What To Eat In Nha Trang?
Hidden Gems Along The Shore

If you’re wondering what to eat in Nha Trang, the real magic doesn’t sit on glossy menus. It’s sizzling in alleyways, steaming behind plastic stools, and waiting just steps from the shore. While tourists chase sunsets and seafood platters, locals know the soul of the city is best savored one humble bite at a time.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about memory-making, spice-chasing, and discovering dishes that don’t need Instagram filters to shine.

What to Eat in Nha Trang: Start With the Locals’ Favorites

Let’s begin with two dishes that sound nearly identical — bánh canh and bánh căn. They may share a few letters, but trust us, these two couldn’t be more different.

Bánh Canh: Rich, Rustic, and Ridiculously Good

Bánh canh is Nha Trang comfort food at its finest — thick, tapioca-laced noodles bathing in a peppery broth that feels like a coastal hug. Add a few fish cakes, chilis, a squeeze of lime – and you’ve got yourself a bowl that warms more than just your stomach.

You’ll often find it bubbling away in humble stalls near Xom Moi Market. If the smell of garlic oil hits you before the steam does, you’re in the right place.

Want to explore on a deeper level? The Roaming Noodle’s guide includes a few worthy stops.

Now for bánh căn — imagine tiny rice flour pancakes cooked in clay molds, topped with quail eggs, shrimp, or even squid, then served with pickled papaya and chili-spiked fish sauce. These little golden domes come alive with crunch, heat, and tang. They’re dramatic. They’re addictive.

And they’re hiding in alleys near Tháp Bà Street, where grannies in floral aprons have mastered the art of crisp.

From Hanoi with Love: Egg Coffee and Bánh Cuốn

Okay, okay — egg coffee and bánh cuốn aren’t technically from Nha Trang. But let’s be honest, when they taste this good, who cares?

Egg Coffee: North Meets Beachside Cool

Traditionally from Hanoi, egg coffee has found a smoother, chillier twist in this beach town. Frothy egg yolk cream layered over rich espresso? Yes, please. The best ones are found in tucked-away cafés where the staff cares more about beans than branding. Skip the chains and go local.

To try it at your own home – I invite you to check out this wonderful recipe by Phol Food Mafia.

Bánh Khoái: Crunch, Heat, and Everything Sweet

While it’s more famous in Huế, bánh khoái occasionally sneaks its way into Nha Trang’s hidden kitchens — and when it does, it’s pure fireworks.

This crispy, golden rice pancake is thicker and bolder than its southern cousin, bánh xèo. Stuffed with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and dipped into a zesty fand sweet fish sauce, it delivers crunch, heat, and a kiss of sweetness in every bite.

You won’t find it everywhere, but if you stumble upon a vendor pressing these beauties over a charcoal stove, stop immediately. Grab a plate, dip generously, and let the flavors slap you awake.

Go Where the Flavor Lives

So next time someone asks what to eat in Nha Trang, don’t just say seafood. Say bánh canh by the market, bánh căn in the alleys, and egg coffee that feels like dessert.

And remember: The best meals here don’t come with a view — they come with heart.

🧭 Your Next Vietnamese Food Adventure:

• Mekong River Delta: Sacred Spices and Floating Magic (Can Tho, Vietnam)
• First Taste of Vietnam: Bold Flavors, Bustling Streets, and a Whole New World (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
• Cambodian Noodle Dishes: 5 Authentic Flavors from Across the Country