Da Nang food: Enrich your culinary experience with TOP must-try dishes

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Da Nang foods have the marvelous features of Central Vietnam’s cuisine (Source: collected)

As a bustling city of the Central region, Da Nang is famous for its beautiful natural landscapes and diverse cuisine. For your next Vietnam travel, let’s find out the best Da Nang foods to better understand why tourists are so infatuated with this city.

1. TOP 10 authentic Da Nang foods that you should not miss out on

Visiting “the most worth-living city in Vietnam”, if you ask the locals about must-try Da Nang food, they will undoubtedly name the popular dishes below:

1.1. Banh Xeo – The best food in Da Nang

Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) is a kind of pancake made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, stuffed with slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, then pan-fried. Traditionally, the pancake is wrapped in lettuce, cucumber, green banana, herbs, papaya salad, and/or other herbs, then dipped in a unique sauce.

Da Nang has its own style of making this popular dish. Instead of using the familiar fish sauce (nuoc mam), Da Nang’s banh xeo is served with a special sauce that consists of pork liver, hoisin sauce, and garlic. This variation absolutely ramps up the pancake’s flavors to even greater levels.

Banh xeo is one of the most famous dishes of Da Nang cuisine (Source: collected)

Suggested Da Nang restaurants:

• Quán Bà Dưỡng: K280/23 Hoang Dieu, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Quán Cô Mười: 23 Chau Thi Vinh Te, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang

1.2. Da Nang what to eat? Try Quang noodles

As a famous rustic dish in Central Vietnam, Quang noodles (mi Quang) are considered the top choice when tourists come to Da Nang and Hoi An.

Both the broth and noodles of mi Quang have their own unique characteristics. You can see the chef put a layer of raw vegetables in the bowl, then cover them with a layer of pre-cut noodles. The broth is poured in just enough and mixed with raw vegetables and toppings. The broth has a red-yellow color and a delicious greasy taste. Putting in a pinch of crushed roasted peanuts on top, with chopped fresh onions, lemons, and chili, will make the dish even richer, sourer, and spicier.

A bowl of irresistible Quang noodles will make you drool (Source: collected)

Today, there are many filling variations to make Quang noodles more diverse, such as chicken, beef, pork ribs, frog, shrimp, and jellyfish. In Da Nang, Quang noodles are often sold in the morning on sidewalks, or in shops and markets, for 15,000 – 20,000 VND a bowl.

Suggested Da Nang places to eat Quang noodles:

• Mì quảng Bà Mua: 95A Nguyen Tri Phuong, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang
• Mì quảng Thi gia truyền: 251 Hoang Dieu, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Mì Quảng Bà Lữ: 32 Nguyen Van Linh, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

1.3. Bun cha ca – Noodles with grilled fish cakes

Unlike in Nha Trang or Binh Dinh, a bowl of noodles with grilled fish cakes of Da Nang (bun cha ca Da Nang) has a sweet and sour taste due to vegetable ingredients such as pumpkin, cabbage, pineapple, and tomato.

The dish’s main ingredients are mackerel and tuna, cooked and cut into small pieces or thin slices. The broth is cooked from fish bones to have a sweet taste. In some places, people add pineapple and tomato to enhance the flavor. The noodles are small and soft, filled with broth and fish, and eaten with herbs and raw vegetables.

This Da Nang food is sold all over the streets of Da Nang (Source: collected)

A bowl of bun cha ca is considered good if there is no fishy smell, only the sweet aroma of the vegetables and the rich taste of the broth.

Suggested Da Nang restaurants:

• Bún chả cá không tên: 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Da Nang
• Bún chả cá Ông Tạ: 113A Nguyen Chi Thanh, Da Nang

1.4. Food to eat in Da Nang: Nam O fish salad

Nam O fish salad (goi ca Nam O) is named after the place of origin of the dish, Nam O fishing village. This village is hundreds of years old and located at the foot of Hai Van Pass in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang.

The fish to make this salad can be sardines, carp, anchovies, etc., with the most suitable one being herring. The sweetness of herring meat, the spicy broth with galangal and chili, and the fresh taste of the vegetables blend together to create an impressive dish of Da Nang cuisine.

Diners often put fish and raw vegetables in rice paper and roll them together before eating (Source: collected)

Suggested Da Nang restaurant:

• Quán Gỏi Nam Ô: 972 Nguyen Luong Bang, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang

1.5. Cao Lau – A famous food in Danang, Hoi An

Similar in appearance to Quang noodles, Cao Lau is a dish with distinct features. Unlike other specialties that can use varied ingredients, Cao Lau is only “faithful” to a single recipe: noodles, pork, raw vegetables, and a little broth.

The broth of Cao Lau is cooked from marinated pork, having a slightly sweet, rich, and delicious taste. Unlike other dishes of the Central region which have lots of vegetables, a plate of Cao Lau has only young cabbage and some bitter vegetables. Visitors to Da Nang and Hoi An can find Cao Lau at many restaurants in the cities.

Cao Lau is an attractive dish made of crispy noodles, char siu, fresh vegetables, and a little broth (Source: collected)

Suggested Da Nang restaurants:

• Cao lầu Hoài Phố: 255 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Cao lầu Phố Hội: 172 To Huu, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

1.6. Dap cake – A must-try dish in a Da Nang food tour

The rustic delicacy called banh dap (or dap cake) is a layer of baked rice paper mixed with a layer of banh uot, then folded and eaten with seasoning sauce.

As its name suggests (“dap” means “smash”), to make banh dap, the baked rice paper and banh uot are put together and then “smashed”. The layer of banh uot is topped with onions and pureed green beans. Banh dap can be eaten with fish sauce or served with shrimp, boiled pork, or grilled meat, depending on the region. This dish is often sold at street vendors at a reasonable price.

Banh dap is a rustic dish loved by many young people in Da Nang (Source: collected)

Suggested Da Nang restaurant:

• Bánh đập Bà Tứ: 354 Le Duan, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

1.7. Banh canh – Vietnamese thick noodle soup

Banh canh is a typical dish of central coastal provinces. Depending on the taste of the region’s locals, this dish can be cooked with pork bones, crab, fish, or duck to make different variations.

The highlight of this dish is that the broth is rich in nutritions, the noodles are delicious, and the appearance is eye-catching. When eating, diners can add a little chili sauce or fish sauce for a better taste.

It is great to enjoy a bowl of banh canh Da Nang on windy days (Source: collected)

Da Nang food guide – Places to eat banh canh:

• Bánh canh Bà Thu: 78 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Bánh canh Thanh Hương: 35 Le Hong Phong, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Bánh canh Hà Thị Thân: No. 20 Ha Thi Than, Son Tra District, Da Nang

1.8. Banh trang cuon thit heo – Sliced pork rolled with rice paper

Besides Nam O fish salad, Quang Noodles, pork rolls (banh trang cuon thit heo) are also one of the trademark dishes of Da Nang. This dish is a harmony of taste, color, and aroma for gourmets.

While pork and vegetables have a fresh taste, the dipping sauce brings a rich flavor of saltfish, and the spicy taste of chili and ginger will leave diners in awe.

Banh trang cuon thit heo is both delicious and healthy (Source: Collected)

Coming to the beautiful city of Da Nang, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this delicious dish at some restaurants or street vendors, Con market, Han market, etc.

To enjoy good food in Da Nang, try pork rolls at:

• Quán Trần: 4 Le Duan, Hai Chau District, or 28 Duy Tan, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Bánh tráng thịt heo Xứ Quảng: 95 Trung Nu Vuong, Da Nang
• Quán Bà Mua: 95A Nguyen Tri Phuong or 231 Dong Da, Da Nang

1.9. Ram cuon Da Nang – A Da Nang specialty food

Ram cuon is quite similar to spring rolls in Northern Vietnam, with a slight difference in the type of rice paper and fillings. After being rolled, ram cuon will be fried evenly until it has a yellow color. Diners should enjoy the dish with leaf mustard and sweet and sour fish sauce, which will leave an unforgettable taste on their taste buds.

A set of ram cuon looks simple but has a unique flavor (Source: Collected)

Suggested Da Nang restaurants:

• Ram cuốn cải Việt: 16 Hoang Hoa Tham, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Ram cuốn cải Cô Tiến: 85 Ong Ich Khiem, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang
• Ram cuốn cải Đào Duy Từ: 14/22 Dao Duy Tu, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang

1.10. Bun mam nem – Da Nang noodles with fermented fish sauce

Bun mam nem is a Da Nang specialty that you should not miss out on. This simple dish combines vermicelli with a few ingredients such as pork, fresh vegetables, roasted peanuts, and mam nem – the typical sauce of the Central region. This sauce is also the most essential ingredient to make the particular taste of bun mam nem.

Don’t forget to try bun mam nem – a local food in Da Nang (Source: Collected)

Suggested Da Nang restaurants:

• Quán Bà Thuyên: K424/3 Le Duan, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang
• Quán Ngọc: 20 Doan Thi Diem, Hai Chau 2, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
• Bún Mắm Vân Đà Nẵng: K23/14 Tran Ke Xuong, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

2. What to bring home when you explore Da Nang cuisine?

After a trip to Da Nang, you will definitely want to buy some specialties as gifts for your family and loved ones. Some famous Da Nang delicacies that you can bring home are:

2.1. Da Nang half-dried cuttlefish

The freshness of Da Nang half-dried cuttlefish is undisputed. After being cleaned, the fresh cuttlefish will be dried in the sun and packed in vacuum bags for visitors to easily bring home. This specialty of Da Nang is ideal for you to buy as a gift to your loved ones and family.

Prices: About 490,000 VND (~19,70 USD)/ kilogram/ pack

Many people travel to Da Nang and buy half-dried cuttlefish as a gift for friends and family (Source: Collected)

2.2. Da Nang dried shrimp

Housewives will love this practical gift. There are many types of dried shrimp in Da Nang. Some are small, some are large, and each of them will have a different price. However, many tourists recommend buying large-size dried shrimp to feel the deliciousness and sweetness of Da Nang seas.

Prices: About 130,000 VND (~5,23 USD)/ 250 grams

Da Nang dried shrimp can be processed into a lot of delicious dishes (Source: Collected)

2.3. Dried Chilean grape

This specialty of Da Nang is known to contain high nutritional content and bring many benefits to health. Visitors can go to some reputable stores to buy Chilean grapes for high-quality goods.

Prices: About 172,000 VND (~6,92 USD)/ 170 grams

Chilean grape has become a popular specialty of Da Nang recently (Source: collected)

2.4. Sesame dry cake

At first glance, this cake looks a lot like Hue sesame. However what makes the cake unique is the crispiness under the greasy and fragrant sesame layer. It would be a waste to leave Da Nang without buying this famous specialty.

Prices: About 35,000 VND (~1,41 USD)/ box

Da Nang sesame dry cake looks similar to Hue sesame (Source: Collected)

In addition to taking a Da Nang food tour, you should also pay a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town to explore the cuisine there. The town is only about 30 kilometers away from the center of Da Nang. Here, there are many exciting activities for you to try. And one of the most worthwhile experiences for your Da Nang – Hoi An trip is to visit VinWonders Nam Hoi An amusement park.

VinWonders Nam Hoi An – where amazing experiences happen

Only about 15 kilometers away from Hoi An Ancient Town, VinWonders Nam Hoi An has a large scale, with 5 distinctive subdivisions: Island of Folk Culture, Adventure Land, River Safari, Water World, and Harbor Corner.

Come to VinWonders Nam Hoi An to discover many valuable cultural heritages

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Nam Hoi An to have fun at this fantastic park!

Hopefully, the above information about Da Nang food will help you enrich your culinary experience with Da Nang cuisine. This city will always be full of delicious dishes and beautiful attractions, so don’t miss the opportunity to explore ever new things in the city!

>>> And don’t forget to book tickets of VinWonders Nam Hoi An to receive the best deals!