Top 13 Southern Central Vietnamese Foods

Ái Nghĩa is a Vietnamese agricultural cooperative based in the Đại Lộc area in the central part of the country. It was established in 1978 to connect local farmers and organize joint production. Over time, it expanded its activities from basic agricultural services to seed rice production, grain processing, and the manufacture of traditional food products. The cooperative works with its members and other local producers to purchase and process agricultural raw materials. It focuses particularly on connecting rice cultivation with the production of higher-value finished foods. Its two most recognizable products are Ái Nghĩa safe rice and Đại Lộc rice paper. The rice grown and controlled by the cooperative is used as the main raw material for its rice paper. This allows Ái Nghĩa to oversee the production chain from sourcing the grain to processing and packaging the finished product. The cooperative distributes its products through local stores, distributors, supermarkets, and online sales channels. At the same time, it preserves the culinary traditions of the Đại Lộc area and provides a market for rice grown by local farmers.Expand

Cơ Sở Tương Ớt Triều Phát is a family-run artisanal workshop from Hội An, known for producing a traditional chili sauce that has been made for over five generations. Their sauce is crafted entirely by hand, using ripe local chili peppers that are cleaned, crushed, and slowly cooked with garlic, oil, sesame seeds, spices, and a small amount of sugar, following a recipe characteristic of central Vietnamese cuisine.

The result is a thick, aromatic chili paste with a deep red color, balanced heat, a light smoky touch, and a pronounced umami profile, making it an ideal accompaniment to dishes such as cao lầu, bánh mì, noodle dishes, seafood, and various fried specialties. Thanks to its authenticity, distinctive flavor, and cultural significance, the Triều Phát chili sauce has become one of Hội An’s signature culinary products and an essential part of the region’s gastronomic identity.Expand

Tĩn is a Vietnamese traditional fish sauce brand from Phan Thiết in Bình Thuận Province. The brand operates under Seagull Company which was registered in 2016. It was developed as part of the Làng Chài Xưa project dedicated to presenting the history of fishing communities and fish sauce production in the Phan Thiết area. Its name comes from the local word tĩn which refers to a ceramic vessel once used to store and transport finished fish sauce. Fresh black anchovies and pure sea salt are used as the principal ingredients. The fish and salt are combined in an approximate ratio of three to one. The mixture undergoes natural fermentation for 12 to 24 months in large wooden barrels using a traditional compression method. After maturation the undiluted first-press sauce is extracted. The range includes sauces with natural nitrogen levels of approximately 40N to 60N as well as special varieties intended for different culinary uses. Tĩn is associated with the Làng Chài Xưa Fish Sauce Museum in Phan Thiết which presents the history of the local craft and its traditional production methods.Expand

Phước An is a Vietnamese company based in Bình Định Province specializing in the production of seasonings, sauces, and other food products. The company operates under the full name Phước An Company Limited and primarily develops its products under the Magic Ngon brand. It was founded in 1994 with the aim of using local agricultural raw materials to produce seasonings for the Vietnamese market. During its early years, the company was also involved in processing agricultural products and supplying raw materials to manufacturers of soy sauce and animal feed. It later developed its own range of finished seasonings and sauces. Today, its portfolio includes soy sauce, chili sauce, chili satay, and thick dark sauce, available in various packaging formats for households and food service businesses. For its chili sauce, the company uses fresh chili peppers sourced from local farmers. After delivery, the peppers are selected, washed, ground, and combined with other ingredients according to established recipes. Phước An states that it primarily uses agricultural raw materials sourced from the local area. Products sold under the Magic Ngon brand are distributed throughout Vietnam and include seasonings intended for various methods of food preparation and serving.Expand

Hoi An Roastery is a specialized Vietnamese coffee roastery founded in 2015 in the historic town of Hội An, with a strong focus on direct sourcing of coffee beans from farmers in mountainous regions such as Dalat and on careful, local roasting. Their selection includes Arabica, Robusta, and various espresso and filter blends, available as whole beans, ground coffee, or convenient drip-bag formats.

The cafés operate in traditional wooden houses with rustic interiors, creating an atmosphere that blends the town’s heritage with a modern approach to coffee preparation. The menu features classic Vietnamese coffee, espresso drinks, pour-over, cold brew, and popular local specialties such as coconut coffee and egg coffee.

The brand emphasizes sustainability and supply-chain transparency, aiming to deliver a true “from tree to cup” experience, which has positioned it as one of the most recognizable destinations for quality coffee in Hội An.Expand

Đại Cường is a Vietnamese producer of rice-based foods located in Đông Lâm village in the city of Da Nang. The company was officially registered in 2017, and Phạm Thị Trà My serves as its director and legal representative. Its main activity is rice processing and the production of traditional foods made from rice starch. The most recognizable part of its range consists of different types of rice paper intended for wrapping, frying, and other preparation methods. The range includes larger bánh lề sheets, square rice paper, and smaller wrappers for ram-style fried rolls. The company later expanded its portfolio to include packaged fresh rice noodles. It primarily sources rice and salt from the Da Nang area, connecting its production with the local agricultural supply chain. It employs workers from surrounding communities in production and other operations. Traditional processing methods are supplemented with machinery for grinding rice, preparing the batter, steaming, and packaging. The facility is organized with separate areas for receiving raw materials, production, and storage. In 2020, the company further modernized its operations by investing in a closed production line for fresh rice noodles. Its products are sold at local markets, in stores, through distributors, and via online sales channels.Expand

Phin Lab Roastery is a specialty roastery founded in 2017, known for blending traditional Vietnamese coffee brewing methods with a modern approach to roasting and service. The beans are sourced directly from farmers in mountainous regions such as Da Lat and Sơn La, then roasted in their own facility on Cam Kim Island, ensuring full quality control from origin to cup.

Their menu features both Arabica and Robusta prepared in various styles - from espresso and pour-over techniques to classic local drinks like cà phê sữa đá, egg coffee, salt coffee, and coconut coffee. Beyond its coffee offerings, the brand is also recognized for its educational workshops, where visitors can learn the fundamentals of Vietnamese coffee or even take part in the roasting process.

This combination of craftsmanship, transparency, and cultural immersion positions Phin Lab Roastery as one of the leading destinations for an authentic coffee experience in the region.Expand

T-Bros is a premium chocolate maker dedicated to crafting high-quality bean-to-bar chocolates. Sourcing fine cacao beans directly from local farmers, they focus on ethical and sustainable production.

Their chocolates highlight the unique flavors of each origin, offering a refined and authentic tasting experience.Expand

Bun bo nam bo is a traditional dish. The name holds a key to its basic ingredients and the location – bun means noodle, bo is for beef, and nam bo refers to the South of the country. The main ingredients include beef, rice vermicelli noodles, garlic, fresh herbs (cilantro, mint), and vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, bean sprouts), while roasted peanuts and fried shallots are entirely optional. The noodles, vegetables, and herbs are arranged in bowls, while the beef is stir-fried and added on top. The whole bowl is garnished with peanuts and shallots before the dish is served.Expand

This Vietnamese classic consists of a combination of flat rice noodles and yellow egg noodles that are served with a small amount of flavorful meat broth and crispy fresh vegetables and herbs such as banana blossoms, lettuce, cilantro, scallions, and Vietnamese coriander. The dish is incredibly versatile and usually comes topped with pork belly, chicken, shrimps, fish, boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, and fish crackers. Though it originated in Central Vietnam, more precisely the Quảng Nam Province, mì quảng is nowadays enjoyed throughout the country.Expand

Nem nướng is a traditional Vietnamese grilled sausage originating from Nha Trang. The sausage is usually made with a combination of ground pork fat and meat, garlic, fish sauce, shallots, sugar, black pepper, and often baking soda that's used for puffing up the meat. The meat is formed into patties and balls or placed on skewers before the grilling process. Once done, nem nướng can be served in many ways – with steamed rice and fresh or pickled vegetables; wrapped in rice paper; paired with rice noodles, or in a bánh mì sandwich. The sausage is often accompanied by nước chấm dipping sauce, and it's served as an appetizer or a snack.Expand

Bò né is a traditional dish that's especially popular in Nha Trang. It's made with cuts of beef such as skirt steak that's marinated in spices and comes served on a sizzling hot cast iron plate with fried eggs, onions, chili sauce, and a dollop of pate. The dish is usually accompanied by condiments and a baguette, along with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and cucumber. The meat is often dipped into a combination of pepper sauce, lime juice, and salt, while the baguette is used to pick up the remains of pate and egg yolks off the plate. Vietnamese steak and eggs are traditionally served for breakfast.Expand

Cao lầu is a signature dish from Hội An consisting of noodles made from fresh, locally grown rice, lye solution made with ashes of local trees, and water from the local well (Ba Le). Along with the steamed rice noodles, a bowl of cao lầu also consists of thinly sliced roasted pork (char siu), greens, bean sprouts, croutons that are made with the same ingredients as the noodles, and just a splash of flavorful stock. The origin of the dish is vague, and while some believe it was inspired by Chinese cuisine, some claim that it was modeled on Japanese culinary tradition. Regardless of its origin, cao lầu remains a unique delicacy that is not found outside Hội An.Expand

Bún chả cá is a specialty of Da Nang and a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup topped with fish cakes. The broth for this noodle soup is traditionally prepared with fish or pork bones and tomatoes, while the fish cakes should be prepared from dense, meaty, and firm white fish fillets. Other common ingredients in the soup include vermicelli noodles, fish sauce, shallots, garlic, cilantro, dill, mam tom shrimp paste, and black pepper. The hot broth is ladled over the noodles, and the dish is then topped with fish cakes. Bún chả cá is especially popular in seaside towns.Expand

Bánh ướt are paper-thin, almost translucent Vietnamese pancakes that are made with rice flour and tapioca or potato starch. Traditionally, they are steamed on specialized steamers and are typically served rolled, usually accompanied by nước chấm (fish sauce), chả lụa sausage, pork, and fried shallots. Loosely translated as wet cakes, bánh ướt is a popular street food item that's usually associated with Nha Trang, and it is regarded as a less elaborate, local version of bánh cuốn rolls.Expand

Bún mắm Da Nang is a traditional dish and a variation on bun mam. The dish originates from Central Vietnam. It consists of fresh vegetables (lettuce, mint), shredded papaya, roasted pork skin, bún noodles, peanuts, and a combination of chili, white vinegar, and fermented fish sauce. Bún mắm Da Nang is characterized by its pungent aromas, and it's usually served with chili sauce on top and lime wedges on the side.Expand

Mực một nắng is a traditional dish originating from Phan Thiet. This seafood specialty consists of sun-dried squid. A large, fresh squid is sun-dried for a day, and it's then grilled over hot coals. If the heat gets too high, the squid will become overcooked, hard on the exterior, but rare inside. As it cooks, the squid turns yellow and develops a unique aroma. When served, the dried and grilled squid is shredded, and it's usually accompanied by fish sauce with chili for dipping the pieces into it. It's recommended to pair the dish with a cold beer on the side.Expand

Bún cá sứa is a traditional dish originating from Nha Trang. This rice vermicelli soup is served with jellyfish and fried fish paste. In order to make the broth and the fish paste, one must choose fresh paradise fish or leatherjacket fish. The jellyfish is soaked into alum water, rinsed with water, cut into small slices, then parboiled. When served, the noodles are placed into the bowl first, followed by jellyfish slices and fried fish paste, and the dish is finished by pouring the broth over the combination. Other ingredients commonly used in the dish include raw vegetables, lemon slices, and chili peppers on the side.Expand