Vung Tau Vietnam Food Guide

One of the best ways to experience the local culture is trying local cuisine. Apart from beautiful beach sites, Vung Tau is well known for fresh and delicious seafood. There are a lot of yummy dishes that are worth trying. Along with where to eat, here we summarize food specialties that only have in Vung Tau, or you cannot find similar dishes with equal qualities in anywhere else.

Best Local Dishes to Try

Banh Khot is kind of small crispy pancake cooked with a mix of rice flour and coconut milk. Crumbled pork and/or minced shrimp are placed in the middle. Boiled bean sprout or cut onion leaf are decorated on the surface. This dish is completely unbelievable! If you like watching how it is prepared when eating, Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua on Nguyen Truong To Street is the best option. Banh Khot Co Ba Vung Tau on Hoang Hoa Tham Street is a bit more expensive but no other version can be compared. (VND25,000 - 60,000/plate).
Stingray Hot Pot is a tasty local food that you don’t want to miss. The practice of sharing food when eating together is part of the culture, which is well recognized in eating hot pot. The broth is typically spicy and sour, which are favorite flavors when dining hot pot style. It is often eaten with rice noodles. Truong Cong Dinh Street has many restaurants serving hot pot. (VND100,000 – 200,000/pot).
Lobster Blood may be strange but is a unique dish in Vung Tau. Blood is taken from the 0.5-1kg lobster. Lobster body is displayed separately. Meat from lobster claws are chopped out and seasoned with local seasonings and decorated with cilantro and roasted peanuts. The best way to eat the dish is combining it with lettuce, noodle, herb and wrapping all together with rice paper. 30/4 Street and Thuy Van Street are good options because tourists can see the chefs cook and handle lobster in front of you.
Oyster Porridge is another favorite dish that you can easily try in local markets. Porridge is prepared from aromatic rice and fresh oysters. Vietnamese diets often include vegetables, no exception with porridge which served bean sprout and herbs. Many food stalls with no name on Tran Dong and Thuy Van Street serves porridge. The quality is even better than some restaurants and the price are very cheap. (VND25,000 – 50,000/bowl).
Vu Nang snail is a local seafood that is only caught in Vung Tau. It is a funnel-shaped snail with the dark grey shell. Steam, grill or marinate with tangerine are most common ways to cook and it is eaten with herbs (VND100,000 - 250,000/dish).
Other best seafood restaurants on Tran Phu streets are good to check in too. You will be surprised by their long menu loaded with seafood. Sea facing restaurants have a stunning view. Don’t be afraid of the big crowd, the services are very fast. (VND200,000 - 500,000/person).

Western and International Food

While experiencing new foods in a foreign nation is amazing, there may be a time you miss your home favorite dishes. Don’t worry! You can find a variety of international restaurants serving Italian, French, Mexican, Korean foods and others in town without difficulty.

David Italian restaurant This is a good place for pizza, calzone, and pasta because foods are freshly prepared. It is a nice place for a sea view although the food is a bit expensive (VND100,000 – 300,000).

Bistrot 9 Home-made foods are absolutely amazing, just like in France. High food quality and price is very reasonable.

Salsa Mexicana Restaurant Beautiful and clean place with good Mexican food served very fast. The restaurant has astonishing waterfront views as well.

Cafes Houses, Bars and Pubs and Other Drinks

NINE Café Restaurant & Bakery is probably one of the best restaurants in the area. While you may want to experience different atmosphere with Rooftop Coffee & Restaurant which you can enjoy your drink on the spacious terrace.

Matildas Vung Tau is a great place for a beer and it serves both Western and local beverages. If you are the music lover and want to have some dance, Black Pearl Bar and Vitamin C Club are good to go.