Cơm Gà / Chicken with Tumeric Rice

Fried shallots, mayo, pickled veggies, and a sweetened, gingery, chilli fish sauce is topped on traditional southern Com Ga / "come ga" while the northern Hai Nam style involves more ginger in the sauce, plus chicken fat and garlic are used in place of tumeric for aroma and more natural color.

Ha Com Ga is located on 75 Ngo Gia Tu.  For Hai Nam style, 44 Nguyen Binh Khiem is where the famous Lac Canh Restaurant is located, but you will have to call ahead to pre order the very dish that my grandfather perfected there under French occupation. 

Pictured is actually Com Chien Dui Ga, or Fried Rice and Chicken Drumstick, offered at Salina Restaurant on Tran Phu next to The Light hotel

Bánh Căn Mực / Hot Rice Cakes with Squid

Squid is cooked upon thick, crispy bottomed rice cakes over an insanely hot and aromatic cast iron and clay wood charcoal cooker.  Egg (chicken or pigeon) and beef are other common toppings. 

The crispiest banh can ("bahn cahng") is a small spot on 2 thang 4 street across from Medic Hospital. 

Tôm Đất Cháy Tỏi / Crispy Garlic River Shrimp

Pan-fried with whole garlic cloves til crispy, this seaside style plate of river-raised shrimp has the crunch and savoriness without any breading. 

The absolute best Tom Dat Chay Toi ("toem duck chay toi") is at Duc Phat Restaurant on 55 Le Thanh Phuong and Lang Nuong (BBQ Garden) Duc Phat on 23 thang 10 near Metro Wholesale Center. 

Lẩu Canh Chua Cá / Sour and Spicy Soup Hotpot with Fish

The signature dish of Vietnamese cuisine, fresh fish is poached in a sour, spicy and subtly sweet tamarind broth appropriate for all seasons. 

Traditional Lau Canh Chua Ca cooked over wood charcoal can be had at Nha Trang Xua (suha). 

Cơm Bò Lúc Lắc / Vietnamese Pan Shaken Beef

Oyster and soy sauces, plus onions and garlic are shaken (that is what luc lac / "look lack" means) with tender cubed filet mignon on a flaming hot wok. 

This exclusive dish is served piping hot with vegetables and rice at Louisiane Brewhouse on 29 Tran Phu.  For the more intense, buttery local flavor, head to Bo Luc Lac Hong Ngoc (Homg Ngawp) at C4 Phan Boi Chau near Cho Dam / Dam Market.

Bánh Ướt Nóng / Hot Thin Rice Sheets

Pronounced "ban ook", these sheets of rice served hot from a crepe making-like griddle are rolled with cured Vietnamese pork slices and dried shrimp powder, then dipped in a watered down, hot fish sauce / nước mắm (nook muhm). 

It takes a journey into the east end of Nha Trang to find this local specialty.  Direct your driver to Ha Banh Uot on 23 thang 10 street near Cây Số 5 ("kay so nuhm" which translates to "5km east of town"). 

Lẩu Chay / Vegetarian Hot Pot

Mushrooms, cabbage, tofu and local greens simmered in a sour, sweet and mildly spicy soup is what Lau Chay (low chaye) is all about. 

Long Son pagoda on 23 thang 10 street serves this hotpot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Bún Riêu / Vietnamese Crab Meatball and Tomato Soup

Minced crabmeat in a giant meatball, tomatoes and shrimp sauce power this southern spectacular that bursts with flavor in every spoonful. 

The best Bun Rieu (boon reel) in town is at Salina restaurant on 86c Tran Phu, next to The Light hotel

Phở / Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup

Aromas of anise, cinnamon, and roasted onions coupled with tender white noodles and generous amounts of beef, tripe, or chicken  are what makes this signature Vietnamese dish a mainstream success. 

Pho can be tasted at Pho 24 on 24 Tran Phu street in Nha Trang, next to Nha Trang Lodge hotel.  Another quality location is Pho Bach Dang on 123 Bach Dang street near Som Moi market

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Bánh Mì Bò Kho / Vietnamese Beef Stew with French Baguette

Sweetened with coconut juice and spiced with anise and whole peppercorns, this hearty stew (pronounced: "ban me baw caw") is enjoyed with a loaf of french baguette. 

You can sample this dish at Pho 24 on 42 Tran Phu next to the Nha Trang Lodge hotel or UFO cafe on 50 Vo Tru street near Som Moi market. 

Bún Bò Huế / Hue Beef Noodle Soup

Flavored with beef, lemongrass, chili, and complimentary pigs blood, this dish is the direct competitor to the world renowned Phở/Pho.

You can find this dish at Moka Cafe on 74 Hung Vuong street in the city of Nha Trang, Vietnam.