Characteristics

Gỏi Cá Mai is a light, refreshing, and flavorful salad made with fresh mai fish, a small white fish commonly found in the waters of Mũi Né. This dish captures the essence of coastal cuisine – fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and simple yet refined preparation. It's a popular starter or side dish, especially among seafood lovers seeking authentic local tastes.

Ingredients

• Main Ingredient: Fresh mai fish (cleaned, deboned, and sliced thin)

• Herbs & Vegetables: Vietnamese mint, coriander, sliced onions, chili, garlic

• Accompaniments: Roasted peanuts, shredded green mango or cucumber, toasted sesame seeds

• Extras: Grated coconut, crushed rice crackers or grilled rice paper

• Dressing: A tangy mixture of lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili

The fish is “cooked” by marinating in lime juice, creating a ceviche-style texture while keeping it fresh and tender.

How to Enjoy

Gỏi Cá Mai is usually served with bánh tráng nướng (grilled rice paper) or bánh tráng cuốn (rice paper rolls) to wrap all the ingredients together. Diners place a layer of rice paper, add the salad mix, sprinkle some peanuts and coconut, then roll it up and dip it into a special nước chấm (fish sauce dip) that’s sweet, spicy, and slightly sour.

It’s best enjoyed fresh, with a cold drink, and ideally by the beach – for the full Mũi Né experience.