Central Vietnam, a narrow strip of land stretching across the country, is not only famous for its blue beaches and white sands, and world cultural heritages, but also a treasure trove of unique cuisine, captivating visitors from all directions. Coming to Central Vietnam, you will not only admire the majestic natural landscapes but also immerse yourself in a world of rich and bold flavors, deeply imbued with the identity of this sunny and windy land. Let “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) guide you to discover the famous specialties of Central Vietnam, making your journey to explore the beauty of Vietnam even more complete and memorable.
Nha Trang Fish Noodle Soup (Bún Cá Nha Trang) – Sea Essence in Every Strand
Speaking of Central Vietnam’s specialties, one cannot miss Nha Trang fish noodle soup, a dish imbued with the taste of the sea. This dish conquers diners with the harmonious combination of soft noodles, sweet broth, and flavorful, rich fish cakes.
The secret to creating an attractive bowl of Nha Trang fish noodle soup lies in the broth, simmered from fish bones and pork bones, creating a natural sweetness that is not harsh at all. The fish used for the noodle soup is usually fresh and delicious fish such as mackerel or tuna, filleted carefully, keeping the firmest and sweetest meat. The fish cake is made from fresh ground fish, seasoned to taste, then fried golden or steamed, creating a unique flavor that is unmistakable.
When enjoying Nha Trang fish noodle soup, you will feel the soft noodles, the sweet, rich, fishy broth, and the chewy, fragrant fish cake. Add a little scallions, fresh herbs, squeeze in a piece of lemon, and everything blends together to create an unforgettable symphony of flavors.
Bowl of Nha Trang fish noodle soup
Nha Trang fish noodle soup, a famous Central Vietnamese dish known for its sweet and savory seafood broth (Source: Internet)
Nha Trang Grilled Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Nướng Nha Trang) – Irresistibly Rich Flavor
Nha Trang grilled fermented pork roll is a popular snack and appetizer not only in Central Vietnam but also spreading throughout the country. This dish attracts diners with its fragrant, rich flavor of grilled meat, the harmonious combination with fresh herbs, and special dipping sauce.
Nha Trang grilled fermented pork roll is made from fresh pork, ground, mixed with pork skin, and marinated with rich spices according to a special recipe. The pork is grilled over charcoal until golden brown and fragrant. The highlight of Nha Trang grilled fermented pork roll is the dipping sauce, made from fermented fish sauce, roasted crushed peanuts, a little sugar, and chili, creating a salty, sweet, fatty, nutty, and spicy flavor that is very unique.
A serving of Nha Trang grilled fermented pork roll usually includes grilled fermented pork, rice paper, crispy fried spring rolls, fresh herbs, and a bowl of savory dipping sauce. When eating, wrap the fermented pork with rice paper, add some herbs, dip generously into the sauce, and feel the burst of deliciousness in your mouth.
Nha Trang grilled fermented pork rolls on a charcoal grill
Nha Trang grilled fermented pork rolls, a Central Vietnamese specialty grilled over hot coals, emitting an enticing aroma (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Pork Wrapped in Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Cuốn Thịt Heo Đà Nẵng) – Simple Harmony of Flavors
Da Nang pork wrapped in rice paper is a rustic, familiar dish, yet it brings a special, unforgettable flavor. This dish is loved for its refreshing lightness, suitable for many palates.
The pork used for pork wrapped in rice paper is usually pork belly or pork leg, boiled until just cooked, keeping its natural sweetness and tenderness. The rice paper is chosen to be thin and chewy, so it does not tear when rolled. The herbs served with it are very diverse, including lettuce, basil, fish mint, cucumber, green banana, bean sprouts, etc. The dipping sauce is an important factor determining the flavor of the dish, usually made from fermented fish sauce, with a little minced pineapple, garlic, chili, and sugar, creating a harmonious salty, sweet, and spicy taste.
When enjoying Da Nang pork wrapped in rice paper, you will feel the sweet tenderness of the pork, the freshness of the herbs, and the richness of the dipping sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, light dish.
Da Nang pork wrapped in rice paper rolls
Da Nang pork wrapped in rice paper, a must-try dish when visiting the beautiful coastal city (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Bread Sticks (Bánh Mì Que Đà Nẵng) – Unforgettable Street Food
Da Nang bread sticks are a street snack loved by many tourists. With a small, long shape, about 30cm, Da Nang bread sticks impress with their crispy crust, rich pate filling, and the spicy taste of chili sauce.
The bread sticks are made from wheat flour, baked in the oven until golden brown and crispy. The filling is made from pork liver pate, with a little pork fat and spices, creating a characteristic rich flavor. The chili sauce served with bread sticks is usually homemade chili sauce, with a spicy and fragrant taste.
When enjoying Da Nang bread sticks, you will feel the crispy crust, the rich, fragrant pate filling, and the spicy taste of chili sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, flavorful street snack.
Da Nang bread sticks on display
Da Nang bread sticks, a Central Vietnamese snack that fascinates many tourists (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Chicken Rice (Cơm Gà Đà Nẵng) – Familiar Flavor, Strong Identity
Da Nang chicken rice is a familiar, simple dish, yet it brings a characteristic flavor, deeply imbued with the identity of Central Vietnam. This dish is loved for the harmonious combination of fragrant sticky rice, tender free-range chicken, and rich sweet and sour fish sauce.
Da Nang chicken rice is cooked from good rice, using chicken broth, with a little turmeric powder to create a beautiful golden color. The chicken used for cooking rice is free-range chicken, with firm meat, golden skin, and delicious flavor. The chicken is boiled until just cooked, shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces. The fish sauce served with chicken rice is mixed according to a special recipe, with a sweet, sour, spicy, and rich taste.
When enjoying Da Nang chicken rice, you will feel the fragrant sticky rice, the tender chicken, the crispy chicken skin, and the rich sweet and sour fish sauce, with a little cilantro and onion, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and nutritious dish.
Plate of Da Nang chicken rice
Da Nang chicken rice, a familiar dish cooked with chicken broth, delicious and nutritious (Source: Internet)
Cao Lau – Hoi An Culinary Quintessence
Cao Lau is a specialty of Hoi An, Quang Nam, deeply imbued with the culinary culture of the ancient town. This dish impresses with its chewy noodles, rich char siu pork, crispy pork cracklings, and fresh herbs.
Cao Lau noodles are handmade, going through many complex stages, from selecting rice, grinding flour, kneading dough, rolling dough, cutting noodles, and drying… Cao Lau broth is simmered from pork bones and dried shrimp, creating a natural sweet taste. Char siu pork is marinated with rich spices, braised until tender and fragrant. Pork cracklings are fried until crispy and fatty. The herbs served with Cao Lau are very diverse, including lettuce, bean sprouts, herbs, mint, bitter herbs, etc.
When enjoying Cao Lau, you will feel the chewy noodles, the rich char siu pork, the crispy pork cracklings, and the fresh herbs, all harmoniously blended to create a unique dish, deeply imbued with Hoi An flavor.
Bowl of Cao Lau noodles
Cao Lau, a Quang Nam specialty that always has a special attraction for tourists (Source: Internet)
Quang Noodles (Mì Quảng) – Warm Hometown Flavor
Quang noodles are a specialty of Quang Nam, Da Nang, loved for their rich, rustic flavor, deeply imbued with the soul of the countryside. This dish attracts diners with its golden noodles, rich broth, pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and fresh green vegetables.
Quang noodles are made from rice flour, thinly coated, cut into strands, with a characteristic yellow color. Quang noodle broth is simmered from pork and chicken bones, with a little fresh turmeric to create a beautiful yellow color and characteristic aroma. The pork is usually pork belly or lean pork, braised until tender and rich. Shrimp is stir-fried until cooked, keeping its natural sweetness. Quail eggs are boiled and peeled. The herbs served with Quang noodles are very diverse, including lettuce, bean sprouts, herbs, basil, cilantro, scallions, etc. Crispy grilled rice paper is also an indispensable part of Quang noodles.
When enjoying Quang noodles, you will feel the chewy noodles, the rich broth, the fatty pork, shrimp, and quail eggs, the fresh herbs, and the crispy rice paper, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious dish, deeply imbued with hometown flavor.
Bowl of Quang noodles
Quang noodles, a dish no longer unfamiliar to many, rich in Central Vietnamese flavor (Source: Internet)
Sweet Corn Pudding (Chè Bắp) – Light Sweetness from the Countryside
Sweet corn pudding is a rustic, familiar dish of Central Vietnam, especially the land of Hoi An, Quang Nam. This sweet soup is loved for the light sweetness of corn, the richness of coconut milk, and the mild aroma of pandan leaves.
The corn used for cooking sweet corn pudding is usually young sticky corn, plump and fragrant kernels, grown in Cam Nam, Hoi An. The corn is shaved thinly, cooked with rock sugar, coconut milk, and pandan leaves until thickened.
When enjoying sweet corn pudding, you will feel the light sweetness of corn, the richness of coconut milk, and the mild aroma of pandan leaves, all harmoniously blended to create a refreshing, cool, and sweet dessert.
Bowl of sweet corn pudding
Sweet corn pudding, a rustic dish of Central Vietnam, sweet and refreshing (Source: Internet)
Steamed Rice Cakes (Bánh Ướt) – Soft, Rich Flavor
Steamed rice cakes are a Central Vietnamese specialty, made from rice flour, with a characteristic soft and chewy texture. Steamed rice cakes are often served with grilled or crispy roasted pork, Vietnamese sausage, fermented pork roll, fresh herbs, and sweet and sour dipping sauce.
The rice cake batter is mixed from plain rice flour, tapioca flour, a little salt, and cooking oil, then thinly coated on the stove. Steamed rice cakes have a characteristic soft, chewy, and fragrant texture. Grilled or crispy roasted pork is marinated with rich spices, grilled over charcoal until golden brown. The dipping sauce for steamed rice cakes is mixed from delicious fish sauce, sugar, lemon, garlic, and chili, creating a sweet, sour, and rich taste.
When enjoying steamed rice cakes, you will feel the soft, chewy rice cakes, the fragrant grilled or crispy roasted pork, the rich Vietnamese sausage and fermented pork roll, the fresh herbs, and the harmonious sweet and sour dipping sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and appealing dish.
Plate of steamed rice cakes with toppings
Steamed rice cakes, a Central Vietnamese specialty made from rice flour, soft, chewy, and delicious (Source: Internet)
Hue Beef Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế) – Intense Flavor of the Ancient Capital
Hue beef noodle soup is a specialty of Hue, Central Vietnam, famous throughout the country. This dish conquers diners with its rich, spicy broth, thick round noodles, tender beef shank, and flavorful crab patties.
Hue beef noodle soup broth is simmered from beef bones and pork bones, with fermented shrimp paste, lemongrass, and chili, creating a characteristic rich and spicy flavor. The beef used for Hue beef noodle soup is usually beef shank or beef brisket, boiled until just cooked, and sliced into thin bite-sized pieces. Crab patties are made from fresh ground crab, seasoned, steamed, and have a characteristic delicious flavor.
When enjoying Hue beef noodle soup, you will feel the rich, spicy broth, the thick round noodles, the tender beef shank, the flavorful crab patties, with a little bean sprouts and herbs, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, hearty dish, deeply imbued with the flavor of the ancient capital.
Bowl of Hue beef noodle soup
Hue beef noodle soup, a delicious Central Vietnamese dish that captivates any tourist (Source: Internet)
Hue Mussel Rice (Cơm Hến) – Spicy Flavor of the Countryside
Hue mussel rice is a specialty of Hue, Central Vietnam, loved for its spicy, rich, and rustic flavor. This dish is made from white rice, stir-fried mussels, pork cracklings, roasted peanuts, crispy pork skin, and various herbs.
The mussels used for mussel rice are river mussels, boiled, shelled, and stir-fried with onions, garlic, chili, and rich spices. White rice is cooked until sticky and fragrant. Pork cracklings are fried until crispy and fatty. Roasted peanuts are crushed. Crispy pork skin is shredded. The herbs served with mussel rice are very diverse, including cilantro, mint, bean sprouts, star fruit, etc.
When enjoying mussel rice, you will feel the fragrant sticky rice, the spicy stir-fried mussels, the fatty pork cracklings, the nutty roasted peanuts, the crispy pork skin, and the fresh herbs, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious dish, deeply imbued with countryside flavor.
Plate of Hue mussel rice
Hue mussel rice, a Central Vietnamese specialty very suitable for those who like spicy food (Source: Internet)
Nghe An Eel Porridge (Cháo Lươn Nghệ An) – Heartwarming on a Cold Day
Nghe An eel porridge is a famous specialty of Nghe An, Central Vietnam, loved for its delicious, nutritious flavor, heartwarming on a cold day. Eel porridge is cooked from field eel, plain rice, spices, and herbs.
The eel used for cooking porridge is field eel, with firm, sweet, and fragrant meat, carefully pre-processed to remove the fishy smell. Plain rice is lightly roasted before cooking so that the porridge has a smooth texture and is more fragrant. Eel porridge is cooked until tender, seasoned to taste, with scallions, cilantro, ground pepper, and chili powder when serving.
When enjoying Nghe An eel porridge, you will feel the smooth, delicious porridge, the tender, rich eel meat, with a little scallions and fragrant cilantro, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, nutritious, and heartwarming dish.
Bowl of Nghe An eel porridge
Nghe An eel porridge, a famous specialty of Nghe An, delicious and nutritious (Source: Internet)
Nghe An Glass Noodles with Eel (Miến Lươn Nghệ An) – Unforgettable Spicy Flavor
Nghe An glass noodles with eel are another specialty of Nghe An, Central Vietnam, loved for their characteristic spicy flavor, chewy glass noodles, and tender eel meat. Glass noodles with eel are made from field eel, glass noodles, spices, and herbs.
The eel used for glass noodles with eel is field eel, carefully pre-processed, stir-fried until just cooked, keeping its tenderness and sweetness. Glass noodles are blanched in boiling water until soft and chewy. Glass noodle broth is simmered from pork bones, with rich spices. Glass noodles with eel are served with fried shallots, cilantro, bean sprouts, and fresh chili.
When enjoying Nghe An glass noodles with eel, you will feel the chewy glass noodles, the tender eel meat, the rich, spicy broth, with a little fried shallots and fragrant cilantro, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, appealing, and unforgettable dish.
Bowl of Nghe An glass noodles with eel
Nghe An glass noodles with eel, a specialty loved by many diners for its spicy flavor (Source: Internet)
Nghe An Eel Soup (Súp Lươn Nghệ An) – Rustic Yet Flavorful
Nghe An eel soup is a rustic, familiar dish of Nghe An people, Central Vietnam, but it is loved for its rich, delicious, and nutritious flavor. Eel soup is cooked from field eel, tapioca flour, spices, and herbs.
The eel used for eel soup is field eel, carefully pre-processed, stir-fried until just cooked, keeping its tenderness and sweetness. Tapioca flour is diluted, creating a smooth texture for the soup. Eel soup is seasoned with rich spices, with scallions, cilantro, ground pepper, and chili powder when serving.
When enjoying Nghe An eel soup, you will feel the smooth, delicious soup, the tender, rich eel meat, with a little scallions and fragrant cilantro, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, nutritious, and hearty dish.
Bowl of Nghe An eel soup
Nghe An eel soup, a rustic dish but favored for its rich flavor (Source: Internet)
Phu Yen Fish Cake Noodle Soup (Bánh Canh Chả Cá) – Rustic Phu Yen Flavor
Phu Yen fish cake noodle soup is a specialty of Phu Yen, Central Vietnam, loved for its rustic, simple flavor, deeply imbued with the taste of the sea. Fish cake noodle soup is cooked from rice flour noodles, fish cake, fish broth, and herbs.
Rice flour noodles are handmade, thick and chewy. Fish cake is made from fresh, delicious fish, ground, seasoned, steamed, and fried golden. Fish cake noodle soup broth is simmered from fresh fish bones, creating a natural sweet taste. Fish cake noodle soup is served with scallions, bean sprouts, herbs, and chili fish sauce.
When enjoying Phu Yen fish cake noodle soup, you will feel the chewy noodles, the delicious fish cake, the sweet, rich fish broth, deeply imbued with the taste of the sea, with a little scallions, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, simple, yet appealing dish.
Bowl of Phu Yen fish cake noodle soup
Phu Yen fish cake noodle soup, a specialty very popular with tourists (Source: Internet)
Quang Binh Thick Rice Soup (Cháo Canh Quảng Bình) – Simple Yet Heartwarming
Quang Binh thick rice soup is a familiar, simple breakfast of Quang Binh people, Central Vietnam. This dish is made from wheat flour, pork bones, fish cake, shrimp, crab, and herbs.
Wheat flour is kneaded, cut into strands, cooked with pork bone broth, with fish cake, shrimp, and crab, creating a smooth, delicious thick rice soup. Quang Binh thick rice soup is often served with onions, chopped herbs, and a bowl of spicy chili fish sauce.
When enjoying Quang Binh thick rice soup, you will feel the smooth, delicious soup, the fresh and sweet fish cake, shrimp, and crab, the rich broth, with a little onions, herbs, and spicy chili fish sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, hearty breakfast, deeply imbued with hometown flavor.
Bowl of Quang Binh thick rice soup
Quang Binh thick rice soup, a familiar and simple breakfast of local people (Source: Internet)
Central Vietnamese Savory Crepes (Bánh Xèo Miền Trung) – Crispy, Unique Flavor
Savory crepes are a familiar dish of Vietnam, but Central Vietnamese savory crepes have a unique, distinctive flavor. Central Vietnamese savory crepes are made from brown rice flour, with chives, shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, and served with herbs and sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Central Vietnamese savory crepe batter is made from brown rice flour, creating a beautiful golden color and characteristic delicious flavor. Chives are added to the batter to create a special aroma. The filling includes shrimp, pork belly, and bean sprouts, stir-fried until cooked. Savory crepes are poured on a hot pan and fried until crispy. The dipping sauce for savory crepes is mixed from delicious fish sauce, sugar, lemon, garlic, and chili, creating a harmonious sweet and sour taste.
When enjoying Central Vietnamese savory crepes, you will feel the crispy crust, the delicious, rich filling, the fresh herbs, and the harmonious sweet and sour dipping sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, unique dish, deeply imbued with Central Vietnamese flavor.
Crispy Central Vietnamese savory crepe
Central Vietnamese savory crepe, a unique specialty with brown rice flour and chives, bringing a distinct flavor (Source: Internet)
Ha Tinh Peanut Candy (Kẹo Cu Đơ Hà Tĩnh) – Sweet Hometown Flavor
Ha Tinh peanut candy is a famous specialty of Ha Tinh, Central Vietnam, a childhood snack for many people. Peanut candy is made from malt, cane sugar, roasted peanuts, fresh ginger, and rice paper.
Malt is cooked from sprouted rice, cane sugar is cooked from sugarcane, roasted peanuts are roasted until cooked, fresh ginger is thinly sliced, and rice paper is grilled until crispy. The ingredients are cooked together, poured into molds, cooled, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
When enjoying Ha Tinh peanut candy, you will feel the sweetness of cane sugar, the nutty richness of roasted peanuts, the warm spiciness of fresh ginger, and the crispiness of rice paper, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious candy, deeply imbued with hometown flavor.
Ha Tinh peanut candy pieces
Ha Tinh peanut candy, a famous Central Vietnamese specialty, a childhood snack for many (Source: Internet)
Vung Ang Jumping Squid (Mực Nháy Vũng Áng) – Top Fresh Seafood
Vung Ang jumping squid is a specialty of Ha Tinh, Central Vietnam, the freshest seafood. Vung Ang jumping squid has a transparent white body, and when fresh, it will jump lively on the boat.
Vung Ang jumping squid is processed into many delicious dishes such as steamed squid, grilled squid, stir-fried squid, and squid salad. Steamed squid retains the natural sweetness of the squid. Grilled squid is fragrant and chewy. Stir-fried squid is rich and spicy. Squid salad is refreshing, sweet and sour. Vung Ang jumping squid is usually dipped with salt, pepper, lemon, chili sauce, or seafood sauce.
When enjoying Vung Ang jumping squid, you will feel the fresh, delicious, crunchy, and sweet squid meat, deeply imbued with the taste of the sea.
Fresh Vung Ang jumping squid on display
Vung Ang jumping squid, a Ha Tinh specialty, fresh seafood with a sparkling silver appearance (Source: Internet)
Tet Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh Ngào) – Sweetness for Tet Holiday
Tet sticky rice cake is a traditional cake of Central Vietnam, usually cooked during Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year). Tet sticky rice cake is made from sticky rice flour, cane sugar, fresh ginger, and molasses.
Sticky rice flour is kneaded until smooth and rolled into small round balls. Cane sugar is cooked into molasses. Fresh ginger is thinly sliced. Tet sticky rice cakes are boiled, then coated with molasses and fresh ginger. Tet sticky rice cakes have the sweetness of molasses, the warm spiciness of fresh ginger, and the chewy aroma of sticky rice flour.
When enjoying Tet sticky rice cake, you will feel the sweetness, warmth, and chewiness, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious cake, deeply imbued with the flavor of traditional Tet.
Tet sticky rice cakes
Tet sticky rice cakes, an easy-to-make Central Vietnamese delicacy, often cooked during Tet (Source: Internet)
Thanh Hoa Grilled Shrimp Paste (Chả Tôm Thanh Hóa) – Fragrant from Charcoal Stove
Thanh Hoa grilled shrimp paste is a famous specialty of Thanh Hoa, Central Vietnam, loved for its delicious, rich flavor of fresh shrimp. Thanh Hoa grilled shrimp paste is made from fresh shrimp, pork, pork fat, spices, and betel leaves.
Fresh shrimp is peeled, deveined, and ground. Pork and pork fat are ground. The ingredients are mixed well, seasoned, wrapped in betel leaves, and grilled over charcoal until golden brown and fragrant. Thanh Hoa grilled shrimp paste is often served with herbs, star fruit, green banana, vermicelli, and sweet and sour fish sauce.
When enjoying Thanh Hoa grilled shrimp paste, you will feel the fragrant, chewy grilled shrimp paste, rich in fresh shrimp flavor, with a little fresh herbs, refreshing star fruit and green banana, and harmonious sweet and sour fish sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and appealing dish.
Thanh Hoa grilled shrimp paste on skewers
Thanh Hoa grilled shrimp paste, a specialty grilled golden brown over a charcoal stove (Source: Internet)
Thanh Hoa Steamed Rice Rolls (Bánh Cuốn Thanh Hóa) – Thin, Chewy, Rich Filling
Thanh Hoa steamed rice rolls are another famous specialty of Thanh Hoa, Central Vietnam, loved for their thin, chewy layer of rice paper, rich wood ear mushroom and meat filling, and sweet and sour dipping sauce. Thanh Hoa steamed rice rolls are made from rice flour, pork filling, wood ear mushrooms, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and fried shallots.
The rice roll batter is mixed from plain rice flour, tapioca flour, a little salt, and cooking oil, then thinly coated on the stove. The filling includes ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms, stir-fried until cooked, and richly seasoned. Steamed rice rolls are rolled up, sprinkled with crispy fried shallots on top, and served with sweet and sour dipping sauce.
When enjoying Thanh Hoa steamed rice rolls, you will feel the thin, chewy rice rolls, the rich wood ear mushroom and meat filling, the crispy fried shallots, and the harmonious sweet and sour dipping sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and light dish.
Plate of Thanh Hoa steamed rice rolls
Thanh Hoa steamed rice rolls, a Central Vietnamese specialty with a thin but chewy layer of rice paper (Source: Internet)
Hue Sweet Pig Tripe Soup (Chè Heo Quay Huế) – Unique Flavor of the Ancient Capital
Hue sweet pig tripe soup is a unique, exotic dish of Hue, Central Vietnam, loved for the combination of the sweetness of sweet soup and the saltiness of roasted pork. Hue sweet pig tripe soup is made from green beans, tapioca flour, rock sugar, coconut milk, roasted pork, and spices.
Green beans are cooked until tender and pureed. Tapioca flour is diluted, creating a smooth texture for the sweet soup. Rock sugar is melted. Coconut milk is squeezed from fresh coconut. Roasted pork is chopped into bite-sized pieces. The ingredients are cooked together, seasoned to taste. Hue sweet pig tripe soup has the light sweetness of green beans, the richness of coconut milk, the rich saltiness of roasted pork, with a little ground pepper and chili powder, all harmoniously blended to create a unique, exotic sweet soup, deeply imbued with the flavor of the ancient capital.
When enjoying Hue sweet pig tripe soup, you will feel the novelty and uniqueness in the flavor, the harmonious combination of sweet and salty, all creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
Bowl of Hue sweet pig tripe soup
Hue sweet pig tripe soup, the quintessence of Hue cuisine with a unique combination of sweet soup and roasted pork (Source: Internet)
Stir-fried Mussels with Rice Crackers (Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng) – Rustic Yet Delicious
Stir-fried mussels with rice crackers are a simple, rustic dish of Central Vietnam, loved for their rich, delicious, and simple flavor. Stir-fried mussels with rice crackers are made from fresh mussels, onions, roasted peanuts, ginger, garlic, cilantro, lemongrass, chili, and grilled rice crackers.
Fresh mussels are stir-fried until cooked with onions, ginger, garlic, chili, and rich spices. Roasted peanuts are crushed. Cilantro is chopped. Rice crackers are grilled until crispy. When eating, scoop stir-fried mussels onto grilled rice crackers, add a little cilantro and roasted peanuts, and enjoy.
When enjoying stir-fried mussels with rice crackers, you will feel the rich, delicious stir-fried mussels, the crispy rice crackers, and the refreshing cilantro, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, rustic, yet appealing dish.
Plate of stir-fried mussels with rice crackers
Stir-fried mussels with rice crackers, a rustic, simple dish but extremely rich and delicious (Source: Internet)
Clear Steamed Dumplings (Bánh Bột Lọc) – Transparent, Chewy
Clear steamed dumplings are a characteristic cake of Central Vietnam, loved for their transparent, chewy crust, rich shrimp and pork filling, and spicy dipping sauce. Clear steamed dumplings are made from tapioca starch, tapioca flour, shrimp and pork filling, and banana leaves.
Tapioca starch and tapioca flour are kneaded until smooth, rolled thin, and cut into bite-sized pieces. The filling includes fresh shrimp and pork belly, braised until cooked, and richly seasoned. Clear steamed dumplings are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Clear steamed dumplings are often served with sweet and sour fish sauce or spicy chili fish sauce.
When enjoying clear steamed dumplings, you will feel the transparent, chewy crust, the rich shrimp and pork filling, and the spicy dipping sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and appealing cake.
Steamed clear dumplings wrapped in banana leaves
Clear steamed dumplings, a Central Vietnamese specialty made from tapioca starch and tapioca flour, with a transparent appearance (Source: Internet)
Steamed Savory Cupcakes (Bánh Bèo Chén) – Small, Rich Flavor
Steamed savory cupcakes are a characteristic steamed cake of Central Vietnam, loved for their small, cute shape, soft cake layer, rich crispy shrimp topping, and sweet and sour fish sauce. Steamed savory cupcakes are made from rice flour, crispy shrimp topping, and fish sauce.
The cupcake batter is mixed from plain rice flour, tapioca flour, a little salt, and cooking oil, then steamed in small cups. The topping is made from fresh shrimp stir-fried until crispy, pounded, and richly seasoned. The cupcake fish sauce is mixed from delicious fish sauce, sugar, lemon, garlic, and chili, creating a harmonious sweet and sour taste.
When enjoying steamed savory cupcakes, you will feel the soft cupcakes, the rich crispy shrimp topping, and the harmonious sweet and sour fish sauce, with a little crispy fried shallots, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and appealing cake.
Steamed savory cupcakes in small cups
Steamed savory cupcakes, a characteristic steamed cake of Central Vietnam with a small and cute shape (Source: Internet)
Hue Flat Steamed Rice Cakes (Bánh Nậm) – Light, Mildly Sweet
Hue flat steamed rice cakes are a famous Hue cake, Central Vietnam, loved for their light, mildly sweet, and easy-to-eat flavor. Hue flat steamed rice cakes are made from rice flour, shrimp and pork filling, and dong leaves.
The rice cake batter is mixed from plain rice flour, tapioca flour, a little salt, and cooking oil, then thinly coated, spread with shrimp and pork filling, wrapped in dong leaves, and steamed. The filling includes fresh shrimp and pork belly, braised until cooked, and richly seasoned. Hue flat steamed rice cakes are often served with sweet fish sauce or sweet and sour fish sauce.
When enjoying Hue flat steamed rice cakes, you will feel the soft rice cakes, the rich shrimp and pork filling, and the mild sweet fish sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, light, and easy-to-digest cake.
Hue flat steamed rice cakes wrapped in leaves
Hue flat steamed rice cakes, one of the famous Hue cakes, easily found anywhere when visiting Hue (Source: Internet)
Phu Yen Tuna Eye (Mắt Cá Ngừ Phú Yên) – Unique, Nutritious
Phu Yen tuna eye is a unique, nutritious specialty of Phu Yen, Central Vietnam, that many tourists are curious to try. Phu Yen tuna eye is processed in a special way, stewed with Chinese herbs, creating a delicious and nutritious flavor.
Tuna eyes are selected to be large and fresh, cleaned, put in a small bowl, and stewed with jujubes, goji berries, and Chinese herbal spices. Tuna eye stewed with Chinese herbs has a light sweet, nutritious flavor, good for health.
When enjoying Phu Yen tuna eye, you will feel the fatty, delicious, and nutritious flavor of the tuna eye, and the light sweet flavor of Chinese herbs, all harmoniously blended to create a unique, exotic, and healthy dish.
Steamed Phu Yen tuna eye in a bowl
Phu Yen tuna eye, a specialty processed very specially and extremely nutritious (Source: Internet)
Binh Dinh Mixed Pork Skin Salad (Tré Trộn Bình Định) – Sweet and Sour, Crunchy
Binh Dinh mixed pork skin salad is a specialty of Binh Dinh, Central Vietnam, loved for its sweet and sour, crunchy, and exotic flavor. Binh Dinh mixed pork skin salad is made from fermented pork skin, cucumber, shredded carrots, green mango, quail eggs, and spices.
Fermented pork skin is made from pork, pork skin, roasted rice powder, and spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and fermented. Fermented pork skin has a sour, sweet, and crunchy taste. Binh Dinh mixed pork skin salad is mixed with cucumber, shredded carrots, green mango, quail eggs, with a little chili sauce and roasted peanuts, creating a delicious snack and appetizer.
When enjoying Binh Dinh mixed pork skin salad, you will feel the sweet and sour, crunchy, exotic, and appealing flavor, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and irresistible snack and appetizer.
Plate of Binh Dinh mixed pork skin salad
Binh Dinh mixed pork skin salad, a Binh Dinh specialty attracting tourists with its sweet and sour, exotic flavor (Source: Internet)
Pork Offal Porridge with Rice Vermicelli Sheets (Cháo Lòng Bánh Hỏi) – Familiar Unforgettable Flavor
Pork offal porridge with rice vermicelli sheets is a familiar specialty of Central Vietnam, loved for the harmonious combination of soft rice vermicelli sheets, delicious pork offal porridge, and fresh herbs. Pork offal porridge with rice vermicelli sheets is made from rice vermicelli sheets, pork offal porridge, pork offal, pig blood, herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce.
Rice vermicelli sheets are made from rice flour, thin and soft strands. Pork offal porridge is cooked from plain rice, pork offal, pig blood, and spices, simmered until tender. Pork offal and pig blood are boiled until just cooked, and sliced into bite-sized pieces. The herbs served with pork offal porridge and rice vermicelli sheets are very diverse, including lettuce, bean sprouts, herbs, and basil, etc. The dipping sauce for pork offal porridge and rice vermicelli sheets is usually sweet and sour fish sauce or salty fish sauce.
When enjoying pork offal porridge with rice vermicelli sheets, you will feel the soft rice vermicelli sheets, the delicious pork offal porridge, the fatty pork offal and pig blood, the fresh herbs, and the harmonious sweet and sour fish sauce, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, familiar, yet unforgettable dish.
Plate of pork offal porridge with rice vermicelli sheets
Pork offal porridge with rice vermicelli sheets, a Central Vietnamese specialty no longer unfamiliar to tourists (Source: Internet)
Anchovy Salad (Gỏi Cá Cơm) – Salty Taste of the Sea
Anchovy salad is a specialty of Central Vietnam, loved for its delicious, salty taste of the sea. Anchovy salad is made from fresh anchovies, green mango, roasted peanuts, herbs, and grilled rice paper.
Anchovies are selected to be fresh and delicious, cleaned, mixed with shredded green mango, roasted peanuts, herbs, and sweet and sour spices. Anchovy salad has a sour, sweet, salty, and delicious taste. Anchovy salad is often served with crispy grilled rice paper.
When enjoying anchovy salad, you will feel the sweetness of fresh anchovies, the sweet and sour taste of green mango, the nutty richness of roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, and crispy rice paper, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious dish, deeply imbued with the taste of the sea.
Plate of anchovy salad
Anchovy salad, a delicious Central Vietnamese dish with a delicious, salty taste of the sea (Source: Internet)
Jellyfish Salad (Gỏi Sứa) – Refreshing, Crunchy
Jellyfish salad is one of the rustic specialties of Central Vietnam, loved for its refreshing, crunchy, and exotic flavor. Jellyfish salad is made from fresh jellyfish, cucumber, shredded carrots, green mango, roasted peanuts, herbs, and grilled rice paper.
Fresh jellyfish is cleaned, blanched in boiling water until crunchy. Jellyfish salad is mixed with cucumber, shredded carrots, green mango, roasted peanuts, herbs, and sweet and sour spices. Jellyfish salad has a sour, sweet, crunchy, and refreshing taste. Jellyfish salad is often served with crispy grilled rice paper and sweet and sour fish sauce.
When enjoying jellyfish salad, you will feel the crunchy jellyfish, the fresh sweet taste of seafood, and the aroma of mixed herbs, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious, refreshing, and exotic dish.
Plate of jellyfish salad
Jellyfish salad, a rustic Central Vietnamese specialty, served with rice paper and sweet and sour fish sauce (Source: Internet)
Da Nang Grilled Ground Pork Skewers (Nem Lụi Đà Nẵng) – Fragrant Grilled Aroma
Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers are a specialty of Da Nang, Central Vietnam, loved for the fragrant aroma of grilled meat, the richness of spices, and the smooth dipping sauce. Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers are made from ground pork, pork skin, pork fat, spices, and lemongrass.
Ground pork, pork skin, and pork fat are mixed well, seasoned, with minced lemongrass, shaped into long balls, skewered on bamboo sticks, and grilled over charcoal until golden brown and fragrant. The dipping sauce for Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers is made from fermented soybean paste, pork liver, fresh shrimp, spices, cooked until smooth, and delicious. Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers are often served with herbs and rice paper rolls.
When enjoying Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers, you will feel the fragrant grilled ground pork skewers, rich in grilled meat flavor, the smooth, delicious dipping sauce, fresh herbs, and soft rice paper rolls, all harmoniously blended to create a delicious and appealing dish.
Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers
Da Nang grilled ground pork skewers, a delicious Central Vietnamese dish with the aroma of grilled meat and distinctive flavor (Source: Internet)
Central Vietnamese Specialties as Gifts – Sending All My Love
After a journey to discover Central Vietnamese cuisine, don’t forget to choose some specialties as gifts for relatives and friends. Gifts imbued with Central Vietnamese flavors will be a bridge of love, conveying beautiful memories of the trip.
Binh Dinh Beef Sausage (Chả Bò Bình Định) – Unforgettable Rich Flavor
Binh Dinh beef sausage is a famous specialty of Binh Dinh, Central Vietnam, loved for its delicious, rich, and spicy flavor of green pepper. Binh Dinh beef sausage is made from fresh, delicious ground beef, seasoned, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. Binh Dinh beef sausage has a distinctive aroma and a unique delicious flavor.
Binh Dinh beef sausage wrapped in banana leaves
Binh Dinh beef sausage, a Central Vietnamese specialty with a distinctive aroma and rich delicious flavor (Source: Internet)
Hue Sesame Candy (Mè Xửng Huế) – Sweet Flavor of the Ancient Capital
Hue sesame candy is a famous specialty of Hue, Central Vietnam, loved for the sweetness of sugar, the nutty richness of peanuts, the aroma of roasted sesame seeds, and the beautiful transparent golden color. Hue sesame candy is a meaningful gift, deeply imbued with the flavor of the ancient capital.
Hue sesame candy pieces
Hue sesame candy, a Hue specialty that attracts tourists with its sweet flavor (Source: Internet)
Thanh Hoa Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Chua Thanh Hóa) – Sour, Spicy, Rich
Thanh Hoa fermented pork roll is a famous specialty of Thanh Hoa, Central Vietnam, loved for its sour, spicy, crunchy, and rich flavor. Thanh Hoa fermented pork roll is a popular gift, chosen by many tourists to buy as souvenirs.
Thanh Hoa fermented pork rolls wrapped in banana leaves
Thanh Hoa fermented pork rolls, a Thanh Hoa specialty always brought back as gifts by many tourists (Source: Internet)
Nha Trang Bird’s Nest (Yến Sào Nha Trang) – Healthy Gift
Nha Trang bird’s nest is a precious specialty of Nha Trang, Central Vietnam, known for its many health benefits. Nha Trang bird’s nest is a luxurious and meaningful gift, expressing care for the recipient’s health.
Boxes of Nha Trang bird's nest
Nha Trang bird’s nest, a Central Vietnamese specialty, a nutritious and precious gift (Source: Internet)
Binh Dinh Thorn Leaf Cake (Bánh Ít Lá Gai Bình Định) – Chewy, Fragrant Hometown Flavor
Binh Dinh thorn leaf cake is a famous specialty of Binh Dinh, Central Vietnam, loved for the chewy aroma of sticky rice, the light sweetness of sugar, the nutty richness of green bean filling, and the characteristic aroma of thorn leaves. Binh Dinh thorn leaf cake is a meaningful hometown gift, deeply imbued with traditional flavor.
Binh Dinh thorn leaf cakes wrapped in leaves
Binh Dinh thorn leaf cake, a Binh Dinh specialty with the perfect harmony of flavors (Source: Internet)
Binh Dinh Bau Da Rice Wine (Rượu Bầu Đá Bình Định) – Intense Aroma of Brown Rice
Binh Dinh Bau Da rice wine is a famous specialty wine of Binh Dinh, Central Vietnam, brewed from brown rice, with an intense, delicious, and characteristic aroma. Binh Dinh Bau Da rice wine is a unique gift, expressing local cultural identity.
Bottles of Binh Dinh Bau Da rice wine
Binh Dinh Bau Da rice wine, a Binh Dinh specialty brewed from brown rice, with a refreshing flavor (Source: Internet)
Phu Yen Fish Cake (Chả Cá Phú Yên) – Delicious Flavor of the Sea
Phu Yen fish cake is a famous specialty of Phu Yen, Central Vietnam, made from fresh and delicious sea fish, with a delicious flavor, deeply imbued with the taste of the sea. Phu Yen fish cake is a practical gift, easy to bring back and process into many delicious dishes.
Phu Yen fish cakes on display
Phu Yen fish cake, a famous specialty of the coastal Central Vietnam region, especially delicious (Source: Internet)
Exploring Central Vietnamese cuisine is a fascinating and memorable journey. From rustic, familiar dishes to unique, exotic specialties, all carry a rich flavor, a unique identity of this land. Come to Central Vietnam to enjoy not only the beautiful natural scenery but also the rich and diverse culinary paradise, which will surely satisfy every visitor.