When visiting Da Nang, indulging in these iconic dishes is a must—once you taste them, you’ll be hooked for life. Join INTOUR as we explore the top must-try dishes in Da Nang!
A standout in Top must-try Da Nang dishes, Nam O Fish Salad is a must-try dish hailing from the fishing village of Nam O. Made from fresh herring, expertly seasoned to eliminate any fishy odor, this dish is bursting with bold flavors. It’s served with a rich sesame fish sauce, crunchy peanuts, fresh herbs, and wrapped in rice paper for an addictive, flavorful experience.
Smashed Rice Cake is a beloved Central Vietnamese dish, cherished for its simplicity and deliciousness. This dish features grilled rice paper topped with a thin layer of rice flour batter, sprinkled with dried shrimp, peanuts, and fragrant fried scallions. Dip it in pungent fish sauce or savory dipping sauce for a delightful treat. Don’t miss this unique dish on your Da Nang adventure!
While Cao Lau is traditionally associated with Hoi An, Da Nang has put its own spin on this iconic dish, infusing it with local flair. The dish features fragrant rice noodles paired with thinly sliced pork, crispy fried noodle strands, fresh herbs, and a rich, savory broth. This unforgettable dish is a highlight of any Da Nang food tour.
Pork Rolled in Rice Paper is a familiar dish across Vietnam, but Da Nang elevates it with its unique preparation. The rice paper, dew-dried for a chewy yet sturdy texture, wraps around perfectly boiled pork with a balance of lean and fatty layers. The star of the dish is the meticulously crafted dipping sauce, which adds a burst of flavor to every bite.
A local favourite, this place is celebrated for its well-balanced pork slices, fresh herbs, soft rice noodles, and signature mam nem dip.
A trusted local chain offering consistent quality across all branches, with tender pork and refreshing herb assortments.
Also known for a second branch at 124 Huynh Thuc Khang (10 AM – 10 PM). This restaurant is highly praised by both locals and tourists for its flavorful pork, crisp veggies, and fragrant dipping sauce.
In Da Nang, Sucking Snails are not just a meal but a joyful experience. These snails are cleaned thoroughly and often steamed or boiled in coconut water to retain their natural sweetness. Paired with a sweet-and-salty fish sauce dip, they’re a budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing dish loved by students, locals, and tourists alike.
Jackfruit isn’t just a sweet fruit in Da Nang - it’s transformed into a savory snack called Mixed Jackfruit Salad. Young jackfruit is boiled, shredded, and tossed with boiled pork skin, thinly sliced pork belly, fresh herbs, peanuts, and fried shallots. This vibrant, flavorful dish is a must-try street food.
A beloved local legend with over 30 years of history, known for its crispy yet tangy mix of unripe jackfruit, pork rind, peanuts, fried shallots and herbs—served in a small, cozy alley setting.
Run by experienced vendors, this stall is a favorite among students for its affordable, flavorful servings topped with crispy pork rind.
Featuring a variety of additions like banana flower and papaya, this stall draws praise for its generous portions and rich flavor at very budget-friendly prices (~15k–30k VND).
A friendly street-side cart known for vegetarian options on lunar-calendar fasting days, alongside their signature mixed jackfruit.
A popular stop inside the bustling market food court, offering typical tangy, savory, slightly spicy jackfruit salad alongside other local snacks.
Bullfish and Sand Goby are staples of Central Vietnam’s coastal cuisine. In Da Nang, bullfish is sliced, seasoned, and cooked to perfection, while sand goby is often stir-fried with garlic and chili for a bold, aromatic flavor. Each family has its own secret recipe, making these dishes uniquely delicious.
This specialty store is renowned for its high-quality bullfish slices marinated and glazed (“rim”), making great gifts or snacks.
Well-known for spicy sand goby slices, this local chain offers tasty dried seafood that's perfect with rice or as a travel snack.
A classic claypot rice restaurant famous for its signature “3 Ca Bong” (three goby fish) claypot dish and other homestyle seafood selections.
Rimmed Milk Crab is a familiar dish for Central Vietnamese locals but a novel treat for visitors. These soft-shelled crabs, packed with calcium and nutrients, are cleaned, seasoned, and rimmed with tamarind sauce or spices for a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Enjoy them as a snack or with steamed rice on a rainy day.
A trusted brand offering fresh, crunchy milk crabs glazed with balanced seasoning—highly praised for authentic flavor .
A popular souvenir store featuring premium-packaged milk crab—elegant and traveler-friendly
Known for professional quality and hygiene standards; milk crab glazed with perfect crispiness and packaging ideal for gifts
A reputable chain offering glazed milk crab in attractive brown-golden jars—popular for its taste and convenience .
A clean, certified shop offering glass jars of glazed milk crab made from wild-caught crabs—ideal as snacks or gifts .
If you love Vietnamese sausages like pork sausage or fish cake, you’ll fall for Da Nang Beef Sausage. Its chewy texture and rich flavor make it a versatile dish, perfect with bread or pickled vegetables. It’s also a popular souvenir for visitors to bring home.
This iconic brand has over 50 years of tradition, renowned for its pure beef texture and authentic flavor wrapped in banana leaves.
A trusted family-run workshop famous for traditional beef sausage, favored by both locals and tourists as a snack or takeaway gift.
Well-known in Hai Chau district for its rich beef flavor and firm, springy texture, often praised on local food guides.
A traditional treat from Da Nang and Quang Nam, Sesame Dry Cake is a simple yet delightful snack made from rice flour, glutinous rice, sugar, sesame seeds, and ginger. Shaped into small squares, coated with sesame and sugar, it offers a crisp texture and a mildly sweet, nutty flavor. It’s an affordable and thoughtful gift for visitors.
A famous traditional workshop in Cam Le, known for its award‑winning sesame cakes (“Banh kho me Cam Le”), crispy, aromatic, slightly sweet with ginger and cinnamon essence
This flagship store offers packaged sesame cakes in multiple varieties—black sesame, white sesame, and crispy (kho) sesame, widely available as souvenirs
A well-known confectionery brand that includes sesame dry cake among its traditional offerings, made from rice flour, glutinous rice, sesame, ginger, sugar, and cinnamon
Da Nang’s Tri-Color Chilean Grapes are a unique fruit, celebrated for their vibrant colors and high nutritional value. These grapes are a perfect gift for health-conscious travelers looking to share a taste of Da Nang with loved ones.
A well-known local souvenir store offering carefully packaged tri-color Chilean raisins. Products are imported, preservative-free, and available in various box sizes (30,000 – 150,000 VND) .
Known for premium tri-color Chilean raisins in eco-friendly packaging. Popular for its balanced sweet-and-tart taste and high nutritional value .
An organic farm that grows and dries its own Chilean grapes-no added preservatives or artificial colors. Packaging highlights quality and freshness
A popular grocery store that was one of the first to introduce imported Chilean raisins in Da Nang. Products are certified and clearly labeled for origin .
This stall sells whole-branch Chilean raisins-plump, naturally sweet, with controlled packaging to maintain freshness
Quang Noodles, also known as dry noodles, are a must-try when visiting Da Nang. Made from thick, chewy rice noodles, the dish is topped with pork, chicken, shrimp, or fish cake, served with a small amount of rich bone broth and fresh herbs for a naturally sweet and savory flavor.
A Michelin-Selected favorite serving ribbon rice noodles in turmeric broth with shrimp, pork, chicken, eggs, peanuts, and fresh greens
Known for chewy noodles, tender toppings, and flavorful broth; located riverside with Michelin recognition
A beloved local chain offering shrimp, pork, frog, eel, and jellyfish varieties in spacious, modern outlets
A Bib Gourmand spot known for its bright orange-red shrimp broth and versatile toppings like quail egg, jellyfish, and pork
Legendary for over 30 years, serving hearty Mi Quang with duck eggs and beef in a cozy family-run space
Originating from Southern Vietnam, Da Nang Offal Stew has become a local favorite. This hearty dish, packed with bold flavors, is served piping hot with crispy bread and a tangy tamarind fish sauce dip, making it an ideal afternoon snack.
Merges Saigon-style stew with central Vietnam’s flavors; includes both hearty broth and dry mixed versions.
Known for thick, savory broth cooked with coconut water and spices-served with a range of organ meats.
A long-standing street stall praised for its flavorful mix of offals (sach, gan, pheo) tossed with green mango, banana, and fish-sauce dip.
Offers both broth and dry mixed styles; noted for large portions, clean presentation, and premium ingredients.
A favoured choice among locals-boasts a traditional recipe of thinly sliced offals mixed with fresh herbs and zesty fish sauce. Recognized for a 30-year history and distinctive regional style .
Jumping Shrimp Pancake is a fun and flavorful dish that lives up to its name. Made with live, fresh shrimp, the pancake boasts a golden, crispy shell filled with a variety of ingredients. Its vibrant presentation and rich taste make it a highlight of Da Nang’s street food scene.
A Michelin Bib Gourmand favourite, this family-run eatery has been serving thin, crispy Bac Binh Dinh-style shrimp pancakes topped with live shrimp. Served with fish sauce or peanut sauce for dipping
With over 30 years of history, this no-frills alley restaurant is a local classic known for its crispy pancakes served with fresh greens and peanut‑meat dipping sauce
A local favourite listed on Tripadvisor, this spot is praised for its fresh shrimp and crunchy pancakes - served at an affordable price (around VND 50k per pancake) .
Fish Cake Noodle Soup is a coastal specialty found in cities like Nha Trang and Quy Nhon, but Da Nang’s version stands out. The fish cake is made from the freshest fish, skillfully prepared for a sweet, chewy texture. For just around $1.50, you’ll enjoy a generous bowl that’s both satisfying and delicious.
A Bib Gourmand restaurant covered by the Michelin Guide, this family-run shop has served the city’s favourite fish‑cake noodle soup for over 30 years. Its signature bowl includes crab‑meat as well as fried and steamed fish cakes in a sweet‑tangy tomato‑pineapple broth.
A Da Nang institution boasting 50+ years of operation, run by the third generation. Known for its springy fish cakes—fried and steamed—and broth enriched with pineapple and tomato, creating a balanced sweet‑sour profile.
A favorite among locals, this stall delivers a sweeter broth and generous portions of fish cakes. With over 30 years of heritage, it's renowned for flavor, value, and welcoming service.
Da Nang’s coastal bounty shines in Stewed Mackerel, a dish featuring tender, sweet fish cooked in a rich, savory sauce. Rolled in rice paper with fresh herbs and dipped in fish sauce, it’s a rustic yet unforgettable dish.
Famous for its rich, deeply flavored Ca Nuc Kho served with morning glory and brown rice paper—a true taste of Quang cuisine .
A local favorite spotlighted among the "Top 9 Ca Nuc spots" in Da Nang. Offers grilled and stewed mackerel, plus other seafood items and a lively neighborhood ambiance.
While specializing in Ca Nuc Cuon Banh Trang (wrapped mackerel), they also serve delightful Ca Nuc Kho—stewed or wrapped in rice paper. A popular late-night snack spot.
Garlic Chili Anchovies are a Da Nang favorite, made from carefully selected anchovies stir-fried with garlic and chili for an irresistible aroma. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice, tempting you to devour multiple servings.
This well-known specialty store offers house-made Ca mai rim toi ot (anchovies with garlic & chili) alongside other local dried seafood. Featured for its aromatic, crunchy texture and perfect spicy-salty balance
A bustling market stall where locals buy preserved anchovies simmered in garlic, chili, and fish sauce. The condiment-style presentation makes it ideal to pair with rice or as a flavorful topping
A reputable gift-shop brand selling well-packaged anchovy garlic chili snacks, noted for clean hygiene and authentic homemade flavor—perfect souvenir options.
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Choose shelf-stable items as gifts
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When visiting Da Nang, indulging in these iconic dishes is a must—once you taste them, you’ll be hooked for life. Every region in Vietnam has its own distinct specialties, and Da Nang’s culinary offerings are no exception, sparking curiosity and cravings among travelers.
Note: Da Nang Speciality Dishes List is part of INTOUR’s Vietnam Travel Blog and Guide. All content is copyrighted by INTOUR Travel. Any reproduction must credit the source, author, and link to the original content. Images are sourced from social media with gratitude to contributors.
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