Vietnamese cuisine always pulls us back, so on this trip we explored Da Nang and Hanoi. We originally planned to include Sa Pa and even booked our hotel ahead of time, but after calculating the long travel hours and limited transport schedules, we decided to postpone it for another visit—another reason to return.

After settling into Pavilion Hotel Da Nang past dinner time, we explored nearby food spots and found Quán Lùn Mập along Võ Văn Kiệt Street. The restaurant serves a wide range of local dishes, including seafood, rice, porridge, noodles, and hotpot—casual, affordable, and satisfying.

Quán Lùn Mập – What we ordered: Stir-fried frog with lemongrass and chili – VND 89,000 (~PHP 200.83), Chicken stir-fried with lemongrass and chili – VND 99,000 (~PHP 223.40) and Egg fried rice – VND 69,000 (~PHP 159.70).

The frog dish was surprisingly clean-tasting, with no fishy aftertaste. It was generously cooked with lemongrass, onions, and scallions, creating a fragrant, savory sauce. The flavor was so good that I reused the sauce for the chicken. The chicken was deep-fried and mildly seasoned. It wasn’t spicy unless you bit into the chili peppers, and while slightly dry, the portion was generous—almost half a chicken, including one foot.

The egg fried rice was simple but flavorful, slightly salty and satisfying enough to eat on its own. Meals like this highlight why Vietnamese food stands out: good flavor, generous portions, and reasonable prices.

On weekday night, we visited Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) and walked around Son Tra Night Market. Compared to night markets in Taiwan or the Philippines, this one is smaller, but it still offers a lively mix of street food, seafood, souvenirs, and clothing. If you’re buying coffee souvenirs, prices here—especially for Cà phê trứng (egg coffee)—are cheaper than in Hanoi.

Son Tra Night Market – Seafood by the Bridge: We chose a busy seafood stall facing the bridge and ordered: Ốc Bay (Flying snails) for VND 150,000 (~PHP 338.84), grilled pork for VND 110,000 (~PHP 248.48) and Sò Dương Nướng (Grilled elongate cockles) for VND 110,000 (~PHP 248.48). For our tirst quenchers, hubby had Huda Lager Beer for VND 50,000 (~PHP 112.95) and mine was Sugarcane juice with lemon – VND 50,000 (~PHP 112.95).

The grilled pork was simply seasoned, but Vietnamese herbs and the signature fish sauce added depth and balance. While the flying snails were mildly flavored and likely steamed with lemongrass—simple and straightforward.

The standout dish was the grilled elongate cockles. The creamy, buttery sauce was unlike any shellfish sauce I’ve tried before. The meat was large, tender, and cooked just right. Even though the serving had only a few pieces, the sauce was so good that I poured it over the pork and snails and finished every last drop. The sugarcane drink with lemon was refreshing and perfect for the warm night while hubby enjoyed his can of beer.

We skipped rice since we were already full and ended the meal with Bánh Bao Chay, a siopao-style steamed bun filled with vegetables and vermicelli for VND 20,000 (~PHP 45.18)—light, comforting, and flavorful.

Before wrapping up our Da Nang stay, we explored the area near our hotel, just a short walk from Da Nang Beach, and discovered Quyen’s House, a cozy spot that feels like a residential home turned mini-restaurant. They offer single-served dishes and combo meals. We ordered the Combo 2 which includes Bún Chả, 3 fried spring rolls, 2 shrimp cakes) for only VND 105,000 (~PHP 237.19).

The Bún Chả tasted familiar, but the fish sauce stood out with chunky radish and carrot that added a pleasant crunch. The shrimp cakes were a highlight—crispy and flavorful, similar to Filipino maruya, but made with shrimp instead of banana. Even the shrimp head and tail were edible. The spring rolls were slightly over-fried for my taste, but still filling and comforting.

As with many Vietnamese eateries, portions were generous, herbs were plentiful, and flavors were bold without being overwhelming. The friendly service and quick preparation made the experience even better.

Here’s the menu of Quyen’s House:

Overall, Da Nang impressed us with its generous portions, bold yet balanced flavors, and excellent value for money. Every meal felt satisfying, making the city an easy favorite for food lovers.