I'm addicted to Nha Trang jellyfish noodle soup.

I've lived in Nha Trang for over a decade, but I've never given up my favorite dish: Nha Trang jellyfish noodle soup, with its delicious, authentic seafood flavor.

As the name suggests, Nha Trang's jellyfish noodle soup features two types of seafood: fish and jellyfish. Jellyfish is a signature ingredient of the coastal region. However, not everyone is familiar with jellyfish, so few people dare to try it. Even the most knowledgeable sometimes make mistakes, buying jellyfish that are too salty and inedible. Other types of jellyfish can cause allergic reactions and itching if consumed.

Nha Trang's specialty, jellyfish noodle soup, features translucent white, crispy, and refreshing jellyfish.

However, when visiting Nha Trang, the locals know how to select the best jellyfish, which are sweet, refreshing, and crunchy when eaten. Because it's a coastal area, the jellyfish here are fresh, juicy, and not dry or tough. Nha Trang jellyfish have translucent flesh, and when the weather starts to get warmer, they are a delicious, nutritious, refreshing dish with high cooling properties.

Speaking of fish, the types of fish commonly used for fish noodle soup are mackerel, tuna, swordfish, and barracuda. ​​Mackerel and barracuda are often used to make steamed and fried fish cakes. After deboning, the fish meat is finely minced and shaped into balls. These are then steamed to preserve their flavor.

The other two types of fish, sailfish and tuna, which have rather large bones, are used to make the broth. The broth is unique because it's not simmered from meat or bone marrow, but from fish bones. The fish meat is then filleted separately to be served as an accompaniment to the rice noodles.

The broth for Nha Trang jellyfish noodle soup is simmered from fish bones, steamed fish cakes, and fried fish cakes.

One essential element for a flavorful bowl of jellyfish noodle soup is the dipping sauce. It must be prepared correctly to create the authentic dipping sauce, which consists of a mixture of shrimp paste, sweet chili peppers, spicy chili peppers, and then a squeeze of lemon juice. Diners who prefer a saltier taste can add more fish sauce; those who can't handle spice can omit the chili peppers.

A steaming bowl of vermicelli noodles is served with a plate of fresh vegetables. Dipping the vegetables into the broth cools them down slightly, making them perfectly seasoned. The vegetables become milder when heated, and they pair deliciously with the jellyfish.

A proper dipping sauce consists of shrimp paste, sweet chili paste, spicy chili paste, and fresh lime.

In Nha Trang, there are many restaurants selling delicious fish and jellyfish noodle soup, such as Nguyen Loan's fish and jellyfish noodle soup restaurant in Ngo Gia Tu Street, Nam Beo's restaurant at Dam Market, the fish noodle soup restaurant at 21 Han Thuyen Street, and many other restaurants specializing in fish and jellyfish noodle soup on Thap Ba Street…

Stepping into Nguyen Loan's jellyfish noodle soup restaurant on Ngo Gia Tu Street, the distinctive aroma of the sea wafts from the simmering broth.

The chef said the broth here must be clear, non-greasy, and have a light, sweet flavor. The jellyfish are cleaned of slime and soaked in water, resulting in small, bite-sized, milky white pieces. Just looking at them is very appealing.

A complete bowl of fish noodle soup includes jellyfish, marinated fish, fish cake, dipping sauce, and fresh vegetables.

Nhat Vy, the owner's daughter, said that her family has been cooking Nha Trang jellyfish noodle soup for over 43 years. What customers love about the restaurant is that the fish is always fresh and not fishy. Most of the fish is delivered by a familiar supplier around 4 a.m., right after being caught at sea. The family always prioritizes freshness when sourcing fish to create high-quality dishes.

Nha Trang's jellyfish noodle soup has truly become a must-try dish on any journey exploring Vietnam from North to South.

Jellyfish noodle soup in Nha Trang, on Ngo Gia Tu Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ghien-bun-ca-sua-nha-trang-196240217155529983.htm