Nha Trang Food Guide 2026: Bun Cha Ca, Banh Can and Nem Nuong

Nha Trang’s food identity is coastal and specific — several dishes here are genuine regional originals that aren’t found elsewhere in Vietnam, or are found here in distinctly better versions.

Bun Cha Ca (fish cake noodle soup)

The Nha Trang dish. Thin rice vermicelli in a pale fish broth with homemade fish cakes (cha ca) — bouncy, lightly spiced cakes made from fresh local fish. The broth has tomato and pineapple added (unusual in Vietnamese noodle soups) for a slight acidity. Topped with spring onion, fried shallots, and fresh herbs.

This is a breakfast and lunch dish. ₫30,000–50,000 ($1.20–2).

Banh Can (mini egg pancakes)

A Nha Trang specialty — small circular rice flour pancakes cooked in cast iron pans with many round cup-shaped moulds. Each small pancake contains a quail egg or a small shrimp. Eaten in sets of 8–10, with multiple sauce options (fish sauce, peanut sauce, shrimp paste). The texture is crispy outside and soft inside.

Sold at evening street stalls and market vendors. ₫30,000–60,000 ($1.20–2.40) per set.

Nem Nuong (grilled pork sausage rolls)

Grilled lemongrass-seasoned pork sausage, served with fresh herbs and rice paper for wrapping, and a fermented pork and pineapple dipping sauce. Nem nuong is found across Vietnam but the Nha Trang version is considered among the best.

Nem nuong Ba Duc: One of the well-regarded specialists. ₫60,000–100,000 ($2.40–4) per set.

Oc (sea snails and shellfish)

Nha Trang’s coastal position makes it one of the best places in Vietnam for oc — the generic term for sea snails, periwinkles, clams, and other shellfish cooked in various preparations. Street stalls specialising in oc operate in the evening near the market and beach areas.

Various preparations: steamed with lemongrass, wok-fried with chilli and garlic, grilled. ₫40,000–80,000 ($1.60–3.20) per type.

Ca Phe Muoi (salted coffee)

A Nha Trang original — drip coffee served with salted cream foam on top. The contrast between the bitter coffee, the sweet condensed milk base, and the salted cream creates a distinctive flavour. A relatively recent creation (ca. 2010s) but now associated specifically with the city.

₫25,000–45,000 ($1–1.80).

Goi Ca (fresh fish salad)

Raw or lightly cured fish (usually barracuda or mackerel) with fresh herbs, green mango, peanuts, and a lime-based dressing. A coastal specialty that uses the fresh catch directly. ₫60,000–100,000 ($2.40–4).

Lau (hotpot seafood)

Nha Trang’s fresh seafood makes its hotpot scene particularly good. Seafood hotpot restaurants near the beach area serve fresh prawns, crab, squid, and fish in a lemongrass and tamarind broth. ₫200,000–400,000 ($8–16) per person for a full hotpot spread.