The signature regional dish of central Vietnam’s Quảng Nam region — which includes Da Nang — is mì quảng (Mì Quảng). Among all the country’s noodle dishes, this is the one you could truly call “the local taste.” Mì Quảng 1A is a celebrated shop that has been serving it for a long time.
Not phở. Noodles you “toss”
Mì quảng is different from phở, which sits fully immersed in broth. Here, flat rice noodles tinted faintly yellow with turmeric get only a small amount of a deeply savory broth spooned over them, and you mix as you eat. Toppings include shrimp, pork or chicken, crushed peanuts, fresh vegetables and herbs, and a crisp rice cracker.
Playing with the flavors
Squeeze the lime that comes with it, work in some chili, and crumble in the rice cracker — the fun of mì quảng is that you can shift the texture and flavor to your own liking as you eat. Solid savoriness and the freshness of herbs coexist in a bowl you never tire of.
A note before you go
This is an eatery-style shop that locals have loved for many years. Don’t overthink it — just order a bowl, then mix freely and taste as you go, following the lead of the locals. If you want to experience Da Nang’s food culture, this is a dish not to miss.
If you’re choosing a first meal that you can only eat in this particular place, mì quảng is a very good candidate.