What To Eat In Nha Trang: 9 Coastal Dishes You Cannot Miss

Nha Trang is the jewel of the South Central Coast of Vietnam. Famous for its turquoise bays, this city is also a paradise for food lovers. If you are exploring What to Eat in Central Vietnam, you cannot skip the unique flavors here.

While Hue is famous for royal cuisine and Hoi An for street food, Nha Trang offers the freshest coastal cuisine. Many travelers ask us what to eat in Nha Trang to experience the true local culture. Is it just seafood? Or is there more? Welcome to Vietpower Travel. Today, we will guide you through the local markets and hidden alleys. We will find the best fresh ingredients and delicious dishes that define this coastal city.

Overview Of Nha Trang Cuisine: The Taste Of The Ocean

Nha Trang’s cuisine stands apart from both Northern and Southern Vietnam. Its flavors are gently sweet, deeply savory, and unmistakably ocean-inspired. The secret? Premium, protein-rich fish sauce, crafted locally with traditional methods.

What makes the dishes here special? Most meals highlight fresh, same-day seafood from lobster to tuna - prepared in ways that preserve their natural sweetness. Locals favor steaming, grilling, and light seasoning with chili, lime, and salt to let the ingredients shine.

Travel Fact: Nha Trang is home to Vietnam’s deepest bay - Cam Ranh Bay, creating ideal conditions for an incredible variety of seafood. It’s one of the best places in the country to experience coastal cuisine in its purest form.

Continue exploring similar posts to learn more about Vietnam’s diverse flavors and dining experiences. Our Vietnam food & cuisine category is filled with insights to help you taste the best of the country.

1. Nem Nuong (Grilled Pork Sausage): The DIY Experience

When asking locals what to eat in Nha Trang, Nem Nuong is always the top answer. It is different from other Vietnamese spring rolls.

You do not get a ready-to-eat roll. You have to make it yourself! A set includes grilled pork skewers, fried rice paper (for the crunch), fresh herbs, and pickled mango.

How to eat like a local:

1. Take a sheet of rice paper.
2. Add lettuce, herbs, and a slice of mango.
3. Add the grilled pork and the crispy fried roll.
4. Roll it up tightly.
5. Dip deep into the orange sauce.

The sauce is the soul of this dish. It is made from sticky rice, pork liver, and shrimp. It is warm, nutty, and savory.

• Where to eat: Dang Van Quyen Shop (Le Loi Street) or Vu Thanh An (Le Loi Street).
• Price range: 50,000 - 60,000 VND/person (~ $2.00 - $2.50 USD).

From the imperial city of Hue to the coastal charm of Da Nang and the ancient streets of Hoi An, Central Vietnam's cuisine is a tapestry of bold spices, fresh herbs, and authentic local techniques. But what truly sets it apart? Beyond the internationally famous Pho and Banh Mi, this region boasts a variety of must-try dishes in Central Vietnam that reflect its culture, history, and resilience.

2. Fresh Seafood: The King Of Coastal Cuisine

You cannot talk about what to eat in Nha Trang without mentioning seafood dishes. What seafood is popular in Nha Trang?

• Lobster: Nha Trang is famous for farmed lobsters. They are affordable and sweet.
• Sea Urchin: Grilled with egg and green onions. It tastes like the creamy pâté of the sea.
• Snails: There are dozens of types. Try "Oc Huong" (Sweet Snail) steamed with lemongrass.

Where can visitors find the best local food? Avoid the big tourist restaurants with What seafood is popular in Nha Trang? Locals prefer simple cooking methods like steaming or grilling to preserve the freshness.

• Where to find the freshest catch: Thanh Suong Restaurant (Tran Phu Street) for affordable prices, or Seafood Street along the Cai River (Thap Ba Street).
• Price range: 200,000 - 500,000 VND/person (~ $8.00 - $20.00 USD) depending on what you order.

3. Goi Ca Mai (Raw Herring Salad): An Exotic Treat

If you love sushi or ceviche, Goi Ca Mai is a must-try. The fresh herring fillets are "cured" in lime juice, so they are not raw anymore.

It is mixed with peanuts, onions, and fresh herbs. The secret is the dipping sauce made from fish sauce and sesame. It tastes fresh, sour, spicy, and has no fishy smell.

• Locals love these addresses: Goi Ca Ha Ra (Ha Ra Bridge area) or local seafood shops on Thap Ba Street.
• Price range: 100,000 - 150,000 VND/plate (~ $4.00 - $6.00 USD).

Let’s explore more posts on this topic to discover even more about Vietnam’s rich cuisine:

• What To Eat In Hue: Must-Try Local Dishes You Cannot Miss
• Where to Eat in Da Nang: A Guide to the Food Spots?

4. Banh Can (Mini Pancakes): The Street Food Joy

Banh Can is a fun dish to watch and eat. These are small, round pancakes made from rice flour. They are baked in terracotta molds over a charcoal fire.

You sit on small plastic stools on the sidewalk. The chef pours the batter and adds toppings like quail eggs, shrimp, or squid.

How to eat: You dunk the whole cake into a bowl of sauce. The sauce is a mix of fish sauce, onion oil, and sometimes shredded green mango. It is a simple, rustic, yet delicious experience.

If you plan to visit other cities nearby, you might find different versions of this cake. Read our guide on What to Eat in Da Lat (Link chéo về Cluster khác) to compare the flavors of the highland vs. the coast.

• Our favorite spots: Banh Can 51 (To Hien Thanh Street) or Banh Can Thap Ba.
• Price range: 40,000 - 60,000 VND/person (~ $1.50 - $2.50 USD).

5. Bo Nuong (Grilled Beef): A Smoky Surprise

While Nha Trang is known for coastal cuisine, the local Grilled Beef (Bo Nuong) is a legendary dish that you must try. It is not a Western-style steak, but a fun, social BBQ experience.

The beef is cut into small cubes and marinated with honey, chili, and secret local spices. You grill the meat yourself on a charcoal stove right at your table.

How to enjoy it: The marinade makes the meat incredibly tender and sweet. Locals always order plain bread (Banh Mi) to eat with it. You dip the bread into the sizzling marinade oil mixed with beef juice. It is addictive!

• Best place to try: Lac Canh Restaurant (Nguyen Binh Khiem Street). This place has been serving this specific dish for over 40 years.
• Local Tip: The atmosphere is very lively and can get smoky. Dress simply and be prepared for a noisy, authentic local vibe.

6. Bun Cha Ca (Fish Cake Noodle Soup): A Light Breakfast

What breakfast foods are typical here? Unlike the beef Pho in Hanoi which is rich and fatty, Bun Cha Ca in Nha Trang is light and clear.

The broth is cooked from sailfish and mackerel bones. It is sweet naturally, without much sugar. The star of the bowl is the fish cake (Cha Ca). It is made from fresh fish meat, kneaded by hand until chewy.

Pro Tip: Add a spoon of local chili paste and a squeeze of lime. It makes the broth perfectly balanced.

If you are a fan of Vietnamese noodles, check out our [Vietnam Food Culture Blog] (Link về trang Blog) to learn more about the differences between Pho, Bun, and Mien.

• Top recommended spots: Bun Ca Min (Bach Dang Street) or Bun Ca Nam Beo (Phan Boi Chau Street).
• Price range: 30,000 - 45,000 VND (~ $1.20 - $1.80 USD).

Continue exploring similar posts to learn more about Vietnam’s diverse flavors and food culture:

• Guide to Hoi An Food Tours for First-Time Visitors
• What to Eat in Central Vietnam - Discovering the Bold Flavors

7. Bun Sua (Jellyfish Noodles): Crunchy And Cool

This is a unique answer to what to eat in Nha Trang. Many tourists are scared of jellyfish. But the jellyfish here is a specific edible type. It does not sting.

The texture is crunchy, like firm jelly or cartilage. It has no strong smell. The broth is made from ponyfish (Ca Liet), which gives a very sweet and clear taste.

This dish is refreshing and cooling. It is perfect for a hot summer lunch after swimming.

• Famous locations: Bun Ca Nam Beo (Phan Boi Chau Street) or Bun Sua Doc Lap.
• Price range: 35,000 - 45,000 VND (~ $1.40 - $1.80 USD).

8. Banh Canh Hai San (Seafood Thick Noodle Soup)

While Bun Cha Ca uses thin vermicelli, Banh Canh uses thick noodles made from tapioca and rice flour. The noodles look like Japanese Udon but are more slippery and chewy.

The soup is slightly thick and rich. A bowl is full of crab meat, shrimp, and fish cakes. It is a hearty comfort food that locals often eat for dinner.

• Try authentic flavor at: Banh Canh Ba Thua (Phan Chu Trinh Street) or Banh Canh Phuc.
• Price range: 25,000 - 35,000 VND (~ $1.00 - $1.40 USD).

9. Banh Xeo (Squid Pancake): Crispy Delight

In Nha Trang, Banh Xeo is cast in iron molds. The pancakes are smaller and crunchier than the Saigon version.

The special thing here is the filling. Locals use fresh whole squids. The squid still has its ink sac. When you eat, your teeth might turn black! But the ink makes the taste sweeter and richer.

• Best street food stalls: The "Banh Xeo area" along Thap Ba Street (near Po Nagar Towers).
• Price range: 25,000 - 30,000 VND/cake (~ $1.00 - $1.20 USD/cake).

Conclusion

Nha Trang offers an amazing variety of food. From the morning Bun Cha Ca to the evening seafood feast, your stomach will always be happy.

We hope this list of 9 dishes helps you decide what to eat in Nha Trang. Remember, the best food is often found in small alleys and crowded local stalls. Be adventurous and try everything!

Do you want to combine a food tour with island hopping? Or perhaps a cultural visit to the Ponagar Cham Towers? Check out our Nha Trang City to plan your perfect holiday in 2025.