Nha Trang is not just about its own unique specialties. This city is a melting pot of culinary treasures from every region in the country. When visiting this city, you can try famous dishes from other regions such as Hanoi Phở, Lã Vọng fish cake, Huế mussel rice, and Quảng noodles… Below are the top dishes from different regions that you can savor in Nha Trang.
Phở
Nha Trang boasts many delectable dishes typical of Hanoi. If you come from the North and don’t find the Central dishes to your taste, or if you’re from another region and have never visited Hanoi, you can still savor the delights of this ancient city right in Nha Trang.
In this city, you can find a plethora of Phở eateries. Generally, the Phở in Nha Trang retains the characteristic Northern style, with a richly simmered broth from bones, lean beef slices, green onions, and aromatic herbs generously layered on top. Additionally, there are crispy “quẩy”, lime, chili, and garlic vinegar to accompany the dish.
Nha Trang Phở strongly exudes the Northern Phở style but is occasionally tweaked a bit to cater to the local palate
However, some restaurants offer variations; for example, instead of the clear broth, it might have a slightly creamy and rich texture, and toppings might include meatballs or fish cake balls, and pork. Instead of crispy “quẩy”, there’s a plethora of fresh vegetables.
For authentic Hanoi-style Phở, you can visit these addresses:
– Phở Lý Quốc Sư
Address: 02 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
– Phở Cồ
Address: 57 Phùng Hưng, TP. Nha Trang
– Phở Thìn
Address: 78 Đường 2 Tháng 4, P. Vĩnh Hải, Tp. Nha Trang
– Phở Bát Đàn
Address: Lô Số 2, Đường Phong Châu, Tp. Nha Trang
Bún đậu mắm tôm
This dish, originally from the North, surprisingly appeals to food lovers from all three regions. In Nha Trang, it’s not hard to find restaurants serving this dish scattered throughout the city.
Nha Trang has many delicious bún đậu restaurants, attracting numerous food enthusiasts
Generally, Nha Trang’s bún đậu preserves the ingredients and flavors of its Northern origin, which includes vermicelli, shrimp paste, and toppings like crispy fried tofu, green rice flake sausages, boiled pork’s ear, boiled pork belly, and assorted fresh herbs. However, they sometimes add a few local Nha Trang specialties as toppings, like grilled fermented pork roll, fish cake, and some even use rice paper for wrapping. For the fresh component, green mango might be added.
Recommended places for Bún đậu mắm tôm in Nha Trang are:
– Bún Đậu Nia
Address: 55 Thống Nhất, Vạn Thạnh, TP. Nha Trang
– Bún đậu mắm tôm Chị Hằng
Address: 19 Tháng 5, Vĩnh Hiệp, Thành phố Nha Trang
– Bún đậu Một Góc Thăng Long
Address: 82 Hoàng Văn Thụ, Tp. Nha Trang.
Phở khô
Phở khô is a famous specialty in Gia Lai. When served, customers receive 2 bowls: one with the pho noodles and the other with the broth. The noodles in this Phở khô are small, thin round strands, unlike the usual wider flat strands found in traditional pho.
In the pho noodle bowl, besides the pho, there are fried onions, bean sprouts, meatballs, and rendered pork fat. When eating, one can add condiments like soy sauce, chili, sesame oil, and pickled chilies, mix them well, and enjoy.
Phở khô is not only fascinating due to its unique way of eating, but its taste is also exceptionally impressive
For the broth, customers can order additional shredded free-range chicken, rare beef, beef meatballs, etc., ensuring that the soup is not only delicious but also nutritionally balanced for a productive day.
Popular Phở khô Places in Nha Trang
Hung Huynh Phở khô Chain
– Address: 56C Dong Da and 17 Hai Ba Trung, Nha Trang City.
– Opening hours: 6-13h | 16-22h
Hủ tiếu
Hủ tiếu is a distinctive dish originally from the South. In Nha Trang, you can find Hủ tiếu stalls everywhere.
Nha Trang’s Hủ tiếu has a unique twist with toppings besides pork and shrimp; one can add squid and fish cake
The best Hủ tiếu in Nha Trang always has a clear broth, chewy and soft Hủ tiếu strands, and a variety of toppings such as pork, minced meat, boiled meat, quail eggs, etc. There are also some signature toppings from the coastal city like squid and fish cake balls.
Suggested Hủ tiếu places in Nha Trang
– Nam Vang Hủ tiếu
Address: 20 Ly Tu Trong, Loc Tho, Nha Trang City.
– My Tho Hủ tiếu Hai Tram
Address: 19 Phan Chu Trinh, Xuong Huan, Nha Trang.
– Bayon Hủ tiếu
Address: 93 – 95 Yersin, Nha Trang.
– A. Phong Hủ tiếu
Address: Street No. 4, Phuoc Long, Nha Trang.
Mì Quảng
Mì Quảng is a traditional dish famous in Quảng Nam – Đà Nẵng. Later on, this dish became popular and prevalent in many South Central provinces, including Khánh Hòa. In Nha Trang, you can easily find a delicious Mì Quảng eatery on any street.
Fundamentally, Mì Quảng in Nha Trang is similar to the original in Quảng. The noodles are large, chewy, soft and are eaten with toppings such as shrimp, chicken, pork, quail eggs, peanuts, and accompanied by fresh herbs. When eating, one mixes all the ingredients, adds a bit of broth to meld the flavors. Additionally, diners can also eat crispy rice paper, squeeze some lemon, and add chili for enhanced taste.
Mì Quảng in Nha Trang sometimes has a variation with smaller, chewy, golden noodles. The toppings might also include fish cakes and Vietnamese pork roll
However, Mì Quảng in Nha Trang has a slight variation to match the culinary features of the region. For instance, the noodles might be as thin as Hủ tiếu noodles, very chewy with a golden hue. Additional toppings could be fish cakes and Vietnamese pork roll.
Some recommended Mì Quảng places in Nha Trang
– Quảng Đá Chẹt
Address: 34 Hai Tháng Tư street, Nha Trang City
– Mì Quảng Nam 127
Address: 127 Hồng Bàng, Nha Trang City
– Mì Quảng Bi
Address: 8 Phan Đình Giót, Nha Trang City
Cơm hến
Cơm hến is a signature dish from the ancient capital of Huế. Simply put, it’s cold rice mixed with sautéed baby clams. This dish offers a unique combination of lightness, sophistication, and strong flavors, encapsulating the culinary culture of the ancient capital.
Cơm hến offers a unique combination of lightness, sophistication, and strong flavors, encapsulating the culinary culture of the ancient capital
In addition to Cơm hến, there is a similar dish called Bún hến. This dish simply replaces the cold rice with rice noodles. Each person may have their preference, but both versions are delicious and appealing.
Some authentic Huế-style Cơm hến eateries in Nha Trang
– Cơm hến Nha Trang
Address: 16 Trần Bình Trọng street, Nha Trang City
– Restaurant 127
Address: 127 Hồng Bàng, Nha Trang
– Cơm hến 76 Trần Bình Trọng
Address: 76 Trần Bình Trọng, Nha Trang City
Gỏi bò khô – Tàu hũ đá
In Nha Trang, this dish is not very common. Some believe it originated from the Chinese community, while others assert it has roots from the northern provinces of Vietnam.
Nha Trang currently has a few places that offer this dish. The most famous place, with a history spanning almost 30 years, belongs to a couple with many years living and doing business with this dish in Saigon.
Gỏi khô bò on Hàn Thuyên street in Nha Trang follows a secret family recipe, giving it a distinctive and hard-to-replicate taste
The dish made at Gỏi khô bò on Hàn Thuyên street in Nha Trang follows a secret family recipe, giving it a distinctive and hard-to-replicate taste. The beef is aromatic and shiny, the chili sauce is thick and moderately spicy, and the papaya remains crispy without turning dark.
The name “Gỏi bò khô – Tàu hũ đá” translates to “Dry beef salad – Iced tofu.” When you come here, everyone usually orders a glass of iced tofu to accompany the spicy beef salad. Savoring the spicy beef and occasionally sipping the cold tofu to soothe the spicy sensation is the perfect way to enjoy this Nha Trang delicacy.
Recommended place for Gỏi bò khô – Tàu hũ đá in Nha Trang
Gỏi bò khô Hưng Thịnh restaurant, at the crossroads of Hàn Thuyên and Hoàng Văn Thụ streets, Nha Trang City.
Above are the top regional culinary delights that are gathering in Nha Trang. If you ever travel to this city, make sure to stop by and give them a try! Warning: You may become addicted!