Da Nang Cheap Eats (2026): Com Tam, Xoi & Banh Mi Guide

As an expat who once roamed the bustling streets of Da Nang, I often find myself missing that vibrant, passionate Southeast Asian lifestyle.

In this post, I’ll share some of the quick and delicious local dishes I frequently enjoyed, especially before and after hitting the waves.

While these aren't exclusive to surfers, Da Nang boasts so many incredible flavors that I wanted to highlight some of the easiest and most satisfying bites.

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

A Vietnamese-style rice dish (often with meat) that perfectly suits Western palates. The bonus? It's incredibly affordable, often costing around a dollar a plate.

If you spot a 'Com' or 'Xoi' sign on the street, make a beeline for it! You won't regret these amazing rice dishes.

You'll find these delicious, cheap, and varied Vietnamese chicken, beef, or pork rice plates everywhere. Among them, Com Tam, a staple of Vietnamese street food, is definitely worth trying first.

The word 'Com' means rice, and 'Com Tam' specifically refers to broken rice served with various side dishes. A quick search for 'Com Tam' on Google Maps will reveal countless eateries across Da Nang.

I recently visited this Com Tam spot in An Thuong, known for its easy accessibility. Just like in Bali, Vietnam has many canteen-style restaurants, which means the food is often prepared in advance and served quickly.

It's essentially the **Vietnamese equivalent of fast food**. When I went for lunch, it was packed with locals, a testament to its popularity and quick turnover.

Dishes are pre-made and served buffet-style. You'll typically find a variety of sides like meatballs, grilled pork, and tofu. Just point to what you want, and they'll plate it for you.

A basic plate starts at around 20,000 VND, and with more additions, it might go up to 35,000 VND. (Based on the original post's KRW equivalent for 20,000 VND, this is roughly ~$1 to ~$2.50 USD). Prices might have risen slightly since the pandemic, but it remains incredibly affordable.

After placing your order, you might have to wait a bit for a seat (it was genuinely crowded!), but your food will arrive quickly. I love that they always serve it with fresh vegetables, and this spot even includes a side of soup!

Xoi (Sticky Rice)

Similar to Com, but made with sticky rice.

These vibrant dishes are Xoi, which is sticky rice, not broken rice! Personally, **I prefer Xoi to Com Tam**. My favorite Xoi spot always served it with colorful rice – blue, pink, and yellow!

This particular stall sells both Xoi and Banh. The dishes listed next to Xoi are chicken (Ga), pork (Thit), and mung bean powder (Dau). The one pictured looks like some kind of braised fish, but I'm not entirely sure.

The kind and genuine lady running the stall made the Xoi taste even better that day, especially after a good surf session! 💃

This honest spot near Bac My An Market and Premier Village Resort serves braised meat with quail eggs. A large bowl of rice costs 20,000 VND, which is about ~$1 USD.

A small portion is only 10,000 VND – less than $1 USD! I'm a big eater, so I bought 1.5 portions for breakfast and ended up eating Xoi for lunch too!

Near the entrance of Bac My An Market, you'll find numerous stalls selling Xoi and Com. Since these are places where locals frequently eat, you'll get better prices and more authentic flavors compared to tourist-heavy areas. Served in a proper bowl (not Styrofoam) with extra vegetables, it looks even more appetizing, and trust me, it's absolutely delicious! I can't imagine Da Nang without Xoi.

Banh Mi Sandwich & Cafe Sua (Vietnamese Coffee)

Start your morning simply with Banh Mi! And awaken your senses with the magical Vietnamese coffee, Cafe Sua.

While Banh Mi is universally loved, the versions popular with international visitors might differ slightly from the authentic street-side Banh Mi locals enjoy.

I used to grab an egg Banh Mi sandwich and coffee for breakfast before my surfing sessions. What made this particular spot unique was the fried egg inside!

If I went out to check the waves in the morning and the sun wasn't quite up, making the waves a bit choppy but looking like they'd clean up later, I'd just settle down right there. I'd enjoy my Banh Mi and coffee, patiently waiting for the waves to get better.

Enjoying breakfast while watching the waves isn't a bad way to start the day at all.

Highlands Coffee also sells Banh Mi, but the taste isn't quite as good as the local stalls. Still, a sweet and strong Cafe Sua Da (iced Vietnamese coffee) can instantly wake you up when you're feeling sluggish.

Paired with a refreshing coconut drink served in a real coconut, and a crispy Banh Mi (the term also refers to the plain rice baguette itself), even a simple fried egg Banh Mi makes for a satisfying breakfast.

Recommended Banh Mi Spot

I recommend the Banh Mi at **Umm Cafe**, located on Le Quang Dao street. It's always a popular spot!

The location is fantastic – just a 3-minute walk from Holiday Beach Da Nang Hotel and very close to the beach. After a great surf, indulge in the authentic flavors of Vietnam at Umm Cafe, living up to its name with a satisfying 'Umm!' experience.