Ha Long Food Tour: Fill Your Hungry Belly with 15 Specialty Dishes

1 Steamed rice rolls with squid patties (Bánh cuốn chả mực)

Steamed rice rolls with squid patties (Bánh cuốn chả mực) is a unique specialty dish on any Ha Long food tour. The rice rolls here are made from smooth white rice flour, spread thinly, and rolled with a filling of minced pork, shrimp, and wood ear mushrooms. What makes this dish truly special is its pairing with chả mực—squid patties hand-pounded from the freshest squid in the waters of Ha Long. Chewy, crispy, golden, and fragrant, the squid patties combined with delicate, silky rice rolls create a distinctive harmony of flavors. This is a popular breakfast dish easily found in quaint alleys or upscale restaurants across Ha Long.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Goc Bang Squid Patty Steamed Rice Rolls: 189 Alley 1, Nha Hat Street, Le Thanh Tong, Bach Dang, Ha Long

+ Ba Ngan Squid Patty Steamed Rice Rolls: 34 Doan Thi Diem, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long

2 Peanut worms (Sá sùng)

Peanut worms (sá sùng) are a specialty seafood of Van Don and Ha Long, well known for their high nutritional value and distinct flavor. Prepared in various culinary styles, sá sùng is most famous when stir-fried with celery and garlic.

Each chewy, crunchy bite of peanut worm paired with the rich, aromatic scent of celery and garlic makes for an irresistible dish. It is an indispensable favorite on local drinking tables and an ideal choice for anyone embarking on a Ha Long food tour.

Beyond the stir-fry, peanut worm porridge is also an exceptional delicacy. The broth brewed from sá sùng offers a natural, delicate sweetness, which combines with crown daisy greens and thinly sliced ginger to deliver a comforting and enticing flavor.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Huong Duyen Hon Gai Restaurant: 66 Tran Hung Dao, Cao Thang, Ha Long

3 Stone crab noodle soup (Bún cù kỳ)

A must-mention dish on any Ha Long food tour is stone crab noodle soup (bún cù kỳ). This is one of the standout specialties of Quang Ninh. The stone crab (cù kỳ) belongs to the crab family but has a smaller body and exceptionally large claws packed with firm, sweet meat. Bún cù kỳ is prepared using the crab body and roe. After shelling, the claw meat is arranged atop a bowl of rice vermicelli and combined with a naturally sweet seafood broth, creating a fragrant and rich flavor profile. The broth carries the alluring aroma of crab roe, while the crisp, chewy claw meat is sure to satisfy any foodie.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Huong Beo: 20 Tan Mai Street, Bai Chay, Ha Long

+ Bun Cu Ky 268: 268 Gieng Don, Cao Thang, Ha Long

+ Quoc Huy: Ha Long Trade Union Hotel, Kiosk No. 3, Bai Chay, Ha Long

4 Grilled horseshoe crab with eggs (Sam trứng nướng)

Grilled horseshoe crab with eggs is a dish carrying the signature flavor of the Ha Long sea that anyone who tries it will find hard to forget. The golden, rich roe paired with chewy, sweet horseshoe crab meat makes for an exotic and appetizing dish. In particular, dipping it into a savory, zesty sauce elevates its delectable flavor, delivering an unforgettable culinary experience.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Quan Sam: Ha Long Market

+ Sam Ba Ty: Alley 6, Cao Thang Ward

+ Dung Hoa Restaurant: No. 95, Group 5, Zone 8, Hong Hai Ward

5 Mantis shrimp noodle soup (Bún bề bề)

Mantis shrimp noodle soup is a famous breakfast dish on any Ha Long food tour, beloved for its mouthwatering flavor and rich nutrients. Mantis shrimp is a common seafood in the waters of Ha Long, boasting sweet and firm meat. The broth is simmered from the boiling liquid of white mantis shrimp combined with various seafood like prawns, sentinel crabs, and mud crabs, creating a delicate, natural sweetness. A generous bowl of bún bề bề comes with 3-5 whole mantis shrimps along with prawns, fried tofu, and fresh herbs, guaranteed to please even the most discerning diners.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Khanh Tuyen Eatery: Group 8, Zone 3B, Gieng Day Ward

+ Dong Bac Eatery: No. 6 Hai Phuong, Hong Hai Ward

6 Mud clam porridge (Cháo ngán)

Mud clam porridge is a nutritious dish typical of the Quang Ninh coastal region. Mud clams feature tender, sweet, and flavorful meat, which pairs wonderfully with steaming white porridge to make an ideal breakfast.

Cháo ngán is typically seasoned with scallions, Vietnamese coriander, and ground pepper to produce a warm, peppery fragrance that is especially suited for chilly days on a Ha Long food tour.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Co Hang Eatery: 42 Tran Hung Dao, Ha Long

+ Ba Nga Eatery: Loong Toong Market, Ha Long

7 Nodding cake (Bánh gật gù)

With its intriguing name, bánh gật gù (nodding cake) piques your curiosity and is simply irresistible once tried. The cake is pure white, soft, smooth, and slightly springy. When enjoyed, it is dipped into a rich rendered chicken fat sauce, creating a savory richness while maintaining a subtle, delicate taste. This dish embodies the flavors of the Quang Ninh homeland and is widely sold throughout Ha Long night markets.

- Recommended address: Ha Long Night Market: Ha Long Marine Boulevard, Bai Chay, Ha Long

8 Grilled Loi Am chicken (Gà Lôi Âm nướng)

Grilled Loi Am chicken is a specialty you shouldn't miss when visiting Loi Am Pagoda. Chickens here are free-range, yielding firm, lean, and exceptionally tasty meat. The grilled chicken is typically marinated simply with traditional seasonings, then roasted over glowing embers until the skin turns crispy golden and the meat is delightfully fragrant. Furthermore, some stalls offer chicken grilled with mugwort leaves, which imparts a distinctive herbal aroma to the dish.

- Recommended addresses: Food stalls around the base of Loi Am Pagoda mountain, Ha Long

9 Avocado ice cream (Kem bơ)

During hot summer days in Ha Long, a refreshing cup of avocado ice cream is the ultimate treat to beat the heat. With its smooth vanilla ice cream paired with rich, creamy mashed avocado, this dessert has stolen the hearts of countless travelers. You can also add various appetizing toppings like toasted coconut flakes, cocoa powder, or jackfruit to elevate your treat.

- Recommended address: Co Phuong Eatery: 56 Alley 4, Nguyen Van Cu Street, Hong Hai, Ha Long

1 0 Ha Long pearl yogurt (Sữa chua trân châu Hạ Long)

If you embark on a Ha Long food tour and skip Ha Long pearl yogurt, it would be a major missed opportunity. The smooth, creamy yogurt features a well-balanced tangy-sweet flavor, which, when paired with fragrant coconut-milk tapioca pearls, creates a signature taste that is uniquely Ha Long. This will surely be a snack you cannot forget even after leaving this coastal city.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Co Cuong: 29 Minh Khai Street, Ha Lam, Ha Long

+ Co Dung Yogurt: 39 Hoang Dieu, Hong Hai, Ha Long

+ Ba Ha Yogurt: Long Tien Street, Long Tien Pagoda Alley, Bach Dang, Ha Long

1 1 Fermented pork roll & shredded pork skin roll (Nem chua, Nem chạo)

Nem chua and nem chạo are familiar dishes that take on a very distinctive local character when enjoyed in Quang Yen, Quang Ninh. The rolls are made from pork skin, roasted rice powder, and roasted peanuts, served with fig leaves and sweet-and-sour dipping sauce to create a rustic yet utterly captivating flavor.

- Recommended addresses: Ha Long 1 Market or local street food stalls.

1 2 Upside-down ice cream (Kem úp ngược)

- Address: The Gioi Kem, 947 Ha Long, Bai Chay, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh

Upside-down ice cream is a unique sweet treat with an eye-catching presentation and delicious taste that attracts many visitors to Ha Long. The special highlight of this dessert is its ability to be turned "upside down" without falling out. Toppings served with the ice cream include coconut cream, grated coconut, and rich chocolate. As you stroll along the street near Quang Ninh Museum, you can easily find these enticing upside-down ice cream carts.

1 3 Doc Trinh Sat skillet bread (Bánh mì chảo Dốc trinh sát)

- Address: 106 Cai Dam, Bai Chay, Ha Long

In addition to local specialties, MIA.vn would also like to introduce a compelling stop for your Ha Long food tour: Doc Trinh Sat Skillet Bread. Even as a humble sidewalk eatery, the shop has successfully attracted countless diners thanks to its signature sauce served alongside hot, crispy baguettes, fried eggs, sausages, pâté, and grilled meat. The bold, savory sauce combined with fresh ingredients makes for a nourishing meal that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

1 4 Sita duck glass noodles (Miến ngan Sita)

- Address: Ha Long 1 Market, Van Xuan Street, Bach Dang, Ha Long

Sita Duck Glass Noodles is an essential stop on any Ha Long food tour. Located right inside Ha Long 1 Market, the stall is famous for its uniquely flavorful duck glass noodles. The translucent, springy noodles harmonize perfectly with a naturally sweet broth simmered from bones.

The firm, tender, and sweet duck meat paired with fragrant, crunchy homemade sour bamboo shoots is simply irresistible. In addition, the shop serves tasty accompaniments like pyramid pork rice dumplings (bánh giò), hot fried dough sticks, and pork rib cartilage porridge—all deeply rooted in local culinary traditions.

1 5 Sweet ginger dumpling soup (Bánh trôi tàu)

In the chilly weather of Ha Long, sweet ginger dumpling soup served piping hot brings a comforting, warming sensation filled with rich flavors. The soft, silky glutinous rice dumplings filled with sweet black sesame or mung bean melt away the moment they touch your lips. This is a beloved winter dish in Ha Long, perfectly suited for an evening treat.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Ha Long High School for the Gifted, Cot 3 Market, Hong Hai Ward

+ Snack stalls in Hon Gai Ward, Ha Long City

After completing a Ha Long food tour with 15 outstanding specialties, you will truly understand why Ha Long is renowned not only for its breathtaking scenery but also as a "culinary paradise". Don't forget to share this article from MIA.vn Travel Guide with your friends to start planning an unforgettable foodie journey together.