Mi Quang
The turmeric noodle dish of Da Nang and Quang Nam, and what to ask before you order.
Mi Quang is a noodle dish from central Vietnam. Turmeric-yellow rice noodles sit in a small pool of rich broth, topped with herbs, peanuts and a crisp rice cracker. It is closer to a dressed noodle bowl than a soup.
How will you meet it on the trip?
You will see it around Da Nang and Hoi An, at small stalls and family restaurants. The bowl arrives with greens, lime and chilli on the side. Stir everything together, then break the cracker over the top.
If central Vietnam is on your list, our north or central comparison shows how the region fits a first trip.
What should Muslim travellers ask?
Toppings vary, and pork is a common choice at some stalls. Ask what is on the bowl and what the broth is made from. A displayed halal certificate and its issuer are worth checking, and never assume a stall is halal.
Our meal and prayer checks list the questions to ask.
Which related terms will you see?
- Bun bo Hue: a spicy beef noodle soup from Hue, a different bowl.
- Cao lau: a Hoi An noodle dish with thick noodles.
- Banh trang: the rice cracker that tops the bowl.
More food guidance sits in Food and daily travel.
If you want to build a central Vietnam trip around local noodle dishes, tell us your travel month and who is coming, and we will help you shape a relaxed food plan.
Common questions
Is mi quang a soup?
Not really. The bowl holds yellow noodles with only a small amount of broth at the bottom, so it eats closer to a dressed noodle dish. You mix everything with chopsticks, add herbs and a squeeze of lime, and crunch rice crackers over the top.
What toppings come with mi quang?
Common toppings are shrimp, pork, chicken or fish, plus peanuts, herbs and a crisp rice cracker. Because the topping changes from stall to stall, ask what is on the bowl before you sit down, and say plainly if you avoid pork.
Where will I find it on a trip?
Look for it around Da Nang and Hoi An, where it is a local favourite for breakfast and lunch. It is easy to try on a short central trip, and a small bowl suits children and older relatives who want something gentle.
Keep planning
If you want to build a central Vietnam trip around local noodle dishes, tell us your travel month and who is coming, and we will help you shape a relaxed food plan.