Mực nướng — grilled squid marinated in fish sauce, garlic, and chili, then chargrilled until slightly charred and tender — is quintessential Vietnamese drinking food. The best versions achieve that perfect balance between char and tenderness, the squid cooked just past translucent but well before rubbery. Buford Highway's quán nhậu-style restaurants deliver some of the best outside Vietnam.
Bo Ne 5 top-pick
Mon-Sun 11AM-10PM
Despite being named after Vietnamese sizzling steak, Bo Ne 5 puts out some of the best grilled squid on the corridor. The squid arrives sizzling on a cast-iron plate, lightly charred and basted in a garlic-chili fish sauce that caramelizes into a sticky glaze. The texture is perfect — tender with a slight snap, not rubbery. Exactly what you want with a cold beer.
Huong Viet Restaurant best-value
Mon-Sun 10AM-10PM
Huong Viet serves grilled squid as a proper pub dish — meant to be shared with drinks. The squid is butterflied, scored with cross-hatch cuts, and grilled over charcoal until the tentacle tips are crispy and the body is just cooked through. The marinade is classic: fish sauce, garlic, sugar, and black pepper with enough chili to make you reach for your beer.
Quoc Huong hidden-gem
Mon-Sun 9AM-9PM
Quoc Huong's grilled squid concentrates quality squid over fancy preparation. Grilled whole, scored, and served with a garlic-chili dipping sauce that's potent enough to stand up to the char. Pairs perfectly with their other grilled items — order it alongside fried chicken wings and grilled pork vermicelli for a proper Vietnamese feast.