A Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of the city that’s rather low-key but certainly worth your palate’s attention is Nha Trang. The location and the place itself are unassuming, but their cooking is now one of my favorites in Davao! 
And because their prices are so low, they could actually give Hanoi a run for their money…
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- Bagoong Fried Rice
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- Bagoong Fried Rice
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- Cha Gio
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- Cha Gio
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- Bo Nuong
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- Sizzling Tofu and Mushrooms
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- Sizzling Tofu and Mushrooms
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- Shrimp Curry
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- Shrimp Curry
A good friend of mine had told me about Nha Trang’s curry dishes, so that’s what I went there for last week, with friends Angel and Jaime in tow. We ordered the Shrimp Curry (₱155) because they were fresh out of chicken curry, and we didn’t feel like tuna in curry. And we were rewarded with the best-tasting curry hereabouts!
Talking to the owner after our very satisfying meal, she revealed that she makes curry from scratch! Jessica, whose husband is Vietnamese, said that their curry preparation isn’t really Vietnamese but more of Indian because she uses turmeric. No complaints here! I actually couldn’t stop myself from lapping up the leftover sauce…
Interesting twist: they put fresh okra in the curry dish. Very nice contrast to the shrimp. One order of the Shrimp Curry is good for 3 people, if you order a couple of other dishes.
We also had Bagoong Fried Rice (₱110), which is good for 3 to 4. It wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped, but then they were correct in not making it too tasty, because it provided the perfect “frame” for the gastronomic “pictures” we had.
For appetizers, we had Cha Gio (₱85) — fried spring rolls. You could tell that they don’t scrimp on ingredients, unlike in some restaurants where they make the rolls with ridiculously thick wrapping. The Cha Gio is perfect as an appetizer, but Jessica suggests the fresh spring rolls, especially if you’re into vegetables.
Others on our dinner table that night were the Bo Nuong (₱130), or spicy beef in a sizzling plate, and the Sizzling Tofu & Mushrooms (₱120). I tell you, we ordered too much! We didn’t realize that the portions would be that big. The Bo Nuong, which has a distinctive taste that tickles the palate, comes with a spicy vinegar dip that’s infused with powdered dried plum.
Nha Trang probably isn’t a place you’d bring your date or your boss, because of the way it looks. But, I promise you, the food will not embarrass you, so go ahead and impress that special someone with their delicious Vietnamese and Filipino culinary offerings!
Nha Trang Vietnamese Restaurant is located on Jacinto Extension, across this feeder road from the Bangko Sentral complex. It’s on the same side as Tadakuma‘s first branch in downtown Davao. Tel.: 305-2542.
