5 Authentic and Traditional Mui Ne Treats to Try during a Trip to Phan Thiet

Whether you're based at Anantara Mui Ne Resort or any similar coastal resort, you'd be hard-pressed to find a dish that's more ubiquitous on local menus than this beloved fish salad. Served in Mui Ne restaurants large and small, Mai Fish Salad is not for sensitive palates, however, as it is usually made with raw fish. Wrapped in a thin rice paper, the other ingredients essential to "Ca Mai Salad" as it's known locally, include lettuce, corn, cilantro, basil, cucumbers and star fruit. Doused in a special sweet and sour sauce with a hint of peanut flavour, it is the perfect snack to dig into after a busy day of sightseeing.

Called Oc Huong, sweet snails are a precious commodity even in this seafood haven due to their intoxicating aroma and delicious flavour. Local chefs in Mui Ne use sweet snails in several classic dishes but the steamed and baked variations are perhaps the most popular among residents and seasoned visitors. For baked sweet snails, home cooks and restaurant chefs alike will also incorporate veggies such as fresh mushrooms and cheese before popping them in the oven.

Also listed as a Special Fish Hotpot on most restaurant menus, Lau Thai is another must-experience culinary highlight in Phan Thiet. Considered a wholesome meal that's high in nutritional value, the hearty noodle soup dish includes a wide variety of vegetables and meat items. Shrimp, pork, fish and fried eggs are the main sources of protein in this dish which also features sliced green mangos, banana flowers and rice noodles. Seasoned with lemon, and chilli and topped off with fried peanuts, it is the perfect pick-me-up any time of the day.

Mui Ne's Tuyen Quang Street is the area that's closely associated with this authentic meal as there are a number of vendors that specialize in this crispy pancake. Featuring a filling that's made up of pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, the pancake is folded and fried to perfection in front of your eyes in this part of the city. With more than a dozen Banh Xeo eateries occupying its confines, Tuyen Quang Street offers diners a wider choice of fillings and side dishes as Banh Xeo is typically served with Nuoc Cham (a local dip), Rau Song and a plate of fresh vegetables.

Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup, which is known as Banh Canh among locals is another local meal tourists must order during a vacation in Mui Ne. While the recipe for Banh Canh is easy to follow, the secret to the soup's irresistible taste is the preparation of its fragrant broth. Fried fish cakes and steamed fish cakes are often part of these decadent noodle soups that are served in beachside restaurants lining the coast.