Besides the delicious, fresh seafood that’s come to be associated with Quy Nhon, chicken also features heavily when it comes to local delicacies of the region. Unbeknownst to many travellers, you’ll find numerous chicken restaurants in town and dotted along Highway 1D between Quy Nhon city and fishing village Bai Xep. For the locals of Quy Nhon, Quy Hoa in particular has become synonymous with delicious, fragrant chicken. Chickens in this region are reared free range and owe their great flavor to the way they are raised.
Whether you’re after your chicken fried, grilled or steamed, each restaurant puts their own spin on how this bird is cooked. Here are a few chicken restaurants we recommend around Quy Nhon and the dishes to satisfy all your chicken cravings.
Quán vườn Gà chỉ Hữu Lai
Quan vuon Ga chi Huu Lai is the original when it comes to chicken restaurants of Quy Nhon. The restaurant first opened over 15 years ago when Mr. Huu Lai and his family bought the piece of land and settled down. Thanks to their connections, they were able to find chicken suppliers in neighboring province Phu Yen and have since specialized in chicken in all its forms. Inspired by their success, many other chicken restaurants have opened up along the highway, offering a bit of friendly competition.
Set in a relaxed courtyard just off the highway, you can find yourself seated by a stream which runs through the property and surrounded by plenty of trees. While waiting for your meal, take a walk around and enjoy the beautiful garden. It’s the perfect environment for a meal, whether you’re with family or friends.
One of the most popular styles of chicken here is grilled. This delicious BBQ chicken is well-marinated before being grilled over charcoal. The result is a nice, smoky flavor and very crispy skin. This is well coupled with chicken porridge which you can choose to have with your meal.
In addition to chicken, Ga chi Huu Lai restaurant is also famous for its dipping salts. Every dish is served with four different dips, consisting of green chilli salt, red chilli salt, lime leaf salt and pepper salt.
If you’re unsure how much to order, note that when you order a chicken, it normally comes in a two-part meal. This is because all parts of the chicken will be used, including the entrails which are cooked in your choice of porridge or sticky rice.
Find them at: Quốc Lộ 1D, P. Ghềnh Ráng, Tp. Qui Nhơn
Opening hours: 8am – 9pm
Price: 300,000 vnd ($13 USD) per chicken
Gà Chỉ Đông Ba
Only a few minutes down the road from Ga chi Huu Lai is Ga Chi Dong Ba, another popular restaurant famous for its chicken offering. This was the second chicken restaurant to open in the neighborhood before others started imitating. Hidden down a little lane off Highway 1D, be aware that their neighbors (Ga Chi Romantic) may try and convince you that they have closed.
Owner Trinh Quang Dong is friendly and welcoming. He runs the restaurant with his wife who worked in a chicken restaurant prior to opening their own. Together, they’re an efficient pair who handle everything from washing and plucking the chickens to serving their guests.
Set in a large courtyard with 24 raised pavilions, Ga Chi Dong Ba is particularly busy during summer months. Each pavilion is fitted with a couple of hammocks and a mat for you to enjoy a shared feast. There is a large cleared space near the entrance which often receives tour buses during peak season.
The signature dish is the fish sauce fried chicken. Here, the chicken is deep fried and coated in a sweet and spicy fish sauce glaze. The skin is deliciously crunchy and the kick of spice is paired nicely with the lime and pepper salt blend. If you prefer your chicken steamed, Ga Chi Dong Ba also makes a deliciously fragrant, steamed chicken that’s best enjoyed with their sauces and dipping salts.
Similar to Ga Chi Huu Lai, there’s a no-waste attitude and the entire chicken is served across different dishes as part of your meal. We highly recommend the crispy sticky rice which is cooked together with the remaining parts of the chicken to ensure the rice has a rich delicious flavor.
Find them at: QL1D, Khu Vực 2, P. Ghềnh Ráng, Tp. Qui Nhơn
Opening hours: 8am – 9:30pm
Price: 250,000 vnd ($10.75 USD) per chicken
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