Halong Bay is a captivating destination in Southeast Asia, renowned for its mesmerizing landscapes of islets and caves. The bay is also celebrated for its diverse shellfish species. Visitors can savor an array of freshly caught seafood, seasoned with aromatic herbs, available at numerous seafood eateries, street vendors, and night markets in Halong City and the Bai Chay region. Discover 11 top-notch Halong Bay food suggestions that everyone should taste when exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fresh Seafood – The essence of Halong Bay Food
The top choice in the Halong Bay food list is undeniably local seafood” is grammatically correct. Halong boasts an array of marine delicacies including squid, prawns, crabs, seashells, snails, and more. These seafood items are prepared in numerous ways – they can be steamed, grilled, fried, turned into salads or soups, and are often combined with various ingredients and spices, giving travelers a range of diverse and ever-changing flavors.
In Halong Bay, seafood can be relished in restaurants, aboard luxury cruises, or even from street vendors. A notable recommendation for scrumptious seafood is the Ambassador Cruise, a 5-star luxury vessel that offers an upscale seafood lunch buffet and lobster prepared in a European style. An alternative fun option is to purchase seafood from a local market and have the chefs at your hotel prepare it for you. Popular places to pick fresh seafood are Cai Dam Market, located 3km from Bai Chay Center, and Ben Doan, just 1km from Bai Chay Center.
Explore the most unique varieties of Halong Bay seafood:
Horseshoe Crab (Sam)
One of the delicious seafood dishes considered the most unique in the Halong Bay food list, which is hard to find in other cities, is the horseshoe crab. You can savor it stir-fried in fat with a mix of sweet and sour tastes, turned into a salad, paired with vermicelli, or stir-fried with red chili and lemongrass. Dishes like fried horseshoe crab’s egg and grilled cartilage are also unique offerings. The tender and sweet crab meat is sure to captivate seafood enthusiasts.
Sipunculus Nudus (Sa Sung)
This seafood delicacy is highly appreciated in the list of Halong Bay Food, “Sa Sung” is primarily served on Quan Lan Island and commands a high price. Sa Sung is a marine worm found exclusively in pristine waters, nestled under the sandy ocean floor. The locals in Halong have diverse ways of preparing Sa Sung: it can be fried with garlic or pineapple, grilled with chili salt, roasted paired with chili or lettuce, or even consumed raw with mustard. Some incorporate sa sung into noodle soup or vermicelli dishes, while others prefer baking them with pepper and salt. When dried, sa sung is often added to hotpots, enhancing the broth’s sweetness. Its rarity and former association with Vietnam’s elite make it a sought-after and exclusive seafood item.
Austriella Corrugata (Ngan)
When exploring Halong Bay Food, ”ngan” stands out as a distinct bivalve mollusk, boasting a size larger than typical clams and notable for its white shell and extended tentacle. This mollusk is a frequent find in mangrove estuaries. While in Halong, you’ll discover a variety of ngan dishes, from grilled and steamed versions to those incorporated in porridges or stir-fried with veggies and noodles. Halong locals have also curated a unique beverage, merging Vietnamese rice wine with the blood of ngan, resulting in a wine with a vibrant red color and a one-of-a-kind flavor profile.
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Oyster
In Halong Bay, oysters are freshly harvested every day, cleaned, and grilled over charcoal before being seasoned with salt, pepper, and either lemon or grilled onions. At times, they’re presented raw, accompanied by a lemon slice. As per local connoisseurs, the most flavorful oysters are those found in the seaside marshes.
Acorn Barnacle (Ha)
Acorn Barnacle is a shellfish in the family of crab and lobster. Its popular living locations are underwater rocks or the bottom of ships. In terms of texture, it is quite similar to oyster (very soft) but the size is smaller. This type of seafood features fatty and sweet flavors as well as a lot of nutritional values. Acorn Barnacle can be processed into a porridge dish served with some herbs, black pepper, crispy fried shallot, or a sour hot soup with tomatoes and herbs (tasted with steamed rice).
Mantis Shrimp (Be Be)
Resembling shrimp in appearance, mantis shrimp boasts a delectably sweet flesh. It thrives in tropical climates, including places like Halong, Vietnam. This seafood is packed with protein, calcium, and other essential minerals. Popular preparations include steamed mantis shrimp with lemongrass, stir-fried variants with salt or tamarind sauce, and mantis shrimp vermicelli soup, all of which are cherished by locals and visitors alike.
Squid
Squid is a delicious seafood delicacy that visitors should definitely try when coming to experience Halong Bay Food. While squid is available in various places, the Halong variety might stand out due to its distinct taste. The rich and salty waters here result in local squid that are larger, meatier, and sweeter. Among the types, Muc Mai is considered the top-quality Halong squid.
There’s a plethora of delectable squid dishes to choose from: be it steamed, grilled, deep-fried with butter, stir-fried with vegetables, or the renowned grilled chopped squid (Cha muc). Beyond fresh options, dried squid emerges as a tempting snack, perfect when paired with a chilled beer. To make it, fresh squid is laid out by the shore, basking in sunlight for days or even a month until fully dried. These elongated dried squid strips are notably sweet, and when grilled, they emanate a smoky aroma that’s hard to resist. Visitors can savor this treat at local eateries and even purchase some as delightful gifts for loved ones.
Stir-fried Sea Snails
Halong Bay food boasts many dishes made from many different types of sea snails, each type bringing a distinct flavor.. Typically, they are stir-fried and seasoned with a variety of sauces such as chili, soy, fish sauce, and complemented with ginger, pepper, and lemongrass.
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Halong Grilled Chopped Squid (Cha Muc) – The hallmark of Halong cuisine.
Renowned as Halong Bay Food’s crowning jewel, the Grilled Chopped Squid, also known as Cha Muc, has been honored by the Asian Record as one of Vietnam’s top culinary delights. While similar dishes can be found elsewhere, Halong’s version is unparalleled in flavor.
This mouthwatering treat is made from carefully selected fresh squid, which is finely ground, dusted in flour, and then deep-fried to perfection. The key ingredient is the “Muc Mai,” a specific squid species found only in Halong Bay. Expert chefs ensure they choose only the freshest, largest squid from the morning’s catch, which gives the dish its distinct crunchy yet tender texture. Local experts meticulously grind the squid by hand, enhancing its taste. The squid’s natural richness is amplified with seasonings like dill, black pepper, and fish sauce, creating a taste that’s unmistakably Halong.
Not only is Halong’s Grilled Chopped Squid a taste sensation, but it’s also nutritionally dense. A typical squid of around 1-1.2 kg is packed with protein, iron, magnesium, and beneficial fats. The Omega-3 content particularly stands out, aiding in reducing blood pressure and heart disease risks.
When indulging in this Halong Bay Food specialty, locals love pairing the grilled squid with Vietnamese steamed rice (banh cuon) or sticky rice, all drizzled with aromatic fish sauce. It’s a gastronomic journey that leaves a lasting impression.
Tien Yen Hill Chicken – Halong Bay’s finest non-seafood delicacy.
Halong Bay’s culinary repertoire is not solely centered around seafood. In Halong Bay Food, Tien Yen hill chicken is celebrated as one of the most esteemed dishes.. Hailing from the quaint town of Tien Yen in Quang Ninh Province, about 70km from Halong City, these chickens enjoy a natural upbringing. They have the freedom to roam the hills and scavenge for food without any enclosures. This organic way of raising them largely contributes to the unparalleled quality of their meat, which is tender, rich, and naturally sweet.While there are numerous ways to prepare Tien Yen Hill chicken, the most favored method is boiling, which preserves the authentic flavors of the meat. Even without the addition of spices, the chicken boasts a tempting golden-yellow skin and a delicious taste. To enhance its flavor, it’s often served with a special dipping sauce comprised of salt, pepper, and lemon.
Hoanh Bo sticky rice wine is a famous specialty
This Halong Bay Food specialty wine is produced using native sticky rice that is gently cooked without crushing and then fermented. The distinct flavor, a mix of sweet and sour notes with a unique aroma, is achieved by adding yeast derived from Hoành Bồ forest leaves. After fermenting for the right duration, it becomes a wine that’s filtered and poured into jars or bottles. Typically enjoyed in small quantities with meals, it complements seafood dishes beautifully.
Nodding Cake (Banh Gat Gu) – A top pick for Halong’s street cuisine.
This classic Vietnamese cake is crafted from rice flour. Incorporating cold rice into the mix gives the cake its unique fluffy yet velvety consistency. After steaming the dough into a substantial layer, it’s rolled out without any filling and cut into sections. Typically, it’s paired with a distinct sauce and accompanied by a slice of caramelized pork. While the cake has its roots in the town of Tien Yen, it has gained popularity in Halong.
San Travel recommends 11 Must-Try Halong Bay food delicacies. Use this list to guide your culinary choices and end any uncertainty. So, grab your backpack and dive into the unique flavors of Halong Bay. We hope you have an exhilarating and memorable journey!
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