1 An introduction to the specialty of Ha Long squid patties
A secret behind the renowned deliciousness of Ha Long squid patties lies in using cuttlefish that must be caught right in the waters of Ha Long Bay. Only then can this "national" specialty dish attain the distinctive aroma and sweetness unique to Ha Long squid patties. According to experienced artisans, squid caught in different sea regions yields different flavors. For instance, squid caught in the waters of Central and Southern Vietnam tends to be saltier than squid caught in Ha Long Bay, and its meat is not as naturally sweet. Thus, this is perhaps what creates the unique charm and distinctive quality found only in Ha Long squid patties.
After being caught, the whole squid is cut into pieces, placed into a large mortar, and the hand-pounding process begins. It is pounded until everything is finely mashed and blended together; the longer and more consistently it is pounded, the chewier the squid patties become, making them incredibly appetizing to eat. During the steady pounding, fragrant sticky rice flour (hoa vang), ground black pepper, and a dash of seasoning are added and thoroughly incorporated to deepen the flavor. Many people choose Ha Long hand-pounded squid patties to enjoy during Tet feasts, as this is one of Vietnam's finest culinary specialties.
The finished patty is firm, chewy, and tender without being mushy or crumbly. Naturally, with today's massive production volumes, local processing shops no longer pound 100% by hand, but partial mortar pounding remains mandatory, creating the remarkably delicious texture of Ha Long squid patties.
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Ha Long Squid Patty Specialty - The most famous in the Ha Long Bay region
2 Reputable addresses where you can buy Ha Long squid patties
2.1 Ong Ba Seafood
Ong Ba Seafood is one of the largest and most reputable seafood stores in Ha Long City. In addition to seafood specialties such as sun-dried mackerel, dried fish, and dried squid, the Ha Long squid patties at Ong Ba Seafood are a highly trustworthy choice, visited by numerous tourists to buy gifts whenever they visit Ha Long. Each bag of Ha Long squid patties packed at Ong Ba Seafood is carefully vacuum-sealed and securely packaged, ensuring the product's internal quality is never compromised during long-distance travel.
– Address: Sunworld Ha Long Park Old Quarter, Lot C122, Ha Long 1 Street, Hung Thang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
– Phone number: 0947 211 899
– Price range: 200,000 VNĐ – 500,000 VNĐ
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Ong Ba Seafood - Specializing in Ha Long specialties
2.2 Ha Long Squid Patties - Dasavina Store
Dasavina Store is a familiar spot selling famous delicious Ha Long squid patties known to many food lovers. Dasavina Store has its main headquarters in Ha Long City and a large store in Hanoi City. The squid patty specialty here is carefully selected and processed from fresh ingredients with just the right amount of seasoning.
– Address: Kiosk No. 46 – 47, Ha Long 1 Market, Le Quy Don Street, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
– Phone number: 0962 08 3232 – 0915 08 5151
– Price range: 300,000 VNĐ – 400,000 VNĐ
Pounding squid with a pestle and mortar at the Dasavina facility
2.3 Lang Chai Ha Long Squid Patties
The Lang Chai brand of Ha Long squid patty specialty is a long-standing establishment in the tourist city of Ha Long, possessing multiple branches in major cities. In the Ha Long area, you only need to go to Ha Long 1 Market to find Lang Chai squid patties. The dish impresses diners with its unique flavor, made entirely by hand by skilled artisans. Notably, the squid must be cuttlefish that is still alive and sourced directly from fishing grounds to ensure top quality.
– Address: Ha Long 1 Market, Hon Gai, Cao Xanh Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
– Phone number: 0976 885 888
– Price around: 200,000 VNĐ – 300,000 VNĐ
Lang Chai Ha Long Squid Patties - A reputable brand trusted by customers
2.4 Hien Nhung Squid Patties
Another highly reputable address well worth visiting to buy hand-pounded Ha Long squid patty specialty is the Hien Nhung squid patty shop. The Ha Long 1 Market area brings together stores selling this specialty, and Hien Nhung squid patty shop is no exception. Tourists praise the Ha Long squid patties here for being fragrant, chewy, and naturally sweet.
– Address: 228 – 229 – 230 next to Ha Long 1 Market, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
– Phone number: 0333 525 799 – 0333 515 899
– Price around: 270,000 VNĐ – 370,000 VNĐ
Ha Long squid patty specialty - Hien Nhung squid patty facility
2.5 Minh Phuc Squid Patties
Minh Phuc squid patty store also wins the hearts of diners whenever they visit Ha Long, and locals frequently come here to enjoy it as well. In particular, the shop offers a spacious area for visitors wishing to dine in, and products are carefully packaged for direct customer pickup or delivery to other provinces.
– Address: Plot 12/B12, Pillar 5 – Pillar 8 Urban Area, Hong Ha Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
– Phone number: 0393 933 604
– Price range: 300,000 VNĐ – 350,000 VNĐ
Minh Phuc squid patties are boxed for diners' convenience
2.6 Ba Nu Squid Patties
Ba Nu Squid Patties is another well-known name in the Ha Long squid patty scene, specializing in wholesale and retail supplies to numerous stores both inside and outside the province. The shop has a long-standing tradition of preparing Ha Long squid patties, preserving traditional heirloom flavors from the past with an irresistible taste.
– Address: 499 Ly Anh Tong Street, Zone 7, Cai Rong Commune, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province.
– Phone number: 0902 183 138
– Price range: 300,000 VNĐ – 380,000 VNĐ
The Ba Nu squid patty brand has been on the market for a long time and is extremely reputable
2.7 Quang Phong Hand-Pounded Squid Patties
Another address included in this list is Quang Phong hand-pounded squid patty shop, known for its delicious and enticing flavor. It also operates multiple branches across Quang Ninh province. You can pick whichever store is closest to purchase; Quang Phong squid patties are praised for being fragrant, fresh, richly seasoned, and delightfully crispy and chewy.
– Address: Lot C112A, Old Quarter, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
– Phone number: 097 864 6300
– Selling price range: 260,000 VNĐ – 350,000 VNĐ
Quang Phong Squid Patties - A reputable address in Quang Ninh
2.8 Ba Kien Squid Patties
The final name on this list is Ba Kien Squid Patties. The name of this shop is probably no longer unfamiliar to many tourists and residents of Ha Long City. This is the shop favored most by visitors buying gifts, thanks to its careful packaging with vacuum-sealed Ha Long squid patty packs.
– Address: Plot 41, Group 1, Zone 6, Yet Kieu Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
– Phone number: 091 508 5151
– Price range: 250,000 VNĐ – 300,000 VNĐ
Fresh, delicious, golden-brown squid patties when fried
3 Notes when buying Ha Long squid patties
Tips to preserve vacuum-sealed squid patties for a long time
After ordering squid patties, if you consume them immediately, you can keep them at room temperature; however, if you wish to preserve them for long-term use, follow these steps:
+ Place the squid patties directly into the freezer at a temperature below -40C for long-term storage. If you only use part of the patties, take the rest out of the bag, place them in a container with a tight lid, and return them to the freezer.
+ If there are leftovers after use, you can keep them in the refrigerator compartment for the next time.
+ If you plan to consume the squid patties within the day, you only need to store them in the refrigerator compartment, but make sure they are tightly sealed to prevent absorbing odors from other foods.
Above is a compilation of reputable addresses selling the Ha Long squid patty specialty visited by many diners. Hopefully, the information above will be useful to you. Wishing you a wonderful trip, and remember to share your moments with MIA.VN!