Top 12 delicious Ha Long dishes that captivate diners

Ha Long is not only famous for its breathtaking natural wonders but also boasts a rich culinary heritage, with delicious Ha Long dishes that always leave visitors longing for more.

Ha Long is a city in Quang Ninh Province renowned for its magnificent natural landscapes, particularly the natural wonder of Ha Long Bay and its abundant natural resources. Yet, one of the key elements that defines the distinct charm of this city is the delicious Ha Long dishes that always leave visitors longing for more.

These delicious Ha Long dishes are typically crafted from seafood using traditional coastal culinary methods and unique marine delicacies—some of which can only be found in the waters of Quang Ninh. Once sampled, these flavors are sure to captivate your palate. Let's explore the signature specialties of Ha Long together.

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

One of the top delicious Ha Long dishes that must be mentioned is steamed rice rolls with grilled squid patties. The defining highlight of this dish is the squid patty itself. Made from the freshest squid and hand-pounded, the patties retain a distinctive chewy crunch and the natural aroma of fresh squid. The squid patties are paired with piping hot steamed rice rolls and dipped into a delicate sweet and savory fish sauce. Its remarkable flavor is sure to linger in your memory. The dipping fish sauce in Ha Long is typically lighter and more delicate than that found in Southern Vietnam.

2. Stone crab noodle soup (Bún cù kỳ)

Cu ky is a variety of sea crab known for its two oversized pincers, hairy legs, and firm, aromatic meat. This noodle soup is celebrated as one of the most beloved delicious Ha Long dishes. Bun cu ky is commonly enjoyed as a flavorful and nutritious breakfast. In addition, a bowl of noodles often includes other seafood such as mantis shrimp, sea prawns, peanut worms, and squid. The naturally sweet broth infused with fresh seafood, accompanied by pickled radish, creates an extraordinary culinary delight.

3. Peanut worm congee (Cháo sá sùng)

Sa sung, also known as earth ginseng or sea worm, is an exceptionally nutritious and prized delicacy, which makes it relatively expensive. However, it is an absolute must-try when visiting Ha Long. Peanut worms have an intensely rich natural sweetness, which imparts immense nutritional value when cooked in rice congee. Moreover, peanut worms are frequently stir-fried with morning glory and garlic to create a delectable dish, even though you might feel slightly hesitant at first due to their unique appearance.

4. Tai long ep cake (Bánh tài lồng ệp)

A signature cake of the San Diu ethnic community residing in Quang Ninh. Tai long ep cake serves as both a delightful casual snack and a traditional ceremonial cake for New Year offerings. The cake is prepared from glutinous rice flour simmered with sugarcane molasses or rock sugar. After cooking, it takes on an amber-brown hue, sprinkled with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts on top, offering a soft, fragrant, and pleasantly sweet treat.

5. Dishes made from Ngan clams

Ngan is a species of bivalve mollusk. The large and edible variety is found exclusively in the brackish waters of the Bach Dang River estuary. It is a prized specialty of Quang Ninh Province. Ngan is exceptionally nutrient-rich and commands a premium price due to its dwindling supply. Although highly nutritious, Ngan remains a rare and precious resource in Quang Ninh and Ha Long, underscoring the need for sustainable harvesting and management practices.

6. Ha Long pearl yogurt (Sữa chua trân châu Hạ Long)

A delicious and wholesome dessert that brings together smooth, creamy yogurt, soft and fragrant tapioca pearls, and rich coconut milk, often topped with assorted fruits. Together, they create a wonderfully refreshing treat to beat the heat. Ha Long pearl yogurt has undoubtedly become a culinary sensation throughout Vietnam.

7. Horseshoe crab (Sam biển)

Horseshoe crab is one of the delicious Ha Long dishes you should definitely experience. This rare and unique seafood is notoriously difficult to prepare, requiring substantial culinary expertise. Horseshoe crabs are relatively common along the coastal waters of Quang Ninh. Because they closely resemble the mangrove horseshoe crab (so bien - a poisonous species), great caution is required when buying or preparing them independently. It is best to savor horseshoe crab prepared by well-established, reputable restaurants. Notable delectable dishes include grilled horseshoe crab cartilage, stir-fried glass noodles with horseshoe crab meat, and more.

Beyond the aforementioned Ha Long specialties, you can also savor other regional delicacies of Quang Ninh available right in Ha Long, such as Tien Yen hill chicken, "gat gu" cake, and more. These are all exquisite and distinctive dishes that are difficult to find anywhere else.

8. White sticky rice with squid patties (Xôi trắng chả mực)

White sticky rice with squid patties is a renowned highlight of Ha Long cuisine that no food lover should miss on their culinary exploration. The sticky rice is made from fragrant, chewy glutinous rice, while the squid patties are prepared from fresh squid, giving them a delightful crunch and natural sweetness. The pairing of warm white sticky rice and golden fried squid patties is served alongside savory fish sauce and chili sauce for an irresistible taste. The price per serving at casual eateries ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 VND. Additionally, you can purchase squid patties by the kilogram for around 250,000 VND/kg.

9. Tien Yen hill chicken (Gà đồi Tiên Yên)

Tien Yen is a mountainous district in Quang Ninh Province, approximately 90 km from Ha Long City along the route to Mong Cai. Tien Yen is celebrated for its hill chickens, raised free-range, foraging all day across hilly terrains, which gives them golden skin, tender aromatic meat, and naturally sweet broth. Tien Yen chicken is considered a Ha Long specialty that every traveler is eager to sample when arriving in the city. The chicken can be prepared in various ways, but it is best enjoyed simply boiled, paired with fresh herbs and a perfectly balanced tangy and spicy dipping sauce.

1 0. "Gat gu" nodding cake (Bánh “gật gù”)

In appearance, gat gu cake looks quite similar to steamed rice rolls (banh cuon) or flat rice noodle sheets, but it features a distinctive preparation technique. The roll has no filling; diners dip the cake into a specially prepared sauce that delights every palate. The unique name comes from its swaying appearance: long, soft, and supple, the rolled rice cake nods up and down when held in the hand. Gat gu cake is a popular rustic treat sold in many places across Ha Long in particular and Quang Ninh in general.

1 1. Fermented pork roll and shredded pork skin roll from Quang Yen Town (Nem chua, nem chạo thị xã Quảng Yên)

When visiting Ha Long, you will surely be intrigued by the specialty fermented pork rolls (nem chua) and shredded pork skin rolls (nem chao) from Quang Yen. Carrying an unmistakable flavor profile, this dish is sought after by many tourists visiting the Bai Chay - Ha Long tourist area. The ingredients are rustic and straightforward: shredded pork skin and finely ground roasted rice powder. The success of the dish relies heavily on its dipping sauce. When eating, diners wrap the roll and fresh herbs in thin rice paper and dip it into an enticing bowl of sweet and sour sauce. Quang Yen nem chua and nem chao are also popular culinary gifts chosen by many Ha Long visitors for their family and friends.

1 2. Tien Yen Ca say (Cà sáy Tiên Yên)

Ca say is the meat of a waterfowl crossbred between a duck and a muscovy duck. Tien Yen ca say has become one of the must-try signature specialties of Ha Long. The meat is typically boiled until cooked through and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Ca say meat is firm and rich; in some eateries, it is pan-fried until the skin turns crispy and served with warm rice or bread. In particular, when Tien Yen locals prepare ca say, they serve it with an exclusive dipping sauce—a condiment combining the aromatic essence of fish sauces from Cai Rong, Van Yen, and Cat Hai, blended with the sweet warmth of Guangxi sarsaparilla and the gentle kick of homegrown Tien Yen ginger.