After a relaxing afternoon walk along My Khe Beach, we realized something was missing—we hadn’t crossed off any well-reviewed restaurants from my saved list yet. That’s how we ended up at Nhà Bếp Xưa Restaurant, a spot often mentioned in reviews and tucked along a busy street lined with other food establishments. With that much competition, consistently good feedback usually means one thing: it’s worth a try.

We arrived in the early afternoon to avoid the usual dining rush. From the outside, the restaurant already felt inviting—relaxed, unpretentious, and easy to spot, with more diners visible compared to nearby open eateries. That alone was reassuring.

To play it safe, we ordered dishes marked as Best Seller. Our table quickly filled with Phở Bò Đặc Biệt (Special Beef Pho), Cơm Chiên Trái Thơm (pineapple fried rice with seafood), stir-fried morning glory with garlic (kangkong), and Thịt Kho Tàu, served in a mini pot to keep the dish piping hot. Shortly after ordering, we were pleasantly surprised with a pitcher of free cold tea—something we hadn’t experienced in other restaurants we tried in Da Nang.

We started with the simplest dish: the stir-fried morning glory with garlic, priced at VND 45,000 (~PHP 100.24). It was straightforward and lightly seasoned, likely with fish sauce and minced garlic with a hint of spiciness. Nothing fancy, but clean and familiar—though a bit pricey compared to how affordable kangkong dishes are back home in the Philippines.

The pineapple fried rice stood out more. Served beautifully in half a pineapple, it came packed with pineapple bits that added a gentle sweetness and slight tang, along with small shrimp pieces, green beans, bell peppers, corn, carrots, green onions, ham, and more. It’s a complete meal on its own—rice and ulam in one. Hubby really enjoyed this dish, and at VND 75,000 (~PHP 167.06), it felt well worth the price.

The special beef pho featured medium-rare beef slices that were tender and thinly cut, swimming in a clear, simple broth that wasn’t overly oily. It was comforting and familiar, similar to other good beef pho we’ve had—nothing surprising, but definitely satisfying.

Last, and certainly not least, was the Thịt Kho Tàu. This dish consists of caramelized pork belly braised in coconut juice. The pork was cut into small, flavorful pieces, with a noticeable hint of sweetness from the caramelization. It reminded me of adobo, but elevated—richer, slightly sweeter, and more indulgent. Priced at VND 75,000, the portion was good for one person and served hot in its mini pot.

We kept our order light since we were still full from earlier snacks, but overall, the experience was pleasant. Is it worth visiting? If you’re staying in Da Nang, I’d say yes—it’s a good, comfortable introduction to Vietnamese home-style dishes. The menu may feel familiar if you prefer playing it safe, like we did, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want after a long beach walk.

Here’s some of their menu: