Quy Nhonβs food scene is underrated. The city has strong regional versions of central Vietnamese dishes and excellent fresh seafood at market prices.
Banh Xeo Quy Nhon
The Quy Nhon banh xeo is widely considered among the best in Vietnam - a thin, crispy rice and turmeric pancake with shrimp and pork, eaten wrapped in rice paper with a mountain of fresh herbs. The key difference from other regional versions is the extreme crispiness of the pancake shell.
Banh Xeo Ba Bien (180 Tran Hung Dao): A long-standing and well-regarded spot. β«40,000β60,000 ($1.60β2.40) per pancake.
The streets around the central market have multiple banh xeo vendors - look for the smoking pans and the smell of turmeric.
Com Ga Quy Nhon (chicken rice)
A local institution. Shredded poached chicken on turmeric rice, accompanied by clear broth and fresh herbs. Similar to the Hoi An version but with local seasoning variations.
Com Ga Tuyen (near the market): A popular local lunch spot. β«35,000β55,000 ($1.40β2.20).
Fresh seafood
As a port city, Quy Nhon has excellent and cheap fresh seafood.
Seafood restaurants on the beach road: The restaurants facing Quy Nhon Beach serve catch from the local fishing boats. Grilled whole fish (ca thu, ca hong), steamed clams, and fresh prawns at prices significantly below Da Nang beach restaurant equivalents. β«100,000β300,000 ($4β12) per person.
Thi Nai Market (Cho Thi Nai): The cityβs main wet market with a large fresh seafood section. The freshest catch of the day. Buy and take to a local restaurant for cooking - this is normal practice in Vietnamese coastal markets.
Banh It La Gay (sticky rice cakes)
A Binh Dinh speciality - steamed sticky rice and mung bean cakes wrapped in banana leaf. Different from the Hue white rose dumplings and found specifically in this region. Sold from market stalls and street vendors. β«5,000β10,000 ($0.20β0.40) per piece.
Night market on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street
An evening street food market near the waterfront with a good range of Vietnamese grilled foods (bo nuong, thi heo nuong), fresh spring rolls, and desserts. Open from 17:00. β«20,000β50,000 ($0.80β2) per item.
Bun Cha Ca (Fish Cake Noodle Soup)
A central Vietnam specialty found throughout Quy Nhon - rice noodles in a clear fish broth with handmade fish cakes, fresh herbs, and a slice of lime. The fish cakes in Quy Nhon are made from locally caught fish and have a firmer, fresher texture than packaged versions. β«30,000β50,000 ($1.20β2) per bowl at local restaurants as of 2026.
Budget eating in Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon is one of the cheaper coastal cities for food. A full day of eating costs β«100,000β200,000 ($4β8) if eating at local restaurants and market stalls as of 2026:
- Breakfast: Pho or bun cha ca at a local restaurant. β«25,000β45,000 ($1β1.80)
- Lunch: Com ga or banh xeo. β«35,000β60,000 ($1.40β2.40)
- Dinner: Fresh seafood at a beach road restaurant. β«80,000β200,000 ($3.20β8) per person
- Snacks: Banh it la gay from market vendors. β«5,000β10,000 ($0.20β0.40) per piece
Practical notes
Restaurant hours: Most local restaurants open early (06:00β07:00) for breakfast and close by 21:00β22:00. The night market on Nguyen Tat Thanh operates from 17:00 until approximately 22:00.
Market shopping: Cho Thi Nai (central market) is open from early morning. The seafood section is best before 09:00 when the catch is freshest. Buying seafood at the market and having it cooked at a nearby restaurant is a common and cost-effective practice.
Useful links:
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