What to Eat in Vũng Tàu: Dishes Worth Planning Around

To know what to eat in Vũng Tàu, start with bánh khọt (crispy mini-pancakes with shrimp) and lẩu cá đuối (stingray hotpot). These two dishes define the coastal city's food scene. You can find them at local eateries across the city center. A plate of bánh khọt usually costs from $3 (approximate). The hotpot starts from $10 (approximate). These dishes are central to any food itinerary here. They offer a direct taste of southern Vietnamese coastal flavors.

Where to eat bánh khọt in Vũng Tàu? Two well-known locations are Bánh Khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu on Hoàng Hoa Thám Street and Bánh Khọt Gốc Vú Sữa on Nguyễn Trường Tộ Street. Both serve hot, crispy pancakes topped with fresh shrimp and green onions. You wrap them in mustard leaves and herbs, then dip them in sweet fish sauce. Gốc Vú Sữa uses traditional charcoal stoves, which can cause longer wait times during weekends. Cô Ba Vũng Tàu offers a larger, air-conditioned indoor seating area.

Why is stingray hotpot popular in Vũng Tàu? Lẩu cá đuối features fresh stingray cooked in a sour broth with bamboo shoots, chilies, and herbs. The cartilage of the stingray is soft and chewy, providing a unique texture. Nguyễn Trường Tộ Street hosts several hotpot restaurants, such as Lẩu Cá Đuối Hoàng Minh. The dish is best enjoyed in the evening with rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. For the current opening hours of these local establishments, please consult a Trip2VN specialist.

Where to buy fresh seafood in Vũng Tàu? For a casual dining experience, visit Chợ Đêm Vũng Tàu (the night market behind Imperial Hotel) or Chợ Xóm Lưới. At Chợ Xóm Lưới, you can select live crabs, snails, and fish, then pay a small fee to have them cooked on-site. Steaming or grilling with scallion oil are the safest cooking methods for freshness. Prices vary by daily catch, starting from $5 (approximate) per kilogram for common clams.