With a budget of VND200,000, visitors to Nam Dinh can indulge in six to seven delicious dishes a day, including pho bo (beef noodle soup), xoi xiu (Sticky rice with barbecue pork), bun sung (crab noodle soup, served with pork rinds and salted figs), and more. 

Those visiting Nam Dịnh City can consider the following local delicacies and eateries recommended by Nguyen Tran Phong Vu from Hanoi.

Pho bo Cu Tang (Mr Tang’s pho bo)

In Nam Dinh, besides the famous Pho Co (Co family’s pho), there are many other types of pho offered by long-existing eateries with their own unique characteristics. Mr Tang’s pho bo is one.

This pho restaurant is located on Quang Trung Street, which is famed for its beef pho varieties such as pho sot vang (Vietnamese Red Wine Beef Soup), pho gau (brisket), and pho tai nam (rare and flank cuts). Vu ordered a serving of pho ap chao (fried beef noodle) with stir-fried beef with greens, tomatoes, and onions.

He noted that the pho as slightly sweet, with a robust and distinctive flavor coming from the broth made of simmered bones.

Bun sung co Hien (Ms Hien’s bun sung)

Known as a favorite dining spot among locals and travelers exploring Nam Dinh cuisine, Ms Hien’s bun sung shop, located at Dien Hong Market is constantly bustling with customers.

Vu tried a special serving of bun sung priced at VND30,000, generously topped with ingredients like goi sung (fig salad), rieu cua (crab paste), moc (meatballs), cha ca (fish cakes), and cha la lot (beef wrapped in lolot leaves), served with fresh herbs and figs.

"The broth of the bun sung there is gently sour and mild sweet, yet is still flavorful. Fig slices served separately, allowing diners to adjust sweetness, spice, and vinegar levels to their taste," the 9X remarked.

Bun dua cho Dien Hong (Dien Hong’s bun dua)

Besides bun sung, Dien Hong Market is also famous for bun dua.

Bun dua features thick rice noodles nearly the size of a chopstick. It is commonly cooked with crab broth, enhanced by crab roe, and accompanied by seasonal vegetables such as water spinach or morning glory, and fresh herbs. Some restaurants serve bun dua together with crispy pork or pork shank slices.

For Nam Dinh’s people, the simple, rustic dish that can be eaten any time during the day, priced affordably between VND15,000-20,000 per bowl.

Xoi xiu 

Visitors to Nam Dinh City can easily find and savor xoi xiu at well-known eateries on Hoang Van Thu and Bac Ninh streets.

This is a traditional dish, cherished by generations of locals. However, unlike the other xoi (steamed sticky rice) versions of other localities, xoi xiu Nam Dinh is not served together with dried onions or pickled vegetables. It is eaten with braised meat instead of stewed pork.

In addition to braised meat, a serving of xoi may include other ingredients like pâté, shredded pork, and Chinese sausage, with prices around VND20,000 

Banh my cau Do Quan (Do Quan Bridge bread)

At the foot of Do Quan Bridge on Hang Thao Street, there are a lot of banh my stalls, but Vu opted for the busiest spot - Banh Mi Ngoc Nga (Ngoc Nga Bread Stall).

The mixed banh my of the stall has a unique taste, filled with pâté, char siu, shredded pork, and fried onions. Diners can add pickles or various vegetables to counter any greasiness.

"The warm, rich pâté and diverse mix of ingredients can be customized with sides like eggs, sausages, Chinese sausages, and skewered meats. A loaf of bread with full topping there is priced at VND20,000.

Pho xiu cham (Pho with dipping sauce)

This is a new dish, but it has quickly won the hearts of locals and visitors. Like its name, pho xiu cham combines rice noodles with slices of char siu pork, served alongside a unique dipping sauce.

The char siu pork, made from pork cheek combining lean and fat cuts, is blanched, discarded of its initial water, marinated, boiled briefly with broth, and then fried. The dipping sauce is crafted from bone broth mixed with a special recipe to achieve a characteristic sweet and sour, slightly thick texture.

Besides the main dishes, visitors to NamDinh City can enjoy a variety of popular snacks such as che (sweet soup) and nuoc o mai (plum juice).

Vu suggests several locations for travelers to explore, including: Ba Bu’s Plum Juice Shop (next to Le Quy Don Primary School; Tran QuocT oan – Pham Hong Thai intersection); Ms Huong Beos’ Sweet Soup (Dien Hong market); Hoai Co - Ngọc Nga Sweet Soup Shop at 142 Vi Xuyen Street; and Viet Hung’s Steamed Snail Shop at 135 Hung Vuong Street.

Thao Trinh