What to Eat in Ha Long: Check Out the Top 15+ Delicious Dishes

1 Ha Long Milk Oyster Congee

Milk oysters are a seafood beloved by many. When incorporated into congee, they create an even more enticing and memorable flavor. The oysters are kept whole, plump and rich, seasoned with savory spices. Served piping hot, this dish is an ideal choice for a late-night bite.

2 What to Eat in Ha Long - Tien Yen Ca Say

Ca say is quite an unfamiliar dish for first-time visitors to Quang Ninh. For those who do not know, ca say is a hybrid waterfowl crossbred between duck and Muscovy duck. As a result, its meat is exceptionally flavorful—neither too dry like Muscovy duck meat nor overly soft and greasy like regular duck meat.

If you're unsure what to eat in Ha Long, head to eateries specializing in ca say to give it a try. There are plenty of options, such as grilled ca say, boiled ca say, stir-fried ca say with lemongrass and chili, or stewed ca say with fermented rice paste and galangal... In addition, you can buy prepared ca say meat as a gift for family and friends if it is convenient to carry.

3 Quang Yen Fermented Pork Rolls (Nem Chua, Nem Chao)

The next dishes on MIA.vn's Ha Long culinary guide are nem chua and nem chao from Quang Yen. Both specialties combine pork meat, pork skin, and roasted rice powder, undergoing a fermentation process that yields a unique flavor. These rolls are typically served with fresh aromatic herbs and dipped in chili sauce for unbeatable taste.

4 Ha Long Dried Shrimp Floss

Dried shrimp floss is another delicious Ha Long specialty that travelers frequently purchase as gifts. Made from fresh shrimp processed into fine shreds, it carries the natural aroma of seafood paired with a rich, savory taste. Shrimp floss preserves easily and pairs wonderfully with numerous staples such as steamed rice, sticky rice, congee, and bread...

5 Braised Minced Pork with Fermented Krill Paste

Braised minced pork with fermented krill paste (mam tep chung thit) is a rustic dish deeply familiar in the daily meals of Ha Long locals. You can sample this dish at traditional countryside-style restaurants. Enjoying it with hot steamed rice or claypot rice is second to none. When wondering what to eat in Ha Long, do not overlook this simple yet wonderfully appetizing comfort food.

6 Ha Long White Sticky Rice with Squid Patties

As a coastal destination, Ha Long boasts many enticing dishes crafted from seafood, among which fried squid patties are an absolute highlight. The patties are made from fresh squid ground or hand-pounded, seasoned richly, and deep-fried to a golden crisp. This dish is at its best when paired with fragrant, chewy white sticky rice, creating a blend of flavors that will get you hooked from the first bite. Squid patties also pair well with various other dishes and can be kept in the freezer for months, making them a great gift or a treat to enjoy at home later.

7 Dishes Made from Fresh Ngan

Ngan is a rare and delicious seafood specialty of Quang Ninh, resembling clams in appearance but notably larger. Ngan can be prepared in multiple ways: grilled, steamed, cooked in soups, stir-fried with noodles, or served in hotpots... Furthermore, many people purchase ngan to infuse with rice wine. Ngan wine is considered good for health and offers a distinctive taste that leaves a lasting impression after a single sip.

8 Peanut Worms (Sa Sung)

Next on the list of what to eat in Ha Long is sa sung, also known as earth ginseng. This is a type of sand worm found primarily in the Ha Long marine region, leading visitors to take every chance to sample it. The standout dish is sa sung stir-fried with garlic, which produces an enticing, fragrant aroma. There are also dried peanut worms, commonly used to sweeten broth for pho, noodle soups, or congee with a pleasant, natural sweetness.

9 Ha Long Horseshoe Crab (Sam Bien)

Horseshoe crab is another delectable seafood; while its appearance may look somewhat intimidating, it yields plenty of meat. Many consider horseshoe crab even tastier than shrimp or crab thanks to its firm, chewy, and sweet meat. There are many scrumptious dishes made from horseshoe crab that you must try in Ha Long, including crab roe soup, patties, egg salad, sour-spicy salad, and steamed crab…

1 0 Hoanh Bo Infused Glutinous Rice Wine

When looking for a Ha Long specialty gift to bring home, Hoanh Bo infused glutinous rice wine often comes to mind first. Brewed from premium glutinous rice, it is remarkably fragrant and sweet. The liquor is then steeped with selected wild forest leaves, enhancing its flavor and aiding digestion.

1 1 Ha Long Mantis Shrimp Noodle Soup (Bun Be Be)

A delicious answer to what to eat in Ha Long is bun be be (mantis shrimp noodle soup). Mantis shrimp is a crustacean often steamed or used in noodle soups. A bowl of bun be be boasts an extraordinarily sweet broth, topped with fried tofu, prawns, squid patties, and more. Whether you enjoy it at a sidewalk eatery or in an upscale restaurant, the flavor is sure to stay with you.

1 2 Ha Long Rock Oyster Congee (Chao Ha)

Another dish praised by gourmets and discerning eaters alike is chao ha (rock oyster congee). These sea barnacles/rock oysters attach themselves to seaside rocks, offering a delicate sweetness and a distinctive seafood fragrance. Ha is typically cooked in rice congee and served with crispy fried dough sticks (quay) and dried pork/shrimp floss. It is perfect during chilly winter days, warming your stomach with just a few spoonfuls.

1 3 Ha Long Gat Gu Cake (Banh Gat Gu)

The first impression of this dish often comes from its name. It is called "gat gu" (nodding) because the finished steamed rice rolls are fairly long, soft, and flexible; when held up, they cannot stand upright and nod from side to side. This specialty shares similarities with Hanoi's banh cuon but lacks filling inside. Instead, it is enjoyed with a dipping sauce of stewed minced pork, chicken fat, fried shallots, and chili fish sauce.

1 4 Spicy Fish Noodle Soup (Bun Ca Cay)

MIA.vn's Ha Long food guide would not be complete without spicy fish noodle soup. Toppings include crispy fried fish, fish viscera, fish cakes, and pork meatballs, served with fresh herbs and raw vegetables. The broth is brewed rich and savory, highlighted by a pleasant kick of heat. When in Ha Long, be sure not to miss this dish.

1 5 Duck Embryo and Blood Curd Stewed with Mugwort Leaves

While fertilized duck eggs (balut) are already tasty on their own, stewing them with congealed blood curd and mugwort leaves elevates the flavor even further. The distinct herbal, pungent aroma of mugwort permeates every piece of blood curd and egg. In addition to being delicious, it functions as a traditional herbal remedy that promotes blood circulation and helps alleviate headaches. If you have never tasted mugwort before, the slightly bitter flavor might feel unusual at first, but once accustomed, you may well become addicted.

1 6 Hot Chinese Glutinous Rice Balls (Banh Troi Tau)

To round off your culinary adventure in Ha Long, do not pass up an irresistible dessert: hot banh troi tau. Each dumpling is rolled neatly round, filled with fragrant sesame or mung bean paste, and served in a warm ginger-infused sugar syrup that balances sweetness with a hint of spice. Whenever cold weather arrives, Ha Long locals relish the pleasure of enjoying a piping hot bowl of banh troi tau while watching the bustling street traffic roll by.

Above are suggestions from the MIA.vn travel guide to make your culinary exploration in Ha Long rich with enticing flavors. Wishing you a memorable journey in Ha Long and an enjoyable experience savoring the specialties of this coastal city.