When traveling to Ha Long, remember to try all the specialties on this list

1 Ha Long Specialty - Mantis shrimp noodle soup (Bún bề bề)

Mantis shrimp noodle soup, also known as "bún tôm tít", is a dish that leaves diners yearning for more from the very first taste. This Ha Long specialty has a distinct aroma and is cooked with a broth simmered from bones and various vegetables, resulting in a delightfully sweet and crystal-clear soup. The mantis shrimps are thoroughly cleaned by chefs, having their heads removed, digestive tracts cleaned, and shells peeled; in many places, portions of mantis shrimp are simmered directly with the broth to enhance its natural sweetness. Toppings served with mantis shrimp noodles include Ha Long squid patties, fried tofu, and whole shrimp, creating an exquisite Ha Long specialty noodle bowl. It is best enjoyed during the autumn or as winter sets in; nothing compares to savoring a steaming bowl of noodles in chilly weather. You can refer to this recommended address for delicious mantis shrimp noodle soup in Quang Ninh.

Address: Quan bun be be Huy Chien - Group 2, Zone 6C, Thuc Thoai Street, Hong Hai Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Price range: 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND.

See more: This article compiles reputable places selling squid patties in Ha Long

2 Steamed rice rolls with squid patties (Bánh cuốn chả mực)

When visiting Ha Long, trying Ha Long squid patties is an absolute must, as this is a one-of-a-kind specialty of this coastal region. Sourced from cuttlefish caught directly in Quang Ninh waters, the squid patties achieve their exceptional texture and flavor when hand-pounded by skilled artisans, setting Ha Long squid patties apart from those of any other region.

Steamed rice rolls with squid patties are a very popular breakfast dish among both Quang Ninh locals and tourists. Fresh, hot steamed rolls dipped into sweet-and-sour fish sauce, served with chewy, fragrant, and savory squid patties make for such a high-quality breakfast that you should definitely try. 

In addition, another great choice for you is sticky rice with squid patties, which is soft and fragrant thanks to carefully selected glutinous rice grains. It is served with crispy fried squid patties cut into bite-sized pieces. Just looking at it or hearing its name is enough to make you crave a taste right away.

There are quite a few eateries in Ha Long, but Goc Cay Bang steamed rice roll eatery gathers the most locals, and over time tourists have also learned about its reputation, making it very famous. Furthermore, the eatery is located near Bai Tho Mountain, dubbed the poetic mountain in the heart of Ha Long Bay and offering one of the most stunning views of Bai Chay. Enjoying breakfast while admiring the panoramic mountain scenery—what could be better?

Address: No. 189 Alley 1, Nha Hat Street, Le Thanh Tong Road, Bach Dang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Price range: 30,000 VND to 60,000 VND

3 Cantonese Fried Rice

Ha Long's culinary specialty scene also features many other remarkable dishes, such as Cantonese fried rice, prepared by combining a variety of ingredients, which has earned a special place in the hearts of both tourists and locals here. What makes this Cantonese fried rice top-notch is the harmonious combination of fragrant rice, greasyback shrimp, fresh coconut water, grade-1 dried shrimp, salted duck eggs, and green peas. Complemented by savory seasonings, the dish turns out rich in flavor, delicious, and full of nutrition.

You can also pair Cantonese fried rice with honey-glazed grilled meat skewers for a perfect combination.

Address: 8 Tran Hung Dao, Cao Thang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Price range: 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND.

4 Tien Yen Hill Chicken

"Chicken lovers" definitely cannot miss out on Tien Yen hill chicken, a famous specialty of Quang Ninh. This chicken is renowned for its firm, aromatic, and tender meat that is never mushy, as the chickens roam freely across the hilly terrain, making their meat very lean and firm. Among Quang Ninh specialties, boiled chicken served with rice and a traditional dipping sauce is an extremely attractive combo for tourists. When boiled, it features a glossy golden skin and well-balanced seasoning—a delicious delicacy that you simply must try.

Address: Co Xanh 3 - Ca Song Da, Ga Tien Yen & Ruoi Tu Ky - 16 Zone 4B, Hung Thang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Price: 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND.

5 Horseshoe Crab (Sam Biển)

If you are still wondering "what to eat when traveling to Ha Long?", horseshoe crab is the next recommendation. Horseshoe crab has fragrant meat with just the right amount of sweetness and chewiness, serving as a "familiar face" at almost all good eateries in Ha Long. Horseshoe crab can be prepared into a wide variety of dishes and is acclaimed as one of Ha Long's standout specialties: crab sour soup, crab patties, sweet and sour stir-fried crab, crab salad, stir-fried crab with glass noodles, crispy fried crab eggs, and more. The meat is sweet, pleasantly chewy, and easy to enjoy, guaranteed to win over even the most demanding diners. 

Address: Quan Sam Ba Ty in Hon Gai - Alley 6 Cao Thang or Alley 7D Cao Thang, Group 7, Zone 4, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Price range: 50,000 VND to 250,000 VND

6 Tien Yen Ca Say

Many first-time visitors who hear the name "Ca Say Tien Yen" are curious about what kind of dish could bear such a unique and unusual name, leaving both listeners and readers unable to imagine what it looks like. However, this Ha Long specialty is actually the meat of a hybrid animal crossbred between a common duck and a muscovy duck. This dish is usually boiled until cooked through and cut into bite-sized pieces. The meat is chewy and rich; in some places, it is fried until the skin turns crispy and served with hot steamed rice or bread.

Address: Ca say restaurant in Cao Xanh area, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

Reference price: 120,000 VND to 220,000 VND per kilogram.

7 "Gat Gu" Rice Cake (Bánh “Gật Gù”)

Yet another dish with an intriguing name that sparks curiosity among visitors exploring Ha Long's culinary specialties. This is a breakfast dish beloved by Ha Long locals because the cake is elongated yet extremely soft, quite similar to the rolled pho (phở cuốn) of Ngu Xa in Hanoi. Many people explain the unusual name by noting that when held in hand, the cake nods and sways in various directions like someone nodding off to sleep ("gật gù"). Hence, the name "Gat Gu" cake was born and warmly embraced by many. Gat Gu cake is eaten with a dipping sauce made from chicken fat simmered with minced pork, fried shallots, and a touch of fish sauce, making the dish exceptionally flavorful and irresistibly delicious.

Places to enjoy Gat Gu cake: Ha Long Night Market, Ha Long Market 1, and Ha Long Market 2

Reference price: 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND per portion.

8 Peanut Worms (Sá sùng)

The specialty of Ha Long - Van Don - Mong Cai renowned by the name "sa sung" is a hallmark seafood of this region. Peanut worms also go by many other names such as earthworms, sea worms, sea ginseng, and bibi. The nutritional value of peanut worms is remarkably high, and they are found exclusively in the coastal waters of Ha Long. You can savor various dishes prepared from peanut worms, such as garlic stir-fried peanut worms or celery stir-fried peanut worms—guaranteed to be wonderfully appetizing. 

Reference address: Huong Duyen Hon Gai Restaurant - 66 Tran Hung Dao, Cao Thang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Approximate cost: 120,000 VND to 350,000 VND.

9 Ha Long Pearl Yogurt

A Ha Long specialty that caused a major craze in recent years with chain stores popping up all across the Vietnamese market is Ha Long pearl yogurt. Visiting Ha Long without enjoying the authentic original dish right here would be an unfortunate omission. Ha Long pearl yogurt is served here in large and small cups, with coconut milk tapioca pearls served separately as a distinctive feature. The yogurt is soft, smooth, and pleasantly sweet. The pearls are cooked to perfection so they are delightfully chewy, complemented by creamy and fragrant coconut milk. It is truly a Ha Long specialty you should try.

Above is a compilation of Ha Long specialties that you can look for and enjoy whenever you visit Ha Long. Hopefully, the information above will be useful to you. Wishing you a wonderful trip, and remember to share your moments with MIA.vn!