Mui Ne, a coastal resort town situated in the Binh Thuan Province (Southeast Vietnam), is not just a popular tourist destination but also a place rich in coastal culinary experiences. With its stunning beaches, vibrant surfing and kite-surfing activities, flying sand dunes, mystical fairy streams, bustling fish markets, ancient Cham towers, the oldest lighthouse in Southeast Asia, and a mountain pagoda featuring the world-renowned reclining Buddha, Mui Ne offers a diverse range of colors and aromas - that is its cuisine.
Distinctive Seafood
As a seaside locale, seafood in Mui Ne is always abundant, and the dishes never fail to impress. Here are some unique seafood dishes that you should try when visiting Mui Ne:
Lau Tha (Special Fish Hotpot)
Vietnamese hotpot is usually a blend of delicious ingredients, but the Mui Ne version goes the extra mile. It includes fish, shrimp, pork, veggies, green mango, banana flower, rice noodles, fried eggs - all in a broth flavored with peanuts, chili, and lime. The local, fresh ingredients elevate this hotpot to excellence.
Muc Mot Nang (Sun Dried Squid)
This mouthwatering snack is popular throughout Mui Ne. Fresh squid, sun-dried, and grilled over coals with a chili and lime baste. Dipped in fish sauce, these savory, sweet-tasting squid pack a flavorful punch.
Ca Mai (Fish Salad)
Vietnamese ceviche might best describe this delectable dish. Fresh Mai fish, delicate and slender, is the core ingredient in this zesty assemblage. The works are stuffed with raw vegetables (basil, onions, green bananas, star fruit, chili, garlic, and roasted peanuts), then wrapped in rice paper and dipped in fish sauce.
Oc Huong (Sweet Sea Snail)
The sweet sea snail is an affordable delicacy and a rarity outside of Mui Ne. Captivating in its speckled shell, the sea snail is prepared in various styles: steamed (with onion and ginger), baked, grilled, or roasted with garlic. Locals typically pluck the snail from its shell, sprinkle it with lime, and dip it in crushed peanuts.
Banh Canh (Thick Noodle Soup)
A staple among the Vietnamese, Banh Canh in Mui Ne stands out with its thick, chewy noodles made of tapioca flour and/or rice flour. The fish stock broth, made from a variety of fresh fish caught in the waters of Mui Ne, is accompanied by fried and steamed fish cakes, scallions, cilantro, dried onion, peppers, and lime. A Vietnamese version of comfort food.
Banh Xeo (Crispy Pancake)
Mui Ne's signature "Street Food" is Banh Xeo, a fried crispy pancake loaded with shrimp, fat pork, and bean sprouts, then folded. Dipping the mouthwatering concoction into a chili, garlic, lemon, fish sauce completes the ensemble.
Quai Vac Tran (Shrimp and Pork Cake)
Another street food delicacy, translucent bite-sized, deheaded prawns, and fatty pork, sprinkled with finely sliced scallions and chili pepper - boiled and served on every street corner.
Rang Muc Nuong (Grilled Squid Teeth)
Yes, squids do have teeth - centered between the tentacles like the receptacle of a flower which holds together the petals. These marinated, marble-sized munchies skewered and grilled over coals provide one of those "only in Vietnam" experiences.
Fish Spring Roll
Unique to Phan Thiet and perfected in Mui Ne, special rice paper is used to wrap fish and cassava before a light frying. Dipped in a spicy sauce, these dainties are packed with flavor and melt in your mouth.
Remember, these are just a sampling of the disparate dishes offered up by mom-and-pop kitchens, street vendors, and culinary chefs. Different cooks pull from various "old family" recipes, so no two venues serve up identical food
So where to find these varied victuals? For starters, there's a strip of restaurants running from the center of Mui Ne to the fishing village. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street and Tuyen Quang Street are loaded up. The range varies from cozy to cosmopolitan - something for every taste and budget.
"Bo Ke street" runs along the beach near the fishing village and is chock-full of seafood eateries and street food vendors with their scrumptious BBQ offerings. The Pit Stop Food Court on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street (on the beach) is an assemblage of eateries. Not only can you feast on traditional Mui Ne favorites, but there's also a variety of foreign foods as well (Mexican, Italian, American BBQ, Hungarian, and Vegan). There's also a smokehouse, a wine shop, a handmade chocolate shop, a cafe, a bar, and even a nightclub.
Food is a major aspect of the Mui Ne experience. Food is found everywhere in Mui Ne. With such freshness and diversity, Mui Ne provides dining experiences of epic proportions. So, dig in!
