How many delicious food foreigners should try in Da Nang?

Vietnam cuisine is particularly diverse and plentiful, each region has its own characteristics. Among many big cities all over the world, Da Nang cuisine is not like others as it represents, not mixes, all the specialties of central Vietnam. Here are the top 10 delicious, flavorsome street-foods and delicacies you should try while in Da Nang and where to find them.

Quang noodle (Mi Quang)

This is actually the first dish I want to recommend. People in Da Nang always prides themselves on this special dish, so a trip to Da Nang will not be perfect without eating Quang noodle.

Quang noodle having its origin from Quang Nam province is made with rice noodles, fresh herbs, lettuce and flower of bananas. The noodle has color of yellow or white and material from rice flour, while the broth is made from simmering pork and tibia shin, chickens, or snakehead fish seasoned with salt, sugar, black pepper, shallots, garlic, lemongrass and finally garnished with grilled rice paper and spices. Strolling along the streets of Danang, you can easily get a mouth-watering bowl of Quang noodle with reasonable price.

Where to eat?

• Address: Madame Mua – Mi Quang Ba Mua: 19 – 21 Tran Binh Trong street, Hai Chau district, Danang city
• Price range: 40,000 – 80,000 VND (~ $2-3 USD)
• Open time: 6:30 – 21:30

Sizzling cake/Vietnamese pancake (Banh xeo)

The best time to eat Banh xeo is when they are hot and crispy, straight from the pan, while the heat is still evaporating the yellow of the pancakes. Why is it named after Sizzling cake? Because Xeo xeo (sizzling) is the sound of fried rice batter on hot pans. Vietnamese pancake is a very popular dish in Viet Nam, you can enjoy it in any region. People usually wrap pancakes in fresh rice paper with meat roll and then dip in special sauce. It’s great if you eat this food in a cool or rainy afternoon!

Where to eat?

• Madame Duong – Banh xeo ba Duong: K20/23 Hoang Dieu St, Danang
• Price range: 20,000 – 55,000 VND (~ $1 – 3 USD)
• Open time: 09:30 – 21:00

Danang spicy snail (Oc hut)

Oc hut, literally means “sucking snail”, is obviously named by how the locals eat them: place your mouth close to the head of the snail and suck the meat out. Be careful when you try to suck it for the first time – the heat and spiciness may take you aback. But once you get used to it, this is probably the most exciting and fun dish you’ve ever tried.

Various types of escargots are cooked in different styles, but the most popular is small escargots processed with lemongrass and chili.

Where to eat?

• Madame Hanh Oc hut Hanh: 277 Dong Da street, Hai Chau district, Danang
• Price range: 12,000- 25,000 VND (~ $0.5 – 1 USD)
• Open time: 17:00- 22:00

Cao lau Hoi An

Cao Lau comprises of the signature Cao Lau noodles, slices of barbecue pork, pork crackling, bean sprouts, lettuce, and herbs, then finished with a spoonful of stock. Its noodles are delicately made from local fresh rice (not older grains of rice). Although cao lau is the best local dish of Hoi An, an ancient town near Da Nang, local people and visitors to Da Nang can still enjoy this authentic noodles right in Da Nang city center.

From Hoi An to Da Nang, Cao Lau appeared many variants, sometimes served with peanut or scallions, lime and chili jam. In general, it is made of noodle, pork, fried pig skin and local green vegetables.

Where to eat?

• Address: Cao Lau Pho Hoi: 172 To Huu street, Hai Chau district, Danang
• Price range: 15,000 – 20,000 VND (~ $1 USD)
• Open time: 11:00- 22:00

Fish cake noodle (Bun cha ca)

Being one of the famous breakfasts of local people, a bowl of fish cake noodle includes fish cake, kohlrabi (German turnip), onion and slices of tomatoes. There are 2 types of fish cakes: steamed fish cake and fried fish cake. Depending on your preference, the shop owner will put one or both types in the bowl with rice noodle and broth.

Where to eat?

• Address: Madame Lu – Fish cake noodle: 319 Hung Vuong street, Vinh Trung ward, Thanh Khe district, Da Nang
• Price range: 20,000 – 40,000 VND (~ $1 – 2 USD)
• Open time: 7:00 – 23:00

Seafood