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Embark on a seafood adventure in Nha Trang, where food enthusiasts' dreams come true. Which renowned seafood markets in Nha Trang offer freshness and affordability? How should you choose seafood in Nha Trang? Discover the answers in this article!
The coastal city of Nha Trang is hailed as a paradise for seafood, ranging from common to exquisite varieties. Nha Trang seafood is renowned for its freshness, rich nutrition, and daily catches. In addition to fresh seafood, Nha Trang also boasts a variety of dried seafood made from fish, squid, and milkfish...
Moreover, buying seafood in Nha Trang is incredibly convenient. You can purchase seafood from private seafood farms, budget seafood restaurants, directly from fishermen in fishing villages, but the most convenient option is the seafood market. So, which seafood markets in Nha Trang are the top picks for #teamKlook? Let's find out!
1. Vinh Luong Seafood Market Nha Trang
- Address: Vinh Luong Port, Luong Son Hamlet, Vinh Luong Commune, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
Approximately 16km north of the city center, Vinh Luong Port stands as one of the major fishing ports in the South Central region. It supplies a vast quantity of seafood to Khanh Hoa province and several provinces in the Central Highlands. Therefore, Vinh Luong Port's seafood market is considered the primary seafood market of Nha Trang city.
From around 5 a.m. every day, Vinh Luong Port welcomes hundreds of boats bringing in a plethora of freshly caught seafood. The scene is bustling, with many seafood vendors arriving to purchase the first batch of fresh fish of the day. In the afternoon, around 2 p.m., another wave of fishing boats returns, and by 4-5 p.m., the market disperses. Common seafood varieties found at Vinh Luong Seafood Market include snakehead fish, tuna, puffer fish, parrotfish, squid, stingray, crab, cuttlefish, various types of shrimp, and more.
Vinh Luong Seafood Market is not only the place to buy the freshest and most affordable seafood in Nha Trang but also a captivating spot for photographers to capture authentic and intimate moments of nature and the local people of Nha Trang.
2. Hon Rớ Seafood Market Nha Trang
- Address: Hon Rớ Port, Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
If you don't have the time to go to Vinh Luong Port, Hon Rớ Port is an equally enticing place for a seafood hunt. Located about 7km southeast of the city center, Hon Rớ Port is the largest fishing port in the South Central coastal region. Every day, it welcomes hundreds of boats heading out to sea and returning to shore. Starting from 2 a.m., Hon Rớ Port buzzes with market activities, sorting, and preparing seafood to be delivered to various markets or seafood suppliers within the city.
Therefore, the seafood source at Hon Rớ Port is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of types, especially exceptionally fresh. With such freshness, when you buy them, you only need to steam or grill to preserve the natural sweetness without adding any seasoning.
Besides the bustling and noisy atmosphere of the seafood market, you will be amazed at the rustic beauty at Hon Rớ Port: on one side is a crowded residential area, on the other side is the vast sea full of anchored boats, and in the distance are tall mountains like a wind barrier for the fishing village.
3. Dam Market Nha Trang
- Address: Phan Boi Chau Street, Van Thanh Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
Dam Market Nha Trang is the most famous shopping destination in Nha Trang and also an iconic image of the city. Located right in the city center, about 500m from Tran Phu Beach, it's no surprise that Dam Market has become a frequent destination for both locals and tourists.
Dam Market is divided into three main areas: the central area, the left-wing, and the right-wing. The left-wing is mainly the domain of fresh seafood and dried seafood. The seafood available at Dam Market is very diverse, from fresh seafood like shrimp, squid, tuna, crab, stingray, clam, snail... to dried seafood like dried yellowtail fish, shredded dried squid, dried ram turtle. Overall, seafood prices at Dam Market are not as cheap as at the fishing port, but they are considered quite reasonable.
After buying seafood from the left-wing, don't forget to visit the right-wing area to 'sneak into' the local eateries and savor delicious dishes in Nha Trang.
4. Xom Moi Market Nha Trang
- Address: Ngo Gia Tu Street, Phuoc Tien Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
With a central location in the city, very easy to find, Xom Moi Market attracts a large number of local residents and tourists for shopping every day. At Xom Moi Market, feel free to explore and choose from various types of fresh seafood at extremely competitive prices. The seafood at Xom Moi Market is mainly from fishermen who raise and cultivate them in cages outside the sea or are brought from the large fishing ports of Nha Trang.
To buy the freshest and most varied seafood, you should go to the market early in the morning. Not only fresh seafood, but you will also easily find various flavorful dried seafood such as: dried squid, dried fish, whole-grain seasoned squid...
Especially, this Nha Trang seafood market is also renowned as a down-to-earth local culinary paradise that is both delicious, affordable, and ensures hygiene. After shopping, #teamKlook, don't forget to indulge in local delights like banh canh, fish noodle soup, banh xeo, grilled nem... appearing throughout the market's entrances. For convenient transportation while traveling in Nha Trang, consider renting a private hourly car at a reasonable price.
5. Binh Tan Seafood Market Nha Trang
- Address: Vo Thi Sau – Truong Sa Street, Phuoc Long Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
Binh Tan Market is one of the affordable seafood shopping spots in Nha Trang, where you can find a variety of items: shrimp, crab, squid, fish, mussels, oysters, and other essential foods. With its proximity to large fishing ports, Binh Tan Market offers a large quantity of fresh and delicious seafood caught daily.
The market area is quite spacious, allowing you to comfortably explore, shop, and indulge in Nha Trang's specialties. Particularly, many vendors display seafood right on the street, so you don't need to park your vehicle to enter the market.
Visit Nha Trang Seafood Market, Don't Miss These Specialties!
When it comes to choosing a seafood dish that represents the Nha Trang sea brand, it would be Nha Trang fish sausage. Although it's a familiar and common dish in coastal areas, Nha Trang fish sausage is still considered the 'cream of the crop,' and most tourists visiting Nha Trang make sure to buy it.
Nha Trang's renowned fish sausage is made exclusively from fresh sea fish, typically tuna, mackerel, snapper, and parrotfish. After filleting the tender fish with a blend of seasonings, the fish sausage is either deep-fried or steamed. It's a key ingredient in local specialties like noodle soup, fish vermicelli, crab noodle soup, Quang-style noodles, and bread, or can be enjoyed with sweet fish sauce and onions. Whether enjoyed on its own or in various dishes, Nha Trang fish sausage maintains the natural sweetness of the fish, offering a unique combination of tenderness and chewiness.
In addition to fish sausage, there are numerous other unique seafood delicacies in Nha Trang that make your mouth water just hearing their names. These include Ninh Hoa brick crab, Cam Ranh lobster, Thuy Trieu blood cockles, Dai Lanh ninja fish, seaweed, and more, all available at the city's various seafood markets.
Tips for Buying Affordable and Quality Seafood in Nha Trang
- To buy fresh Nha Trang seafood, it's crucial to distinguish between freshly caught and older seafood. Typically, fresh seafood won't have a fishy smell, won't be slimy, and will display natural colors.
- For ocean fish, choose those with pale pink or bright red gills, tightly closed gill covers, bright eyes, firm and elastic flesh, scales adhering tightly to the body, and a shiny appearance.
- When selecting cuttlefish, opt for large, thick, white ones with intact heads; stiff tentacles and a brown membrane around the body. For squid, prioritize those with bright pink color, firm texture, stiff tentacles, and intact ink sacs.
- When choosing crabs, clams, and lobsters, ensure their legs and claws are intact, large, healthy, flexible, and the upper shell is shiny. Avoid buying shrimp, crabs, or clams during the middle of the lunar month, as seafood may not be as fresh at that time.
- For various types of clams and snails, they should not have a strange odor, and their shells should be intact without cracks or breaks.
- If you need to transport fresh seafood, make sure the seller packs it carefully in foam boxes and seals it tightly to prevent water leakage during transportation.
Tips for Buying Dried Seafood in Nha Trang
Many tourists visiting Nha Trang often wonder whether to buy fresh or dried seafood to take home. If you're a long distance away, it's advisable to purchase dried seafood for easy transportation. However, if you plan to cook within one to two days, buying fresh seafood will allow everyone to enjoy the freshness.Popular dried seafood items that many adore include shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, ribbon fish, shark skin, herring, and fish bladder. For instance, choose dried squid that is large, uniformly flat and thick, with a white belly, pale pink back, dry and firm to the touch, and a pleasant aroma. Dried seafood must be vacuum-packed, clearly stating the place of origin, expiration date, and storage instructions.Armed with all the detailed information about seafood markets and buying experiences in Nha Trang, #teamKlook, let's confidently venture into the markets to enjoy seafood without hesitation about prices or selecting quality. For easy transportation to Nha Trang's renowned seafood markets, consider renting a scooter in Nha Trang or hiring a car in Nha Trang with a private driver!Before packing your backpack for a beach city trip, visit Klook Blog Vietnam to explore more travel tips for independent travel in Nha Trang, the most attractive tourist destinations in Nha Trang, or choose a hotel in Nha Trang near the beach. Don't miss out on interesting articles about Nha Trang tourism, such as famous Nha Trang fishing villages with rustic beauty, beloved Nha Trang specialties, tips for enjoying authentic Nha Trang seafood, the list of traditional Nha Trang markets, and much more.Once you've experienced shopping at Nha Trang seafood markets, why not try a day of being a fisherman, diving into the sea and catching seafood? There are also many exciting activities in Nha Trang waiting for #teamKlook to enjoy and explore.No more hesitation, hit the road to explore the Nha Trang seafood markets and hunt for treasures!
