Top 10 Must-Try Local Dishes in Da Nang: A Food Lover’s Guide
Da Nang is a city that truly comes alive through its food. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this vibrant coastal destination offers a rich culinary scene that combines fresh ingredients, time-honored recipes, and bold flavors. From hearty noodle dishes to sizzling pancakes and savory seafood specialties, Da Nang’s cuisine is a celebration of central Vietnamese cooking at its finest. To help you navigate the delicious maze of local cuisine, here’s a guide to the Top 10 Must-Try Local Dishes in Da Nang—each one bursting with flavor and history.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, these iconic dishes are guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
1. Mi Quang (Quang-Style Noodles)
Mi Quang is the pride of Da Nang and the surrounding Quang Nam province. This vibrant noodle dish is a beautiful balance of textures and flavors, featuring flat rice noodles, a rich bone broth flavored with turmeric, and a choice of protein such as shrimp, pork, chicken, or frog. Topped with fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, crispy sesame rice crackers, and a squeeze of lime, Mi Quang is a perfect blend of savory, tangy, and crunchy goodness.
Where to Try It: Mi Quang Ba Mua, 95A Nguyen Tri Phuong Street.
2. Bun Cha Ca (Fish Cake Noodle Soup)
A popular breakfast dish in Da Nang, Bun Cha Ca is a light yet flavorful noodle soup made with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and tender fish cakes. The star of the dish is the broth, simmered with fish bones, tomatoes, pumpkin, and pineapple to achieve a delicate balance of sweet and sour. It’s topped with fish cakes made from mackerel, barracuda, or tuna, giving each spoonful a deliciously savory flavor.
Where to Try It: Bun Cha Ca 109, 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street.
3. Banh Xeo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake)
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Banh Xeo is a sizzling pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, stuffed with a mix of shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and green onions. Served with fresh herbs and rice paper, Banh Xeo is wrapped up like a spring roll and dipped into a savory-sweet peanut sauce or fish sauce. The combination of textures and flavors makes it a must-try for any visitor.
Where to Try It: Ba Duong Restaurant, K280/23 Hoang Dieu Street.
4. Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (Pork Belly Spring Rolls)
This Da Nang specialty is all about freshness and simplicity. Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo consists of tender pork belly slices served with thin rice paper, fresh herbs, cucumber, and green banana. Each ingredient is wrapped in rice paper and dipped into a tangy fish sauce made with garlic and chili. It’s a refreshing dish that’s light yet satisfying, perfect for a midday snack.
Where to Try It: Tran Restaurant, 4 Le Duan Street.
5. Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork Noodles)
Bun Thit Nuong is a classic Vietnamese dish featuring grilled pork atop a bed of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables. Topped with crunchy peanuts and fried shallots, this dish is served with a side of sweet and tangy fish sauce that you drizzle over the noodles. The smoky flavor of the grilled pork pairs perfectly with the fresh herbs and savory sauce, making it an irresistible choice for lunch or dinner.
Where to Try It: Bun Thit Nuong Bà Trai, 194 Dong Da Street.
6. Banh Canh (Thick Noodle Soup)
Banh Canh is a comforting noodle soup made with thick, chewy tapioca or rice noodles and a rich, savory broth. The soup is usually served with fish cakes, pork, shrimp, or crab, and topped with fresh green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. The texture of the noodles is what sets this dish apart—soft yet slightly chewy, they add a heartiness to every spoonful.
Where to Try It: Banh Canh Nga, 124 Huynh Thuc Khang Street.
7. Cao Lau (Hoi An Noodles)
Though Cao Lau originated in nearby Hoi An, it’s widely enjoyed in Da Nang as well. This dish is made with thick rice noodles, slices of pork, crispy rice crackers, fresh herbs, and bean sprouts, served with a small amount of flavorful broth. What makes Cao Lau unique is its use of water from Hoi An’s ancient wells and ash from local trees to create the chewy texture of the noodles. Each bite is an explosion of savory, crunchy, and fresh flavors.
Where to Try It: Ba Be Restaurant, 49 Phan Chau Trinh Street.
8. Bun Mam Nem (Fermented Anchovy Noodle Salad)
If you’re up for trying something bold and flavorful, Bun Mam Nem is the dish for you. This noodle salad features vermicelli noodles, tender boiled pork, fresh herbs, young jackfruit, and a spicy, pungent mam nem sauce made from fermented anchovies. Topped with peanuts and crispy fried shallots, Bun Mam Nem is a true local favorite that offers a unique blend of sweet, salty, and umami flavors.
Where to Try It: Bun Mam Nem Co Duong, K23/14 Tran Ke Xuong Street.
9. Com Ga (Chicken Rice)
Simple yet satisfying, Com Ga is Da Nang’s take on chicken rice. Tender, shredded chicken is served over fragrant yellow rice, flavored with chicken stock and turmeric. Topped with fresh herbs, pickled papaya, and a side of tangy fish sauce, Com Ga is a comforting meal that’s perfect for any time of day. The secret lies in the perfectly cooked rice, which is fluffy and flavorful.
Where to Try It: Com Ga A Hai, 100 Le Thanh Nghi Street.
10. Che (Vietnamese Sweet Soup)
For dessert lovers, Che is a must-try in Da Nang. This traditional Vietnamese sweet soup comes in countless variations, from Che Ba Mau (three-color dessert) with beans, jelly, and coconut milk to Che Bap (sweet corn pudding). Served over crushed ice, Che is refreshing, sweet, and creamy—perfect for cooling off after a day of sightseeing.
Where to Try It: Che Xoa Xoa Hat Luu, 187 Hai Phong Street.
Final Thoughts on the Must-Try Local Dishes in Da Nang
Da Nang’s culinary scene is a vibrant celebration of flavors, colors, and textures that reflect the city’s unique blend of coastal and central Vietnamese cuisine. From steaming bowls of fish cake soup to crispy pancakes filled with shrimp and pork, there’s no shortage of delicious local dishes to explore. Make sure to sample as many of these specialties as you can during your visit, and experience firsthand why Da Nang is a paradise for food lovers.
Ready to start your food adventure in Da Nang? Contact us today to book a guided food tour and let our local experts take you to the best spots to enjoy these incredible dishes!
