The Ultimate Guide to Phan Thiet’s 7 Most Addictive Snacks

24 September, 2024

Phan Thiet not only boasts stunning green beaches but also impresses with its diverse cuisine, attracting a large number of tourists. In addition to the famous fresh and delicious seafood, the local cuisine also offers a variety of tasty street food. Let’s discover the top 7 unique dishes below!

Grilled Rice Paper with Fermented Shrimp Paste

Grilled rice paper with fermented shrimp paste is a must-try street food when visiting Phan Thiet. The appeal of this dish comes not only from the fermented shrimp paste but also from other characteristic ingredients such as sour fermented pork sausage, quail eggs, green onions, and chili sauce. Especially, each restaurant may offer a unique version of this dish by adding their own secret ingredients, such as butter, sour vegetables, or shredded cabbage, thus enriching the dining experience.

When the rice paper is almost done, the vendor will skillfully roll it into a cylinder or fold it into a triangle. The special technique of rolling the rice paper requires precision to ensure that it doesn’t tear while maintaining its crispness and distinctive tasty flavor.

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Savory Pancake)

When exploring the cuisine of Phan Thiet, banh xeo is not just a dish but also offers a wonderful experience to savor the distinctive flavors of the coastal region. Banh xeo in Phan Thiet stands out for its diversity and freshness of ingredients, including squid, fresh shrimp, and three-layer pork belly, resulting in a flavorful and enticing dish.

As you wander through the banh xeo eateries in the evening, you’ll be captivated by the alluring aroma of the ingredients being transformed into golden, crispy pancakes. The enticing flavor of peanut fish sauce paired with banh xeo will surely leave an unforgettable impression.

Banh Quai Vac (Tapioca Dumplings)

Banh quai vac is a unique street food that you must try in Phan Thiet! You’ll find this delicacy along the streets, in markets, and at many tourist spots. At first glance, you might mistake it for banh bot loc (cassava cake), but these two dishes are distinctly different.

Banh quai vac is smaller in size compared to banh bot loc. This dish is made with a variety of rich ingredients and carries multiple flavors. The dumpling wrapper is made from soft and smooth tapioca flour, while the filling consists of stir-fried and parboiled shrimp. Instead of being wrapped in leaves as in the traditional method of making banh bot loc, banh quai vac can be enjoyed with green onions, diluted fish sauce, or paired with fermented pork sausage and steamed pork cake. The harmonious blend of ingredients and spices creates an irresistible appeal for this dish.

Banh Can (Mini Savory Pancakes)

With their compact size and attractive colors, banh can in Phan Thiet is not just a dish but also symbolizes the local culinary tradition, always exuding distinctive flavors. These mini pancakes are grilled on brick stoves, similar to the cooking method in other regions of Central Vietnam, creating a familiar yet novel dining experience.

Banh can offers a subtle sweetness from the rice flour, delicately combined with ingredients such as chicken eggs, quail eggs, green onions, shrimp, and tuna. When enjoying this dish, you’ll savor the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, all harmonized by the delicious fish sauce that permeates every bite.

Che Bong Co (Grass Jelly Dessert)

Among the indispensable street foods in Phan Thiet, che bong co shines like a hidden gem, even for the most discerning foodies. This dessert not only captivates with its unique flavor but also evokes nostalgic childhood memories for the locals, forming an integral part of the region’s rich culinary landscape.

Che bong co provides a refreshing experience, offering a cool sensation from the very first spoonful. The dessert is a vibrant combination of multiple vivid colors: the refreshing green of sam leaves, the glossy black of grass jelly, the pristine white of coconut milk, the warm yellow of mashed mung beans, and the gentle pink of tapioca pearls. All these ingredients come together to create a “colorful feast” in this dessert. When enjoyed, the subtle sweetness of the syrup gently blends with each component, resulting in a delightful and enticing treat.

Grilled Squid Teeth

You can easily find grilled squid teeth at many places in Phan Thiet, from street food stalls to seafood restaurants and pubs. Locals often enjoy this dish with green pepper salt, creating a wonderful blend of flavors. Additionally, other dishes such as steamed squid teeth with ginger and lemongrass, stir-fried or deep-fried squid teeth served with fresh herbs, especially Vietnamese coriander, offer equally appealing tastes. While grilled squid teeth is a popular dish, the best eateries are found on streets like Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Tat Thanh, and the night food street on Vo Thi Sau, where you can savor the most exquisite flavors of this delicacy.

Cha Lui (Grilled Pork Skewers)

Cha lui, a distinctive street food originating from Ham Tan (Binh Thuan province), has quickly become an integral part of Phan Thiet’s street food scene. You’ll find dozens of stalls selling cha lui along the city’s streets, each offering its unique flavor and contributing to the richness of the local cuisine.