Experience Da Nang’s seafood: From beachside squid noodles to coastal specialties
DNO - Hot bowls of squid instant noodles, flavorful fish salad, and coastal food festivals are significantly contributing to shaping a distinctive identity for Da Nang’s tourism experience.
Diversity of coastal village cuisine
At dawn, the Man Thai Beach in Son Tra Ward is bustling with visitors watching the sunrise, swimming, paddleboarding, and enjoying “mi tom muc” (instant noodles with freshly caught squid) - a dish that seems to capture the naturally sweet essence of the sea.
Many visitors say the appeal of the dish comes not only from its fresh taste but also from the vibrant atmosphere of the fishing village itself.
Ms. Nguyen Ha Lan Chi, 34, a tourist from Ha Noi, said she decided to wake up early to try the dish after watching videos about it on social media.
Surprisingly, what appears to be a simple dish has become a sensation among young people, attracting hundreds of young diners every day.
The preparation only begins once an order is placed. The cooking process is relatively simple. The key ingredient must be fresh “jumping squid”, carefully cleaned by removing the eyes, beak, ink sac, and internal organs while preserving the squid roe.
The broth is then seasoned either with instant noodle seasoning or the owner's own special seasoning.
Each bowl of noodles contains noodles, fresh squid, celery, bean sprouts, onions, and green chili peppers. Customers can ask the owner of the eatery to remove any ingredients they don't like. Many diners also order an extra plate of boiled squid served with seafood dipping sauce.
Besides instant squid noodles, many visitors to Da Nang also head to the Nam O Fishing Village to enjoy “goi ca trich” (herring salad), a dish that has long been associated with generations of coastal residents.
Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, born in 1986 and from Ho Chi Minh City, said “The freshness of the fish combined with raw vegetables, rice paper, and fermented fish sauce creates a very distinctive taste. The dish is not only delicious but also gives me a real sense of the Central Coast’s maritime culture”.
From rustic dishes associated with the lives of fishermen such as instant noodles with squid and herring salad to a variety of fishing village seafood specialties, coastal cuisine is increasingly becoming an integral part of tourists’ travel experience in Da Nang.
Coastal cuisine - A tourism product rich in identity
Coastal cuisine is not only attractive because of its distinctive flavors but also its stories about the lives of fishermen, fishing traditions, and village culture.
As a result, many coastal localities are gradually developing culinary experiences as tourism products to promote maritime identity while creating additional livelihoods for local residents.
Specifically, from May 22 - 24, the “Taste of the Sea” Food Festival at the Tam Thanh Beach Square in Quang Phu Ward will kick off a series of summer tourism activities linked to coastal culture and community life.
During the event, the image of a fishing village will be recreated through displays of basket boats, fishing nets, fresh seafood exhibitions, and over 50 stalls featuring OCOP (One Commune One Product) products and local specialties.
Continuing the series of summer events, numerous activities will take place throughout June, July, and August.
Included will be boat tours along the Dam River, enjoying riverside cuisine, or the "A Day in Tam Thanh" program with activities such as cycling around the mural village, weaving fishing nets, pulling fishing nets, rowing basket boats, and catching small crabs on the sand.
Through regular cultural and culinary events, local authorities hope to gradually establish Tam Thanh’s tourism brand as a community-based destination rooted in fishing village culture and indigenous cuisine.