Enjoying Da Nang street food with TikToker "Uncle Xjnk"

The people of Da Nang, like many others living in Central Vietnam, are simple and unpretentious. Therefore, their dishes are also simple and not elaborate in preparation, from main courses to specialty snacks. However, the refined and rich flavors are undeniably delicious. Nguyen Sinh, also known as Uncle Xjnk, a well-known food vlogger in Da Nang, affirms: "Eating Da Nang snacks is an essential experience when visiting this city. There are snacks unique to Da Nang that you won't find anywhere else."

Rice paper wraps - a taste of childhood.

Rice paper wraps are not only a simple, rustic dish, but also offer a unique and harmonious flavor. Therefore, it's no surprise that this dish is loved by many diners in Da Nang. Rice paper wraps are sold everywhere, from deep alleyways to bustling streets.

Uncle Xjnk shared: "The chewy, fatty rice paper served with the thick, flavorful beef dipping sauce is truly a perfect match. This is a snack that has been with me since high school, a taste of childhood that nothing can replace."

At Da Nang's banh trang kep (rice paper wrap) stalls, diners can enjoy hot, freshly grilled rice paper wraps cooked over charcoal. The delicious flavors of the spices combined with the filling and a touch of fried shallots create an unforgettable, rich aftertaste. The pate is carefully and meticulously prepared, free of any unpleasant odor and low in fat, preventing a greasy feeling when eaten. Diners can cut the wrap into bite-sized pieces and dip them in the rich, thick beef dipping sauce, a signature dish of Central Vietnam, with its sweet and refreshing taste. This flavorful dipping sauce is what makes Da Nang's banh trang kep so special, unlike banh trang kep in any other province or city.

Banh beo (steamed rice cakes), once you try them, you'll love them!

Da Nang's banh beo, a beloved snack, is enjoyed and favored by both locals and tourists. More than just a traditional cake, banh beo is a distinctive flavor of the region, embodying unique and refined spices.

For those who have never tried it, Da Nang's banh beo (steamed rice cakes) come in many varieties. Some are as small as an ear, so the locals affectionately call them "ear-shaped banh beo." Another type is molded in a round cup, hence the name "cup-shaped banh beo." The main ingredient is rice flour, which gives the cakes their characteristic opaque white color.

"Furthermore, Da Nang's banh beo is special because it has two types of fillings, each with its own name. The dry filling is made from shrimp, meat, and fish that have been marinated and grilled over charcoal to reduce the fishy smell, giving it a rich, savory flavor. The wet filling is made from lean meat, wood ear mushrooms, and seasonings to taste," Uncle Xjnk explained.

When served to customers, the filling is evenly sprinkled on top of the rice cake. The white rice cake, adorned with the filling, looks incredibly beautiful. However, the most important element that makes rice cakes delicious and appealing is the sweet and sour dipping sauce. The recipe for the dipping sauce is simple yet incredibly delicious. Fish sauce is diluted with a little cooled boiled water, then lemon juice, sugar, and finely chopped garlic and chili peppers are added, creating a distinctive sweet, sour, and spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the rice cake.

Rice paper rolls, rustic yet extraordinary.

Banh trang dap (cracked rice paper) is known as a cheap but incredibly popular snack in Da Nang. Unlike its simple appearance, the preparation of banh trang dap is extremely elaborate, requiring meticulous care from the bakers. The rice paper is made from fragrant, non-glutinous rice, with just the right amount of chewiness so that the surface of the rice paper is not too thick, but smooth and glossy.

When the rice paper is just cooked through, the baker uses a thin bamboo stick to slide under the edge of the rice paper to remove it from the mold, ensuring it retains its original shape, while using their other hand to pour in a new batch. The rice paper is thin and moist inside, and crispy on the outside. When eating, diners use their hands to tap the two types of rice paper together, hence the name "smashed rice paper." Besides the crispy rice paper, the highlight of this dish is the dipping sauce. The clear, slightly thick fish sauce, combined with a little minced garlic, creates an irresistible flavor.

Uncle Xjnk recounted that this dish is simple, from its ingredients to its way of eating, because it's a dish of the down-to-earth, honest people of Quang Nam. A dish that isn't luxurious, it has now become a specialty of this region. No one from Quang Nam has ever gone without eating bánh tráng đập (crushed rice paper), it leaves such a deep impression on their hearts that when they go to a new place, their hearts constantly yearn for the taste of their homeland.

Snails in rich, savory flavors of the coastal city.

No matter what time of year you visit Da Nang, every afternoon after a swim at the beach, gathering with friends to enjoy a plate of stir-fried snails with a bottle of beer is a refined pleasure that captivates visitors from all over. "Ốc hút" is the familiar name Da Nang locals use to refer to a dish of snails stir-fried with lemongrass and chili.

This signature dish is made from fresh, delicious snails, infused with the spicy flavors of lemongrass and chili, blended with natural ingredients to create a unique, unforgettable taste.

To ensure the freshness of the snails, vendors need to select the freshest and cleanest snails, soaking them in rice water and fresh chili peppers to clean them. Afterward, the snails are boiled with lime leaves and pickled cucumber brine to create a sweet and fragrant flavor.

This snack is enjoyed by savoring it with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, enhanced with lime leaves and chili peppers for added flavor. The spicy, aromatic taste is irresistible; savoring each bite of snail and sipping the sauce creates a wonderful culinary experience. If you visit Da Nang, don't forget to try this snack for a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.

Ha Mai Trinh