Brian Jeffrey
For just VND200,000, travelers in Nam Dinh can enjoy a variety of six to seven mouthwatering dishes daily, including favorites like pho bo (beef noodle soup), xoi xiu (sticky rice with barbecue pork), and bun sung (crab noodle soup served with pork rinds and figs).
Here are some suggested local dishes and places to eat in Nam Dinh, as recommended by Nguyen Tran Phong Vu from Hanoi.
In Nam Dinh, aside from the well-known Pho Co (Co family’s pho), numerous other eateries offer their own unique versions of pho. One such place is Mr Tang’s pho bo, situated on Quang Trung Street, famous for its various beef pho styles including pho sot vang (Vietnamese Red Wine Beef Soup) and pho gau (brisket).
Vu opted for pho ap chao (fried beef noodle) featuring stir-fried beef with vegetables and noted its slightly sweet taste and distinctive flavor derived from a broth crafted from simmered bones.
A popular spot for locals and tourists alike is Ms Hien’s bun sung shop located in Dien Hong Market, which is often crowded.
Vu sampled the bun sung priced at VND30,000, richly topped with ingredients like fig salad, crab paste, meatballs, fish cakes, and beef wrapped in lolot leaves, garnished with fresh herbs. He found the broth to be mildly sour and sweet, allowing diners to customize the flavor with separate fig slices.
In addition to bun sung, Dien Hong Market also has another specialty dish called bun dua.
Bun dua features thick rice noodles nearly as thick as chopsticks, usually served in crab broth enriched with crab roe and paired with seasonal greens like water spinach. Some places offer it with crispy pork or pork shank.
This traditional dish is affordable, with prices ranging from VND15,000 to VND20,000 per bowl, making it a simple meal that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Visitors can also enjoy xoi xiu at well-known eateries on Hoang Van Thu and Bac Ninh streets in Nam Dinh City.
This dish is a local favorite, distinct in that it is not served with fried onions or pickles but rather with braised meat, along with options like pâté, shredded pork, and Chinese sausage, priced around VND20,000.
Near Do Quan Bridge on Hang Thao Street, there are many banh my stalls. Vu chose the popular Banh Mi Ngoc Nga.
The mixed banh my here is notable for its delicious filling of pâté, char siu, shredded pork, and fried onions, with optional pickles to enhance flavor.
“The rich pâté and assorted toppings can be customized further with options like eggs and sausages. A fully topped loaf costs VND20,000,” he shared.
A newer dish gaining popularity is pho xiu cham, which pairs rice noodles with char siu pork slices and a unique dipping sauce. The pork is expertly prepared with a marinated and fried method, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made from bone broth.
Alongside the main dishes, visitors can also indulge in popular snacks such as che (sweet soup) and nuoc o mai (plum juice).
For those looking to explore, Vu recommends Ba Bu’s Plum Juice Shop (near Le Quy Don Primary School), Ms Huong Beos’ Sweet Soup at Dien Hong market, Hoai Co – Ngọc Nga Sweet Soup Shop on Vi Xuyen Street, and Viet Hung’s Steamed Snail Shop located on Hung Vuong Street.
