by Hà Nguyễn

Every region in Việt Nam features unique culinary specialties. Phở hails from Hà Nội. Bún bò comes from the central city of Huế.

And the wide, yellow noodles of mì Quảng can be traced back to the central province of Quảng Nam.

Mì Quảng has been served in Quảng Nam since the 14th century. The noodle dish is a harmonious combination of fresh ingredients.

It is eaten with toasted Vietnamese sesame rice crackers, fried shallots and herbs, such as rau răm (fragrant knotweed), coriander, perilla and lettuce. The Mì Quảng dish is delicious and features a distinctive aftertaste.

Culinary expert Nguyễn Thị Kim Chi, of the Quán Ăn Ngon chain of restaurants, says mì Quảng’s simple roots stem from a dish originally meant for labourers.

Ancient settlers in the region used locally sourced fresh ingredients - including whatever seasonal plants, meats and fish they had on hand - to create their culinary traditions.

“Over time, mì Quảng became the pride of locals. We cherish its original, aromatic flavour and the way it represents the solid cultural values of our native village,” says Chi.

The art of the sauce and the dumplings completely depends on each chef. The sauce should have a sweet flavour quite different from the phở broth cooked with oxen bone. — Photo dulichdanang.vn

Mì Quảng chefs often customise the style, flavor and ingredients of the dish to individual taste, using whatever ingredients they have on hand.

The art of the sauce and dumplings also varies with each chef. Some use chicken or pig bones. Either way, the sauce should have a sweet flavour quite different from phở broth cooked with oxen bone.

The late poet Bùi Giáng dreamed of enjoying a bowl of mì Quảng before passing away. Similarly, the late writer Nguyễn Văn Xuân was obsessed with eating the dish under bamboo shade in his native village.

Home village

Huỳnh Văn Tơi, from Quảng Nam, says Phú Chiêm is the Quảng noodle’s native village.

Part of Phú Chiêm’s fame stems from a broth of simmering shrimp and salty side pork. The resulting broth is a very thick, bright and cheerful red, which is considered part of the dish’s allure. Phú Chiêm’s Quảng noodles should be eaten with green or red chili to accentuate their peppery, warm salty flavour in the broth and dumpling.

“This expresses the real culinary style of the central people,” Tơi says.

Mì Quảng has been served in Quảng Nam since the 14th century. It is a harmonious combination of materials, delicious for locals but also carrying a resonant aftertaste among visitors. — Photo dulichdanang.vn

Tơi’s grandfather Huỳnh Huy, 90, tells this story of the dish’s origins:

"After the sudden death of King Chế Mân, or Jaya Simhavarman III — the 34th king of the Chăm-Pa kingdom (1288-1307) — Queen Huyền Trân ought to have been burned with the king’s other imperial maids, in accordance with the kingdom’s law. But her brother, the King of Đại Việt sent his men to bring the queen back to her native country. Here in Quảng Nam’s Dành Village she was granted 32 mẫu (each mẫu is about 3,600sq.m) of good land. She taught locals weaving and then granted them 28 mẫu of land to grow rice and produce Quảng noodles. Now Quảng noodles are essential at every party and gathering of Quảng Nam people."

These days Quảng noodles are available everywhere in the country’s major metropolitan areas, including Hà Nội, HCM City and Đà Nẵng. Each location cooks the dish in its own style - be it chicken, beef or pork noodle - says culinary expert Chi. — VNS

You can sample Quảng noodles all over Việt Nam.

Hà Nội:

Mỹ Sơn Quảng Noodle

20 Nguyên Hồng, Đống Đa District. Phone: (04) 37739779

Mì Quảng Quán

2C Quang Trung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm District.

Quán Ăn Ngon Chain

18 Phan Bội Châu Street. Phone: (04) 39428162/63

25 T2 Trung Hòa Nhân Chính. Phone: 04 35560866/67

34 Phan Đình Phùng. Phone: (04) 37349777

B2 Vincom Royal City. Phone: (04) 66640066

Ngon Phố: Third Floor Aeon Mall Long Biên. Phone: 0902227475

HCM City:

Mì Quảng Ngon Phố Thị

- 50 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Đa Kao Ward, District 1. Phone: (08) 22130411

Mì Quảng Sâm

8 Ca Văn Thỉnh, District 11. Phone: (08) 38637878

Mì Quảng Ăn Là Nhớ

123 Trần Quốc Thảo, Ward 7, District 3. Phone: (08) 22171433

Quán Mì Quảng

99 Cửu Long, Ward 15, District 10. Phone: (08) 62756864

Quán Mì Quảng Ngon Phan Thiết

52 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Đa Kao Ward, District 1. Phone: 01225756780

Quảng Nam - Đà Nẵng:

Quán Gốc

37 Thăng Bình Road, Quảng Nam on Highway 1A (40km from Đà Nẵng City)

Mì Quảng Cô Sáu Núi Thành

Block 1, Núi Thành Towlet, Núi Thành District. Phone: (0510) 3811959

Quán Mì Quảng Bà Vị

166 Lê Đình Dương, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng. Phone: (0511) 3865651

Quán Mì Quảng 1A

1 Hải Phòng, Hải Châu 1, Đà Nẵng. Phone: (0511) 3827936

Mì Quảng Bà Mua

231 Đống Đa, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng. Phone: 0985000075

Quán Mì Quảng Ngon

199 Nguyễn Hoàng Road, Nam Dương Road, Hải Châu District. Phone: (0511) 3827418