Located on Phan Tu Street in Ngu Hanh Son Ward, Da Nang, the duck restaurant run by Tran Thi Thuan and her family has become a popular dining destination in recent years thanks to its menu of flavorful traditional dishes.

The restaurant received Michelin's Bib Gourmand distinction in 2024, recognizing establishments that offer good-quality food at reasonable prices.

According to Michelin inspectors, the restaurant's standout dishes are duck porridge and duck salad.

The porridge is slowly simmered in a rich broth with rice, Job's tears and mung beans, resulting in a smooth, comforting bowl. The duck salad, meanwhile, is refreshing and well-balanced, featuring a distinctive sweet-and-sour flavor.

Speaking with VietNamNet, Thuan said the restaurant has been operating for six years. In addition to serving local customers, it welcomes a large number of domestic and international tourists.

The ducks are carefully sourced from local farmers raising free-range grass ducks on Cam Nam Island, now part of Hoi An Ward, Da Nang.

The birds roam naturally on alluvial riverbanks along the Thu Bon River. They are moderately sized, with firm meat, natural sweetness and little of the strong odor often associated with duck.

"I buy ducks directly from local farmers rather than large suppliers to ensure quality. Each duck weighs around three kilograms before preparation and just over two kilograms after cleaning and boiling," she said.

Although boiled duck is one of the restaurant's simplest offerings, it remains a customer favorite thanks to its tender, firm texture and naturally sweet flavor.

The restaurant sells around 40 ducks every day, serving a variety of dishes for both dine-in and takeaway customers. During peak periods, sales can exceed that number.

Duck salad is especially popular during the summer months, when its refreshing flavors make it a favorite choice for both meals and casual drinking sessions.

"The salad follows our own recipe, combining sliced boiled duck with green mango, thinly sliced fig, shallots, fresh herbs and a dressing that balances salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavors. We carefully select every ingredient. Some components, such as the fried shallots, are prepared by hand to maintain the distinctive taste that customers enjoy," Thuan added.

The duck salad stands out not only for its presentation but also for its complex and refreshing flavor profile.

During a recent extended stay in Da Nang, Ha Kieu Oanh from Hanoi visited the restaurant on the recommendation of friends.

After reviewing the menu, her family chose the restaurant's signature dishes: duck porridge, boiled duck and duck salad.

Duck porridge is the most affordable item, starting at just VND10,000 ($0.40) per serving. Boiled duck and duck salad range from VND60,000 to VND120,000 ($2.40-$4.80), depending on portion size.

Oanh noted that while the menu is smaller than those of many duck restaurants, the duck salad offers something distinctive.

Each dish is available in multiple portion sizes, making it easy for customers to order according to appetite, from servings for one or two people to larger platters suitable for groups of three or four.

"In my opinion, the duck is prepared very skillfully. The meat is tender and juicy yet still firm. It's lean but not dry, with a fragrant aroma and natural sweetness, and there's none of the unpleasant duck smell. Each dish has its own character and appeals to both adults and children. My favorite was the duck salad because of its balanced sweet, sour and spicy flavors. It's refreshing and never feels heavy," she said.

The duck porridge, thick and fragrant, remains one of the restaurant's most popular items and costs from just VND10,000 ($0.40) per bowl.

Oanh added that her family of five - two adults and three children - spent a total of VND450,000 ($18) for the meal.

The portions were generous enough that they were unable to finish everything.

"My husband usually doesn't like duck, but even he couldn't stop complimenting the food after the meal," she said.