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

1 Steamed rice rolls with squid patties (Banh cuon cha muc)

Steamed rice rolls with squid patties is a unique specialty dish on any Ha Long food tour. The steamed rice rolls here are made from smooth white rice batter, spread thinly and rolled with a filling of minced shrimp, pork, and wood ear mushrooms. The dish becomes truly special thanks to its pairing with squid patties—hand-pounded from the freshest squid in the Ha Long sea. Chewy, crispy, golden, and fragrant squid patties served alongside silky-soft rice rolls create an exceptional harmony of flavors. This is a popular breakfast choice, easily found down quaint alleyways or in upscale restaurants across Ha Long.

- Recommended addresses:

+ Banh cuon cha muc Goc Bang: 189 Alley 1, Nha Hat Street, Le Thanh Tong, Bach Dang, Ha Long

+ Banh cuon cha muc Ba Ngan: 34 Doan Thi Diem, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long

2 Peanut worms (Sa sung)

Peanut worms are a specialty seafood from Van Don, Ha Long, renowned for their high nutritional value and distinctive flavor. Prepared in various dishes, peanut worms are most famous stir-fried with celery and garlic.

Each chewy, crisp piece of peanut worm combined with the robust aroma of garlic and celery creates an exceptionally enticing dish. This is an indispensable treat on the drinking tables of locals and an ideal choice when embarking on a Ha Long food tour.

Besides the stir-fry, peanut worm porridge is also an exquisite specialty. The broth simmered from peanut worms carries a naturally light sweetness, which, when paired with crown daisy greens and thinly sliced ginger, delivers a soothing, thoroughly captivating flavor.

- Recommended address:

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

3 Stone crab noodle soup (Bun cu ky)

A dish you cannot miss on a Ha Long food tour is stone crab noodle soup. This is one of Quang Ninh's standout specialties. Cu ky (stone crab) belongs to the crab family but is smaller in body with large claws filled with firm, sweet meat. Bun cu ky is prepared entirely from the crab's body and roe. After shelling, the succulent claw meat is arranged atop the noodles and paired with a subtly sweet seafood broth, creating a flavorful, aromatic profile. The fragrant broth infused with crab roe and the crisp, firm claw meat will surely delight anyone who tries it.

- 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 trung nuong)

Grilled horseshoe crab with eggs carries the hallmark flavor of the Ha Long sea, one that anyone who tries it will find hard to forget. The golden, rich roe paired with chewy, sweet horseshoe crab meat creates a novel yet mouth-watering dish. Especially when dipped in a zesty dipping sauce, the delicious flavors of the grilled egg-filled crab are elevated, offering 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 (Bun be be)

Mantis shrimp noodle soup is a famous breakfast delicacy on the Ha Long food tour, beloved for its savory taste and rich nutrition. Mantis shrimp is a common seafood along Ha Long's waters, possessing firm and naturally sweet meat. The broth is simmered from the boiling liquid of fresh mantis shrimp combined with other seafood like shrimp and various crabs, yielding a gentle, natural sweetness. A generous bowl of bun be be comes with 3–5 mantis shrimp alongside prawns, fried tofu, and aromatic 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 Ngan clam porridge (Chao ngan)

Ngan clam porridge is a nutritious dish characteristic of the Quang Ninh coastal area. Ngan clams feature tender, sweet, and flavorful meat that, combined with piping hot white porridge, makes an ideal breakfast dish.

The porridge is seasoned with scallions, Vietnamese coriander, and ground pepper to create an aromatic and warming profile, perfect for Ha Long food tours on chilly days.

- Recommended addresses:

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

+ Ba Nga Eatery: Loong Toong Market, Ha Long

7 Nodding rice cake (Banh gat gu)

With its amusing name, "nodding cake" sparks curiosity and tempts everyone to try it. The rolled rice cake is pure white, soft, and slightly chewy. When eaten, it is dipped in seasoned chicken fat sauce, delivering a rich savoriness while preserving a light, clean taste. This dish is steeped in the rustic flavors of Quang Ninh and is often sold at Ha Long night markets.

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

8 Grilled Loi Am chicken (Ga Loi Am nuong)

Grilled Loi Am chicken is a specialty you shouldn't miss when visiting Loi Am Pagoda. The chickens here are free-range, with firm, lean, and flavorful meat. The chicken is typically marinated simply with traditional spices, then grilled over glowing charcoal embers until the skin turns crispy golden and the meat becomes irresistibly fragrant. Notably, several eateries also offer mugwort leaf grilled chicken, imparting a distinctive herbal aroma to the dish.

- Recommended address: Eateries around the foot of Loi Am Pagoda mountain, Ha Long

9 Avocado ice cream (Kem bo)

During the sultry summer days of Ha Long, a refreshing cup of avocado ice cream is the perfect treat to beat the heat. With smooth vanilla ice cream paired with rich, creamy mashed avocado, this dessert has captured the hearts of many visitors. You can also add various tempting toppings such as dried coconut, cocoa powder, or jackfruit to refresh your experience.

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

1 0 Ha Long pearl yogurt (Sua chua tran chau Ha Long)

If you go on a Ha Long food tour and miss trying pearl yogurt, it would be a huge omission. The smooth, velvety yogurt has a balanced sweet and tart flavor, paired with warm coconut milk tapioca pearls to produce a flavor that is uniquely Ha Long. This will undoubtedly be a snack you won't forget after leaving this coastal city.

- Recommended addresses:

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

+ Sua chua co Dung: 39 Hoang Dieu, Hong Hai, Ha Long

+ Sua chua ba Ha: Long Tien Street, Long Tien Pagoda Alley, Bach Dang, Ha Long

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

Nem chua and nem chao are familiar dishes, yet they offer a very distinct taste when savored in Quang Yen, Quang Ninh. The rolls are made from shredded pork skin, roasted rice powder, and roasted peanuts, served with fig leaves and sweet-and-sour dipping sauce to create a rustic yet incredibly tantalizing flavor.

- Recommended address: Ha Long 1 Market or local snack shops.

1 2 Upside-down ice cream (Kem up nguoc)

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

Upside-down ice cream is a unique snack featuring an eye-catching presentation and delicious taste that attracts many visitors to Ha Long. The special highlight of this ice cream is its ability to be flipped upside down without falling out. Toppings served with the ice cream include coconut milk, grated coconut, and rich sweet chocolate. Strolling along the streets near the Quang Ninh Museum, you can easily spot these alluring upside-down ice cream carts.

1 3 Doc Trinh Sat pan-fried bread (Banh mi chao Doc trinh sat)

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

Alongside iconic specialties, MIA.vn also introduces an exciting spot for your Ha Long food tour: Doc Trinh Sat Pan-Fried Bread. Though a street-side eatery, it has successfully attracted crowds of diners thanks to its signature rich sauce paired with hot, crispy baguette, fried eggs, sausages, pâté, and grilled pork. The savory sauce combined with fresh ingredients makes for a hearty, nutritious meal you are sure to remember.

1 4 Sita Muscovy duck glass noodles (Mien ngan Sita)

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

Sita Muscovy Duck Glass Noodle Shop is an essential stop on a Ha Long food tour. Located right inside Ha Long 1 Market, the shop is famous for its uniquely flavorful duck glass noodles. Clear, chewy yet tender glass noodles blend seamlessly with a subtly sweet broth simmered from bones.

Firm, succulent duck meat paired with crunchy, fragrant homemade pickled bamboo shoots creates an irresistible combination. In addition, the eatery serves appetizing side dishes such as pyramid rice dumplings (banh gio), hot fried dough crullers (quay), and pork rib cartilage porridge—all imbued with authentic local flavor.

1 5 Sweet glutinous rice dumplings in ginger syrup (Banh troi tau)

In the chilly weather of Ha Long, sweet glutinous rice dumplings served in piping hot ginger syrup bring a cozy and flavorful feeling. The tender, chewy dumplings, filled with sweet black sesame or mung bean paste, melt the moment they reach your mouth. This is a popular winter treat in Ha Long, perfect for an evening snack.

- Recommended addresses:

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

+ Snack stalls across Hon Gai Ward, Ha Long City

After a Ha Long food tour with these 15 exceptional delicacies, you will understand why Ha Long is celebrated 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 plan a wonderful gastronomic journey together.