Quang Ngai is a coastal province in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. If you’re visiting Quang Ngai and are unsure what to buy as souvenirs for your friends, family, or colleagues, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with our suggestions below.
1. Introduction to Quang Ngai Tourism
Quang Ngai is an intriguing tourist destination for many travelers. It boasts a long coastline with picturesque and serene beaches, as well as unique tourism forms such as spiritual, ecological, and resort experiences. Quang Ngai is also renowned as a “live virtual holy land” due to its possession of mesmerizing and unique tourist spots, landscapes, and resorts.
2. Top 15 Quang Ngai Specialties to Try
Specialties to Sample in Quang Ngai
Tra River Glass Fish
Glass fish is one of the most iconic specialties of Quang Ngai as it can be prepared in numerous delicious and appealing dishes.
Among the varieties of glass fish, the one caught in the Tra River is the most famous. It is usually small, about the size of a finger, and is commonly cooked with chili and pepper, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that goes perfectly with rice.
Tra River Glass Fish in Chili Sauce
Reference price: Approximately 130,000 VND/0.3kg box
Reference location:
+ Thien An Food Processing Facility: 18 Phan Chu Trinh, Nguyen Nghiem District, Quang Ngai Province
+ Bac Son Co Ly: 23 Hung Vuong, Nguyen Nghiem District, Quang Ngai Province
Quang Ngai Don
Don is a well-known specialty in Central Vietnam due to its natural sweetness and high nutritional value at a reasonable price, ranging from only 10,000 to 15,000 VND per bowl.
It would be a shame to miss out on this delicacy during your visit to Quang Ngai, and it also makes for a wonderful souvenir for your loved ones.
Quang Ngai Don
Reference price: Approximately 140,000 VND/0.5kg bag
Reference location: Local markets and Don restaurants in Quang Ngai
Grilled Meat Ram
Grilled Meat Ram is a refined dish that is much more special than regular grilled meat found elsewhere. It is made from fresh lean meat mixed with spices and a small amount of shrimp and onion, then fried in a very thin rice paper wrapper. The meat is fatty and juicy due to the marinated grilled meat, and when paired with a special dipping sauce, it becomes an incredibly enticing dish that attracts numerous tourists.
Reference price: Approximately 30,000 VND/serving
Reference address:
+ Quyen Grilled Meat Ram Restaurant: 236 Phan Dinh Phung, Chanh Lo, Quang Ngai
+ Loan Grilled Meat Ram Restaurant: 98 Nguyen Tu Tan Street, Quang Ngai City
Grilled Meat Ram
Fish Cake Noodles
Fish Cake Noodles is a popular dish for breakfast or lunch in Quang Ngai. The white and smooth noodles, along with the flavorful and tasty fried fish cakes, create a delightful meal. The broth is highly praised for its sweetness and lightness, and the dish is often served with some fresh herbs to enhance the flavor.
Reference price: Ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 VND/serving
Reference address:
+ Fish Cake Noodles by Ms. Lien: 490 Quang Trung Street, Quang Ngai City
+ Fish Cake Noodles by Ms. Tam Lan: Phan Dang Luu Street, Quang Ngai City
Fish Cake Noodles
Suction Cup Snails
Suction Cup Snails are delicious and have a unique flavor. If you have the opportunity to visit Quang Ngai, don’t miss out on this dish. Before cooking, the largest and sweetest snails are selected, cleaned with necessary spices, seasoned, and then stir-fried. The snails have a crispy, fatty, and sweet texture, and when combined with a special dipping sauce, they become incredibly tasty and flavorful.
Reference price: Ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 VND/serving
Reference address:
+ Suction Cup Snails at Cay Me: 141 Nguyen Du Street, Quang Ngai City
+ Suction Cup Snails by Tu Muoi: 190 Phan Boi Chau Street, Quang Ngai City
Suction Cup Snails
Banh Trang Dap (Rice Paper Crackers)
Banh Trang Dap is a familiar dish and a must-try when visiting Quang Ngai. If you skip this dish, you’ll be missing out on a significant part of the local cuisine. The preparation method is simple, but the flavor is unique and appealing. Place the rice paper on the stove, then remove it and place it on a crispy-fried rice paper, sprinkling chopped chives and onion on top. Finally, break the rice paper in half and enjoy.
Reference price: Ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 VND/serving
Reference address:
+ Banh Trang Dap Restaurant: 68 Le Dai Hanh Street, Quang Ngai City
Banh Trang Dap
Com Ga (Chicken Rice)
There’s a good reason why Com Ga restaurants are included in the list of delectable dishes in Quang Ngai. The chicken rice here is flavorful, rich, and tailored to local tastes, and it is crafted by hand with great care. The chicken has a crunchy skin, and the meat is tender and chewy.
Reference price: Ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 VND/serving
Reference address:
+ Com Ga Nhung: 267 Phan Boi Chau Street, Quang Ngai City
+ Com Ga Co Nguyet Restaurant: 183 Tran Hung Dao Street, Quang Ngai City
Com Ga
Quang Ngai Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Ly Son Garlic
Ly Son Island is not only a captivating tourist destination but also renowned for its garlic, which has a mild sweetness and is less pungent and spicy than regular garlic.
Another distinctive feature of this garlic is that it doesn’t cause bad breath after consumption. As a result, in major cities today, families prefer and seek out this type of garlic.
Ly Son Garlic
Reference price: Ranging from 950,000 to 1,350,000 VND/kg
Reference location:
+ Dori – Ly Son Garlic King: Ly Son Island Port, Tay Village, An Vinh, Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province
+ Ly Son Garlic: 41 Bac Son, Nghia Chanh Nam District, Quang Ngai Province
Mo Duc Malt Candy
Malt candy, along with ginger candy and maltose, is a specialty trio that you should try to buy when visiting Quang Ngai. This malt candy has a mild sweetness, and in traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to calm the fetus, lubricate the intestines, and moisten the lungs.
This candy has a shelf life of 7 to 8 months, making it an excellent choice for gifts for family and friends.
Mo Duc Malt Candy
Reference price: Ranging from 20,000 to 75,000 VND/250 grams
Reference location:
+ Malt Candy by Thanh Ngoc: 1083 QL1A, Duc Lan Commune, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province
+ Dong Cat Market: Mo Duc Town, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province
Tra Bong Cinnamon
For the children of Quang Ngai, the scent of Tra Bong cinnamon is familiar and endearing.
Cinnamon is used for various purposes in the daily lives of Quang Ngai residents, especially among the Kor ethnic group. It can be used for decoration, as a food ingredient, or to make essential oils that help relax the mind.
Tra Bong Cinnamon
Reference price: Approximately 100,000 VND/100 grams
Reference location:
+ Tra Bong Cinnamon: 52 Le Khiet, Nguyen Nghiem District, Quang Ngai Province
+ Tra Bong Market: DT622, Tra Xuan Commune, Tra Bong District, Quang Ngai Province
Quang Ngai Mirror Candy
Mirror candy is a beloved treat for all ages, featuring a distinctive sweetness blended with the familiar taste of salted sesame. It is ideal for consumption on chilly days.
If you have young children or elderly family members, this treat is a perfect choice for a gift.
Quang Ngai Mirror Candy
Reference price: Ranging from 25,000 to 35,000 VND/250 grams
Reference location: Hoang Yen Mirror Candy Production Facility: 267 Tran Hung Dao, Nghia Lo District, Quang Ngai Province
Quang Ngai Rice Paper
Rice paper is a simple dish, but it holds a significant and sacred role in the spiritual life of the people of Quang Ngai.
Perhaps this is because many local dishes are made from rice paper, such as Banh Dap or served with Don.
Quang Ngai Rice Paper used in Banh Dap
Reference price: Approximately 20,000 VND/stack
Reference location: Currently, rice paper can be purchased from various local shops in Quang Ngai, including convenience stores, supermarkets, and local markets.
Rock Sugar and Maltose
Rock sugar and maltose have a mild sweetness and a distinctive shine and smoothness thanks to the techniques employed by the artisans who make them.
As these sweeteners do not contain any chemical components, they are highly beneficial to health and are widely used in
The Top 10 Most Reputable and Quality Specialty Product Retailers in Quang Ngai
Introducing Quang Ngai, a province with a rich tapestry of history, culture, and revolutionary heritage. But that’s not all – this vibrant region is also renowned for its delectable array of specialty dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Join me on a culinary journey as we explore the unique and mouth-watering delights that Quang Ngai has to offer!