10 Foods for $1 or less that You Have to Try in Central Vietnam

It’s no secret that Vietnam is foodie paradise, but often times the big cities get all the credit. Hanoi and Saigon often get all the glory when it comes to gastronomy, and while it is true you will find amazing food in these places, central Vietnam has so much to offer as well. I’m not talking basics like Pho or Spring rolls here, I’m talking about regional specialties. Here are some of my favorites that I got to try while traveling in Central Vietnam:

1). Com Hen: 

This is one of my favorites: baby mussels with rice. A perfect mixture of textures. Soft chewiness of the rice and mussels,  crunch from peanuts and crispy pork skin, spicy, tangy and savory. The flavors work perfectly together. The heaviness of the rice is balanced with lots of fresh greens and herbs–you toss it all together. It seems like every place makes it a little differently, so it’s really fun to see the different variations.

Price: $1USD

Where: Many places specialize in this dish in Hue. I recommend ordering from coastal cities where the mussels will be fresh.

2). Bun Bo Hue:

If you’re traveling in Central Vietnam, Chances are you’ll pass through Hue–the ancient capital. Bun Bo Hue is the famous Beef Noodle soup popular in this region. The good news is, you can find this dish throughout Central Vietnam–not only in Hue. Taste Old World Vietnam–noodles cooked in the style of the Old Royal Court. Delicate balances of sweet savory, sour and salt many people eat this dish for breakfast or lunch, but it’s so delicious I’d eat it any time of day.

Price: $1-2 USD, (1 dollar in the local areas and on the street, $2 in the touristy areas)

Where: Famous in Hue

3). White Rose Dumplings:

This is a Hoi An specialty and great to order as an appetizer. These dumplings are made from steamed rice paper stuffed with seasoned pork or shrimp. The dumplings are seasoned until the rice paper is soft and chewy. They are topped with fried shallots and roasted peanuts. You can try them dipped in spicy fish sauce.

Price: $1USD

Where: This dish originated in Hoi An and can be found many places here. They are particularly good at Restaurant 328 on Cửa Đại Street

4). Banh Trang Nuong (Vietnamese Street Pizza)

This dish is made from grilled rice paper (usually grilled over an open flame) until it’s flavorful and crispy. Then it is topped with egg and cooked until the egg is scrambled. There are many variations but usually it has some type of meat or seafood, spring onions and herbs. Frequently it’s topped with crunchy fried shallots. It is a delicious and MUCH healthier alternative to pizza.

Price: $0.50USD

Where: This is a specialty all over central Vietnam (especially in Danang and Dalat). I recommend staying at Mr. Happy’s Homestay in Dalat–he will make these pizzas homemade and write your name on the top with hot sauce. His signature recipe is by far the best version I’ve ever had.

5). Cao Lau:

This is another one of my favorites–I know I always say that, but it’s not my fault the food is so damn good. This dish is famous in Hoi An, and many people claim you can only have it in Hoi An because they use water from the ancient Cham Well to cook the noodles. Thus, if you try it anywhere else, it won’t be authentic. Again there is such a great blend of textures and a hearty mixture of vegetables that make this dish so special. The crunchy tofu and the bean sprouts top the noodles mixed with greens and pork. Add your own fresh squeezed lime juice and as much fresh chili as you can handle and start slurping.

Price: $1-$1.50 USD

Where: famous in Hoi An, by far the best Cau Lau I’ve ever had, and probably the best restaurant I ate at in Hoi An was: Bao Han Restaurant on Cua Dai Street (by the beach).

6). DIY Grilled Frog’s Legs:

Looking for something a bit more exotic? Why not grill your own frog’s legs. Vietnam is bursting with “grill it yourself” restaurants where you choose your protein and they bring you a flaming bucket of coals and a grate to grill it on. While you could be boring and order pork or chicken, why not go for something a bit more exotic and try some frog? It was actually delicious. Something about the marinade they use–plus the meat itself is very tender. Sorry, I know the picture isn’t exactly appetizing, but come on, this frog had legs for days, amiright?

Price: $1.50-$2 USD

Where: This dish can be found all over, but their marinade is Delicious at Hue Ngon Restaurant on Tran Quoc Toan Street in Danang City

7). Banh Khoai:

This is a kind of Vietnamese pancake made from rice flour. It is light, airy and crunch. The cakes are stuffed with grilled shrimp, vietnamese sausage, quali’s egg and seasoned vegetables. Top it with fresh greens, bean sprouts and fresh herbs and dip it in the sweet fish sauce.

Price: $0.75-$1USD

Where: the best one I tried was at Hanh Restaurant in Hue on Pho Duc Chinh Street

8). Rice Porrige with Duck

Start with a heart and warming rice porrige with spring onions in a flavorful broth and add the tender and juicy roasted duck and you have a match made in heaven. The best way to eat it is with Vietnamese fresh salad made with cabbage and fresh herbs and peanuts. Take a piece of duck in your chopsticks and pile the slaw on top and dip it in the spicy ginger sauce, and savor the flavors. Wash it down with the rice porridge.

Price: $1.20 USD

Where: I’ve only seen this dish in Dalat, but they may well have it in other areas.

9). Banana Flower Salad:

This is one of those dishes I could eat any day any time. It is so delicious and filling and–best of all–HEALTHY! I know I keep talking about the winning blend of Textures and Flavors, but they’ve really mastered it here in Vietnam. Each bite is packed with the satisfying crunch of the vegetables and the aromatic flavors of mint and cilantro, the tanginess of fresh lime, saltiness of peanuts  and crispiness of the fried shallots. There are way too many ingredients in this dish to list, but when they’re put all together it’s like magic in your mouth. Order it with chicken or shrimp–or just plain for a vegetarian option.

Price: $1 USD-2USD (it’s a huge portion, enough for a filling meal)

Where: the best version of this dish I’ve ever had was in Hoi An at Bao Han Restaurant on Cau Dai Street.

10). “Che” Vietnamese Dessert Soup:

And now for something completely different, we’ll end on a sweet note. This dish is a very unique concoction and definitely something you gotta try in Central Vietnam. The dish is made from a sweet coconut milk soup/pudding and you pick the toppings you want to mix in with it. It is typically served over colorful jelly-like tapioca pearls and you pick whatever kind of sweet beans you want to top it with. (like i said, very unique to the western palate). It can be served hot–which is great for the cold winter months, or over ice which is the best way to beat the heat on summer nights.

Price: $0.75

Where: this dish is famous in Hue, but can be found all over Central Vietnam. I tried it for the first time in Danang at “Che Cung Dinh Hue” on Le Duan Street

So there you have it–1o must try dishes from Central Vietnam. These are just a tiny fraction of the many unique dishes you will find. What about you? What dishes would you add to this list?

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