The Tasty Treasures of Ha Long: 15 Delicacies to Savour and Gift

Halong Bay is renowned for its delectable specialties, offering a culinary journey that delights both locals and tourists alike. Uncover the top 15 must-try delicacies of Halong, a gastronomic adventure awaiting your discovery.

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If you ever have the chance to visit Ha Long, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on trying the delicious local specialties. Here are 15 Ha Long specialties that you can buy as meaningful gifts for your loved ones.

1. Introduction to Ha Long Tourism

Ha Long tourism is a perfect choice, as you will get to admire many beautiful landscapes and enjoy delicious seafood. Ha Long Bay is a must-visit destination in your lifetime. This place has been recognized by UNESCO multiple times as a world natural wonder.

Introduction to Ha Long Tourism

2. Top 15 Ha Long Specialties to Try

Specialties to Try in Ha Long

Minced Squid

When it comes to Ha Long, minced squid is a must-try delicacy. The squid is hand-pounded to achieve a chewy and crispy texture. It is then fried to a golden brown and served with sticky rice, creating a perfect combination with a unique flavor.

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 350,000 – 400,000 VND/kg (14.8 – 19.1 USD)

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Squid Paste with Rice Rolls

Squid paste is not only delicious when combined with sticky rice but also goes well with rice rolls. It is a nutritious dish for breakfast. The filling includes minced squid, mushrooms, and carrots, wrapped in thin rice rolls. The unique feature is that the dish is made only after the customer orders, ensuring that the rice rolls are always served hot.

Enjoy the crispy squid paste with the sweet and sour dipping sauce, along with a little spiciness from chili peppers, and you will have a dish that you will never get tired of. Try it now!

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 30,000 – 55,000 VND/serving (1.3 – 2.4 USD)

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Wedge Shell

Its name is “Ngán” in Vietnamese, but you won’t get tired of eating it! Wedge shell is a mollusk that resembles a clam but is larger in size. It is considered one of the most delicious specialties in Quang Ninh province. Wedge shell can be cooked in various ways, such as grilling, steaming, making soup, or stir-frying with vegetables. It can also be used to make a delicious pickle.

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 100,000 – 440,000 VND/person (4.3 – 19.1 USD)

Sá Sùng (Manila Clam Worm)

This is another specialty that you must try when visiting Ha Long. Sá sùng, also known as geoduck clam, is a type of sandworm that lives only in the Ha Long sea. Simply stir-fry it, and you will have a super attractive dish to enjoy with rice.

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 120,000 – 350,000 VND/person (5.2 – 15.2 USD)

Sam Sea (Sea Cucumber)

Sam Sea is another suggestion for your food tour in Ha Long. Sea cucumber has naturally sweet and chewy meat. You can find it on the menu of almost any restaurant in Ha Long. There are several ways to cook sea cucumber, such as making soup, frying it, or using it in salads. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely try it!

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 50,000 – 220,000 VND/dish (2.2 – 9.5 USD)

Tiên Yên Hill Chicken

As the name suggests, this chicken is raised on the hills of Tiên Yên. They are allowed to roam and forage freely, resulting in firm and flavorful meat. Moreover, the chickens are selected from flocks to ensure the meat is just right, not too old. Simply boil the chicken and serve it with traditional dipping sauce, and you will have a memorable meal.

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 100,000 – 300,000 VND/serving (4.3 – 13 USD)

Bún Bề Bề (Slipper Lobster Noodle Soup)

Slipper lobsters in Ha Long are especially delicious and fresh. After cleaning, the shells are used to make a sweet broth. The dish is served with rice noodles, minced squid, and shrimp, resulting in a flavorful and irresistible bowl of noodle soup. The slipper lobster meat is firm and fresh; just one bite, and you will understand why this dish is so popular!

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND/bowl (1.3 – 1.7 USD)

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Hedgehog Cockle Porridge

This is a famous specialty that you should try, especially if you love porridge. Although hedgehog cockles are small in size, they are highly nutritious. The unique feature when cooking this porridge is that the rice is stir-fried first, ensuring that it doesn’t get too soft. It goes well with shrimp paste, and you can also eat it with fried dough sticks, which is equally delicious.

Recommended restaurant:

Reference price: 40,000 VND/bowl (1.7 USD)

Bánh Gật Gù (Nodding Cake)

The name is quite unique, and this dish attracts both tourists and locals. The name comes from the shape of the cake, which is long and soft, and when picked up, it nods in multiple directions, hence the name “Nodding Cake.”

Its shape is similar to rice rolls, and it is usually served with chicken fat, mushrooms, and other ingredients. If you have the opportunity to visit Ha Long, don’t miss out on trying this dish!

Where to buy:

Reference price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/serving (1.3 – 2.2 USD)

Gà Lôi Âm (Lôi Âm Chicken) Barbecue

Gà Lôi Âm originates from the foothills of Lôi Âm Temple, located 15km from Ha Long city. Since these chickens are allowed to roam freely, their meat is firm, and the fat and meat are well-proportioned. A unique feature is that the chickens are slaughtered only after an order is placed, ensuring the freshest possible meat.

Gà Lôi Âm can be barbecued in the traditional way or with ngải cứu (a type of herb). However, if you don’t like the strong smell of herbs, you should choose the regular barbecue option.

Where to buy:

Reference price: 300,000 – 350,000 VND/chicken (13 – 15.2 USD)

Pig Offal Soup with Ngải Cứu (Herb)

This is a unique dish that you should try. You will taste a hint of the herb’s pungency infused into the offal, creating an unforgettable flavor. Some restaurants also offer duck eggs instead of offal, served with a specially prepared chili sauce.

This dish is not only delicious but also a traditional medicine that helps regulate blood circulation and treat headaches. Since it is high in protein, remember not to overeat!

Where to buy:

Reference price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/bowl (0.6 – 1.1 USD)

See also:

Bánh Trôi Tàu (Floating Cake)

Frequently asked questions

Ha Long city boasts a diverse range of delicious cuisine, including seafood, local specialties, and street food. Must-try dishes include ‘Sam Ha Long’ (grilled or steamed local sea snails), ‘Tu Hai’ (grilled sea clams), and ‘Gio Cha Ha Long’ (a type of local pork sausage). These can be found at local restaurants and street food stalls throughout the city, particularly along the coast and in the night markets.

Yes, Ha Long offers a variety of unique snacks and souvenirs. Some popular options include ‘Keo Sữa Hải Hà’ (a famous milk candy produced in the region), ‘Bánh Đúc Nhãn’ (a traditional cake made with local longan fruit), and ‘Rượu Ngọc Vừng’ (a high-quality liquor made from a rare type of seaweed). These items can be purchased at local markets, specialty food stores, and souvenir shops throughout Ha Long.

For an authentic local dining experience, try restaurants such as ‘1956 Vietnamese Restaurant’, ‘Binh Dan Seafood Restaurant’, or ‘Nha Hang Linh Dan’. These establishments offer a wide range of traditional Vietnamese dishes, including Ha Long specialties, and are popular among both locals and tourists. They are known for their fresh seafood, friendly service, and atmospheric dining settings.

Ha Long Bay is renowned for its diverse and fresh seafood offerings. Common types of seafood found in the bay and served in local restaurants include various species of fish (such as snapper and grouper), squid, crab, shrimp, and mollusks (such as clams, oysters, and abalone). The seafood is often prepared using traditional Vietnamese cooking methods, resulting in delicious grilled, steamed, or stir-fried dishes.

Yes, there are food tours and cooking classes available in Ha Long that provide a deeper insight into the local cuisine and culinary culture. Food tours typically involve visiting local markets, street food stalls, and restaurants to taste a variety of dishes and snacks. Cooking classes offer a hands-on experience where participants learn to prepare several traditional Vietnamese dishes, often including a trip to a local market to source fresh ingredients.
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