If you're visiting Quang Binh for the first time, you might know it best for the caves—Son Doong, Phong Nha, and Paradise Cave. But the food here is just as memorable. Quang Binh is a coastal province with mountains, rivers, and a long stretch of sea, and its food reflects that variety. You’ll find dishes made with river fish, wild herbs, seafood, and simple ingredients that locals use every day.

In this guide to the Top 15 Must-Try Dishes in Quang Binh: What and Where to Eat, we’ll walk you through some of the province’s most iconic dishes, from street snacks and countryside porridge to coastal seafood and mountain specialties. These are the foods that locals eat often and that travelers shouldn’t skip.

Most of the dishes are easy to try, even if you’re new to Vietnamese food. Others might sound unusual at first, but they reflect the way people here live and cook. We’ve also included tips on where to find each dish so you won’t have to guess where to go.

Top 15 Must-Try Quang Binh Dishes: What and Where to Eat

Cháo Canh (Thick Noodle Soup)

Cháo Canh is one of the most popular dishes in Quang Binh. It’s not exactly porridge, even though the name says "cháo." It's more like a thick noodle soup with a light broth made from pork bones or fish. The noodles are handmade from rice flour and cut into thick strips, similar to udon.

The soup usually comes with pork, fish, shrimp, or a bit of all three. The broth tastes clean and slightly sweet, not heavy. Locals add chopped green onions and sometimes a bit of chili for extra flavor. You’ll often get a small plate of lime and sliced chili on the side.

You can eat it for breakfast or lunch. It’s a comfort food for many locals, and it’s very affordable.

Where to try:

• Cháo Canh O Hanh – 4 Le Thanh Dong Street, Dong Hoi

• Cháo Canh Mệ Luốc – 238 Ly Thai To Street, Dong Hoi

Bánh Lọc (Clear Dumplings with Shrimp and Pork)

Bánh Lọc is a chewy tapioca dumpling filled with shrimp and pork belly. You can find it wrapped in banana leaves (called bánh lọc lá) or served without the leaf (bánh lọc trần). The dumpling is steamed until the dough becomes transparent, so you can see the pink shrimp and brown pork inside.

It’s salty, savory, and just a little sweet. Locals dip it in nước mắm (fish sauce) with chili and garlic. You’ll usually find it as a snack or appetizer, not a full meal. If you haven’t tried chewy Vietnamese dumplings before, this one might surprise you.

Where to try:

• Bánh Lọc Mệ Xuân – Alley 15, Le Thanh Dong Street, Dong Hoi

• Bánh Lọc Sơn Lý – 117 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Dong Hoi

Bánh Bèo (Mini Steamed Rice Cakes)

Bánh Bèo in Quang Binh is different from the version in Hue. Instead of placing the Banh Beo in small separate dishes, Quang Binh’s version of these rice cakes is put on one same plate, and the toppings are usually simple: a bit of ground shrimp, crispy pork skin or fried shallots, and green onions. Some places add mung bean paste.

Locals eat it with a light fish sauce poured directly onto the dish. One portion usually comes with five to ten little dishes. It’s soft, slightly sticky, and easy to eat. It’s a great option if you want to try something light but flavorful.

Tip: Eat it fast while it’s still warm. Cold bánh bèo doesn’t taste as good.

Where to try:

• Bánh Bèo Tứ Quý – 17 Co Tam Street, Dong Hoi

• Bánh Bèo Dì Tiếp – 29 Le Thanh Dong Street, Dong Hoi

Bánh Xèo Quảng Hòa (Pancakes from Quang Hoa)

This is not your usual bánh xèo. The version from Quảng Hòa village in Quang Binh is made with gạo lứt—red whole grain rice—instead of white rice. The batter gives the pancake a pinkish-purple color and a doughier, softer texture. You won’t get that familiar crunch like in the southern version.

The pancake itself is simple. There’s no meat or seafood inside. Just some chives and a bit of seasoning. But the real flavor comes from how people eat it. The dipping sauce is salty, a little sweet, and has a strong umami taste. You can eat the pancake on its own with the sauce; it’s already good like that.

But locals usually go further. They serve bánh xèo with grilled or boiled snakehead fish and a salad made of red bean sprouts, green papaya, and carrots. You wrap the pancake, fish, and salad in rice paper, dip it in the sauce, and eat it like a roll. The combination is fresh, filling, and has a strong local identity.

Where to try:

• Quán dì Hoa – Thanh Tan, Quang Hoa Village, Quang Trach District

• Quán Tứ Quý – 17 Co Tam, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Bánh Khoái (Crispy Pancakes)

Don’t confuse this with bánh xèo. Bánh khoái is thicker, smaller, and rounder. It’s pan-fried until the outside is very crispy. The batter is also made from rice flour and turmeric, but the filling usually includes pork, shrimp, egg, and sometimes bean sprouts.

The dipping sauce is different, too. Instead of light nước mắm, it comes with a thicker, nutty sauce made from pork liver, sesame, and fermented soybeans. You might find this sauce strong at first, but it grows on you.

It’s heavier than bánh xèo, so you probably won’t need more than a couple. Some people love the contrast between the crispy shell and the rich sauce. Others might find it oily, so it depends on your taste.

Where to try:

• Bánh Khoái Ly Ly – 11A Co Tam Street, Dong Hoi

• Bánh Khoái Tứ Quý – 17 Co Tam Street, Dong Hoi

Cháo Hàu (Oyster Rice Porridge)

Cháo hàu is a warm, comforting bowl of oyster porridge that you’ll often find near Quán Hàu town, about 7 km from Dong Hoi city center. Locals make it by cooking rice slowly in oyster broth until it thickens into porridge. Then they add fresh oysters, green onions, and a bit of pepper.

The flavor is light but savory, with a hint of the sea. The oysters are soft but not chewy, and the rice absorbs the broth nicely. Some places add a bit of fried shallots or ginger on top, which gives it more depth.

This is a good option for breakfast or a light dinner. It’s also gentle on the stomach if you’ve had a long day of traveling. 

Where to try:

• Cháo Hàu Hoa Súng – National Highway 1A, Quán Hàu, Quang Binh

• Quán chị Ngạnh – 18 Hoang Dieu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Cháo Cá Bàu Sen Lệ Thủy (Fish Porridge from Bàu Sen Lake)

This version of fish porridge comes from Lệ Thủy District and uses fish caught from Bàu Sen Lake. The fish, usually carp, is cleaned, deboned, and cooked until tender. The broth has a slightly earthy taste because it uses water and fish from the lake.

The rice is slow-cooked until soft, and the fish is usually cut into small pieces and stirred into the porridge. Locals top it with herbs like coriander and Vietnamese mint. The result is a mild but rich dish that many people from the area grew up eating.

You probably won’t find this easily in city restaurants, so if you’re visiting Lệ Thủy, make sure to give this dish a try.

Where to try in Lệ Thủy:

• Bàu Sen Quán

• Quán Tâm KM710

• Quán Châu Loan

Đẻn Biển (Sea Snake)

Đẻn biển, or sea snake, might sound strange at first, but it’s one of Quang Binh’s most famous coastal specialties. People usually cook sea snake in different ways—grilled, stir-fried with lemongrass and chili, or with fried spring rolls. Some restaurants even offer sea snake hotpot or wine.

The meat is firm and lean, not too fishy. When cooked well, it tastes similar to eel or snakehead fish. Locals believe eating sea snake helps with health and gives strength.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try it grilled or stir-fried. That’s the most flavorful way to eat it. But make sure you go to a place that knows how to prepare it properly—sea snake needs to be cleaned and handled carefully.

Where to try:

• Nhà Hàng Lá Cọ Beach – 185 Truong Phap Street, Dong Hoi

• Seafood restaurants at Nhật Lệ Beach

Sò huyết ở Sông Roòn (Blood Cockles from Roòn River)

The Roòn River in Quang Binh is known for its clean water and rich seafood, especially sò huyết—blood cockles. These are small, reddish shellfish that people usually grill, steam, or stir-fry with garlic and chili.

They are slightly sweet and chewy, with a stronger flavor than clams. The best way to eat them is grilled over charcoal with a bit of scallion oil and crushed peanuts. Locals also like them steamed with lemongrass or cooked in tamarind sauce.

If you like seafood, don’t miss this. It’s fresh, quick to eat, and pairs well with a cold beer.

Where to try:

• Seafood restaurants at Nhật Lệ Beach: Nhà hàng Quốc Dũng, Nhà hàng Hải Yến, Nhà hàng nổi Phố Biển

Cá Sông Son ở Phong Nha (Fish from the Son River)

Phong Nha isn’t just about caves; the Son River that runs through it is also full of life. Local fishermen catch fish like cá leo, cá trắm, and cá chình (catfish, grass carp, and eels). The fish are fresh, clean-tasting, and often served grilled, in soup, or steamed with ginger and herbs.

One of the best ways to try it is grilled over firewood, then dipped in muối cheo (a local dipping salt with chili, garlic, and herbs). It’s simple but packed with flavor. Some homestays even prepare fish hotpot with local greens, which makes a nice dinner after a day of exploring caves.

Many restaurants along the river offer this, and some families offer home-cooked meals if you’re staying in the area.

Where to try:

• Nhà Hàng Trắm Sông Son – 8 Le Quy Don, Dong Hoi

Chắt Chắt Sông Gianh (Tiny River Clams from the Gianh River)

Chắt chắt are tiny freshwater clams harvested from the Gianh River. You won’t find them everywhere in Vietnam, but they’re common in Quang Binh, especially in rural areas near the river.

Locals cook them in different ways—stir-fried, eaten with rice crackers, made into soup, or cooked with rice porridge. The most popular version is cháo chắt chắt, a light porridge with the small clams added at the end. It has a clean, slightly sweet taste, and the clams add texture without being too chewy.

Another local favorite is chắt chắt xào lá lốt (stir-fried with betel leaves). This one is stronger in flavor and usually eaten with rice.

Chắt chắt dishes are simple but really represent countryside cooking in Quang Binh.

Where to try:

• Local food stalls near Giang River

Bồi và Ốc đực Minh Hoá (Corn Cakes and Male Snails from Minh Hóa)

Minh Hóa, a remote district in western Quang Binh, has its own specialties. One is bồi—a sticky corn cake made from ground corn and cassava, steamed into thick wedges. The cake is dense and filling, slightly sweet from the corn, and usually eaten with grilled meat, fish or vegetables. It’s not fancy, but it’s real mountain food. People used to eat bồi when rice was hard to find.

Ốc đực are local snails found in mountain streams. The name means "male snails," though it refers more to the type than the actual gender. These snails are small and dark, and locals usually boil them or stir-fry them with lemongrass and chili. You eat them with a toothpick; it takes patience, but the taste is worth it.

Both dishes are unique to Minh Hóa, and you won’t see them much outside the area.

Where to try:

• Local homes or food stalls during harvest festivals

Lẩu Cá Khoai (Sweet Goby Hotpot)

Lẩu cá khoai is a winter favorite in Quang Binh. Cá khoai (also called cá cháo in some regions) is a soft, delicate fish that almost melts when cooked. It doesn’t have many bones, which makes it easy to eat, and its flesh has a naturally sweet flavor.

The hotpot broth is sour and light, often made with tomatoes, tamarind, starfruit, or pickled bamboo shoots. Locals add slices of fish right before serving, so it doesn’t fall apart. You eat it with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and dipping sauce.

This dish is seasonal—most places serve it from late autumn to early spring when the fish is in season.

Where to try:

• Quán Anh Đào – 27 Boi Chau, Dong Hoi

• Lẩu Bình An Đồng Hới – 58 Nguyen Du, Dong Hoi

Gà nướng chấm muối Cheo (Grilled Chicken with Local Salt Dip)

This is a popular dish in many parts of Quang Binh, especially in rural areas. The chicken is often a free-range bird, marinated with salt, lemongrass, and chili, then grilled over an open fire. It smells great and has a smoky, savory flavor.

What makes it special is the dipping sauce—muối cheo. It’s a mix of salt, chili, pepper, basil, lime leaves, and local herbs pounded together into a grainy paste. Every family has their own version. It tastes salty, spicy, sour, and very fresh. You dip the chicken in the sauce and eat it with sticky rice or steamed rice.

Where to try:

• Chày Lập Farmstay – Lang Chay, Bo Trach, Quang Binh

• East Hill Phong Nha – Cau Bung, Bo Trach, Quang Binh

• Gà mẹt Ồ Ồ Lake Silence – Khuong Ha, Bo Trach, Quang Binh

Khoai Deo (Sun-Dried Sweet Potatoes)

This is a simple snack, but it’s one of the most famous specialties in Quang Binh. Locals steam red sweet potatoes until soft, then slice and dry them in the sun for several days. The result is khoai deo—chewy, sweet, and a little sticky. It looks like dried fruit and is often packed in plastic bags for sale at markets.

It’s not flashy, but it’s filling and easy to carry. Locals eat it as a snack or dessert. It’s also a popular gift for people visiting Quang Binh.

You can find khoai deo all over Dong Hoi—just check the packaging to make sure it’s from Quang Binh, not imported from other provinces.

Where to buy:

• Đồng Hới Market

• Local souvenir shops

Local Dining Tips

Start early: Many local dishes like bánh bèo or cháo cá are sold in the morning and might sell out by noon. Markets and street stalls usually open before 7:00 AM.

Check portions:Some portions are small and meant as snacks. If you’re trying several dishes in one meal, go for the half-portion if it’s available.

Look beyond tourist areas: The best spots are often outside the city center. Try family-run stalls in local markets or ask your homestay for suggestions.

Be open-minded:Dishes like đẻn biển (sea snake) or ốc đực (mountain snails) may sound strange, but locals have eaten them for generations. They're safe and often delicious if cooked well.

Ask for dipping sauce: Many dishes come alive with the right sauce. Muối cheo (herbed salt dip) is especially worth trying if you’re having grilled meat or fish.

Language tip: Many small eateries don’t have English menus. Show a picture of the dish or point to what's being served at another table—most owners are happy to help.

Conclusion

Each dish in Quang Binh tells you about the land, the rivers, the forests, and the way people live, from bowls of cháo cá cooked with lake fish to plates of chewy khoai deo sun-dried for days.

We hope this guide to the Top 15 Must-Try Dishes in Quang Binh: What and Where to Eat helps you discover a part of the province that many travelers miss. You don’t need to visit fancy restaurants to eat well here. Sometimes, the best food is served on a low plastic stool at a streetside eatery.

Take your time, try something new, and don’t be afraid to ask locals what they recommend. You might end up with a new favorite dish you didn’t expect.

>>> Map Of Quang Binh: Exploring Vietnam’s Kingdom Of Caves

>>> How to Get to Quang Binh: Flights, Trains, Buses & More