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Compilation of Must-Try Central Vietnamese Delicacies
Nha Trang Fish Noodle Soup
Nha Trang Fish Noodle Soup is one of the famous and enticing Central Vietnamese delicacies. This dish is cooked traditionally with fish, pork bone broth, and tomatoes. The fish cake is made from pieces of firm and meaty fish fillet. A bowl of Nha Trang Fish Noodle Soup features soft, small rice noodles, sweet and savory broth, and fresh herbs, creating a flavorful dish.
Nha Trang Fish Noodle Soup is among the renowned delicacies of Central Vietnam (Source: Internet)
Nha Trang Grilled Pork Rolls
Nha Trang Grilled Pork Rolls are a specialty that diners cannot miss when visiting Central Vietnam. The rolls are made from clean pork, seasoned with rich spices, and grilled over charcoal. A serving of grilled pork rolls includes flavorful grilled pork, rice paper rolls, crispy fried spring rolls, accompanied by fresh herbs and a bowl of dipping sauce made from fermented fish sauce and crushed peanuts.
The rolls are made from clean pork, seasoned with rich spices, and grilled over charcoal (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Rice Paper Rolls with Pork
When in Da Nang, you won't forget to savor the taste of Central Vietnam's specialty through the Da Nang rice paper rolls with pork. When eating, simply roll the pork with vermicelli, lettuce, mint, cucumber, banana, and dip it in a bowl of flavorful fish sauce.
Da Nang Rice Paper Rolls with Pork is a must-try dish when visiting Da Nang (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Baguette Sticks
Da Nang Baguette Sticks are a Central Vietnamese snack that mesmerizes many tourists. The baguette is only as big as two fingers, about 30cm long, filled with pate and drizzled with a bit of spicy chili sauce. The baguette is baked to perfection, offering a delightful blend of creamy pate and a hint of spicy chili.
Da Nang Baguette Sticks are a Central Vietnamese snack (Source: Internet)
Chicken Rice
Among the list of delicious Central Vietnamese dishes, Da Nang chicken rice is a must-try. The rice is cooked with boiled chicken broth, with a touch of turmeric powder to give it a shiny yellow color. The chicken is carefully chosen, firm and aromatic when cooked. Chicken rice is often served with spicy sauce, coriander, onions, and a bowl of hot chicken egg soup, creating a unique and delicious flavor.
Da Nang chicken rice is cooked with boiled chicken broth (Source: Internet)
Cao lau
Cao lau is a specialty of Quang Nam province that always captivates tourists from both inside and outside the country. The cao lau noodles, desired to be chewy, must undergo many complex processing stages. When served, the chef places thinly sliced pork on top of the noodles, pours broth over it, and serves it with mint, and bitter vegetables, truly delicious.
Cao lau is a specialty of Quang Nam province that always captivates tourists (Source: Internet)
Quang noodles
Quang noodles is a dish familiar to many, but to truly enjoy its flavor, you need to visit the land of Quang Nam - Da Nang. A bowl of Quang noodles is filled with shrimp, pork, with a hint of richness from peanuts, flavorful broth, served with fresh vegetables and rice crackers, highlighting the distinctive features of Central Vietnamese cuisine.
Quang noodles is a dish familiar to many (Source: Internet)
Corn sweet soup
Corn sweet soup is one of the rustic dishes of the people of Central Vietnam. This sweet soup is cooked from golden corn kernels grown in the fertile land of Cam Nam, Hoi An. When making the soup, glutinous corn kernels are cooked in thick coconut milk, bringing a rich, fragrant, irresistible taste.
Corn sweet soup is one of the rustic dishes of the people of Central Vietnam (Source: Internet)
Steamed rice cakes
Steamed rice cakes are a specialty of Central Vietnam made from rice flour combined with tapioca flour to create a soft and chewy texture for the cake. The steamed cakes are served with grilled or crispy roasted pork and accompanied by fresh vegetables along with a bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce. The fish sauce is mixed with garlic, chili, sugar, and lime to create a sticky consistency.
Steamed rice cakes are made from rice flour combined with tapioca flour (Source: Internet)
Hue beef noodle soup
The delicious Hue beef noodle soup from Central Vietnam captivates every traveler. The broth is simmered from bones, with a rich, savory taste, enhanced by fermented shrimp paste and the spicy aroma of lemongrass. Each bowl of noodles comes with a generous piece of tender beef shank and a hearty Hue-style pork sausage. Visiting the dreamy city of Hue without trying this enticing dish would be a real shame.
Hue beef noodle soup captivates every traveler (Source: Internet)
Rice with baby clams
A specialty of Central Vietnam that is greatly beloved is rice with baby clams, perfect for those who enjoy spicy food. The clams are stir-fried with intensely spicy seasonings, tantalizing the taste buds. When eating rice with baby clams, additional toppings such as pork fat, peanuts, and green mango are often added.
Rice with baby clams is perfect for those who enjoy spicy food (Source: Internet)
Eel porridge from Nghe An
Eel porridge is a famous specialty of Nghe An. To ensure the porridge is not fishy, chefs select eels from the fields that are firm and sweet. When enjoying this dish, it is often garnished with scallions and fragrant coriander.
Eel porridge is a famous specialty of Nghe An (Source: Internet)
Eel vermicelli
In addition to eel porridge, eel vermicelli from Nghe An is also favored by many diners. A bowl of vermicelli with the characteristic spiciness of the Central region helps to mask the fishy taste of the eel. The broth is made from simmered pork bone broth, with added dried shallots to ensure a sweet and savory taste. When in Nghe An, don't forget to indulge in this delicious and enticing specialty dish.
Eel vermicelli from Nghe An is favored by many diners (Source: Internet)
Eel soup from Nghe An
Eel soup from Nghe An, though a rustic dish, is favored by locals and tourists alike. This dish's allure comes from the tender eel pieces marinated in rich spices, served in a creamy broth with the fragrant aroma of chili and pepper.
Eel soup's allure comes from the tender eel pieces marinated in rich spices (Source: Internet)
Chive soup cake
Chive soup cake is a specialty dish from Phu Yen that delights locals and tourists alike. Just hearing the name, you know this dish stands out with its green color from the chives. Additionally, it features soft, chewy noodles and savory fish cakes, steamed and fried to golden perfection. The broth, made from fresh fish, boasts a naturally sweet and rich flavor, unlike pork bone broth.
Chive soup cake is a specialty dish from Phu Yen that delights tourists (Source: Internet)
Broth soup
Rice porridge soup is a familiar and humble breakfast dish of the people of Quang Binh. This dish is made from kneaded wheat flour, cut into strands, and cooked with pork bones, fish cakes, shrimp, and crab. Rice porridge soup is served with onions, finely chopped vegetables, and a cup of spicy fish sauce to enhance the flavor. It's a dish that brings the taste of the homeland, and everyone who comes here wants to try it.
Rice porridge soup is a familiar and humble breakfast dish of the people of Quang Binh (Source: Internet)
Sizzling pancake
It can be said that sizzling pancake is a specialty of all three regions, but in the Central region, sizzling pancake has a unique flavor. This dish is made from rice flour mixed with mung bean and scallion leaves to create a distinctive taste. Sizzling pancakes are served with fresh vegetables and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce mixed with garlic, chili, lime, and sugar.
Savory crispy pancakes are made from brown rice flour, then mixed with scallion leaves (Source: Internet)
Cu đơ candy from Ha Tinh
Cu đơ candy from Ha Tinh is a famous specialty of the Central region, a childhood snack enjoyed by many. The candy consists of layers including rice paper, malt, peanuts, and molasses. When eaten, the candy has a fragrant ginger flavor, the crispiness of rice paper, and the chewiness of the molasses layer, making it very delightful.
Cu đơ candy from Ha Tinh is a renowned specialty of the Central region (Source: Internet)
Vũng Áng jumping squid
When it comes to specialties of Ha Tinh, Vũng Áng jumping squid is a must-try – a seafood species with a sparkling silver appearance like stars. After being caught by fishermen, the jumping squid leaps joyfully on the shore. The squid, when cooked, has a fragrant aroma, crispy and sweet flesh, delicious when dipped in seafood sauce or chili sauce.
Vũng Áng jumping squid – a seafood species with a sparkling silver appearance (Source: Internet)
Rice flake cakes
Rice flake cakes are a delicious specialty of Central Vietnam, often made during Tet holidays. These small round cakes are nestled in a layer of sticky and fragrant honey. When eaten, diners will taste the pungent spiciness of ginger and the sweet flavor of honey. Rice flake cakes are served as a dessert to leave a fragrant taste after finishing the meal.
Rice flake cakes are easy to make and are often cooked during Tet holidays (Source: Internet)
Thanh Hoa shrimp cakes
The sight of golden-brown grilled shrimp cakes on charcoal stoves is something that many tourists find fascinating when visiting eateries in Thanh Hoa. The cakes are made from fresh and delicious shrimp, which are then hand-ground to maintain their firm and sweet texture. The best way to enjoy Thanh Hoa shrimp cakes is with sour starfruit, fresh vegetables, dipping sauce, or simply with chili sauce.
Grilled shrimp patties are cooked to a golden brown over charcoal stoves (Source: Internet)
Thanh Hoa steamed rolls
Thanh Hoa steamed rolls are also a famous specialty of Central Vietnam. The rolls are skillfully spread by hands, although thin and sticky, they are still soft and chewy. Inside the rolls is a filling of pork, wood ear mushrooms, shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms. When eaten, chefs will sprinkle crispy fried shallots on top and dip them in rich garlic and chili fish sauce.
The steamed rolls are thinly spread yet still soft and chewy (Source: Internet)
Roast pork sweet soup
Hue roast pork sweet soup is one of the most enticing delicacies of the ancient capital land. This unique dish combines the sweetness of sweet soup with the saltiness of roast pork, promising to give diners a very new and extremely delicious sensation. Compared to other sweet soups, roast pork sweet soup is truly a quintessence of Hue cuisine that you should try at least once.
Roast pork sweet soup is truly a quintessence of Hue cuisine (Source: Internet)
Clams served with rice paper
Clams served with rice paper is a simple, rustic dish, but incredibly flavorful and delicious. This dish is prepared very simply, with mostly familiar ingredients from the Central region such as fresh clams, onions, peanuts, ginger, garlic, cilantro, a bit of lemongrass, chili, and finally, rice paper.
Clams served with rice paper is a simple, rustic dish (Source: Internet)
Clear tapioca dumplings
The clear tapioca dumplings, with their translucent appearance, are made from cassava flour, a bit of tapioca flour, and the filling inside is made from a combination of shrimp and minced pork. This delicious Central Vietnamese dish is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Traditionally, clear tapioca dumplings are served with various dipping sauces and a side of fresh herbs.
Tapioca dumplings are made from cassava flour and tapioca starch (Source: Internet)
Water fern cake
Water fern cake is one of the distinctive steamed cakes of the Central region. This is an easy-to-make dish, prepared from main ingredients such as rice flour, green chili fish sauce, shrimp or pork. In addition, chefs can add noodles, roasted peanuts, or fried shallots to the cake to enhance the flavor.
Water fern cake is a distinctive steamed cake of the Central region (Source: Internet)
Nam cake
Nam cake is one of the famous dishes in Hue and can easily be found anywhere you go. This cake has a delicious and rich flavor from rice flour and pork. When served with fish sauce, it creates a mouthwatering and unforgettable dish.
Nam cake is one of the famous dishes in Hue (Source: Internet)
Tuna eye Phu Yen
Ocean tuna eye
Ocean tuna eye is a uniquely prepared and highly nutritious specialty dish in Phu Yen that will pique the curiosity of travelers. This specialty dish is prepared with meticulous care and is extremely nourishing. After being cleaned, the tuna eye is placed in a small bowl to stew with a variety of Chinese herbs such as monk fruit, wolfberry, etc. This brings out a sweeter and more pleasant taste to the tuna eye dish.
Mixed fermented pork
Mixed fermented pork is a specialty dish of Binh Dinh that attracts tourists from all directions. Fermented pork is combined with various ingredients such as shredded cucumber, grated carrots, green mangoes, quail eggs, etc., creating a sweet and sour, irresistible flavor. This dish has gradually become a favorite snack, a late-night addictive dish for many people.
Mixed fermented pork is a specialty dish of Binh Dinh that attracts tourists (Source: Internet)
Rice noodle with offal porridge
Rice noodle with offal porridge is a specialty dish that is no stranger to tourists when visiting the Central region. When enjoying this dish, tourists will experience the delicious aroma of rice, the chewiness of the offal slices, the freshness of the raw vegetables, and the sweetness of the fish sauce bowl. All of these create a symphony of flavors that delights the taste buds and leaves tourists enchanted.
Rice noodle with offal porridge is a specialty dish of the Central region that is no longer unfamiliar (Source: Internet)
Mango Fish Salad
The mango fish salad is a delicious Central Vietnamese dish with a fragrant and savory flavor of the sea. When taking the first bite, diners may find it unfamiliar, but by the second bite, they will immediately become addicted. Breaking a piece of crispy grilled rice paper, scooping up the fish salad, and putting it in the mouth, diners will taste the subtle sweetness of the fish combined with the sweet and sour flavor of mango, the rich nuttiness of roasted peanuts, wrapped with various aromatic herbs.
The mango fish salad is a delicious dish from the Central region with a fragrant and savory flavor (Source: Internet)
Jellyfish Salad
Jellyfish Salad is one of the rustic specialties of the Central region boasting an incredibly flavorful and impressive taste. Each crunchy bite of jellyfish, combined with the fresh sweetness of seafood and the fragrant aroma of mixed herbs, leaves an unforgettable impression on anyone who has tasted it even once.
Jellyfish Salad served with rice paper and sweet and sour fish sauce (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Grilled Pork Skewers
Da Nang Grilled Pork Skewers exude the aroma of meat, the distinctive flavor of various spices combined with the fragrant and smooth dipping sauce. This Central Vietnamese delicacy is enjoyed with various fresh herbs and rice paper rolls.
Da Nang Grilled Pork Skewers exude the aroma of meat, the distinctive flavor (Source: Internet)
Visiting the Central region, what local specialty food makes a perfect gift?
Binh Dinh Beef Sausage
When it comes to Central Vietnamese specialties, Binh Dinh Beef Sausage is a must-try. This dish boasts a uniquely fragrant aroma and an irresistible taste that cannot be found elsewhere. Just one bite and you'll experience the crunchy texture along with the subtle spiciness of black pepper. While enjoying the beauty of Binh Dinh, don't forget to bring back some beef sausage as a gift for your family and friends!
Binh Dinh Beef Sausage boasts a highly distinctive fragrance (Source: Internet)
Caramelized Sesame Peanut Candy
Caramelized Sesame Peanut Candy is a specialty dish from Hue that captivates tourists with the fragrant aroma of sesame, the sweetness of sugar, the crispy richness of peanuts, and its transparent golden color. Enjoying a piece of Caramelized Sesame Peanut Candy in the early morning with loved ones, accompanied by a hot cup of tea, brings a sense of tranquility.
Caramelized Sesame Peanut Candy is a specialty dish from Hue that captivates tourists (Source: Internet)
Thanh Hoa Fermented Pork Roll
Fermented pork roll, a famous specialty of Thanh Hoa, is always a sought-after gift by many tourists when traveling to this destination. When eaten, the roll offers a crispy texture of pork skin combined with the sourness of fermented meat and the spiciness of chili. Additionally, the rolls are wrapped in fig leaves, adding a unique and unforgettable flavor.
Thanh Hoa Fermented Pork Roll is always a sought-after gift by many tourists (Source: Internet)
Nha Trang Swiftlet's Nest
Nha Trang Swiftlet's Nest is a specialty of Central Vietnam that every tourist desires to savor and bring back as a gift for loved ones. You can prepare the nest with rock sugar to enjoy a delicious and nutritious bowl of swiftlet's nest soup.
Preparing swiftlet's nest with rock sugar is highly nutritious (Source: Internet)
Binh Dinh Sticky Rice Cake
Sticky rice cake wrapped in thorn leaves is a perfect blend of the sweetness of sugar and the fragrant stickiness of glutinous rice. Although originally a specialty of Binh Dinh, the popularity of its preparation has made it a shared specialty of Vietnam.
Thorn Leaf Cake, a specialty of Binh Dinh Province (Source: Internet)
Binh Dinh Stone Jar Wine
Binh Dinh Stone Jar Wine is a type of wine not brewed from regular rice like other types of wine, but from brown rice. Especially, it achieves its best flavor only when using water from a village in Binh Dinh province. What makes people love Stone Jar Wine is its refreshing taste, bringing an incredibly refreshing sensation. This is also a suitable gift for you to buy for your family and friends after exploring the Central provinces.
Binh Dinh Stone Jar Wine is brewed from brown rice (Source: Internet)
Phu Yen Fish Cake
Phu Yen Fish Cake is a renowned specialty of the coastal region in Central Vietnam. It is made from fresh sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, cobia, and pomfret. After steaming, the fish cake features a crispy outer layer and delicious fish meat inside, blending perfectly with all the spices to create an exceptionally enticing flavor.
Phu Yen Fish Cake is a renowned specialty of the coastal region in Central Vietnam (Source: Internet)
Here are some famous Central Vietnamese delicacies you shouldn't miss. Vincom hopes this information will help make your journey to explore Central Vietnam full of unique and enjoyable experiences.
Posted by: Chí Nguyên Lê
Keywords: What are the delicious dishes of Central Vietnam? Check out 40 famous and delicious specialties from Central Vietnam that everyone loves
