When it comes to Vietnam, Hanoi and Saigon tend to be at the forefront of most travellers’ minds. But one lesser-known destination worth visiting is Nha Trang, located south of the country about 1,300km away from the capital.
This coastal resort city is renowned for its beaches, diving sites, and offshore islands. As such, it is also known as the seafood capital of Vietnam – although these aren’t the only items available on the city’s rich and varied menus.
Here are five places you should visit and fill your tummy at if you’re ever in Nha Trang. Do note that most of these places are non-halal.
1. Quang noodle at Mì Xứ Quảng Hà Yên
Mi Quang, or Quang noodle, is a specialty of central Vietnam, and the version here comes with chicken, pork slices, quail’s egg, pork ribs, and prawns. The noodle is soft and springy, and can best be described as an Asian version of fettuccine.
A healthy amount of fresh salad is served alongside, plus a slice of lime for you to squeeze on for some added zest, and some crackers. The combination makes for a cacophony of competing flavours that somehow work very well together.
Address: 26B Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Xương Huân, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
2. Dry pho at Phở Khô Hưng Huỳnh
Of the country’s famed noodles, “pho kho” is a version that hails from Pleiku, the mountainous region of central Vietnam located about 300km away from Nha Trang.
The dish at this little shop comes in the form of a bowl of dry rice vermicelli with veggies and pork crackle, accompanied by another bowl of soup with all the goodness of pork slices, meatballs, and really tender big chunks of pork (if you order the “special” version).
Mix the soup with the noodles or devour them separately, it’s entirely up to you – though the sweet chilli sauce on the side adds some extra zing.
Address: 17 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Xương Huân, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
3. Oceanic delights at Hải Sản Nhà Tôi
Seafood restaurants are a dime a dozen in Nha Trang, especially in the northern part of town.
At Hải Sản Nhà Tôi, go for the fried noodles with crabmeat, which is delightfully rich with flavour; the scallop with butter, perfectly aromatic without overwhelming the natural taste of the shellfish; and steamed prawns that preserve the fresh, unadulterated sweetness of the crustaceans, pairing perfectly with the green sour-spicy sauce.
Simple and super delicious, it makes the perfect afternoon lunch – once you get through their extensive menu with the help of Google Translate.
Address: 24 Ngô Quyền, Xương Huân, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
4. Seafood noodle at Bún Cá Nóng
Another local specialty is the seafood noodle at Bún Cá Nóng. Communication can be a bit of a challenge at this place, but if you’re lucky you’ll end up with two bowls of dry noodles, with a sauce and side salad.
Pork slices, fish cake and jellyfish adorn the rice noodles, and the idea is to mix it all up with the sauce and eat it as it is. In all honesty, this is a dish unseasoned foodies might struggle to enjoy – it might be a little on the dry side and too bland for your liking.
Still, it’s well worth a try if you’re the adventurous type!
Address: 26 Lý Tự Trọng, Lộc Thọ, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
5. Bahn mi at Bánh Mì Ốp La Chảo
Here’s another Vietnamese classic you can’t miss: banh mi. It’s basically a local baguette filled with savoury ingredients of your choosing.
Go for virtually every ingredient this stall has to offer and you’ll end up with a Vietnamese “sub” with cold cuts, meatball with salted egg, chicken pate, fried egg, mixed veggies, and more.
The baguettes here are crispy on the outside yet airy within. Coupled with the various different sauces, it’s basically the best sandwich your money can buy in this part of Vietnam – fantastic!
Address: 65XR+3W5, Lộc Thọ, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Read the original article here. Trying to influence your cravings since 2005, Kar Yeong was Guest Judge on Versus 1001 Rasa Baba’s 2018, R.AGE Food Fight Judge 2015 and NTV7 Foodie Blogger 2014. To read more about Kar Yeong’s food journeys, visit his blog at KYspeaks.com.