Nha Trang street food: Best culinary specialties & where to find them

When embarking on a Vietnam travel adventure, the vibrant Nha Trang street food is a must-try. It showcases the heart of Vietnamese cuisine, offering an array of delicious dishes that tantalize your taste buds. From seafood delights to grilled treats, let’s discover Nha Trang’s cuisine in your own way.

1. Best Nha Trang street foods that you must try on your food tour

For a memorable Nha Trang travel experience, make sure not to miss out on the best foods in Nha Trang recommended below:

1.1. Nha Trang jellyfish noodle soup (Bun sua Nha Trang)

Jellyfish noodle soup, a dish that embodies the unique flavors of the sea, is a must-try for any traveler visiting Nha Trang. This dish comprises fresh jellyfish caught off the coast, crispy and tender fish cake, and a clear sweet broth made from fish. It is served with a refreshing dipping sauce of sweet and spicy flavors. One sip of the flavorful broth and a bite of the jellyfish will satisfy your palate and help you escape the summer heat.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Bun sua Han Thuyen: No. 24, Han Thuyen Street
• Bun sua Nguyen Loan: No. 123, Ngo Gia Tu Street

1.2. Nha Trang fish noodle soup (Bun la ca dam)

Fish noodle soup is a special Nha Trang street food with a combination of soft vermicelli and light broth made from fish. Before cooking, the fish is deboned and minced into small pieces to enhance the flavor and serve as a topping for the noodles. The soft vermicelli pairs perfectly with the aromatic broth, garnished with fresh herbs and thinly sliced onions, creating a rich taste sensation.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Bun ca Cay Bang: No. 6, Han Thuyen Street
• Bun ca Nam Beo: Dam Market, Ben Cho Street

1.3. Thick noodle soup with fish cakes (Banh canh cha ca)

Vietnamese fish cake is a beloved delicacy in many coastal regions of Vietnam. When in Nha Trang, don’t overlook the specialty known as “banh canh cha ca,” a thick noodle soup with fish cakes. A bowl of this treat features a sweet fish broth, tender rice noodles, and flavorful fish cakes, fried or steamed. It offers a warm and satisfying experience, with a crispy texture that will linger in your memory long after tasting.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Banh canh Co Lien: No. 26, Nui Mot Street
• Banh canh Hong: No. 42, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street

1.4. Squid hotpot (Lau muc) – A must-eat on your Nha Trang street food tour

As a coastal city, Nha Trang specializes in seafood, and a must-try Nha Trang seafood dish is squid hotpot. Its low-fat broth has a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors from ingredients like pineapple and tomato, along with a mild chili kick. Freshly caught squid is cut into thick slices, providing an appealing taste complemented by the slightly spicy and tangy broth. You can enjoy this dish with noodles, vegetables, and additions like shrimp for a truly seductive taste of Nha Trang’s sea.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Lau muc Dai Lanh: At the end of Tran Nhat Duat Street
• Hien Restaurant: Dong Bac Village, Dai Lanh Commune

1.5. Rice porridge with sea urchins (Chao nhum)

Thanks to its unique taste, chao nhum is loved by many people. The tender and creamy sea urchin meat is stir-fried with purple onions, creating a fragrant aroma. It is served with porridge, accompanied by herbs, green onions, and fish sauce, resulting in a rich, sweet, and aromatic flavor that is unforgettable. This dish is not only delicious but also beneficial for digestion and packed with nutrients.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Dai Duong Xanh Seafood: No. 9A, Tran Phu Street
• Lan Chi Seafood: No. 4, Thap Ba Street

1.6. Vietnamese pancake with squid (Banh xeo muc)

Vietnamese pancake with squid is a must-try Nha Trang street food when you are here, and it can be found in many places. These pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, featuring fresh squid with a sweet flavor. This dish is served with a spicy fish sauce, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables, creating a memorable combination. What sets this dish apart is the delightful flavor of the squid eggs, which are delightfully rich. With prices as low as 5,000 – 10,000 VND per pancake, you can indulge your taste buds in this delectable treat without concerning your budget.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Banh xeo Chao: No. 85, To Hien Thanh Street
• Banh xeo Co Tam: No. 6, Thap Ba Street

1.7. Nha Trang mini pancake (Banh can Nha Trang)

Nha Trang-style “banh can” offers a novel twist on the traditional dish, with a unique flavor that can only be found in this coastal city. These round pancakes are cooked on a hot clay surface, producing a soft texture. The perfect blend of fragrant rice flour, rich eggs, and fresh fillings such as shrimp, squid, and minced meat has made this dish famous. Nha Trang’s specialty pancakes taste even better when served with shredded sour mango, herbs, and various dipping sauces like garlic sauce, meatball sauce, or fish sauce.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Banh can Ut Nam: No. 16, Pham Hong Thai Street
• Banh can co Lan: No. 107, 2/4 Street

1.8. Nha Trang raw fish salad (Goi ca mai) – One of the best seafood dishes in Nha Trang

Goi ca mai is a special Nha Trang street food that can be found at any seafood restaurant in Nha Trang. “Mai” fish offers incredibly flavorful meat to create this delicious salad. The fish meat is marinated with lime or vinegar and mixed with toasted rice powder, purple onions, shallots, ginger, and various herbs. The delectable goi ca mai is tangy from the lime, slightly spicy from the chili, sweet from the fish, and refreshing from the herbs, creating an unforgettable taste.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Cay Canh Restaurant: No. 141/5, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
• Ca Ran Restaurant: No. 98, Trinh Phong Street

1.9. Ninh Hoa grilled pork rolls (Nem nuong Ninh Hoa)

Grilled pork rolls in Ninh Hoa are a renowned Nha Trang street food. These pork rolls are made of finely minced, grilled pork that has just the right amount of crisp and fragrance. They are served with deep-fried rice paper, fresh vegetables, and pickled vegetables. A special dipping sauce made from glutinous rice, minced meat, and other ingredients add a savory touch to the delicious grilled pork rolls.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Nem nuong Dang Van Quyen: No. 16A, Lan Ong Street
• Nem nuong Hung Hoa: No. 46/21, Hung Vuong Street

1.10. Nha Trang chicken rice (Com ga Nha Trang)

In the list of Vietnamese chicken rice dishes, Nha Trang chicken rice is a highlight. It combines turmeric-infused rice for a vibrant yellow hue with shredded chicken and is served with sour salt, pickled cucumbers, laksa leaves, ginger sauce, and egg sauce. The unique egg sauce is aromatic and rich, making it the highlight of Nha Trang chicken rice. One bite of the tender rice and flavorful chicken dipped in sauce will undoubtedly explode with flavor in your mouth.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Com ga So 1: No. 19, Ngo Gia Tu Street
• Com ga Tram Anh: No. 10, Ba Trieu Street

1.11. Lac Canh grilled beef (Bo nuong Lac Canh)

Besides seafood, tourists visiting Nha Trang should not miss out on the grilled beef at one of the oldest Nha Trang restaurants, Lac Canh. The beef here is cut into square pieces and marinated with unique spices, creating an indescribably aromatic, rich, and sweet flavor. Dining here, guests grill the beef on a charcoal grill at their table. The sizzling sound of the grill adds to the experience. The tender fragrant beef is often served with bread, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, thinly sliced onions, and a simple dipping sauce of salted chili and squeezed lime.

To try this Nha Trang street food, visit:

• Lac Canh Restaurant: No. 77, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street

1.12. Cau Dua grilled duck (Vit Cau Dua)

While in Nha Trang, you should also try Cau Dua grilled duck – a seemingly simple but distinct dish thanks to its tenderness, sweetness, and lack of an unpleasant odor. The duck meat is marinated with spices and grilled whole until the skin turns golden and emits an enticing aroma. After savoring the grilled duck, you will remember it for its crispy skin, tender meat, and captivating fragrance.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Hung Restaurant: No. 508, 23/10 Street
• Dung Linh Restaurant: No. 29, Phan Chu Trinh Street

1.13. Dien Khanh steamed thin rice pancake (Banh uot Dien Khanh)

Banh uot Dien Khanh is a delightful and affordable Nha Trang street food. The thin rice cakes are steamed to perfection, emanating the fresh scent of rice. They are served with a variety of toppings, such as fried pork rinds, shredded meat, dried shrimp, and mung beans. The flavor of this dish is enhanced by a bowl of fish sauce made. The price for a pancake starts at only 15,000 – 20,000 VND.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Banh uot Dien Khanh: No. 16A, Hong Linh Street
• Banh uot Binh Minh: No. 139, Ngo Gia Tu Street

1.14. Squid marinated in fish sauce (Muc mam nhi) – Among the most adventurous Nha Trang street foods

If you love seafood and the flavorful Vietnamese fish sauce, don’t miss out on muc mam nhi, a specialty shared by Nha Trang’s fishermen. The freshly caught squid is quickly prepared by being cut into bite-sized pieces and mixed with garlic and chili before fish sauce is added. The strong flavor of this dish comes from the spiciness of chili, the pungency of garlic, the saltiness of fish sauce, and the sweet squid. Served with fresh green leaves, this dish is sure to leave an indelible impression.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Ty Ro Seafood: No. 5A, To Hieu Street
• Gia Vi Restaurant: No. 7, Ngo Duc Ke Street

1.15. Nha Trang smashing rice paper (Banh dap Nha Trang)

Your food tour of Nha Trang street food would not be complete without trying Nha Trang smashing rice paper. These are thin and crispy rice cakes served with assorted fillings like sausage, grilled meat rolls, fried shallots, and dipping sauce. Before enjoying them, you can lightly hit the grilled rice paper, causing it to break and stick to the soft rice cake beneath. As a result, the flavors of the ingredients blend seamlessly with the richness of the rice cake and rice paper, creating a delectable dish.

Some recommended places to try this Nha Trang street food are:

• Banh dap Hong Linh: No. 16A, Hong Linh Street
• Banh dap Binh Minh: No. 27, Le Dai Hanh Street

2. Best Nha Trang street foods to bring home for your friends & family

In addition to enjoying delicious dishes, don’t forget to take a stroll through street food markets in Nha Trang and buy some local specialties as souvenirs for your friends back home.

2.1. Fish bubbles (Bong bong ca)

A unique specialty of Nha Trang that tourists often bring back as gifts is dried fish bubbles. These are part of the fish’s intestines and contain many beneficial nutrients for the body. They are also delicious, offering a crunchy and savory sensation. Nha Trang’s fish bubbles are made from various types of fish and from them, you can create various tasty dishes such as fish bubble porridge, deep-fried fish bubbles, or minced fish bubble omelets. You can find this specialty in many markets or shops that sell Nha Trang’s local products.

Some recommended places to buy this Nha Trang street food are:

• Dam Market: Ben Cho Street, Van Thanh Ward
• Xom Moi Market: Ngo Gia Tu Street

2.2. Nha Trang mango rolls-up (Banh trang xoai)

Mango rolls-up are another famous Nha Trang street food. This snack is made from ripe and juicy mangoes from Cam Ranh, the largest mango-growing area in Central Vietnam. After the mangoes are processed into mango juice, they are either sun-dried or baked for 3-4 hours to create dried mango rolls-up. This snack has a beautiful golden-brown color, combining both sweet and tangy flavors. With a soft chewy texture, the natural aroma of mango, and a hint of sunshine, this delicacy is irresistible.

Some recommended places to buy this Nha Trang street food are:

• Banh trang xoai Thai Nguyen: No. 11E, Thai Nguyen Street
• Nha Trang Night Market: No. 46, Tran Phu Street

2.3. Dien Khanh dried deer meat (Nai kho Dien Khanh)

If you are a fan of forest specialties, you definitely should not miss out on the famous dried deer meat in Dien Khanh. This treat combines sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors that are just right, making it ideal for social gatherings with friends. However, the number of deer has decreased these days, so dried deer meat has become increasingly scarce, becoming a rare and highly valued specialty in Nha Trang.

Some recommended places to buy this Nha Trang street food are:

• Dam Market: Ben Cho Street, Van Thanh Ward
• Xom Moi Market: No. 49, Ngo Gia Tu Street

2.4. Ninh Hoa fermented pork rolls (Nem chua Ninh Hoa)

In addition to Ninh Hoa grilled pork rolls being a must eat in Nha Trang, Ninh Hoa fermented pork rolls are a must-buy gift. Nem chua Ninh Hoa is made from clean pork thighs and pork rinds, mixed with spices, and wrapped in star fruit leaves to infuse a delightful aroma during fermentation. Nem chua Ninh Hoa has an appealing pink color, sweet flavors from the meat, a rich taste from the spices, and the fragrance of star fruit leaves, creating an explosion of sensations when you savor it.

Some recommended places to buy this Nha Trang street food are:

• Nem chua My Duyen: Ninh Binh Village, Ninh Hoa Commune
• Nem chua Dang Van Quyen: No. 16A, Lan Ong Street

2.5. Arenga pinnata (Hat dac)

Another specialty to bring back as a gift when visiting Nha Trang is “dac” seeds – a specialty rarely found in other regions. Dac seeds have a distinctively gentle fragrance and a refreshingly rich taste, making them suitable for preparing delicious dishes. For example, you can coat these seeds in pineapple or passion fruit and enjoy them with yogurt, or make a jackfruit sweet soup with dac seeds.

Some recommended places to buy this Nha Trang street food are:

• Dam Market: Ben Cho Street, Van Thanh Ward
• Nha Trang Night Market: No. 46, Tran Phu Street

In addition to savoring Nha Trang street food, when visiting this coastal city, don’t miss out on exploring enticing attractions such as Hon Mun Island, Ba Ho Waterfall, Diep Son Island, Doc Let Beach, National Oceanographic Museum, Dam Market, Nha Trang Cathedral, Alexandre Yersin Museum, Monkey Island, Hon Chong Promontory, Long Son Pagoda, Po Nagar Cham Towers, and more.

Furthermore, you can immerse yourself in nature and experience endless entertainment at VinWonders Nha Trang, a top-rated amusement park situated on Hon Tre Island. As one of the largest amusement parks in Vietnam, VinWonders Nha Trang features five distinct subdivisions: 

• The World Garden is a vast garden adorned with a variety of plant species
• The Fairy Land & the Adventure Land offer numerous challenging and thrilling games
• The Water World is Vietnam’s first and only freshwater park by the sea
• The Sea World is an aquarium showcasing a fascinating array of marine creatures

>>> Book tickets to VinWonders Nha Trang to enjoy infinite fun that you will not forget!

Nha Trang street food is a culinary treasure trove that beckons food enthusiasts from around the world. The bustling streets of Nha Trang offer an unforgettable gastronomic adventure, where you can savor the rich flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. From succulent seafood to mouth-watering grilled dishes, Nha Trang street food encapsulates the essence of this coastal city’s vibrant culture. Exploring the local food in Nha Trang is not just a gustatory delight; it is an immersive experience that will leave an indelible mark on your journey through this picturesque destination.