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Phan Thiet isn't just famous for its pristine beaches but also for its tantalizing local cuisine. Dive into the culinary secrets only known by the locals to make your trip even more exciting!
Phan Thiet Explorations – Dive into Exclusive Local Specialties
Fish Porridge
Unlike the fish porridge found in the Mekong Delta, Phan Thiet's version is thicker and includes mung beans. Each serving comes with a separate bowl of porridge and a plate of braised fish with banana flowers, featuring two types of fish: tuna and mackerel.
The braised fish, soft with banana flowers soaked in spices, is perfect when mixed with a spoonful of porridge. Adding some of the braised fish sauce to the porridge enhances the flavor. This homely meal is a breakfast favorite among Phan Thiet locals. A plate of braised fish is priced at 15,000 VND, and a bowl of porridge at 5,000 VND.
Location: Nga Fish Porridge - 63 Pham Van Dong, Binh Hung, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan. Open from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Grilled Pork Vermicelli
While this dish is common across Vietnam, its Phan Thiet version stands out distinctly. A serving includes a bowl of porridge, a plate of pork intestines, fresh vegetables, and dew-soaked rice paper. A bowl of plain porridge is priced at 10,000 VND, and a plate of pork intestines with vermicelli at 40,000 VND.
Diners wrap rice paper around fresh vegetables, intestines, sausages, liver, etc., add vermicelli, then roll it up and dip it in perfectly seasoned fish sauce. Alternatively, you can enjoy the pork offal without wrapping it in rice paper.
Location: My The Vermicelli & Porridge Stall, 531 Tran Hung Dao, Duc Thang, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan. Open from 6 AM to 11 AM.
Stir-fried Meat Noodles
Phan Thiet's unique Bun Thit Xao features specially sauteed meat served over fresh noodles. Upon ordering, fresh noodles are combined in a bowl with blanched bean sprouts directly in the meat soup, then topped with sauteed meat, pickled vegetables, peanuts, crispy pork fat, and finally, a special meat sauce. Mix well before enjoying with fresh herbs. Each bowl is priced at 30,000 VND.
Location: Phuong - Bun Bo Xao, 474 Tran Hung Dao, Lac Dao, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan. Open from 6:30 am to 11 pm.
Mi Quang Duck
Phan Thiet's Mi Quang offers a distinctive experience with its brothier serving compared to Hoi An's version, and the choice between white rice noodles or yellow wheat noodles. The farm-raised duck is tender and flavorful. Each restaurant offers its unique taste profile - slightly sweet, salty, or mild. Served with fresh vegetables, bean sprouts, chili, and a squeeze of lime for an enhanced taste. A serving costs 40,000 VND.
Location: Hai Phuong Wild Duck, 20 Le Quy Don, Phu Thuy, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan. Open from 2 pm to 10 pm.
Bun Goi Ca Mai
A signature dish in Phan Thiet and other coastal areas of Vietnam, Ca Mai fish is cleaned, thinly sliced, and cooked in broth. Served in a bowl with blanched Ca Mai, pork skin, peanuts, fresh herbs, sour nem, rice paper, special sauce, and broth, all mixed into a tantalizing sweet and sour dish for just 25,000 VND.
Location: Bun Goi Ca Mai - 21 Nguyen Van Cu, Duc Nghia, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan.
Ban Beo
Visiting Phan Thiet, tourists must try the local Banh Beo. Unique to each area, Binh Thuan's version comes in two types: sweet and savory. The sweet Banh Beo is green, made with pandan leaves, offering a sweet and fragrant taste, served with peanut salt.
The savory white Banh Beo, smaller than its sweet counterpart, is enjoyed with a smooth green bean fish sauce, bread-based crispy pork skin, and scallion oil. Mix well before savoring. Priced at 20,000 VND for savory and 10,000 VND for sweet.
Location: Hue Han Banh Beo - 170 Tuyen Quang, Phu Thuy, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan.
Wrapped Cake
Resembling Saigon's Banh Gio in appearance and ingredients, Wrapped Cake is eaten with fish sauce and sour nem. The accompanying fish sauce can be sweet and sour or fermented fish sauce. A complete serving costs 18,000 VND. This dish offers a unique taste and eating style, worth trying on your Phan Thiet trip.
Location: 63 Tran Phu, Duc Nghia, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan.
Clear Dumplings
Made with clear tapioca flour outer layer and shrimp and mung bean filling, Clear Dumplings are eaten with caramel fish sauce, scallion oil, and chili. Diners can also opt for it with Vietnamese pork sausage. A serving without pork sausage costs 15,000 VND, with pork sausage is 20,000 VND.
Location: Clear Dumplings - 13 Tuyen Quang, Binh Hung, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan. Open from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Shrimp Paste Grilled Rice Paper
In Phan Thiet, the grilled rice paper is uniquely slathered with shrimp paste and topped with pickled vegetables, crispy pork skin, and egg, creating a crunchy and aromatic snack that stands out for its unusual flavor. This specialty is easily found throughout the city.
Location: Shrimp Paste Grilled Rice Paper at Thu Khoa Huan - 182 Thu Khoa Huan, Phu Thuy, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan.
Banh Can
While similar to Banh Khot in other regions, Banh Can in Phan Thiet and Binh Thuan is unique. These mini pancakes are cooked in small round molds and served with a savory sauce, boiled eggs, crispy pork skin, pork belly, meatballs, shredded mango, and the distinct addition of braised tuna and mackerel.
Location: Co Phu's Banh Can - 187 Tran Phu, Phu Trinh, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan.
As per Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourAugust 4, 2022
