Joanna James
A coastal city famous for its beauty and diverse food culture. The beautiful blue sea is always present, adding to the allure of the city, while the food is interesting and exotic enough to satisfy your palate for a different kind of culinary adventure. There are all kinds of food ranging from the easily-available street foods to popular snacks, to luxury items for the occasion. The beauty and food go hand-in-hand to bring about an experience unlike any other that you can find in the Southeast Asian subcontinent - and the proof lies in its dishes which you'll have to experience for yourself, but before you do, let us whet your appetite and convince you just a little more.
Although dried squid may not sound like the most palatable food one can consume - it's a popular snack choice amongst the local populace. The squid is grilled with chillies and lemon, finally served with fish sauce, and is available anywhere in the city.
This dish holds a reputation as one of the best dishes in the city - although that's up for debate as there are many dishes to choose from. An attractive-looking dish, it's enjoyed by most people in Mui Ne, it involves fish diced to the size of an index finger, and covered with the sparkling scales of the fish, garnished with vinegar before preparation. Many prefer to add chopped bacon as an addition to the fish for another dimension of texture and flavour.
This seafood hotpot is a popular dish around the Phan Thiet coast and in many Mui Ne restaurants as well. The taste profile of the dish is reminiscent of the flavours one can expect to be gleaned from the surrounding area - with ingredients such as fish, shrimp, mango, banana flowers, eggs, and noodles being brought together into a symphony of culture and exotic taste. As with many hotpots, there's also a sense of community when the party digs in.
Although we've spoken of dishes that are to be found usually in restaurants, the street food culture of Mui Ne is also quite popular. Many of the Mui Ne working populace look about for a quick snack after the work day is done, and that is easily achieved by the small show owners and food carts around the area. The streets also have quite the bustling crowd over the weekend, so the street food is quite sought-after, with such dishes as the pancake being a staple amongst many others. Prepared on a small, flat pan, it's the quickest street food you can find.
A thick Vietnamese noodle soup, Banh Canh is a common recipe that's easy to make, nutritious and consumed by people of all ages. Containing the quintessence of Vietnamese flavour and culture, this soup is usually consumed with dipped bread or fish cakes for a hearty meal. Easily found on the street or in a luxury resort like the Anantara Mui Ne Resort, it contains plenty of fluids, carbohydrates, and your choice of protein to round out a delicious course of food.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
