down the inner body heat especially during summertime. Jellyfish that are used in the specialty must be thick and small, just the size of a thumbnail. Besides, to create a natural light sweet broth, chefs will add mackerel and barracuda.

Photo: @giamcanmytrang

A steaming hot bowl of tasty jellyfish noodles will include jellyfish, fish balls, and spring onions flooded in the broth.

Where to eat: 

• 24 Han Thuyen Street, Nha Trang City
• 123 Ngo Gia Tu Street, Nha Trang City
• 8 Cu Chi Street, Nha Trang City