Top 15 Famous Ha Long Specialties That Everyone Falls in Love With

1 Ha Long pearl yogurt

- Address: Cai Dam shop - 585 Ha Long, Bai Chay, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 10,000 – 50,000 VND/cup

Topping the list of 15 Ha Long specialties that delight every visitor is Ha Long pearl yogurt. The mild, creamy sweetness of coconut milk blended with soft, chewy tapioca pearls delivers an experience both novel and familiar. Don't miss the crispy diced aloe vera, refreshing jelly, or a sprinkle of rich dried coconut flakes. This harmonious combination will leave you longing for this beloved coastal land.

2 Squid patties

- Address: Quang Phong eatery – Lot C112A, Old Town area, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 35,000 – 50,000 VND/portion

Want to know what makes Ha Long specialties so delectable? Just pack your bags, take a bite of squid patties, and you will see. Fresh squid is hand-pounded or finely minced, shaped into patties, and deep-fried to a golden crisp. The distinctive, delicate sweetness of the local sea sets this dish apart, making it unforgettable to all who taste it.

If you prefer something heartier, order a serving of sticky rice with squid patties. Fragrant, tender, and glossy glutinous rice grains are carefully selected to pair seamlessly with neatly cut, golden patties.

Alternatively, don't miss steamed rolled rice pancakes with squid patties. The thin, delicately chewy rice sheets wrap around a savory filling of minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, neatly arranged on the plate alongside golden, amazingly aromatic squid patties.

3 Tien Yen hill chicken

- Address: Co Xanh 2 Restaurant, Gieng Day, Hung Thang, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 120,000 – 200,000 VND/kg

One of the delicious specialties of Ha Long, Quang Ninh is Tien Yen hill chicken. The unique quality of this chicken lies in its firm, sweet, and chewy meat, thanks to being free-range and foraging naturally across the hills and forests. When cooked, the thin skin turns a honeyed golden hue, well-infused with spices and perfectly balanced in flavor, leaving an unforgettable taste.

4 Acorn barnacle porridge

- Address: 170 Night Seafood Eatery – Gieng Don Street, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl

When coming to Ha Long Bay, don't forget to order a piping hot bowl of acorn barnacle porridge. Though rustic, the dish offers a sweet, aromatic, and nutrient-rich taste. Just a few spoonfuls are enough to warm an empty stomach and replenish your energy to continue your exciting Ha Long journey.

5 Horseshoe crab

- Address: Hung Mit 7-Dish Horseshoe Crab Restaurant, Bach Dang, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 50,000 – 75,000 VND/crab

Ha Long Bay is not only picturesque, but also memorable for its unique specialty: horseshoe crab. The crab is prepared in various styles: sweet and sour stir-fry, salad, stir-fried glass noodles, grilled, crispy fried crab eggs, or aromatic cartilage. Horseshoe crab meat is deeply sweet, pleasantly chewy, and easy to enjoy, earning nods of approval even from the most discerning food connoisseurs.

6 Milk oyster porridge

- Address: Khanh Ly Restaurant – Hung Vuong Street, Ka Long, Mong Cai, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl

Milk oyster porridge is a Ha Long specialty that is not only rich in flavor but also packed with nutritional value. A hot bowl of porridge provides essential vitamins and minerals to nourish the body. This dish is also considered beneficial for individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or frequent headaches.

7 Austrian clam (Ngan)

- Address: Thien Anh Seafood Restaurant in Cai Dam Urban Area (Bai Chay)

- Reference price: 100,000 – 440,000 VND/person

Though its Vietnamese name literally means "cloying," tasting it makes diners utterly enchanted. Resembling a common clam but much larger, the ngan clam is an exceptionally renowned Ha Long specialty. According to experienced travelers, this seafood can be grilled, steamed, cooked in soup, or stir-fried with noodles. Every cooking method yields an irresistibly delicious flavor.

8 Upside-down ice cream

- Address: The Gioi Kem - No. 947 Ha Long, Bai Chay, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/cup

The specialty upside-down ice cream in Ha Long has created a buzz among young people thanks to its novel look and distinctive properties. The highlight of this ice cream cup is that even when held completely inverted, the ice cream stays in place without dripping or spilling. The secret lies in its smooth, dense texture that holds cold well and does not melt as quickly as typical ice creams.

9 Gat gu cake

- Address: Ha Long Night Market – Ha Long Marine Boulevard, Bai Chay, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/portion

Gat gu cake is a familiar Ha Long breakfast specialty loved by both locals and tourists alike. The cake is soft, chewy, and subtly aromatic, delivering flavor with every bite. When eating, diners dip it into a hot, rich chicken-fat dipping sauce that creates an unforgettable savory sensation.

1 0 Dried shrimp floss

- Address: Ha Long 2 Market – No. 433 Le Loi, Tran Hung Dao, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 350,000 – 500,000 VND/kg

Looking for a gift filled with the flavor of Quang Ninh? Shrimp floss is an option you shouldn't overlook. This delicacy is made from fresh shrimp and lean pork shoulder, stir-cooked until golden and intensely fragrant. This Ha Long specialty is both convenient to carry and brimming with the spirit of the sea.

1 1 Ha Long dried squid

- Address: Ha Long 1 Market – Bach Dang Street, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 900,000 – 1,500,000 VND/kg

Dried squid is readily available in coastal areas, but Ha Long dried squid stands apart. Thick, firm meat with a rich ocean aroma are major highlights of this Ha Long specialty. Anyone with a refined palate can tell the difference with just one bite.

Shred the squid into thin strips, grill it to release its fragrant aroma, dip it in chili sauce, and enjoy alongside a cold beer. The smoky fragrance combined with the sweetness on the tongue makes it irresistible from the very first taste.

1 2 Dried peanut worms

- Address: Ong Ba Seafood Store – Halong Park, Lot C122, Sun World, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND/kg

Dried peanut worms are a Ha Long souvenir well worth taking home. Compact and easy to store, they carry no risk of spoiling during long trips. When cooked in porridge or simmered into broth, dried peanut worms release an intensely rich aroma and a delicate natural sweetness. Each bowl provides a valuable source of nutrients unmatched by many other dishes.

1 3 Mantis shrimp noodle soup

- Address: Lang Chai Mantis Shrimp Noodle Eatery – No. 1 Le Thanh Tong, Hong Gai, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 20,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl

Mantis shrimp noodle soup is a famous specialty of Ha Long. The mantis shrimp offers sweet meat, the noodles have just the right chew, accompanied by fresh, crispy herbs. The noodle broth is gently seasoned by the cook to be light yet brimming with ocean flavor. Each spoonful lifted to your lips allows you to savor every nuance of the dish.

1 4 Yen Tu apricot wine

- Address: Apricot wine manufacturing plant in Yen Thanh, Uong Bi, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 85,000 VND/bottle

Yen Tu apricot wine is brewed from traditional rice wine and fresh apricots harvested in season. Taking a sip, a gentle tartness intermingled with delicate sweetness spreads over the tongue, warming the throat with a robust yet smooth aroma. This wine also meets food safety standards, giving you complete peace of mind whether buying it as a gift or enjoying it yourself.

1 5 Cantonese fried rice

- Address: No. 8 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cao Thang, Ha Long, Quang Ninh

- Reference price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/bowl

Cantonese fried rice is a beloved Ha Long delicacy that leaves a lasting impression through its simplicity. Fragrant, tender rice is fried with fresh sand prawns, coconut meat, dried shrimp, salted duck egg, and green peas. Each ingredient is deftly blended and seasoned just right, ensuring that anyone who tries it will remember it fondly.

With these 15 Ha Long specialty suggestions, you can confidently plan your itinerary, pack your suitcase, and embark on a voyage to explore this flavor-rich coastal destination. These delicious dishes will not only satisfy your appetite, but also help you bring home unforgettable memories.