1. Pork rice paper
Although not the birthplace of this dish, in the two largest cities, Hanoi and Saigon, there are countless pork rice paper shops. Rice paper is placed on a thin pho sheet, with raw vegetables, pork belly or pork leg added, rolled up and dipped in a spicy, rich fish sauce with a distinctive aroma. This is a rustic, simple dish that attracts countless diners, so no restaurant with a sign of Da Nang cuisine lacks pork rice paper.
Pork rice paper rolls are usually sold by the portion with prices ranging from 60,000 - 100,000 VND depending on the place and are often chosen as the perfect appetizer for a lavish party.
2. Beef jerky
Dried beef is a familiar delicacy of Vietnamese people and each region has a different taste of dried beef. However, the most famous dried beef dish probably belongs to Da Nang. Therefore, when coming here, it is rare for a tourist to have a kilogram of dried beef in their suitcase to buy as a gift for their relatives.
Da Nang beef jerky is quite spicy and sweet, often has a characteristic licorice flavor, eaten with lemon to create an irresistible rich aroma. Da Nang people often use beef jerky to accompany alcohol. In addition, the dish is also used as a main ingredient, combined with shredded green papaya and roasted peanuts to make beef jerky salad. Good quality Da Nang beef jerky is often sold for over 500,000 VND/kg.
3. Quang noodles
Quang noodles are a rustic dish for the people of Hoi An, and to the world, Quang noodles are recognized as one of 12 Vietnamese dishes with Asian culinary value. Shrimp and pork Quang noodles are a classic dish, now processed more richly with chicken noodles, fish noodles, jellyfish noodles, beef noodles...
Quang noodles are made from fragrant sticky rice, ground finely without any other ingredients added. Quang noodle broth is not as full as other noodle dishes, but only slightly, but fragrant, spicy, and rich thanks to the special recipe and seasoning. Eating Quang noodles must have raw vegetables such as baby cabbage, thinly sliced banana buds... in addition to a plate of green chili, roasted peanuts, rice paper, a slice of lemon and a bowl of pure fish sauce. Perhaps the sidewalk restaurants in Hoi An are where you will find the most authentic bowls of Quang noodles.
4. Cao Lau
Some say the name Cao Lau comes from the fact that in the past, rich people liked to go to restaurants, sit upstairs and watch the streets and order this delicious dish, and over time they got used to calling it "Cao Lau". Some people also think that the origin of the dish is related to the Chinese, but in fact, the Chinese people here do not recognize it. It is difficult to determine, but we know that Cao Lau appeared in Hoi An a long time ago and is a dish that cannot be missed when visiting this peaceful little city.
The essence of Cao Lau is the noodles which are very elaborately prepared, made from fragrant rice soaked in ash water, ground into flour, then cut into strands, steamed many times and then dried. Cao Lau is served with fried pork skin, braised pork, bean sprouts and raw vegetables. When eaten, Cao Lau gives the feeling of the noodles, the sour, spicy, bitter, astringent, sweet flavors of raw vegetables and the broken fat in the mouth to meet the requirements... Thanks to the above unique features, Cao Lau has also become a typical dish of Hoi An ancient town cuisine and is recognized as one of the 10 dishes with Asian culinary value.
