Famous food in Da Nang – Must-try local dishes & specialties
Da Nang, the vibrant coastal city of Central Vietnam, is famous not only for its stunning landscapes but also for its rich and diverse culinary scene. From traditional noodles, buns, and rice dishes to grilled specialties, sweets, and fresh seafood, the famous food in Da Nang offers a variety of flavors that are unforgettable for any visitor. In this article, we will introduce you to the most iconic dishes of the city and share recommended spots to experience authentic local flavors.
Mi Quang
Mi Quang is a straightforward, everyday dish that you can find almost everywhere in Da Nang. A bowl is prepared quickly: the seller blanches the yellow turmeric noodles, puts them into a bowl, then adds toppings such as shrimp, sliced pork, quail eggs, or chicken. After that, they pour in a small ladle of hot broth, just enough to warm the noodles, not to fill the bowl like pho or bun.
The broth is simple but flavorful. It’s made from pork bones and often cooked with shrimp or chicken to make it sweeter. The seasoning is light, focusing on salt and fish sauce, giving it the typical Central Vietnamese taste.
Mi Quang is always served with a big handful of fresh vegetables: baby mustard greens, lettuce, herbs, bean sprouts, and thinly sliced banana blossom. When mixed in, the vegetables add crunch and make the dish feel fresh and easy to eat. On top of the noodles, you will find roasted peanuts and fried shallots for extra aroma. Every bowl is also served with a piece of crispy rice cracker that you can break into the noodles or eat separately.
Compared to other noodle dishes, Mi Quang is quite filling because it comes with a lot of toppings, especially meat and shrimp. Locals often have it for breakfast or lunch.
Popular Mi Quang places that locals actually eat at
- Mi Quang Ba Mua – 19 Tran Binh Trong, Hai Chau: Generous toppings and stronger broth flavor.
- Mi Quang 1A – 1A Hai Phong, Hai Chau: Consistent taste, easy for first-time visitors, always crowded.
- Mi Quang Ech Bep Trang – 441 Ong Ich Khiem, Hai Chau: Famous for its seasoned frog meat and sweet-savory broth.
- Mi Quang Ba Lu – Alley 90 Nguyen Van Linh: Small family-style shop with balanced seasoning.
- Mi Quang Dung – 121 Do Ba, Ngu Hanh Son: Soft noodles, lots of toppings, very filling.
Goi Ca Trich Nam O – A well-known raw fish salad from Da Nang
Goi Ca Trich Nam O is one of the most famous seafood dishes in Da Nang, especially in the Nam O area north of the city. The dish uses fresh herring caught early in the morning, so the meat is firm, naturally sweet, and not fishy. The seller cleans the fish, removes the bones, and slices it into thin pieces. Then the fish is mixed with ginger, garlic, chili, and a little vinegar or lime juice to remove any smell and slightly tighten the texture.
What makes Nam O herring salad special is its roasted rice powder coating. Each piece of fish is lightly dusted with a mixture of finely ground roasted rice and sesame seeds, giving the fish a nutty aroma and a dry, clean surface. The dish is served with a large basket of fresh herbs such as coriander, mint, fish mint, banana blossom, and other local greens.
To eat it, you place a piece of fish on rice paper, add herbs, roll it up, and dip it into Nam O’s famous dipping sauce. This sauce is made from fermented anchovy liquid mixed with chili, garlic, sugar, and crushed peanuts. The sauce is thick, salty, and aromatic, so only a small amount is needed for each bite.
The overall flavor is clean and refreshing. The fish is soft, the herbs are crisp, and the roasted rice powder adds warmth and aroma. Thanks to the freshness of the ingredients, the dish tastes light and is surprisingly easy to enjoy, even for those trying raw fish for the first time.
Here are some popular places where locals go for authentic Nam O herring salad:
- Goi Ca Thanh Huong – Nam O 1, Lien Chieu
- Goi Ca Sau Hao – Nam O 1, Lien Chieu
- Goi Ca Ba Mua – 14 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hai Chau (good central option)
- Goi Ca Nam O Lao Nam – Nam O 2, Lien Chieu
Banh Trang Thit Heo
Banh Trang Thit Heo (Pork Belly Rice Paper Rolls) in Da Nang often surprises first-time visitors with its simplicity. There is nothing complicated about the ingredients or the seasoning, yet the dish wins people over because everything is fresh, clean, and fun to eat, you roll it yourself and dip it into a flavorful sauce, just like how locals enjoy it.
The star of the dish is the two-edge pork belly, carefully selected and boiled until just cooked so it stays juicy and tender. When sliced, each piece shows a thin, even layer of fat that feels soft but never greasy. The dish uses two types of rice paper: a soft rice paper sheet for wrapping and a sesame rice cracker to add a light crunch. When wrapped with fresh herbs, the roll becomes refreshing and balanced, making it easy to enjoy without feeling heavy.
The element that defines the dish is the mam nem dipping sauce. This sauce is mixed to a mild yet flavorful taste, not too strong but still distinctly Central Vietnamese. A good mam nem blend usually includes minced pineapple, garlic, and chili, creating a fragrant, sweet-savory aroma. When you dip the roll into the sauce, the flavor instantly deepens and becomes richer.
Banh Trang Thit Heo is affordable, easy to eat, and always served with a generous plate of herbs: lettuce, perilla, fish mint, basil, cucumber, and more. The combination brings a light, refreshing taste, making it suitable for both lunch and dinner.
Popular Banh Trang Thit Heo restaurants in Da Nang:
- Ba Mua – 19 Tran Binh Trong
- Mau – 35 Do Thuc Tinh
- Dai Loc Nho – 97 Trung Nu Vuong
Bun Cha Ca
Bun Cha Ca is one of the most well-known dishes in Da Nang cuisine and is considered a must-try specialty when visiting this coastal city. It is more than just a simple noodle soup, the dish brings together firm, flavorful fish cake, a light and clear broth, and fresh herbs to create a taste that represents the essence of Central Vietnam.
Da Nang’s Bun Cha Ca has a clear broth with natural sweetness, simmered from fish bones and vegetables, rather than being oily or strongly seasoned. The sweetness of the broth blends with the chewy, fragrant fish cake, making the dish light yet satisfying. When eating, a squeeze of lime, a bit of chili, and a handful of herbs help balance the flavors and elevate the overall taste.
Locals usually enjoy Bun Cha Ca in the morning or at lunchtime, served steaming hot. A typical bowl includes fried or steamed fish cake, hot broth, fresh herbs, and green onions. Some places also add fish balls or thin slices of boiled fish to make the bowl more hearty.
Here are some long-established and highly recommended places:
- Bun Cha Ca 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh – 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau
- Bun Cha Ca Ong Ta – 113A Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau
- Bun Cha Ca Ba Phien – 63 Le Hong Phong, Hai Chau
- Bun Cha Ca Di Gai – 119 Le Dinh Duong, Hai Chau
- Bun Cha Ca Tuan My – 242 Hoang Dieu, Hai Cha
Bun Mam Nem Da Nang
Bun Mam Nem is a dish deeply rooted in everyday life in Da Nang. You can find it at countless small eateries across the city. The dish is a mix of fresh vermicelli, boiled pork, beef sausage, herbs, roasted peanuts, and especially mam nem, a strongly scented fermented anchovy sauce that becomes incredibly addictive when seasoned correctly.
A typical bowl includes thinly sliced boiled pork belly, Da Nang–style beef sausage, crushed roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and a generous amount of fresh herbs such as lettuce, cabbage, basil, and bean sprouts. Some shops add fried fermented pork rolls or sliced pig’s ear for extra crunch. The vermicelli used is the small-sot variety, which mixes easily and absorbs flavor well.
The heart of the dish lies in the seasoned mam nem. The sauce is made from fermented anchovies or scads, then mixed with garlic, chili, crushed pineapple, and a bit of sugar to reduce the strong smell while keeping its bold, savory identity. Although the aroma is intense, once mixed with vermicelli, herbs, and peanuts, the flavor becomes surprisingly balanced, salty, sweet, rich, and spicy all at once.
When eating, locals mix everything thoroughly so the sauce coats every strand of vermicelli. The first bite delivers the full flavor of the sauce, the softness of the noodles, and the crunch from herbs and peanuts. This simple combination is exactly what makes the dish unforgettable for those who enjoy bold flavors.
Famous Bun Mam Nem spots in Da Nang:
- Ba Van Bun Mam – 23/14 Tran Ke Xuong
- Co Sau Bun Mam – 93 Hoang Dieu
- Ngoc Bun Mam – 20 Doan Thi Diem
- Tran Ke Xuong Bun Mam – 44 Tran Ke Xuong
- Ba Thuyen Bun Mam – 14 Yen Khe 2
Hoi An / Da Nang Chicken Rice (Com Ga)
Hoi An and Da Nang are both famous for their chicken rice, a simple yet irresistible dish that highlights the natural flavors of fresh ingredients. The chicken is perfectly poached, tender and juicy, not dry, while the rice is fluffy, fragrant, and cooked in the flavorful chicken broth with a hint of turmeric for a golden color. Each bite delivers the sweetness of the chicken and the aroma of fried shallots, blending perfectly with the lightly seasoned rice.
A full plate of chicken rice is often served with fresh herbs, cucumber, bean sprouts, and a dipping sauce, which can be either sweet-sour fish sauce, ginger sauce, or a special chili paste. These accompaniments bring the dish to life, adding tanginess, heat, and aroma, making each bite more enjoyable. Some restaurants also offer additional condiments, such as fermented fish or chili sauce, for those who want a richer flavor.
For an authentic Hoi An Chicken Rice experience, visit Binh Minh Restaurant at Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness. Each plate is prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients: tender, juicy chicken, aromatic rice, and perfectly balanced dipping sauces. Enjoy the dish in a comfortable and elegant setting while taking in the peaceful ocean views. It’s the perfect place to savor a local specialty and relax in style during your stay in Hội An.
- Ba Buoi Chicken Rice – 25 Phan Chau Trinh
- Xi Quach Thanh Huong Chicken Rice – 38 Nguyen Chi Thanh
- Hai Nam Chicken Rice – 15 Le Hong Phong
Banh It Da Nang (Sticky Rice Dumplings)
Banh It is a traditional Central Vietnamese dumpling, well-loved for its soft yet slightly chewy glutinous rice exterior. The filling usually includes pork, mung beans, or dried shrimp, seasoned to perfection, creating a rich and aromatic taste. Each bite delivers a harmonious balance between the savory, flavorful filling and the delicate, fragrant rice dough. In Da Nang, Banh It is often wrapped in banana leaves, which gives the dumpling a subtle, natural aroma that enhances the eating experience and adds a touch of tradition.
This snack is commonly enjoyed as a light breakfast or casual treat, often served with a little dipping sauce or fresh cucumber to complement the flavor. Some shops sprinkle roasted sesame seeds on top for extra aroma and texture. Banh It is not only a humble, everyday delicacy but also a specialty that locals proudly recommend to visitors, reflecting the elegance and simplicity of Central Vietnamese cuisine.
Popular places to try Banh It in Da Nang
- Ba Duong Banh It – 280/23 Hoang Dieu
- Ba Ty Banh It – 20 Phan Chu Trinh
- Co Lan Banh It – 46 Phan Thanh
- Ba Nho Banh It – 54 Nguyen Cong Tru
Banh Hoi Thit Nuong Da Nang (Grilled Meat with Vermicelli Sheets)
Banh Hoi Thit Nuong is a signature dish of Central Vietnamese cuisine, featuring thin, delicate vermicelli sheets that are soft yet slightly chewy. The highlight of the dish is the grilled pork or beef, marinated with a special Da Nang seasoning: mildly sweet, lightly spicy, and infused with lemongrass, garlic, and fried shallots. When served, the vermicelli sheets are spread on banana leaves, rolled together with the grilled meat, fresh herbs such as lettuce, basil, and coriander, and dipped into sweet-sour fish sauce or special chili paste, creating a rich yet light flavor.
A typical serving also comes with cucumber, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and crispy fried shallots. Each bite combines the aroma of grilled meat, the tender and slightly chewy vermicelli, and the fresh, crisp vegetables, making it a satisfying yet light meal, perfect for breakfast or lunch. Banh Hoi Thit Nuong is a must-try dish for any visitor to Da Nang wanting to experience authentic Central Vietnamese flavors.
Popular places to try Banh Hoi Thit Nuong in Da Nang
- Ba Huong Banh Hoi Thit Nuong – 105 Nguyen Chi Thanh
- Ba Lan Banh Hoi Thit Nuong – 38 Phan Chau Trinh
- Ong Hoa Banh Hoi Thit Nuong – 56 Le Duan
- Minh Huong Banh Hoi Thit Nuong – 23 Hoang Dieu
The famous food in Da Nang reflects the perfect blend of traditional flavors and fresh Central Vietnamese ingredients, from noodles, buns, and rice dishes to grilled meats and sweet treats. Whether you are a traveler or a local, tasting these dishes is the best way to experience the culture and culinary richness of the city. Take the time to explore and enjoy the unique flavors that make Da Nang’s cuisine truly unforgettable.
