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Bún chả cá: Nha Trang's fish-cake noodle soup

Nha Trang’s favourite breakfast isn’t on most travel lists – and that’s a shame. It’s a bowl that only exists because the bay is full of fish.

A white bowl of bún chả cá: rice noodles, sliced fish cakes, herbs and black pepper
Photo: Phương Huy / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
What it isRice vermicelli in a light fish broth, topped with springy fish cakes (chả cá), herbs and pepper.
WhereLocal markets and street corners around Nha Trang’s city centre, mostly before 10am.
Typical priceAround 35,000–50,000 VND a bowl.
Eat greenThis dish depends on a healthy sea. Skip the plastic straw with your iced tea.

How to order

“Một tô bún chả cá.”

One bowl of fish-cake noodle soup. Add thêm sứa if you want jellyfish on top – crunchy, mild and very Nha Trang.

What’s in the bowl

The star is the fish cake: pounded fresh fish, shaped and either fried golden or steamed, then sliced over the noodles. The broth is lighter than phở, and you season it at the table with lime, chili and fish sauce.

When to go

Like most noodle soups in Vietnam, it’s a breakfast dish. Go early – popular stalls can sell out by mid-morning.

Prices are typical ranges we’ve seen and change often; tourist areas can charge more. Spotted something out of date? Message us on Facebook and we’ll fix it. Last updated 2026-09-28.

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