Top 10 Must-Try Dishes When Visiting Phan Thiet

For the locals of Phan Thiet, beef noodle soup is a beloved dish. Whether the shop is big or small, new or established, almost every place serving this dish is packed with customers. Phan Thiet Beef Noodle Soup is not only a local favorite but has recently gained popularity among tourists. Many visitors find themselves returning to Phan Thiet just to enjoy a hot, fragrant bowl of beef noodle soup served with a variety of delicious herbs and vegetables. When you visit this coastal city, make sure to try this humble yet delicious dish, which mirrors the calm, warm spirit of the people here. Phan Thiet Beef Noodle Soup stands out for its unique broth and the accompanying herbs, which have a flavor you won’t find anywhere else. Food enthusiasts agree that this dish doesn’t taste like anything from the North, the South, or Hue, making it truly one of a kind. The distinctive name of this dish adds to its charm, and it's a taste that stays with you long after you’ve left. Phan Thiet's beef noodle soup is unforgettable—its unique aroma and flavor are simply irresistible.

Squid Teeth are the small, round parts located on the squid’s head, often mistaken for its eyes or mouth. In the past, these squid teeth were discarded, but now they have become a delicacy. The fresh, crunchy texture of squid teeth, combined with the spicy, tangy flavor of grilled squid teeth with satay sauce, or the savory taste of salted squid teeth, or the rich, aromatic flavor of fried squid tooth balls, all make this dish irresistibly appealing in different ways. Once considered a simple, overlooked part of squid, the squid teeth are now a signature street food in Phan Thiet, with many tourists and locals alike falling in love with this unique dish.

It’s especially popular among young travelers in Phan Thiet! Squid Teeth become even more flavorful when paired with chili sauce, satay, Vietnamese coriander, and pickled vegetables. Squid teeth, when steamed with salt, pepper, lime, or dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, offer a delightful contrast of crunchy sweetness, spicy heat, fresh herbs, and tangy pickles. The combination makes for a satisfying experience that you can enjoy over and over again. As a local saying goes: “If you're truly from Phan Thiet and haven't tried squid teeth, you're missing out!”

Soft Rice Paper Rolls are a popular snack in Phan Thiet’s coastal streets. Unlike the traditional southern-style rice paper, these rolls are filled with fermented shrimp paste, crispy pork skin, and quail eggs, offering a delightful bite. Visitors to Phan Thiet will find this snack sold on street corners throughout the city, often alongside grilled shrimp paste rice paper rolls.

The preparation of soft rice paper rolls is simple but delicious. The key ingredient is chewy rice paper that has been lightly dewy-dried, not the crispy type soaked in water. It is filled with fermented shrimp paste, crispy pork skin, and quail eggs. To enhance the flavor, a sprinkle of fried onions or garlic and some aromatic herbs, especially Vietnamese coriander, are added. This snack is served with a side of shrimp paste dipping sauce. Everything is rolled together, creating a tasty and irresistible treat.

When people think of Phan Thiet, they often recall famous landmarks like Mui Ne, Ong Dia Beach, and Phu Quy Island. However, many overlook the city’s rich culinary heritage. Alongside unforgettable dishes like Banh Can, seafood, hotpot, and fish cake noodle soup, Phan Thiet Basket Cake is a distinctive part of the region’s food culture. This crunchy snack is often bought by travelers to give as gifts for friends and family. Made from sweet potatoes, sugar, and malt syrup, creating these crispy cakes requires skillful craftsmanship.

Phan Thiet Basket Cake originally comes from Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan, but it has since become a beloved local specialty in Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan. The craft of making basket cakes in Phan Thiet is primarily found in the city's inner districts. These cakes are made from thin strands of sweet potato woven into small circular shapes, then shaped into a basket-like form. Many visitors leave Phan Thiet with a pack of these crispy treats as a souvenir. The name ‘basket cake’ comes from the resemblance to the baskets people use to cover rice pots. You can find these cakes at Phan Thiet Market or along the Ca Ty River and in Mui Ne.

Lạc Hà Pho is a famous late-night pho shop in Phan Thiet, well-known to both local residents and travelers from afar. It is a popular choice for many tourists to enjoy a hearty bowl of pho after a late-night stroll through Phan Thiet. The shop opens at 4:00 PM and stays open until 3:00 AM the next morning. Customers arrive on foot, by motorbike, or by car. These include night shift workers, tourists, or locals who want to experience Phan Thiet’s nightlife or simply those who are hungry in the late hours.

A hot bowl of pho in the middle of the night is the perfect treat after a long day of exploring Phan Thiet with friends. Lạc Hà Pho is the most famous pho restaurant in the area, located along the main road, Tran Hung Dao. The shop is well-known by many tourists from near and far. What makes Lạc Hà Pho stand out is not only the quality of its ingredients and preparation but also the attention to detail in every slice of chili and wedge of lime. The restaurant measures its success by the satisfaction of its customers, which has made Lạc Hà Pho a special culinary destination. The number of visitors continues to grow, including renowned singers and performers who stop by when they visit Phan Thiet for shows.

In addition to dishes like fish salad, fish with crispy skin, and squid eggs, Phan Thiet is also famous for its Thả Hotpot. The main ingredient in this dish is fresh fish, typically mackerel, anchovies, or a local specialty fish from the coastal waters of Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan. The fish is carefully deboned, briefly blanched, and cleaned with fresh lemon juice to remove any fishy smell before being lightly seasoned. Thả Hotpot offers a chance to explore and savor the deeper meanings of Vietnamese culinary philosophy, based on the five elements of ancient Buddhist teachings: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

Today, many local restaurants and hotels include this dish in their menus for tourists. The key ingredient is fresh mackerel, just caught from the sea and carefully prepared with spices, garlic, and chili. Guests enjoy it with noodles, fresh herbs, shredded pork belly, and thinly sliced fried eggs. The dish is served at the table, where diners can personally add ingredients into the pot. There are two ways to enjoy Thả Hotpot. The first is dry, where guests mix noodles and ingredients in a bowl and pour in a special sauce. This sauce is one of the secrets that makes this dish so unique. While the ingredients are mostly the same at every restaurant, it is the sauce recipe that sets each place apart.

In addition to specialties like Huỳnh Đế crab and lobster, one more must-try dish when visiting Phan Thiết is the Phan Thiết Sun-Dried Squid. These large, fan-shaped squid are dried under the hot sun of Bình Thuận for just one day, then grilled over charcoal until they turn a pale golden hue and release a fragrant aroma. The squid is best enjoyed when dipped in Phan Thiết fish sauce with a few slices of chili. Unlike the typical dried squid, this squid is dried only once, retaining a fresh, crisp texture. The squid is cleaned to remove excess seawater before drying, with the right kind of sunlight enhancing the flavor. The more sunlight, the tastier the squid becomes, but it’s crucial that it’s dried only for one day.

Typically, Phan Thiết Sun-Dried Squid is best grilled over a gentle charcoal fire. The squid needs to be roasted at just the right heat—too strong and it’ll burn on the outside, leaving the inside raw. Properly grilled, it turns a golden color and fills the air with a sweet, natural aroma. When eaten, the squid is tender, sweet, and full of flavor, perfectly paired with spicy chili sauce. However, you can also explore different ways to cook this squid, as it can be used in a variety of delicious dishes.

When people mention Mi Quang, they often think of Quang Nam, but few realize that this dish actually originated in Phan Thiết. While you can find Mi Quang in many places, none compare to the delicious version served in Phan Thiết. For those not familiar with it, it’s sometimes jokingly called ‘Mi Quang soup’. Phan Thiết Mi Quang is a must-try delicacy for anyone visiting Phan Thiết or Bình Thuận. The perfect balance of savory, salty, and sweet broth will leave you craving more!

Although Mi Quang is commonly associated with the provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Da Nang—regions famous for their distinct Central Vietnamese flavors—Phan Thiết’s version of this dish offers a unique twist. The way it’s prepared and the flavors it carries are unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere. Phan Thiết’s Mi Quang stands out for its refined and delicate taste, which you can only experience in this sun-drenched, windy coastal town. One bowl of Phan Thiết Mi Quang and you’ll forget the way home!

Visitors to Phan Thiết, in addition to enjoying the stunning landscapes, also seek to explore and indulge in the local culinary delights. Phan Thiết contributes many delicious dishes to Vietnam's food map, such as bánh quai vạc, bánh rế, lẩu thả, and Phan Thiết fish sauce. One of the favorite dishes among tourists is fried fish with oil sauce. The fish used here, known as 'Cá Lồi', looks similar to the snakehead fish due to its smooth skin. These fish are primarily found along the central coastal regions, becoming a local specialty in places like Mũi Né, Bình Thuận. The fish is more abundant during the months of July, August, and September. The mature fish can reach up to 5 kg, but people usually choose fish weighing around 1-2 kg, as the flesh remains tender and the fish doesn't have the strong odor of older fish.

Phan Thiết Fried Fish with Oil Sauce is one of the delicacies that many travelers may not have had the chance to try, even if they have visited Phan Thiết several times. With its unique flavor, this dish has recently been featured by travel companies, ensuring visitors don't miss the opportunity to taste a rare and delicious dish from this bustling seaside city. The fish has smooth skin and, at first glance, resembles a small stingray but without the long tail. Found in southern central provinces like Khánh Hòa, Ninh Thuận, and Bình Thuận, the fish’s tender, sweet flesh is used in various recipes, such as sour soup, grilled with lemongrass and chili, or stir-fried—each dish delivering an indescribably delicious flavor.

Ốc giác is a popular seafood in the coastal areas of Phan Thiết, often prepared in a variety of ways for local diners. Apart from simple preparations like boiling, steaming, grilling, or stir-frying with noodles, one of the standout dishes is the snail salad. The key feature of this dish is the crunchy, spicy papaya mixed with the soft yet crispy texture of the snail, complemented by the fragrant spices that round out the flavor. This dish is a popular snack or side dish, especially among students. Each snail can weigh as much as 2 kg. After being caught, the snails can survive in saltwater for up to a week, so tourists visiting Mũi Né can also buy live snails to bring back home as a souvenir.

However, the best flavor is achieved when the snails are freshly caught, as their meat remains tender, and the snails release their natural juices, enhancing the sweetness. The snail meat consists of two parts: the firm, crunchy flesh and the soft, slightly fatty intestine. To prepare the dish, the snails are either boiled and then extracted from the shell, or the meat is removed while still alive and cooked. Snail Salad is a dish made primarily from this beloved local snail, making it a dish closely tied to the memories of Phan Thiết's residents. Though no one knows exactly when or by whom this dish was first created, it is clear that snail salad is a traditional meal from the early days of Mũi Né.