A seafood culinary paradise - Phan Thiet is the name to be found.

When mentioning Phan Thiet - Mui Ne, people often immediately think of the azure sea, boats anchored along the shore, and vast, sun-drenched sand dunes. But that's not all; this place also captivates visitors with its simple, rustic dishes, rich in the flavors of the sea and the warmth of the people.

Báo Lâm Đồng•05/08/2025

Phan Thiet rice pancake

In Phan Thiet, banh can (rice flour pancakes) are a familiar breakfast and afternoon snack. These tiny pancakes are molded in hot clay molds, filled with eggs, squid, or fresh shrimp. Banh can is served with a sweet and sour fish sauce, steamed pork dumplings, shredded green mango, and crispy pork cracklings, creating a unique flavor. One morning, strolling through the city, stopping at a roadside banh can stall, enjoying the hot pancakes while listening to the distant sound of waves – it's an unforgettable experience.

Dumplings

Banh quai vac is a simple snack, often sold from pushcarts in markets or on the roadside. The cake has a translucent outer layer made from tapioca flour, and a savory shrimp filling. When eaten, it's drizzled with fish sauce, sprinkled with fried onions, peanuts, and a little pork crackling, creating an irresistible aroma. Each time you visit Phan Thiet market, for just a few tens of thousands of dong, you can get a small box of these cakes to enjoy while you walk around.

Phan Thiet Quang noodles

Unlike Quang Nam or Da Nang 's Quang noodles, Phan Thiet's Quang noodles have thin noodles, are served dry, and are usually accompanied by a bowl of characteristic spicy chili fish sauce. A bowl of noodles contains braised pork belly, boiled egg, fresh vegetables, peanuts… All the ingredients blend together, creating a fragrant and rich taste of the sea. This is a dish that Phan Thiet locals often eat in the early morning or afternoon, and it's easily found in casual eateries and small markets.

Grilled squid teeth

In Phan Thiet in the evening, strolling through the street food stalls, you'll find grilled squid teeth to be a national favorite. Small, crispy squid teeth, marinated with rich flavors, are grilled to perfection. Served with Vietnamese coriander and a green chili dipping sauce, this dish is simple yet captivating. Sitting amidst the cool sea breeze, enjoying a few skewers of squid teeth with friends is an experience not to be missed.

Mai fish salad

Mai fish is a small fish with translucent, naturally sweet flesh and very little fishy smell. Mai fish salad is made from fresh fish, mixed with onions, coriander, unripe mango, peanuts, etc. Wrapped in rice paper and dipped in tamarind fish sauce or fermented fish sauce, it's absolutely delicious. "If you come to Phan Thiet and haven't tried banh can (rice pancake), mai fish salad, or squid teeth, it's like you've only had half the trip," said Nguyen Anh Khoa, a tour guide from Saomaituor Company, located on Pham Thi Ngu Street, Binh Thuan Ward, with many years of experience leading tours in Mui Ne – Phan Thiet, laughing as he led a group of tourists to the center of Phan Thiet for sightseeing and dining.

Hot pot

"Lẩu thả" (Floating Hot Pot) is a signature dish of Mui Ne - Phan Thiet. A platter of "lẩu thả" will have a colorful array of ingredients: scad fish, fried eggs, boiled meat, fresh vegetables, green mango, cucumber... all arranged like a vibrant flower. When eating, wrap the ingredients in rice paper and dip them in a rich, creamy fish sauce with garlic, chili, and peanuts. The sweet and sour flavors are light, harmonious, and refined. This dish is both delicious and visually appealing, perfect for enjoying with family or friends.

It can be said that Phan Thiet's cuisine boasts a wide variety of dishes, most of which are not elaborate or luxurious, but it is precisely this simplicity and authenticity that leaves a lasting impression. Each dish is a part of the memories of the local people and also a wonderful bridge for tourists to better understand the culture and people of this coastal region. "I often tell guests: 'When you go to Phan Thiet, you should come with an empty stomach, with a slightly empty heart, so that you can eat, feel, and love this land even more…'" – Mr. Khoa's words serve as a gentle reminder, a lighthearted conclusion to a culinary journey full of lingering flavors when visiting Phan Thiet.