Đà Nẵng has a way of delighting visitors, especially foodies. While anyone can find their way to My Khe Beach or Marble Mountains, knowing where to go for local specialities requires inside help.
Spread between green foothills, lazy rivers and a sun-kissed coast, Đà Nẵng draws on culinary traditions from all over Central Vietnam. There’s a lot to look forward to here: seafood hauled fresh from the sea, much-loved sweets, cafes old and new, and street food that will make your mouth water. Get your virtual chopsticks ready with this guide to eating well in Đà Nẵng.
Bún Chả Cá
There’s nothing like sitting down to a hot bowl of Đà Nẵng-style bún chả cá. The star of this dish is a tasty fish cake made of mackerel, catfish, featherback fish and black pepper. Bún chả cá in Đà Nẵng is made with a delicate broth from fish bones, pumpkin, pineapple, tomato and cabbage. Season yours with lime, chili, shallot vinegar and fresh herbs.
Try it: Bún chả cá Bà Hờn – 113/3 Nguyễn Chí Thanh St.
Mì Quảng
Careful: Love affairs with this central Vietnamese dish can be intense. Luscious rice noodles are layered over raw lettuce and sprouts. Crispy rice crackers, sliced banana blossom, and quail eggs are added, and a ladle of peanut-y broth with chicken, pork or shrimp brings the whole dish together. Try it as satisfying lunch on a hot Đà Nẵng day.
Try it: Mì Quảng Bà Vị – 166 Lê Đình Dương St.
Bánh Xèo
These turmeric-tinted crepes are made in searing hot pan, creating extra crispy edges that crackle enticingly when rolled in rice paper. Each bánh xèo is topped with pork, shrimp, onions, beansprouts and mushrooms, then folded in half like a taco. Tear off pieces, roll with herbs and lettuce leaves, and dip into peanut sauce for a mouthful of goodness.
Try it: Bánh xèo Bà Dưỡng – 280/23 Hoàng Diệu St.
Bánh bèo, bánh nậm, bánh bột lọc
These lovely dumplings are from Hue over the Hai Van Mountains, but many Đà Nẵng residents are addicted to their succulent texture. Rice flour, shrimp, and pork are steamed in banana leaf for a glutinous bite with a hit of umami. A drop of light fish sauce heightens the taste. Order all three types and see which ones you like.
Try it: 291 Nguyễn Chí Thanh St.
Seafood
What’s a visit to a coastal city without a seafood feast? Set aside one meal to see how Đà Nẵng enjoys its bountiful seafood. At restaurants along the beach, seafood is chosen from live tanks, priced by weight, and prepared in simple recipes. Clams in lemongrass broth, crab in tamarind, and oysters grilled with spring onions are surefire winners.
Try it: Hải sản Bé Mặn – Võ Nguyên Giáp St.
TIP: If you’re in the mood for an upmarket dinner, consider Nén Restaurant. This contemporary Vietnamese venue serves five-course menus showcasing local ingredients.