Both visitors to Da Nang and locals like coming to their favorite hang-out spots around the city to enjoy amazing range of ‘must-try’ reasonably- priced dishes, notable amongst of which is ‘bun mam nem’ (rice vermicelli with anchovy fish sauce).

Mouth-watering bowls of ‘bun nam mem’ are ready to be served

The popular dish is really as delicious as other locally-made specialities, including ‘banh trang cuon thit heo’ (belly pork and vegetables wrapped in soft rice paper), ‘banh xeo’ (steamed rice flour pancakes), ‘nem lui’ (grilled meat roll), Quang noodles, and ‘bun cha ca’ (fish cake noodles).

‘Bun nam nem’ main ingredients include rice vermicelli, roasted/ boiled pork, sliced unripe jackfruit unripe jackfruit, and of course a tasty anchovy fish sauce.

In particular, this delicious dish is more inviting if it is served with a variety of vegetables, which include thinly-sliced, unripe papaya, salad, and an assortment of fragrant herbs.

A mixed bowl of ‘bun nam mem’ features such various ingredients as roasted/ boiled pork, fermented pork roll and grilled beef patty.

Those who like spicy foods often add chilli sauce to their dishes to make them more attractive and eye-catching.

As the name suggests, the exquisiteness of this dish depends mostly on its anchovy fish sauce. This special sauce is often mixed with fresh chopped pineapple, a little of boiling water, sugar, chillies and garlic, for the aromatic and sweet taste. 

To assemble the dish, some fresh greens are added to a large serving bowl, followed by the placement of the cooked rice vermicelli. The dish is then topped up with roasted/boiled pork, peanuts, fried shallots, some of the aromatic oil, and the anchovy fish sauce.

‘Bun nam mem’ is not restricted to roasted/ boiled pork belly only. Eaters can add ‘nem chua’ (fermented pork roll), and ‘cha bo’ (grilled beef patty) to their bowls.

This scrumptious dish features a wonderful mixture of the saltiness of anchovy fish sauce,the sweetness of pork, the crunch of the roasted peanuts, the exotic taste of young jackfruit, the amazing aroma of fresh greens.

Fresh greens, boiled young, green, unripe jackfruit, papaya and roasted pork are indispensable ingredients for ‘bun nam mem’

The amazing mixture of the various flavours really gives a pleasant texture and a smooth aftertaste!

In Da Nang, those residing downtown can drop by many eateries serving ‘bun nam mem’ along the Tran Ke Xuong - Doan Thi Diem route. These facilities have always been crowded with customers for dozens of years thanks to their time-honoured popularity. 

‘Bun nam mem’ has become familiar with inhabitants in Da Nang and the neighbouring province of Quang Nam.

Restaurateurs serve the dish in spacious indoor areas with finely decorated and neatly arranged tables and chairs.

The highly inviting taste of this dish leaves a deep impression on many visitors to Da Nang, and stirs a deep nostalgia amongst the city-born people who are now living far away from their roots.