When visiting Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, aside from its stunning landscapes of blue seas, white sands, and golden sunshine, visitors can relish affordable and nutritious dishes infused with the coastal city’s flavor.

Enjoying these readily available dishes in the cool coastal air will surely create memorable experiences during a trip to the city.

Bún lá cá dầm Nha Trang

Bún lá cá dầm (vermicelli with minced fish wrapped in leaves) is a quintessential dish of Vietnamese cuisine, especially favored in Nha Trang. 

To craft the delicious essence of this dish, cooks boil fish such as mackerel, tuna, barracuda, or sailfish before mincing them in a flavorful broth.

To enhance the dish further, a touch of sweet fish sauce is added. 

Some prefer to include Vietnamese fermented shrimp sauce, and it is commonly served with chopped raw vegetables, a squeeze of lemon, and a hint of chili for added zest.

Nem nướng

Nem nướng (Vietnamese grilled pork sausage), a rustic delicacy originating from Khanh Hoa’s Ninh Hoa Town, has gained fame as a quintessential dish that draws tourists to Nha Trang.

Local cooks emphasize using finely chopped pork mixed with a bit of fatty meat for added richness. The mixture is seasoned with a blend of spices, ground until smooth, meticulously shaped into tubes, and then grilled.

To achieve perfection, the skewers of nem nướng are continuously and evenly turned during grilling to prevent uneven cooking or scorching. 

Essential accompaniments include dipping sauce, rice paper for wrapping, and fresh vegetables, enhancing the dish’s delicious flavor profile.

Bánh xèo mực

Nha Trang’s bánh xèo (Vietnamese sizzling cakes) are distinct for their filling of loligo squid, which are small, often as tiny as a fingertip in length. 

Variations in flavor abound: some recipes incorporate turmeric powder and a pinch of salt for color, while others use beer to ferment the batter.

When served, diners enjoy bánh xèo with a side of sweet and sour fish sauce for dipping, accompanied by raw vegetables to better the dish’s taste experience.

Mì Quảng

Many tourists visiting Nha Trang may initially associate mì Quảng (Quảng-style noodles) with the famous dish from Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam. 

However, those familiar with Nha Trang City recognize its unique variation.

Nha Trang’s mì Quảng is a distinct noodle soup found in numerous shops at Dam Market and Xom Moi Market. 

Unlike the larger, softer noodles of Quang Nam, Nha Trang’s version features smaller, chewy noodles with a vibrant yellow hue.

Typically served with boiled meat, fish cakes, chả lụa (pork rolls), and quail eggs, Nha Trang’s mì Quảng is known for its abundant broth, another key difference from its Quang Nam counterpart.

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