Cha ram with shrimp and pork from Da Nang — a super crispy snack that gets you hooked after one bite, plus it's super convenient to buy and bring home as a gift

The Da Nang weather is a bit chilly this weekend afternoon, and I suddenly crave something crunchy, hot, dipped in fish sauce. I immediately thought of chả ram tôm đất — a tiny dish about the size of two fingers that is incredibly addictive. If you haven't tried it yet, let me tell you about it! What is chả ram tôm đất? In short: small earthworm shrimp wrapped in rice paper, then deep-fried in oil until crispy. Land shrimp" is a type of small shrimp that lives in river and wetland areas — petite, firm meat, naturally sweet. They leave it almost whole, roll it together with a bit of meat and onion, wrap it tightly, then fry it until golden brown. Gốc is a specialty of the Central region, most famous in Binh Dinh – Quy Nhon, but in Da Nang it's extremely common — restaurants sell it, markets sell it, specialty shops also sell it. Bite in and hear it "crunch" — sweet shrimp flavor inside, not greasy at all. The perfect side dishes: - Fresh herbs, lettuce, cucumber, green banana, shredded green mango - Dipping sauce with fish sauce, garlic, chili, sour and sweet flavors (many places use seasoned fish sauce) - Roll with vermicelli, or eat it with grilled meat and vermicelli is so satisfying Where to eat in Da Nang? There's a place whose address literally takes the dish's name: Chả Ram Tôm Đất Thanh — K257/4A Phan Châu Trinh, Hải Châu District (near the Dragon Bridge), ~100–140k/person. Heads up: I found this place on Foody but there aren't any reviews yet, so make sure to call and ask about their opening hours before you go. If you're in a different district, just search "shrimp paste rolls + [district name]" on Google Maps/Foody and filter by the latest reviews. Buy it as a gift — surprisingly convenient - Sold as: 250g / 500g / 1kg packs (1kg ~100–110 rolls), vacuum-sealed, keeps in the freezer for ~3 months - Reference price: ~100k–250k VND/pack (the 1kg vacuum-sealed pack is around 240–250k) - Where to buy: specialty shops of Central Vietnam in Da Nang (e.g., shop at 12 Hoang Hoa Tham); Korean market stalls, Con market also sell Binh Dinh specialties — I heard this from sellers, haven't verified it yet, so ask the stall directly Tip: choose the vacuum-sealed type, so it stays wrapped and cold; for frying straight away there's no need to thaw it, just a few minutes and it's crispy like new Bottom line: it's cheap, easy to eat, and everyone loves it — enjoy a full meal in Da Nang, then "stock up" on a few packs to bring home as gifts, that's the right move. Which shop does your family usually go to for tasty cha ram, and what fish sauce do you dip it in? Comment on the address 'ruột' below for the whole vietSpots family to save! 🍤🔥