Top 10 delicious dishes in Ninh Thuan

Ninh Thuan is a land of mountains, seas, deserts, and magnificent fields that create unique tourism experiences. If you have the opportunity to visit, be sure to try the delicious dishes in Ninh Thuan to recharge your energy for exploring this magical "desert land."

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1. Ninh Thuan Grapes

Grapes are a must-try specialty in Ninh Thuan. The "legendary" Ninh Thuan grapes are considered a representative image of this region. The hot and dry climate throughout the year creates ideal conditions for grape cultivation. If you visit in July, you will enjoy juicy bunches of grapes. 

Ninh Thuan grapes come in two varieties: green and red. Visitors can taste fresh grapes in the vineyards, take pictures, and purchase grapes or grape-based products such as wine, dried grapes, and grape juice, etc.

2. Banh Can and Banh Xeo Phan Rang

Banh Can (Vietnamese mini pancakes) and Banh Xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes) are popular dishes. In Ninh Thuan, these pancakes are made using unique recipes and served with four special dipping sauces. At first glance, Banh Can looks similar to Banh Khot (mini savory pancakes) from the Southwest. However, unlike Banh Khot, Banh Can is cooked without oil. Both Banh Can and Banh Xeo Phan Rang are made from rice flour, bean sprouts, shrimp, meat, and eggs.

The molds for making these pancakes vary in size—Banh Can is smaller, while Banh Xeo is larger. Unlike other regions where sweet and sour fish sauce is the only accompaniment, in Ninh Thuan, these pancakes are served with various dipping sauces, including peanut fish sauce, tomato chili fish sauce, Mam Nem (fermented fish sauce), and braised fish sauce.

3. Phan Rang Fish Cake Noodle Soup

A must-try dish in Ninh Thuan is Phan Rang fish cake noodle soup ( banh canh chả cá). This dish has a distinct taste that leaves a lasting impression. Unlike other noodle soups that use pork bone broth, Phan Rang noodle soup is made entirely from fish. The fish bones are simmered to create a flavorful broth, while the fish meat is used to make fish cakes—the main ingredient of the dish.

A bowl of this noodle soup features thick noodles, crispy fried fish cakes, fresh green onions, and fragrant black pepper. Diners can enhance the flavor by squeezing lemon and adding fish sauce with chili, creating an unforgettable taste.

4. Phan Rang Vermicelli with Mam Nem Sauce  

This simple yet flavorful dish is a staple in Phan Rang cuisine. The unique Mam Nem sauce is made from anchovies caught in the saltiest seawater and combined with salt from Dam Vua and Ninh Chu. The dish is typically served with fish cakes, boiled pig’s ear, ham, pickled eggplant, and fresh herbs, offering a perfect balance of flavors.

5. Lamb  

Ninh Thuan is famous for its high-quality lamb, raised naturally on grasslands and dunes. The lamb is lean, flavorful, and rich in nutrients. Popular dishes include stir-fried lamb with lemongrass and chili, grilled lamb ribs with herbs, and lamb cooked with grapes. Each dish offers a unique and impressive flavor.

6. Grilled Rice Paper in Phan Rang  

Grilled rice paper is a well-loved snack in Ninh Thuan ( Bánh Tráng nướng). Unlike other regions, Phan Rang’s rice paper is made from high-quality seasonal rice flour mixed with sesame seeds. It is grilled over red-hot firewood charcoal to achieve an even cook and rich aroma.

At local eateries, vendors prepare the dish by spreading a layer of shrimp paste, scallion oil, chili sauce, and a cracked egg onto the rice paper before grilling. Once crispy, the rice paper is folded in half or cut into bite-sized pieces for easy enjoyment.

7. Banh Hoi Long Heo  

Banh Hoi Long Heo (rice vermicelli bundles with pork offal) is a traditional breakfast or afternoon dish in Phan Rang. Banh Hoi is made from carefully selected rice, processed through multiple steps to achieve a soft and delicate texture. 

Fresh and clean pork offal is served alongside. The dish is elevated by the dipping sauce — Mam Nem sauce, tomato sauce, or peanut sauce. Diners typically roll Banh Hoi, pork offal, and fresh herbs in rice paper before dipping them in the flavorful sauce.

8. Ninh Chu Mai Fish Salad

A popular specialty of Ninh Thuan, Ninh Chu Mai fish salad is made from small, thin Mai fish, which are less fishy than anchovies. These fish have sweet, firm, and non-slimy meat, making them ideal for salads.
To prepare the dish, the fish are cleaned, deboned, and marinated in fresh lemon juice. 

The salad is then mixed with chopped onions, ginger, roasted peanuts, and crispy fried onions. It is served with a dipping sauce made from chili, garlic, fish sauce, peanuts, sugar, MSG, and tamarind juice. The salad is best enjoyed with fresh vegetables and rice paper rolls.

9. Vietnamese Desert Lizard  

Vietnamese desert lizards, found in the Ninh Thuan-Binh Thuan region, are known for their sweet, fatty, and tender white meat. Their bones are soft, similar to cartilage. These lizards are a specialty of the Cham people and are used in dishes such as grilled desert lizard, lizard salad, and stir-fried lizard with lemongrass and chili. These dishes are often served with rice paper or vermicelli for a fulfilling meal.

10. Vietnamese Cured Pork of Phan Rang

Nem Chua Phan Rang (cured pork) is a rustic dish loved for its crunchy texture. Made from fermented pork and rice bran, it is seasoned with fish sauce, salt, sugar, pepper, and guava leaves, then wrapped tightly in banana leaves and secured with elastic bands.

Despite its simplicity, making delicious Nem Chua requires meticulous preparation. It can be enjoyed fried with white rice or grilled on charcoal skewers and served with vermicelli and fresh herbs.
With this list, Ama Journey hopes you can discover and enjoy the most delicious dishes in Ninh Thuan!