Away from Vung Tau’s bustling front beach, one can round a bend on the Tran Phu coastal road and get clear of the city proper. On this stretch of shoreline looking out onto the open sea one can find some of Vietnam’s tastiest seafood, particularly at local favorite eatery Ganh Hao. Minimal signage directs you to this waterside hideaway, but a steady stream of patrons confirms you’re in the right place.
Grilled stuffed squid
A thick menu awaits you, with an extensive selection including clams, oysters, prawns and other favorites. The “slimed fish” we decided to steer clear of; I expect something was lost in translation on that one. My wife and I settle on three dishes: cha gio hai san (seafood spring rolls); squid with chilis, pepper and lime; and the seafood steamboat (hot pot). With waves gently lapping against the rocks, the spring rolls arrived with shrimp and squid filling. Vung Tau is definitely a central spot for squid, as every dish we ordered contained it in some capacity. This being a Sunday, the place filled up quickly.
The grilled squid was tender and chewy, a nice departure from some more rubbery variations I’ve had during my time in Vietnam. The seafood hotpot was an interesting variation on a Vietnamese favorite; the broth was seasoned with passion fruit, lending a bitter sweet aftertaste. That said, I prefer the traditional broth, but kudos for the effort. The clams, fish, shrimp and squid all tasted fresh from the ocean, washed down with a Saigon red. Only a minor hiccup with the service, being a bit slow to bring extra limes and hand towels, but otherwise the wait staff was attentive.
Most appetizers start at VND95,000, and the entree list tends to start from that figure too, although a lot of dishes were listed as “market price” which we didn’t try. Still, all told our meal came to just under VND450,000 for two people; at roughly US$23 for the both of us, Ganh Hao provides tasty seafood in a picturesque setting. Try it next time you’re hitting the coast.
Ganh Hao is open daily at 3 Tran Phu, Vung Tau.
Fresh seafood served in Vung Tau
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