Washington DC's Eden Center has several Vietnamese restaurants that serve mực nướng — grilled squid — as a popular appetizer and drinking food. The Falls Church area's Vietnamese seafood offerings are solid.
Huong Viet top-pick
Huong Viet's grilled squid is a popular appetizer — whole squid grilled over charcoal until smoky and tender. The squid is brushed with scallion oil and served with a tangy dipping sauce on the side. The char from the grill gives it an authentic street-food flavor that's hard to find elsewhere in DC.
Hai Duong best-value
Hai Duong serves a well-executed grilled squid with perfectly grilled squid that's tender, not rubbery. The scallion oil and chili dip complement the smoky grilled flavor. A great appetizer to share with a group before moving on to their Hue beef noodle soup or broken rice.
Nha Trang hidden-gem
Nha Trang offers grilled squid as part of their extensive menu. The squid is grilled to perfection with a light char and served with dipping sauce. A good option when you're craving this classic Vietnamese drinking snack.