Muc nuong — Vietnamese grilled squid — is a drinking food staple that shines in Austin's warm weather. The best versions feature tender, charred squid with a sweet-savory marinade, served with the essential nuoc cham and rice. Austin's Vietnamese restaurants that have proper charcoal grills produce the standout versions.
Sunflower Vietnamese Cuisine top-pick
Sunflower's salt and pepper calamari is one of their most praised dishes, and their muc nuong is equally impressive. The kitchen's skill with seafood carries over to the squid. The grilling produces proper char marks and a smoky aroma that elevates the naturally sweet squid. Order it with a cold beer for the full Vietnamese drinking food experience.
Bep Saigon - KN Kitchen best-value
Bep Saigon's salt and pepper calamari has been specifically praised as perfection, and their grilled squid follows the same playbook. The squid is properly tenderized, the marinade is balanced between sweet and savory, and the grilling imparts enough smoke to make it interesting. It is the kind of dish you share as a starter and then wish you had ordered your own.
Pho Please hidden-gem
Pho Please's muc nuong benefits from the kitchen's overall quality — the squid is properly cleaned and tenderized, the marinade has a noticeable lemongrass kick, and the execution is consistent. It is a reliable order on their seafood-heavy menu, and the East Riverside location with outdoor seating makes it an ideal spot for grilled squid on a warm evening.nnFor muc nuong in Austin, Sunflower leads with the most skillfully grilled and flavorful squid.