1. Why the Banh Trang Cuon Ca Nuoc is attractive to tourists
The attraction of Banh Trang Cuon Ca Nuoc lies in its simplicity yet sophistication in every preparation step. This dish has become a symbol of Central Vietnamese cuisine, appearing from family meals to street corners in Da Nang. The types of mackerel commonly used, such as banana mackerel, red-tailed mackerel, and flower mackerel, all have sweet, less bony, and non-fishy meat.
Mackerel, after being cleaned, is marinated with garlic, pepper, salt, scallions, and a little chili to enhance the flavor. Then, the fish is steamed or grilled with lemongrass and onions to retain its natural sweetness and freshness. Da Nang's Banh Trang Cuon Ca Nuoc is special due to its use of chewy, easy-to-roll rice paper, combined with fresh raw vegetables, unripe bananas, and cool cucumbers.
The element that makes this dish unique is the Nam dipping sauce, prepared according to each eatery's secret recipe. Ingredients include fish broth from steaming, pure fish sauce, garlic, chili, lime, and kumquat, which blend to create a harmonious sour, spicy, salty, and sweet taste. From this humble dish, it has become a prominent highlight in the culinary exploration journey of Da Nang.
Threadfin herring, after being cleaned, is marinated with garlic, pepper, salt, spring onions, and a little chili to enhance the flavor. (Source: Collected)
2. Top 6 delicious rice paper roll with threadfin herring eateries in Da Nang
2.1. Threadfin Herring Rice Paper Rolls Be Nau
Located at 59/19 Nui Thanh, Hai Chau, Be Nau is a familiar destination for many who love bánh tráng cuốn cá nục (rice paper rolls with threadfin herring). The eatery is known for its delicious steamed threadfin herring dish, with reasonable prices suitable for students and families alike. The threadfin herring here is carefully selected and steamed to perfection, so the fish meat retains its sweetness and is completely free of any fishy smell.
The dipping sauce at Be Nau is prepared according to a secret family recipe, with a mild spicy taste and a gentle aroma that enhances the appeal of the dish. On peak days, the place is quite crowded, especially on weekends, so customers should prioritize coming early or booking in advance to easily secure a convenient seating spot.
Be Nau is a familiar destination for many who love butterfish rice paper rolls. (Source: Collected)
2.2. Steamed Butterfish Ba Xin
Ba Xin Eatery at K528/32 Ong Ich Khiem, Hai Chau ward, has been a long-standing favorite for Da Nang diners for many years. The steamed butterfish at the eatery is highly rated for its freshness and the variety of accompanying fresh herbs. Each fish is carefully selected, ensuring freshness and uniform size, helping each roll of butterfish rice paper rolls achieve a complete flavor.
The eatery's space, though not large, is very cozy, suitable for small groups of friends who want to enjoy the food in an intimate atmosphere. A prominent advantage is that the fresh herbs are always guaranteed to be fresh and green, replaced multiple times a day, bringing a pleasant feeling when enjoying the meal.
2.3. Ba Thu Eatery Butterfish Rice Paper Rolls
Located at 103 Do Ba, Ngu Hanh Son, Ba Thu Eatery serves both butterfish rice paper rolls and pork rice paper rolls. The location is convenient for tourists staying in the Ngu Hanh Son area or visiting My Khe beach. The eatery's space is spacious, suitable for families or large groups to dine together.
The menu at Ba Thu is diverse, allowing customers to choose according to their personal preferences. The butterfish here is prepared in a traditional way, maintaining the characteristic flavor of Central Vietnamese cuisine. The dipping sauce is balanced, with a mild spiciness that is easy to enjoy and suitable for many different diners.
Sardines here are prepared in a traditional way, maintaining the characteristic flavor of Central Vietnamese cuisine. (Source: Collected)
2.4. Ba Huong Eatery – Pork rolled with rice paper
Ba Huong Eatery has its main branch at 126 Duy Tan, famous for its pork rolled with rice paper dish. Although not a place specializing in sardines, it is still a recommended choice for diners who want to enjoy the specialty of Da Nang's rolled rice paper. The space is spacious, with attentive service, suitable for groups of friends or families who want a comfortable meal.
The pork at Ba Huong is marinated with rich spices and grilled to perfection to retain its aroma. The accompanying fresh vegetables are diverse, from herbs, lettuce to cucumber and tomatoes. This is an opportunity for tourists to discover another unique aspect of the traditional Central Vietnamese rolled rice paper culinary culture.
2.5. Co Hong Eatery – Nam O raw fish salad
At 38 Le Hong Phong, Hai Chau, Co Hong Eatery serves the prominent Nam O raw fish salad. This dish is an interesting choice for those who want to experience more seafood dishes rolled with rice paper in a coastal style. The Nam O fish is cleaned, meticulously marinated, and always retains its freshness, without any fishy smell, creating a distinct flavor compared to traditional sardine rolled rice paper.
The eatery's space is airy, simply but cleanly decorated, suitable for diners passionate about culinary exploration. The dipping sauce here is also adjusted to harmonize with the characteristic flavors of various sea fish, offering a novel experience.
This dish is an interesting choice for those who want to experience more seafood rolls with rice paper in a coastal style. (Source: Collected)
4. Tips and notes when enjoying fish rolls with rice paper
4.1. Best time to eat the delicacy
Enjoying fish rolls with rice paper between 6 AM to 9 AM or from 4 PM to 7 PM is ideal. During this time, the grilled or steamed fish is perfectly cooked, retaining its natural fresh taste, and the fresh herbs are at their freshest. The harmonious blend of fish, fresh herbs, and rice paper offers a complete experience for diners.
Many traditional eateries often prepare just enough ingredients, so the dish sometimes runs out early, especially on weekends. Therefore, to ensure you have the chance to enjoy this delicacy, visitors should come at the right time or call to reserve in advance.
4.2. How to choose an authentic eatery
It is recommended to choose eateries highly rated by locals and with a long operating history such as Bé Nâu, Bà Xin, Bà Thu. These are places that preserve traditional flavors and offer prices suitable for many customers. When choosing a place, pay attention to ingredient quality: the distinctive fragrant fermented fish sauce, with a moderate spiciness.
Fresh mackerel has ivory-colored flesh, no strange odor, and intact skin. Fish rolls with rice paper must use rice paper with moderate chewiness, not too soft or too hard, making it easy to roll without tearing. Fresh herbs must be fresh and green, washed clean and neatly cut.
4.3. How to enjoy fish rolls with rice paper the authentic Da Nang way
To enjoy fish rolls with rice paper correctly requires finesse in each step. First, spread a sheet of rice paper on your palm, place the deboned mackerel piece on top. Then add fresh herbs such as aromatic herbs, lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber, and a few slices of unripe banana to add crispness and a slight sourness.
Roll it into a neat circle, not too loose but not too tight, so the rice paper doesn't tear. Once rolled, dip the roll into the bowl of fragrant, spicy fermented fish sauce, the soul of the dish. Enjoying it while hot will allow you to clearly feel the rich flavor of the fish, the coolness of the fresh herbs, along with the intense spicy, salty, sour, and sweet taste of Central Vietnam.
To make the meal more varied, visitors can also order sweet and sour jackfruit salad or spring rolls with mustard greens. These side dishes not only enhance the flavor but also help balance the palate, offering a fulfilling meal in the Da Nang style.
To properly enjoy scad fish rice paper rolls requires delicacy in every step. (Source: Collected)
Scad fish rice paper rolls not only provide many nutrients from omega-3 rich sea fish and fresh raw vegetables but also embody the beauty of everyday Central Vietnamese culture. Each roll is a symbol of community bonding and a simple yet profound way of life. When you have the chance to visit Da Nang, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this specialty dish, you will surely keep unforgettable memories of Central Vietnamese cuisine.
