← Eat

Gỏi cá mai (raw fish salad)

Rating: 4.5

Raw fish cured in citrus and tossed with herbs — hard to find outside Nha Trang

North of the city
Address
Clustered around Ha Ra and 2 Thang 4 street, north of the centre
Opening hours
Mostly late afternoon and evening
Price range
80,000 – 150,000₫/dish
Best time to go
17:00–20:00
Open in Google Maps

Overview

Cá mai is a small, translucent fish with almost no fishy smell. It is skinned, boned and worked with lime or vinegar until the flesh firms and turns opaque — cooked by acid rather than heat, the same principle as ceviche — then tossed with toasted rice powder, onion and herbs.

You wrap the fish with herbs in rice paper and dip it in a thick peanut-and-fish-sauce gravy. The gravy decides the dish rather than the fish — every place has its own, which is why locals stay loyal to one.

This is the most worthwhile thing on this list if you want something you cannot take home: the fish is local and the salad has to be made the same day. But plainly — it is raw fish. If you are pregnant, have a delicate stomach, or are not used to raw seafood, skip it.

The places serving it cluster around Ha Ra and 2 Thang 4 street to the north, with a few in town, and most open from late afternoon. This page names no single address because we have verified none — pick where the locals are, and with raw fish, steady turnover matters more than usual.

What to order

  • Fish cured by lime rather than cooked by heat
  • A thick peanut gravy that decides the dish
  • Fresh cá mai is essentially local to this coast
  • Wrapped in rice paper with herbs

Practical tips

  • This is raw fish — skip it if you are pregnant or have a delicate stomach
  • Choose a busy place; with raw seafood, constant turnover is the thing that matters most
  • Ask for more rice paper if you run out; it rarely costs much

Frequently asked

Is gỏi cá mai raw?

Yes, it never meets heat. The fish is worked with lime or vinegar until it firms — the same principle as ceviche. If raw seafood is not for you, skip it.

Which area?

Around Ha Ra and 2 Thang 4 street to the north, plus a few in town. Most open from late afternoon.

What does a portion cost?

Roughly 80,000–150,000₫, usually enough for two with the rice paper and herbs.

More in this category