Nem nướng — grilled Vietnamese pork sausage — has a Sacramento champion: Quán Nem Ninh Hòa on Stockton Boulevard. The sweet-savory grilled meat, wrapped in rice paper with herbs and crispy egg roll wrappers, dipped in that signature orange sauce — this is the dish that built a restaurant chain.
Quan Nem Ninh Hoa top-pick
Mon-Sun 10AM-9PM
Sacramentos nem nuong destination, period. The restaurant is named after the dish. Smoky, slightly sweet pork sausage served with rice paper for wrapping, a mountain of herbs, crispy egg roll wrappers for texture, and their signature orange dipping sauce. The standard against which all other nem nuong in Sacramento is measured.
Saigon Oi best-value
Mon-Sun 10AM-8PM
A solid nem nuong as part of their specialty Vietnamese dishes menu. The pork sausage is well-seasoned and properly charred, and the accompanying herb plate is generous. A worthy alternative in the same plaza as Quan Nem Ninh Hoa.
Bon Mua Vietnamese Restaurant hidden-gem
Mon-Sun 9AM-9PM
Respectable nem nuong with good flavor and proper accompaniments on their appetizer menu. Generous portion, slightly sweeter dipping sauce. A good option when you want nem nuong as part of a larger meal.