Joanna James
The pristine white sands of the Southeast Vietnam beach town hardly need an introduction; what awaits to complement your indulgence in the idyllic seaside aura is the local Mui Ne cuisine, treating you to an assortment of mouth-watering dishes, sure to leave your inner foodie drooling for more.
A simple staple and the national dish of the Southeast Asian nation of Vietnam, pho is a pretty common dish served in households, street stalls and restaurants countrywide, and Mui Ne in the southeast is no exception. In fact, it would be surprising if you could go a block in the buzzing city centre without encountering a bunch of hungry folks feasting on bowls of steaming hot pho. Vietnamese noodle soup is defined by a salty broth, which contains fresh rice noodles, a sprinkling of herbs and meat—usually chicken or beef, but more often than not, beef.
Banh xeo takes the spot of crepes in Vietnam—a combination of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, bringing out a savoury fried pancake, which then is folded to resemble a taco and filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts with a sprinkling of authentic Vietnamese fresh herbs. Banh xeo—pronounced, "boon say-oh"—interestingly enough, gets its name from the sound the rice batter makes when it is poured into the hot skillet in the making of a delectable banh xeo.
Craving a sub in Mui Ne? The southeastern beach town has got something delicious in store for you, with the touch of some Vietnamese authenticity. Banh mi is a short baguette-like bread with a thin, crisp crust and soft, airy texture. If split lengthwise, it immediately reminisces of a submarine sandwich in the west. In the northern part of the country, the locals tend to stick to the basic banh mi. But if you head south to the likes of Mui Ne, a filling of a whole host of local vegetables and meat will tantalise your taste buds.
Pho, rightfully as it deserves, may bask in the glory in the spot of the Southeast Asian nation's most popular dish. But when the clock strikes 12 in the noon, a platter of bun cha is arguably the most popular choice. The smoky tang of the charcoal fire already makes your mouth water, and when those grilled patties of seasoned pork with a slab of rice noodles and a bowl of broth are set in front of you, you can't help but grab those chopsticks and dig in.
Finish off your traditional Vietnamese meal with a bowl or a glass of che—a traditional Vietnamese dessert. Those with a sweet tooth can find the sugary dessert soup being served at most Mui Ne restaurants, including the likes of Anantara Mui Ne Resort. The colourful four-layered dessert isn't only a treat for your taste buds, but also your eye.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
