May 9, 2023 | Leave a comment Nem phần. Packed with plants. Filling. Flavorful. Destined to be a crowd pleaser, a lunchtime go-to. The Pot Of Golden Dipping Sauce At The End Of Rainbowed Rolls Nem phần is a quirky concept endemic to the Khánh Hòa province. These slender wraps of goodness technically originate from the town of Ninh Hòa, but are enjoyed by locals across the region. In the cuộn (roll) version, fresh Thai basil, perilla, chives, cilantro, and lettuce are snugly rolled alongside thin-sliced green mango and cucumber, crisp pork rinds, and the star of the show, nem nướng.1 The wrapper? Rectangular dry rice paper (culinary genius). The result? Colorful finger food for a refreshing meal that is simultaneously light yet filling. But wait, there’s more. Nem phần’s quirk (culinary genius) lies in the golden-yellow dipping sauce. Sticky rice is cooked up, pork bones are brothed, shrimp and pork liver get fried with shallots before they get mixed together. The concoction is seasoned with the inevitable fish sauce and more, before being served warm and gooey to drooling customers. Add in a dollop of sweet chili sauce and you’re quite literally golden! Relevant read: The Two-Week Chronicle Of A Hungry Girl And Her Vietnamese Street Food As with all Vietnamese street eats, there is no single best place to experience nem phần with nước chấm. Quán Nem Phần – Cuộn is a low-profile stall and just one example of Vietnam at its best. The eatery passes the eye scan test, proving that it receives a daily influx of neighborhood residents while sitting at half a dozen Google reviews. The tables are low set and made of cheap plastic. The service is sincere. The smells, magnificent. The cuộn, or rolls, can be ordered as a DIY platter (for Instagram biatches like me) or pre-wrapped (for single moms like my friends). For best results, pair with icy kumquat tea (trà tắc). And if you really know what you’re doing, you’ll arrange for the whole pot of gold to be right at your fingertips, ladle and all. Quán Nem Phần – Cuộn153 Trần Nguyên Hãn, Phước Hoà, Nha Trang11:00-18:00 daily (093 595 86 76) 30-50k vnd, or up to $2, per person 1. grilled ground pork in the shape of a stick Explore my full archive of Vietnam and Featured Foods. Learn more about this round-the-world solo trip.