Best Food to eat in Da Nang: 10+ Suggestions for Specialties and Culinary Exploration Itinerary!

For your upcoming trips, do you know what is the best food to eat in Da Nang? Believe us, you are about to explore the boldest and most distinctive flavors of Central Vietnam. Join Joytime as we explore 16+ must-try local specialties in Da Nang, along with the best and most trusted places to enjoy them!

Famous Cuisines in Da Nang

1. Quang Noodles (Mi Quang)

If you ask what to eat in Da Nang Vietnam, Mi Quang is the very first dish to try.

Unlike traditional noodle soups, it comes with just a small amount of rich, flavorful broth. This dish is typically served with fresh herbs, crispy rice crackers, roasted peanuts and a savory dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

• Ingredients: The dish features thick rice noodles, often served with chicken, shrimp, or pork, and flavored with a robust, well-seasoned broth.
• Flavor: You can expect a harmonious mix of creamy richness from the broth and bone stock, the nutty aroma of roasted peanuts, and the satisfying crunch of rice crackers.
• What Makes It Special? Mi Quang is a carefully crafted dish as a steaming bowl of this noodle specialty offers a full-bodied, delicious taste that feels light yet satisfying, leaving a lasting impression on every traveler.

Mì Quảng is a favorite dish among tourists in Da Nang - Image source: Nguyen Trang Anh

Top Places to Eat Quang Noodles in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Quang Noodles?

• Portion Size: Mi Quang typically comes in smaller portions for one person.
• Customizable Toppings: Depending on your taste, you can choose from chicken, shrimp, pork or even frog as your protein.
• Full Flavor Experience: To enjoy Mi Quang to the fullest, make sure to add all the traditional sides, including fresh herbs and crispy rice crackers.

2. Pork rice noodle (Cao Lau)

Cao Lau is the essence of Hoi An's culinary scene and can be regarded as a delicacy. It features thick, soft, and chewy yellow rice noodles, usually accompanied by roasted pork, shrimp, and fresh herbs. While it may resemble Japanese udon noodles, Cao Lau has a uniquely Vietnamese taste.

• Ingredients: Cao Lau is made from yellow rice noodles, served with a special sauce, fresh herbs and crispy rice crackers.
• Flavor: The light sweetness from the bone broth is complemented by the rich flavor of roasted pork, crunchy rice crackers and fresh green vegetables.
• What makes it special? Cao Lau is not just a dish; it also symbolizes the long-standing cultural story of Hoi An, attracting both local and international food lovers.

Cao Lau with its rich and delicious flavor attracts diners' taste buds - Image source: Google Map

Top Places to Eat Pork rice noodles in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Eat Pork rice noodle?

• Different Ways to Eat: You can enjoy Cao Lau either dry or mixed with sauce, depending on your preference.
• Perfect Pairings: To fully appreciate the dish, enjoy it with fresh herbs, sour starfruit, and crispy rice crackers for a perfect blend of flavors.
• Unique Texture: The noodles are soft yet chewy, offering a distinct texture that sets them apart from regular noodles.

3. Fish Cake Noodle Soup (Bun Cha Ca)

Fish cake noodle soup is a must-try specialty for anyone visiting Da Nang. This dish is renowned for its light and sweet broth made from fish bones, while the fish cakes are both chewy and flavorful due to the fresh fish used. Although the ingredients may be simple, it takes skilled chefs to achieve the authentic taste.

• Ingredients: Fresh noodles, fish cakes, tomatoes, pineapple, pumpkin, cabbage, and shrimp paste. It shares some similarities with other Vietnamese fish noodle soups.
• Flavor: The broth has a light sweetness from the fish bones, balanced by the tanginess of pineapple and the rich umami of shrimp paste.
• What makes it special? Fish cake noodle soup in Da Nang is irresistible to tourists due to its natural flavors, bringing out the essence of the sea with fresh fish cooked right into the soup

Fish ball noodle soup with rich flavor of the sea - Image source: Ly Pham

Top Places to Eat Fish Cake Noodle Soup in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Fish Cake Noodle Soup?

• Flavor Profile: The broth has a light, sweet taste that isn't too strong, making it easy for foreigners to enjoy.
• Perfect Pairing: To enhance the flavor, it's best enjoyed with fresh herbs and a touch of mắm ruốc (fermented shrimp paste).

4. Pork Wrapped in Rice Paper (Banh Trang Cuon Pork)

Pork Wrapped in Rice Paper is a signature dish in Da Nang, combining thin rice paper, fresh vegetables, tender boiled pork and a distinctive Central Vietnam dipping sauce called mam nem. This simple yet flavorful dish captures the essence of the region’s culinary traditions.

• Ingredients: Uses soft Dai Loc rice paper from Quang Nam, fresh herbs, tender pork belly with a balanced ratio of meat and fat, and mắm nêm for an authentic taste.
• Flavor: A perfect harmony of the pork’s savory richness, the refreshing crunch of vegetables, and the tangy, sweet and spicy notes of the dipping sauce.
• What makes it special? The high-quality ingredients, including fresh pork and resilient rice paper, elevate this humble dish to a must-try when in Da Nang.

Pork rice paper rolls are a dish worth enjoying when coming to Da Nang - Image source: Kien Nguyen

Top Places to Eat Pork Wrapped in Rice Paper in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Pork Wrapped in Rice Paper?

• Roll all the meat and green vegetables into rice paper and dip in fish sauce to enjoy the standard flavor of the dish. 
• The seasoning sauce may be a bit strong, but you should try it to fully experience the local flavor.

5. Noodles with Fermented Fish Sauce (Bun Mam Nem)

Among the best foods to eat in Da Nang, noodles with fermented fish sauce is beloved and recommended by the locals. The dish features a delightful balance of textures and tastes, using many familiar Vietnamese ingredients, especially a robust fermented fish sauce!

• Ingredient: The dish includes rice noodles, slices of pork, fermented pork sausage, fish cake, fresh herb, and the highlight - mam nem, a central Vietnamese specialty made from fermented fish like anchovies, mackerel, or sardines.
• Flavor: The soul of the dish is the fish sauce with its salty, sweet, slightly sour and aromatic taste.
• What makes it special? The authentic mam nem, crafted from traditional fermentation methods, gives this noodle dish its unmatched charm.

A rich seasoning noodle dish with fish sauce with a variety of ingredients - Image source: Le Lan Anh

Top Places to Eat Noodles with Fermented Fish Sauce in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Noodles with Fermented Fish Sauce?

• The pungent aroma of mắm nêm may be intense for newcomers, but it’s a key part of the authentic experience.
• Adjust the flavor to your liking by adding chili, lime, or extra sauce for a personalized taste.

6. Field Noodle Soup (Banh Canh Ruong)

Field noodle soup is a typical popular dish of Da Nang that has been around for a long time. This dish stands out with its rich broth from fish bones and shin bones, giving it a natural sweetness. You can enjoy egg roll soup or fried fish soup (or a combination of both).

• Ingredients: Delicious chewy noodle soup noodles are soaked in hot broth, combined with ingredients such as fish cakes, fried fish, quail eggs, pork rolls, etc. and accompanied by spices such as fried onions, cilantro and some spicy chili.
• Flavor: The broth is rich with delicious chewy noodles, blended with the fatty taste of fried fish and fish cakes.
• What makes it special? Rustic food imbued with the spirit of Da Nang street cuisine, suitable for all diners at affordable prices. 

The rustic rice noodle soup dish has been present for a long time in Da Nang - Image source: Google Map

Top Places to Eat Field Noodle Soup in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Field Noodle Soup?

• Cheap and popular food, specialized for students and former students.
• Enjoy the food while it's still hot at local eateries.
• The broth has a naturally sweet and delicious taste from the fish bones and bones.

7. Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes (Banh Xeo)

Banh Xeo Da Nang is a familiar dish to tourists from near and far. This dish is the perfect combination of a crispy crust, fresh filling and a uniquely rich dipping sauce. All create an unforgettable unique flavor.

• Ingredients: The fragrant crispy crust is slightly sweet from coconut milk, the filling is diverse including shrimp, squid, pork, particularly served with a dipping sauce made from pork liver, sesame and pureed roasted peanuts.
• Flavor: The crust is crispy and fragrant with coconut, the filling is rich in natural sweetness from fresh seafood combined with a smooth, fatty dipping sauce.
• What makes it special? Vietnamese sizzling pancakes is a dish imbued with the quintessence of Central cuisine with a unique dipping sauce recipe. 

Da Nang pancakes with signature dipping sauce recipe - Image source: Google Map

Top Places to Eat Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes?

• Smooth dipping sauce made from peanuts with a rich flavor different from other common fish sauces.
• Banh Xeo is often rolled with rice paper or raw vegetables, adding some herbs and served with a typical dipping sauce. 

8. Nam O Fish Salad (Goi Ca Nam O)

Nam O fish salad is a famous specialty dish of Nam O fishing village in Da Nang. This fish salad is made from fresh herring, bringing the rich flavor of the sea, appealing to all diners who have the opportunity to enjoy it. 

• Ingredients: Fresh herring is carefully processed, mixed with spices such as ginger, galangal, sesame, and roasted peanuts. This dish is served with rice paper, perilla, green mango and false aralia leaves.
• Flavor: The fresh, natural sweetness of the fish blends with the fatty taste of sesame and peanuts, the spiciness of chili and the coolness of raw vegetables.
• What makes it special? The dish is rich in quality Nam O fishing village culture with fresh ingredients, processed on the spot.

Nam O fish salad features coastal fishing village flavors with fresh ingredients - Image source:: Google Map

Top Places to Eat Nam O Fish Salad in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Nam O Fish Salad?

• There are two types of fish salad: dry salad (for beginners to try) and wet salad for those who love the original fresh taste.
• The dipping sauce features the unique aroma of leaves and the spicy taste of chili.
• Fish salad is often rolled with rice paper, green mango, perilla, and false aralia.

9. Vietnamese Chicken Rice (Com Ga)

Da Nang chicken rice is a signature dish prepared using the culinary techniques of the Tam Ky people, characterized by the delicious taste of crispy roasted chicken and a flavorful chicken fat broth. The rice is cooked in chicken broth and infused with chopped lemon leaves, adding a distinctive touch to the dish.

• Ingredients: Marinated with five spices, roasted crispy with rice cooked from sticky rice and chicken broth. Accompanying spices include onions, herbs and pickled chili.
• Flavor: Sticky sticky rice with a special aroma combined with the soft sweetness of chicken, rich soup and fragrant lime leaves.
• What makes it special? This is a dish that combines fresh ingredients and a special recipe from Tam Ky people.

Da Nang chicken rice dish is cooked in Tam Ky style - Image source: Google Map

Top Places to Eat Vietnamese Chicken Rice in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Vietnamese Chicken Rice?

• Fragrant rice cooked from chicken broth, has a unique aroma.
• Soft-boiled or crispy roasted chicken is delicious, greasy and naturally sweet.
• Chicken rice dish is enjoyed with onions, herbs and pickled chili.
• The taste is light, not too spicy or salty, suitable for the taste of many diners.

10. Broken Rice Cake (Banh Dap)

Da Nang Banh Dap is a snack loved by both domestic and foreign tourists. The interesting combination of crispy rice paper, moist rice cake and special dipping sauce will bring you an unforgettable experience. This dish is called broken rice cake because tourists have to use their hands to smash the cake to break it before enjoying.

• Ingredients: Crispy rice paper on the outside layer bThe wet shine from the rice flour is coated evenly. This dish will be added with other ingredients such as shrimp, minced meat and onion fat. All folded and served with dipping sauce.
• Flavor: Crispy rice paper, moist and flexible rice paper, delicious filling and rich dipping sauce add to the appeal of the dish.
• What makes it special? Not only does the aftertaste is a unique combination of crunchy, chewy and rich elements, but also the serving method is interesting as above.

Banh Dap served with a special dipping sauce - Image source: Google Map

Top Places to Eat Broken Rice Cake in Da Nang

What Should You Know When Eating Broken Rice Cake?

• Banh Dap is best when eaten hot, you will feel the combination of crunchiness and softness in each piece of cake.
• The cake should be divided into small pieces for convenience when enjoying. 

Tips for Finding Great Food

The long list above surely provide many recommendations for get Da Nang where to eat. Additionally, let's discover some tips to have a memorable culinary journey!

• Ask the locals: People living in Da Nang will know delicious and cheap restaurants that not everyone knows. Thus, feel free to ask the locals there from hotel staff, tour guides, shop owners, security guards, etc.
• Find crowded restaurants: Obviously, the crowded are a sign of a quality restaurant with good prices. You can rest assured about the taste and service there.
• Try new dishes: If you are interested in any foods which are not included in our best food to eat in Da Nang, do not bother trying. Who knows, maybe those dishes would fit your taste and bring you wonderful culinary experiences.
• See food reviews on social networks: You can access posts and video reviews of dishes in Da Nang on Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube, etc. with destinations to choose from. 

Don't be afraid to try new dishes to explore local cuisine -  Image source: Pixabay

Before exploring the best food to eat in Da Nang, make sure you're prepared by checking out our information to the best place to exchange money in Da Nang!

Suggestions for First-Time Tourists to Find the Best Food in Da Nang

Besides the list of famous food in Da Nang, for first-time travelers, we even review to you a suggested dining itinerary to help you plan your trip for local foods in no time!

Culinary Exploration Itinerary for Day 1

Culinary Exploration Itinerary for Day 2

Note: The above culinary schedule is for reference only and can change flexibly depending on visitors' personal preferences. 

So, above is a summary of 10+ best foods to eat in Da Nang. This city not only stands out with its beautiful natural scenery but also its rich and attractive specialties such as: Quang noodles, fish ball vermicelli, banh xeo, banh dap, etc. - each with a unique flavor. If you want to learn more about this city, you may also like to know  how big is Da Nang city. Let's explore!

Still cannot determine your culinary enjoyment schedule yet? Then, feel free to contact Joytime - the leading reputable tour provider brand to have an interesting culinary journey.