Ninh Chu’s Ultimate Seafood Salad – Fresh, Tangy and Unforgettable!

When it comes to Vietnamese seafood dishes, Ninh Chu White Sardine Salad stands out as a refreshing, flavorful, and beautifully balanced delicacy. Originating from Ninh Chu Beach in Ninh Thuan Province, this dish is a local specialty made from fresh white sardines, combined with tangy lime, aromatic herbs, and a rich peanut sauce.

For seafood lovers, this is a must-try dish that captures the essence of Vietnam’s coastal cuisine with its light yet intense flavors, fresh ingredients, and unique preparation style.

1. What makes Ninh Chu’s white sardine salad special?

Unlike other Vietnamese seafood salads, Ninh Chu White Sardine Salad is made from small, translucent white sardines, freshly caught from Ninh Chu Beach. These fish are known for their tender texture and naturally sweet taste, making them perfect for a light yet satisfying dish.

✨ Key Features of Ninh Chu White Sardine Salad:

• Ultra-fresh white sardines – Only the freshest catch is used, ensuring a clean, oceanic flavor.
• Citrus-cured fish – Instead of cooking, the fish is “cooked” in lime juice, creating a soft and tender texture.
• Aromatic herbs & vegetables – Fresh mint, basil, coriander, and shredded green mango enhance the dish’s freshness.
• Crushed roasted peanuts & toasted sesame – Adds a nutty crunch for extra depth.
• Rich dipping sauce – A combination of fish sauce, chili, garlic, and crushed peanuts for an umami explosion.

The balance of textures and flavors—tangy, sweet, savory, and crunchy—makes every bite an unforgettable experience.

2. Fresh sardine salad recipe

This dish requires precision and freshness to achieve the perfect texture and taste.

🍽️ Ingredients:

• Fresh white sardines – Small, translucent fish caught from Ninh Chu Beach.
• Lime juice & vinegar – Used to cure the fish, giving it a ceviche-like texture.
• Aromatic herbs – Mint, basil, coriander, and Vietnamese coriander (rau ram).
• Shredded green mango or banana blossom – Adds a tart contrast to the salad.
• Roasted peanuts & toasted sesame seeds – Provides crunch and nuttiness.
• Fried shallots & garlic – Enhances the fragrance and depth of flavor.
• Dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham) – A blend of fish sauce, lime, chili, garlic, and sugar for a perfect balance.

👨‍🍳 Cooking Process:

• 1️⃣ Preparing the Fish – The fresh white sardines are cleaned and deboned carefully.
• 2️⃣ Curing with Lime Juice – The fish is marinated in lime juice for 15–20 minutes until they turn opaque and tender.
• 3️⃣ Mixing the Salad – The cured fish is tossed with herbs, green mango, roasted peanuts, and sesame seeds.
• 4️⃣ Making the Dipping Sauce – A perfect blend of fish sauce, garlic, chili, sugar, and lime is prepared.
• 5️⃣ Serving – The salad is plated and served with rice paper or crispy sesame crackers for an added crunch.

💡 Pro Tip: Some locals enjoy rolling the salad in rice paper with extra herbs for a fun and interactive eating experience!

3. How to this sardine salad like a local?

There are two main ways to enjoy this dish:

• 🥗 1. Eat it as a salad – Just grab a bite of sardines, herbs, and mango, dip it in the fish sauce, and enjoy!
• 🌯 2. Wrap it in rice paper – Place the salad in a sheet of rice paper, add herbs, roll it up, and dip it into the sauce for a flavor-packed bite.

Either way, you’ll experience a refreshing mix of textures, flavors, and seafood freshness.

4. Where to try this tangy seafood salad in Vietnam

If you’re traveling in Ninh Thuan, here are some top spots to enjoy the best Ninh Chu White Sardine Salad:

• Son Ca Seafood Restaurant – Ninh Chu Beach (famous for its fresh seafood and authentic local flavors).
• Thuy Tien Restaurant – Ninh Chu Beach (a must-visit for seafood lovers, offering perfectly balanced white sardine salad).
• Local seafood markets in Ninh Chu Beach (for a truly local experience), for example, Nai Village fisheries market.

The closer to the coastline, the fresher the fish—so make sure to try it as close to the sea as possible!

5. Why you should try this traditional Vietnamese seafood salad?

• A fresh and healthy seafood dish, perfect for hot weather.
• A unique local specialty you won’t easily find outside of coastal Vietnam.
• A great balance of textures and flavors, offering sweet, sour, crunchy, and savory in every bite.
• An authentic Vietnamese dining experience, often enjoyed by the beach with a side of crispy rice paper.

Ninh Chu White Sardine Salad is more than just food—it’s a taste of the sea, a reflection of Vietnam’s coastal culinary heritage, and an absolute must-try for seafood lovers.

💬 Have you ever tried Ninh Chu White Sardine Salad? Would you go for the salad version or roll it up on rice paper? Let us know in the comments! 🚀🐟