There is a good chance that you have heard about the mouthwatering and varied cuisine that can be found in Vietnam, regardless of where you were born or where you currently reside. The variety of dishes that can be made with Vietnamese ingredients is by far the most interesting aspect of Vietnamese cuisine. Because of the country’s location approximately 3,500 kilometers along the coast, the local population has adapted their cooking style to account for the climate and geography of the area.
Phan Rang is a small city located on the southern coast of Vietnam. Have you ever heard of it? If you don’t participate in exciting activities like kitesurfing or scuba diving, then it’s likely that this is the first time you’ve heard of this location.
Why is Phan Rang considered to be so unique? In addition to being one of the centers in Vietnam for kitesurfing, Phan Rang is also famous for the high quality of its seafood and the variety of dishes that are prepared by the locals using a wide variety of herbs, spices, and other ingredients.
Anyone who has been to Phan Rang at any point in their lives and indulged in the local cuisine will undoubtedly remember that particular gastronomic adventure for the rest of their lives.
This is the best food guide for you if you are going to Phan Rang, if you are already there and you just find yourself wandering around the city without knowing what to eat or where to eat, or if you are planning a trip to Phan Rang in the near future.
Here you go! A comprehensive guide to food that will assist you in making decisions regarding the types of dishes and restaurants in Phan Rang that you simply must sample. I can’t stress this enough: there are way too many choices!
Contents
- 1 Unique Phan Rang Food You Have to Try!
- 2 Have you ever been to Phan Rang? What kind of delicacies did you try there? Please share your experiences with us!
Unique Phan Rang Food You Have to Try!
Local Specialty Food in Phan Rang
First things first, let’s talk about the wide variety of cuisines that can be found in Vietnam…
Vietnam is a very long country that, when viewed from above, resembles the letter ‘S’ in its outline on a map. I have already mentioned this fact. In the north of the country, as well as along its borders with Laos and Cambodia, there are a number of mountainous regions.
People in different regions cultivate a wide variety of foods and prepare a wide variety of dishes because the terrain and climate are different in each region. The cuisine of the coastal region focuses primarily on seafood dishes.
It is pretty incredible to see how different regions of Vietnam use different spices and prepare their local specialties when you travel around the country. For example, the pho (noodle soup) in the northern regions of the country is considered to be incomparable, whereas the pho in the southern regions of the country is notoriously difficult to find. Mi Quang is a regional speciality that can be found throughout Central Vietnam.
Because of its location on the southern coast of Vietnam, Phan Rang has a cuisine that is primarily influenced by the culture of the south, particularly with regard to the use of spices. The vast majority of delicacies originate from the ocean, and once you’ve arrived in Phan Rang, you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the seafood that is the freshest in all of Vietnam. Following your completion of this article, you will be aware of the finest dining establishments in Phan Rang and will be able to make it to each one during your time there.
So, let’s jump right into the Phan Rang specialties, which are as follows:
#1 Banh Canh (Phan Rang’s Signature Noodle Soup)
In the northern part of Vietnam, banh canh is not a common dish; however, as soon as you enter the central region of the country, you will notice that there are many street restaurants selling banh canh. There are a number of restaurants in Da Nang that prepare a Banh Canh that is exceptionally tasty, whereas there are others that fall short.
What’s the catch?
People who sell banh canh in Da Nang and the surrounding area are typically from the south, more specifically from the province of Ninh Thuan, where Phan Rang serves as the provincial capital. Banh Canh is the dish that symbolizes the province of Ninh Thuan, and if you’ve ever tried a noodle soup from another region, you’ll be able to tell the difference the moment you take a bite of Banh Canh.
Why is the Banh Canh served in Phan Rang considered to be so special? You have the right idea if you guessed that the locals combine fresh herbs and vegetables with a significant amount of fish and other types of seafood to create a distinctive flavor.
Noodles that have already been cooked, fish rolls, coriander, white and green onions, a little bit of fish mince, and a delicious broth whose recipe is never divulged are the components that go into this dish. The natives often like adding chili peppers, black pepper, a touch of fish sauce, and finishing it off with fresh lemon juice.
The kind of fish that is used in the preparation of fish rolls is the primary component that produces a distinction. When preparing fish rolls in Phan Rang, locals typically use freshly caught fish such as barracuda as the filling. They only use the fillet in the rolls, and the bones are cooked in order to impart a unique and sweet flavor to the broth.
Where to Eat Banh Canh?
You won’t have any trouble finding Banh Canh wherever you go in Phan Rang! It is highly recommended that you sample freshly made Banh Canh because there are a large number of street vendors and restaurants in Phan Rang that prepare delicious versions of the dish. A bowl of savory Banh Canh can be purchased from a street vendor for 15,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese Dong, which is equivalent to $.85 to $1.30 in United States Dollars.
The Nguyen Banh restaurant is the place that is recommended to go to both by locals and tourists alike for individuals who would rather enjoy Banh Canh at a restaurant rather than making it at home. If you go into Nguyen Banh with the expectation that it is a large, high-end restaurant, you are going to be very disappointed. It’s a cozy little place with a helpful staff who will see to it that your dining experience in Phan Rang is unparalleled in terms of quality and variety.
It will definitely satisfy your hunger without putting a strain on your bank account because a large bowl of banh canh costs only 20,000 Vietnamese Dong, which is equivalent to.86 US Dollars.
#2 Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes)
Another delicious specialty that can be discovered along the central coast is a delicious cake that is filled with seafood and vegetables. If you enjoy pancakes, you are going to really enjoy the Vietnamese version of a pancake called banh xeo, which is made with a mixture of rice flour, turmeric powder, and a little bit of water.
When it comes to pancakes, you most likely have a different and probably less healthy conception of the filling. With a few notable exceptions, the food in Vietnam is known for its exceptionally high level of nutritional value. The filling of a Banh Xeo typically consists of a combination of vegetables and meat or seafood. Common ingredients include lettuce, basil, mint, onions, and beans.
Because you can customize it with whatever ingredients you like, this savory pancake is an excellent choice for people who don’t eat meat because it gives them the freedom to decide what goes into it.
The traditional preparation of banh xeo involves rolling rice paper and a small number of additional vegetables into a roll that resembles a spring roll. This roll can then be dipped in a variety of sauces, most commonly fish sauce or peanut sauce. It’s so mouthwateringly delicious, you can’t stop eating it!
Be careful, however, because it is deep-fried in oil, which causes it to be somewhat heavy on the stomach and makes it easy to gain one or two extra pounds!
Where to Eat Banh Xeo?
Due to the fact that Banh Xeo was not originally from Phan Rang, it is essential that you are aware of how to locate the appropriate restaurant. There are only a handful of restaurants scattered throughout the city that serve mouthwatering Banh Xeo, the majority of which are run by people who relocated to Phan Rang from other parts of central Vietnam.
If you’re looking for some of the best Banh Xeo in town, look no further than Que Huong restaurant. This restaurant serves nothing but Banh Xeo, and as a result, it has a wide selection of fillings, some of which include shrimp, squid, and a number of different kinds of vegetables.
When it comes to the cuisine in Vietnam, there is one golden rule that must be followed at all times: wherever you see a large number of locals, you can be sure that the establishment offers reasonably priced and tasty food. That establishment is most certainly Que Huong!
Stay away from the restaurant during the late hours, as there is typically a very long line of locals waiting to order their Banh Xeo. The prices are very reasonable, and a single pancake costs only 7,000 VND, which is equivalent to thirty cents USD.
#3 Chicken Rice
If there is one dish that you absolutely must eat, it would have to be chicken over rice. This well-known dish is prepared all over the country, including in the local communities where it originated. Because chickens are raised locally in Phan Rang, the chicken rice that is served there is incredibly succulent and flavorful, making it an extremely popular dish.
Rice is typically “fried” with eggs, onions, and mint to improve its flavor, as the name of this preparation suggests. When you add chicken that has been grilled or fried, you have a fantastic meal that is also very easy to prepare.
Where to Eat Chicken Rice?
Khan Kiem and Phuoc Thanh are the names of two different eateries that have earned a reputation for serving very flavorful chicken rice.
When it comes to chicken rice, the people of the area consider Khan Kiem to be the restaurant that is the most well-liked. Because the cooks here add a variety of various herb combinations to the rice, the chicken is really tasty, and the flavors just melt away in your tongue. Even though you have to pay for each individual piece of chicken, the quality of the meal more than makes up for the additional expense. The price of a plate of fried rice is 9,000 Vietnamese Dong ($.40 USD), and the price of a piece of chicken is 25,000 Vietnamese Dong ($1 USD). Believe me when I say that one piece of chicken will fill your appetite and get you ready to discover the breathtaking beauty of Phan Rang and the area around it.
In comparison to Khan Kiem, Phuoc Thanh is much larger and provides customers with a greater variety of chicken rice choices. The chicken is likewise cut into pieces, and the price you pay is determined on the number of chicken pieces you consume. You may anticipate paying 20,000 VND (.85 USD) for one piece of chicken to go along with your rice order. Phuoc Thanh is a really cool place that has an amazing atmosphere and will show you how the locals spend their days.
#4 Banh Can (Rice flour cake)
The region of Phan Rang is the sole source of the delicious cake known as banh can. On the other hand, each region has its own take on the Banh Can dish. For example, in the provinces located in the middle of Vietnam, they call it Banh Bot Loc, but in the provinces located in the south, they call it Banh Khot. The Vietnamese people change the name of this delicious cake for a number of reasons, including variations in the ways in which it is seasoned, the fillings used, and the ways in which it is prepared.
I had the opportunity to try this mouthwatering cake in both Da Nang and Phan Rang, and from the very first bite, it was crystal clear to me which city took the cake-eating crown!
Since Phan Rang is situated on the coast, you shouldn’t miss out on trying a Banh Can that’s stuffed with seafood like freshly caught squid, octopus, or shrimp. One more thing that sets Phan Rang’s version of Banh Can apart from others is the manner in which the locals make the base with rice flour.
The art of making the ideal rice flour, as well as the specific ingredients that locals favor, is still a closely guarded secret that has been handed down from one generation to the next. In addition to the ingredients, it is of the utmost importance that the locals get the ovens ready and bring the temperatures up to the appropriate levels before the first customers start to arrive.
When you place an order for banh can, you will be given the cakes, which will come accompanied by chilies, fish sauce, onions, chili sauce, and unripe mango.
Where to Eat Banh Can?
There is no one restaurant in the Ninh Thuan province that is known for its expertise in the preparation of banh can, but you shouldn’t let this deter you because banh can is a regional specialty. When wandering around the city, there is a good chance that you will come across a great number of teeny-tiny restaurants and food stalls on the streets that serve banh can.
When it comes to finding a good place to eat in Vietnam, the golden rule is to look for establishments that are frequented primarily by locals.
As a side note, Banh Can is a breakfast food, and it will be very difficult for you to locate a restaurant that serves this mouthwatering cake after the hour of one o’clock in the afternoon.
#5 Bun Sua (Jellyfish noodle soup)
The region around the coast of Phan Rang is home to a number of regional specialties, one of which is called Bun Sua. This is a very peculiar dish, but it is absolutely delicious, and it is only available during the months of winter and spring. Jellyfish are migrating, which is the reason for this phenomenon. If you want to sample this delicacy, plan your vacation to coincide with the winter and spring seasons, as this is the time of year when the water temperature is the coolest in the north, which is why jellyfish migrate there when the sea temperature rises.
To make Bun Sua, you will need freshly made noodles, quail eggs, coriander, minced green onion, a freshly caught jellyfish, and peanuts for the topping. There are a lot of people who insist that the soup just isn’t the same without the shrimp sauce! Because I can’t even tolerate the aroma of that sauce when it’s a few meters away from me, I have no way of knowing whether or not it’s true.
It may sound strange, but you should definitely try eating some jellyfish at least once. It does not have a distinct taste of any kind. On the outside, it has a crisp texture, while the inside is filled with a jelly that has a more liquid consistency. In Phan Rang, having the soup with its unique assortment of components is sure to be an experience you won’t forget anytime soon!
Where to Eat Bun Sua?
Since this dish can only be made during the winter months of December through April, there is no particular establishment that serves it. If you want the most helpful piece of advice from me, I’d tell you to go to Le Loi street and look for signs on the street that say Bun Sua. Again, you should frequent the eateries that are packed with warm and welcoming natives.
Have a wonderful day while you’re in Phan Rang!