Vietnamese Seafood Ottawa — Fresh Shrimp, Squid & Fish Dishes at Vietnam Palace

Ottawa’s Chinatown has been home to some of the city’s finest Asian cuisine for decades, and when it comes to Vietnamese seafood in Ottawa, one restaurant has been setting the standard since 1989: Vietnam Palace. With over 35 years of experience and 664+ Google reviews, we’ve perfected the art of bringing ocean-fresh flavours to Canada’s capital — one plate at a time.

Whether you’re craving crispy salt and pepper shrimp, a steaming bowl of seafood pho, or tender calamari with Vietnamese dipping sauce, our kitchen transforms the freshest catches into dishes that keep customers coming back for generations. This page is your complete guide to Vietnamese seafood dining in Ottawa — what makes it special, what to order, and why Vietnam Palace is the seafood restaurant in Ottawa that locals trust.

Why Vietnamese Seafood Stands Out in Ottawa

Vietnamese cuisine approaches seafood differently than many other culinary traditions. Where some cuisines rely on heavy batters or rich cream sauces, Vietnamese cooking lets the natural sweetness and texture of seafood shine through. The flavour profiles are built on a foundation of fresh herbs, citrus, fish sauce, and aromatics like lemongrass and ginger — ingredients that complement rather than overpower delicate seafood.

At Vietnam Palace, our approach to Vietnamese seafood in Ottawa is rooted in this philosophy. Every dish starts with quality sourcing. We work with trusted suppliers to ensure our shrimp, squid, fish, and shellfish meet the standards our customers expect. When you bite into our salt and pepper shrimp, you taste the ocean first — then the perfectly balanced seasoning follows.

Ottawa’s dining scene has grown enormously over the past decade, but the demand for authentic Vietnamese seafood has remained consistently strong. From university students exploring Chinatown for the first time to longtime regulars who’ve been dining with us for 20+ years, seafood dishes remain among our most popular orders.

Our Signature Seafood Dishes

Salt & Pepper Shrimp — A Chinatown Classic

If there’s one dish that defines the seafood restaurant Ottawa experience at Vietnam Palace, it’s our salt and pepper shrimp. Large, shell-on shrimp are flash-fried until the exterior turns impossibly crispy, then tossed with our signature salt and pepper seasoning blend — a mix that includes garlic, chilies, and a touch of five-spice. The shells become so crispy that many customers eat them whole, and honestly? That’s the best way to enjoy them.

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or as part of a larger family-style seafood spread. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast when you order it for the table, so consider getting two plates if your group is larger than four.

Seafood Pho — The Ocean Meets the Bowl

Our seafood pho takes everything you love about traditional Vietnamese noodle soup and adds the bounty of the sea. The broth is built on the same aromatic foundation — star anise, cinnamon, charred ginger, roasted onion — but finished with a seafood essence that adds depth and complexity. Inside, you’ll find shrimp, squid, fish cake, and sometimes seasonal additions, all nestled among tender rice noodles.

Seafood pho is a fantastic option for anyone who doesn’t eat beef or simply wants something lighter yet equally satisfying. The broth is clear and fragrant, and the seafood cooks gently in the hot soup, staying tender rather than rubbery. If you’ve never tried it, this is one of the best introductions to Vietnamese seafood Ottawa has to offer.

Crispy Calamari Vietnamese-Style

Forget the heavy, over-breaded calamari you might find at a pub. Our Vietnamese-style calamari features tender squid rings with a light, crispy coating, served with a nuoc cham dipping sauce that balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in perfect harmony. Fresh herbs and sliced chilies garnish the plate, making this as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate.

Calamari is one of those dishes that reveals a kitchen’s skill level immediately. Overcooked squid turns to rubber. Undercooked, and the texture is wrong. Our kitchen hits that narrow window consistently — crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, every single time.

Vietnamese Fish Dishes — Pan-Fried, Steamed & Sauced

Fish is a cornerstone of Vietnamese home cooking, and our menu reflects that tradition beautifully. Our pan-fried fish fillets come with a choice of sauces — lemongrass and turmeric, caramelized in a clay pot, or served with a ginger-scallion sauce that’s simple but devastatingly good. Each preparation highlights a different aspect of the fish’s flavour and texture.

The caramelized fish in clay pot (cá kho tộ) deserves special mention. This traditional dish simmers fish in a caramel sauce made from sugar and fish sauce until the flavours concentrate into something rich, savoury, and slightly sweet. It’s comfort food at its finest — the kind of dish that Vietnamese families make at home, and the kind of dish that makes Vietnam Palace feel like an extension of that family table.

Seafood Hot Pot — The Social Experience

For a truly communal dining experience, our seafood hot pot brings the whole table together. A bubbling pot of aromatic broth sits at the centre while platters of raw shrimp, squid, fish, vegetables, and noodles surround it. Everyone cooks their own ingredients in the shared broth, which grows richer and more flavourful with each addition.

Hot pot is perfect for groups, celebrations, or cold Ottawa winter nights when you want something warming and interactive. It’s dining as entertainment — conversation flows naturally when everyone is dipping, cooking, and sharing from the same pot. Call ahead to arrange hot pot for your group, especially on weekends.

Seafood Spring Rolls — Fresh & Fried

No Vietnamese meal is complete without spring rolls, and our seafood versions are outstanding. The fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) wrap shrimp, rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and lettuce in delicate rice paper — light, refreshing, and perfect as a starter or alongside heavier dishes. The fried spring rolls (chả giò) offer a crispy counterpoint, with a seafood filling that’s seasoned with garlic, black pepper, and a hint of fish sauce.

These are among the most popular appetizers at our seafood restaurant in Ottawa, and for good reason. They showcase the Vietnamese approach to seafood at its most accessible — fresh, flavourful, and impossible to eat just one.

Fresh Seafood Sourcing — Our Commitment to Quality

Running a Vietnamese seafood restaurant in Ottawa — hundreds of kilometres from the nearest ocean — means sourcing is everything. We’ve spent 35+ years building relationships with suppliers who share our commitment to quality. Our seafood arrives fresh, never previously frozen when possible, and is inspected by our kitchen team before it ever reaches your plate.

We source from Canadian fisheries whenever seasonally available, and supplement with carefully selected international suppliers for specialty items. Our shrimp are large, firm, and naturally sweet. Our squid is tender. Our fish fillets are thick-cut and fresh. This isn’t marketing talk — it’s the foundation of everything we do.

When a dish arrives at your table at Vietnam Palace, you can taste the difference that quality sourcing makes. It’s the reason our regulars have been coming back for decades, and it’s the reason new customers become regulars after their first visit.

Seafood for Every Dietary Need

Vietnamese seafood dishes are naturally accommodating to many dietary preferences. Most of our seafood dishes are gluten-free or can be made gluten-free with simple modifications. Many are dairy-free by default — Vietnamese cooking relies on coconut milk, fish sauce, and fresh herbs rather than butter and cream.

If you’re pescatarian, our menu offers dozens of options beyond what’s listed on this page. From seafood-topped vermicelli bowls to shrimp-fried rice and fish-based curry, you won’t feel limited. Just let your server know your dietary needs, and we’ll guide you to the best options.

Pairing Seafood with Vietnamese Drinks

The right drink elevates a seafood meal from great to memorable. Here are our recommendations:

• Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá): The bold, sweet coffee cuts through rich, fried seafood dishes beautifully
• Fresh coconut water: Clean and refreshing — the perfect palate cleanser between different seafood courses
• Jasmine tea: Traditional, light, and the classic accompaniment to any Vietnamese meal
• Beer: A cold lager with salt and pepper shrimp is one of life’s simple pleasures

Ordering Vietnamese Seafood for the Table

Vietnamese dining is best experienced family-style, and seafood dishes are perfect for sharing. Here’s how we’d recommend building a seafood feast for a table of four at Vietnam Palace:

• Start with: Fresh shrimp spring rolls + crispy calamari
• Mains: Salt and pepper shrimp + caramelized fish in clay pot + seafood pho (shared or individual bowls)
• Sides: Steamed jasmine rice + stir-fried morning glory with garlic
• Finish with: Vietnamese iced coffee or fresh fruit

This spread gives you a range of textures and flavours — crispy, tender, soupy, savoury — while keeping the total bill reasonable. That’s the Vietnam Palace advantage: restaurant-quality seafood at prices that make sense for regular dining, not just special occasions.

Seafood in Ottawa’s Chinatown — A Neighbourhood Tradition

Ottawa’s Chinatown along Somerset Street West has been a hub for Asian cuisine since the 1970s. The neighbourhood’s seafood restaurants in Ottawa draw diners from across the city and beyond — from Kanata and Barrhaven to Orléans and Gatineau. Vietnam Palace has been part of this community since 1989, growing alongside the neighbourhood and helping define its culinary reputation.

Our location at 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R4 puts us right in the heart of the action. Street parking is available, and we’re easily accessible by OC Transpo. Whether you’re making a special trip for seafood or combining dinner with a Chinatown stroll, Vietnam Palace makes the journey worthwhile.

Looking for more Vietnamese dining options in Ottawa? Check out our guides to the best pho in Ottawa, Vietnamese food across the city, and our full menu with over 100 dishes to explore.

Delivery & Takeout — Seafood to Your Door

Can’t make it to Chinatown? Our seafood dishes travel surprisingly well. The salt and pepper shrimp stays crispy in our vented containers, and the seafood pho comes with broth separated from noodles and toppings so everything stays perfect until you’re ready to assemble at home. Order through our delivery page or call us directly at (613) 238-6758.

We deliver across central Ottawa and surrounding neighbourhoods including Centretown, the Glebe, ByWard Market, and Little Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese Seafood in Ottawa

What are the most popular Vietnamese seafood dishes at Vietnam Palace?

Our top sellers include salt and pepper shrimp, seafood pho, crispy calamari with nuoc cham sauce, and caramelized fish in clay pot. For groups, the seafood hot pot is extremely popular, especially during colder months. We’ve been serving these dishes for 35+ years, and they remain favourites for good reason.

Is Vietnamese seafood spicy?

Not by default. Most Vietnamese seafood dishes are flavourful rather than spicy, relying on herbs, citrus, and aromatics for complexity. However, we can adjust spice levels to your preference. Dishes like salt and pepper shrimp have a mild heat from chilies, but nothing overwhelming. Just let your server know your spice tolerance.

Does Vietnam Palace offer gluten-free seafood options?

Yes, many of our seafood dishes are naturally gluten-free or can be easily modified. Dishes like steamed fish with ginger, fresh spring rolls, and seafood pho with rice noodles are great options. Let your server know about any allergies or dietary restrictions, and we’ll guide you through the menu.

How much does a seafood dinner cost at Vietnam Palace?

Individual seafood dishes range from approximately $14 to $22, making us one of the most affordable seafood restaurants in Ottawa’s Chinatown. A full seafood dinner for two with appetizers, mains, and drinks typically runs $45-$65. Check our full menu for current pricing.

Can I order Vietnamese seafood for delivery in Ottawa?

Absolutely. We offer delivery across central Ottawa through multiple platforms, and you can also call us directly at(613) 238-6758 to place a takeout or delivery order. Our packaging is designed to keep seafood dishes fresh and crispy during transport. Visit our delivery page for details.

What’s the best seafood dish for someone new to Vietnamese food?

We recommend starting with salt and pepper shrimp — it’s familiar enough for anyone who enjoys seafood, but the Vietnamese seasoning introduces you to the flavour profiles that make our cuisine special. Pair it with fresh shrimp spring rolls for a well-rounded introduction to Vietnamese seafood.

Does Vietnam Palace serve sushi or other Japanese seafood?

No, we specialize exclusively in Vietnamese cuisine. Our seafood dishes follow Vietnamese cooking traditions — fresh herbs, fish sauce-based seasonings, and techniques like clay pot braising and wok-frying. For Japanese seafood, there are several sushi restaurants nearby in Ottawa’s Chinatown.

Is Vietnam Palace good for large group seafood dinners?

We’re ideal for groups. Our family-style dining approach means seafood dishes are designed for sharing, and our hot pot option is specifically built for communal dining. We can accommodate large parties — just call ahead at(613) 238-6758 to reserve, especially for weekend dinners.