What to Eat in Phan Thiet

A working fishing city on the south-central coast, and the way in to the dunes and the coast road beyond. The harbour fills with blue boats at dawn, the Van Thuy Tu temple holds a whale skeleton kept as a shrine, and Ke Ga lighthouse sits offshore to the south. Quieter and more ordinary than neighbouring Mui Ne, which is why people stay here.

1. 1. Banh Can Phan Thiet

   Bánh căn Phan Thiết

   These are small, savory mini-pancakes made from rice flour, cooked in individual clay molds over charcoal. Often served with fresh seafood like squid or shrimp, green mango salad, and a special dipping sauce, they are a signature street food of Phan Thiet.

2. 2. Floating Hotpot

   Lẩu thả Phan Thiết

   A vibrant and interactive hotpot dish where ingredients like fresh fish, thinly sliced pork, eggs, and various herbs are beautifully arranged around a central pot of broth. Diners "float" the ingredients into the hot broth, creating a unique dining experience specific to the Phan Thiet area.

3. 3. Grilled Squid Teeth

   Răng mực nướng

   This unique street food features the cartilaginous "teeth" or beaks of squid, marinated and grilled over charcoal until tender and smoky. It's a popular and distinctly Phan Thiet snack, often served with chili sauce.

4. 4. Mai Fish Salad

   Gỏi cá mai

   A refreshing salad made from fresh raw mai fish (a small anchovy-like fish), mixed with lime juice, herbs, and toasted peanuts, often served with rice paper and a spicy dipping sauce. Phan Thiet's abundant fresh seafood makes this a local delicacy.

5. 5. Phan Thiet Clear Shrimp Dumplings

   Bánh quai vạc Phan Thiết

   These small, translucent dumplings are made from tapioca flour, filled with fresh shrimp and sometimes pork, then steamed. They are served with a sweet and savory fish sauce, often with fried shallots, and are a cherished local snack in Phan Thiet.