Top 10 Best Halong Bay Food To Eat In 2024

When mentioning Ha Long, people instantly associate it with being a renowned tourist hotspot in Vietnam, known for its stunning natural beauty and impressive islands. But have you ever been curious about the cuisine of Ha Long Bay and what makes it unique? In this article, Vietnam Dope Travel will take you through the top 10 best Halong Bay food to explore.

What’s special about Ha Long Bay to explore?

Ha Long resembles an expansive natural museum, boasting nearly 2,000 rocky islands of various sizes. Their unique shapes and balanced distribution leave lasting impressions on visitors. While cruising through Ha Long Bay, tourists can spot islands with intriguing names like Hon Trong Mai, Hon Lu Huong, Hon Rua, and Hon Ong Su.

Besides the rocky formations, Ha Long also features stunning islands like Ti Top Island, Soi Sim Island, Quan Lan Island, Hon Oan, and Ngoc Vung Island. Some of these islands offer both beaches and caves, allowing visitors to enjoy leisure activities and exploration. Apart from its scenic beauty, Ha Long is also known for its distinctive cuisine and amusement parks.

Top 10 best Halong Bay food not to be missed when coming to Ha Long

When visiting Ha Long, besides admiring the stunning natural scenery, don’t miss out on exploring the diverse and rich local cuisine. Here are a few famous dishes in Ha Long Bay that are worth trying at least once:

Squid Sausage

Squid sausage is a renowned specialty from Ha Long, Quang Ninh, Vietnam’s coastal region. Fresh squid is carefully chosen, with its body and tentacles minced and mixed with various seasonings like garlic, shallots, pepper, and natural spices. The mixture is shaped into small, uniform cakes.

These squid sausages are often deep-fried until crispy and golden on the outside, with a soft, flavorful inside. The taste is a perfect blend of squid, garlic, and shallots, offering a rich and savory experience. They are typically paired with a dipping sauce made of fish sauce, garlic, and chili, adding a unique twist to the dish.

Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe crab, or “Sam,” is a distinctive delicacy found in Vietnam’s coastal regions, especially around Halong Bay in Quang Ninh. Resembling a horseshoe, this sea crab has a tough outer shell and sweet, aromatic meat with a texture similar to oysters or lobster.

There are many ways to prepare horseshoe crab, including frying, salting, tamarind sauce, or steaming. Steamed crab, seasoned with onions, chili, and local spices, is a particular favorite among locals.

Austriella Corrugata

Austriella Corrugata, or “Ngan,” may sound unfamiliar, but it’s a local specialty of Ha Long’s coastal region. Similar in appearance to a clam but much larger, this shellfish is highly nutritious and beloved for its unique taste.

It is often served steamed with scallions and oil, stir-fried with garlic, or steamed with a tangy sweet and sour fish sauce. The meat has a sweet, fragrant flavor with a tender, chewy texture, making it an exciting dish for visitors.

Fresh Oysters

Oysters are a prized dish in Ha Long Bay, known for their fresh and distinctive flavor. Visitors can enjoy oysters in various styles, such as:

• Raw Oysters: Fresh oysters are served with a mildly salty taste, complemented by fish sauce mixed with lemon, garlic, chili, onions, and fresh herbs.
• Grilled Oysters with Scallion and Oil: The oysters are grilled with scallions, garlic, and spices, resulting in a rich and savory dish.
• Stir-fried Oysters with Garlic: Quick stir-frying with garlic and fresh vegetables brings out a simple yet flavorful dish.
• Beer-steamed Oysters: Steamed in beer with spices, this preparation gives the oysters a unique taste, reflecting the essence of Ha Long Bay’s culinary charm.

Drunken Prawn and Lobster

Drunken prawn and lobster is a beloved seafood delicacy in Halong Bay, where fresh prawns and lobsters are simmered in a broth enhanced with alcohol, such as rice wine or beer. The alcohol not only amplifies the flavor but also tenderizes the seafood, resulting in a juicy texture. To create this dish, the prawns and lobsters are seasoned with a mix of spices, garlic, and herbs before being cooked in the alcohol-infused broth until thoroughly absorbed by the rich flavors. It’s typically served hot, topped with herbs, and paired with a dipping sauce of salt, pepper, and lime.

Acorn Barnacle Porridge

Acorn barnacle porridge is a traditional dish found in Ha Long Bay, made using small crustaceans called acorn barnacles. These barnacles are collected from rocks and prepared by cooking them in a broth infused with herbs, seafood, and spices. The slow simmering process allows the porridge to reach a smooth, creamy texture, while the barnacles release their rich, savory flavor into the dish.

Sipunculus Nudus

Sipunculus Nudus, also known as the “peanut worm” or “giant peanut worm,” is an unusual delicacy in Ha Long Bay. Despite its name, it’s not actually a worm but a marine creature with a cylindrical shape resembling a peanut. In the local cuisine, Sipunculus Nudus is harvested and prepared in various styles, such as stir-frying with garlic or cooking it in soups and stews. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that seafood lovers often enjoy.

Gat Gu Cake

The nodding cake, or “Gat Gu Cake,” is a special treat from Tien Yen, a district in Ha Long Bay. The cake is soft and flexible, which is why it’s named after the nodding motion it makes when held. It’s typically served with a spicy chili sauce, offering a delightful contrast of flavors that stimulates the palate, especially on chilly winter days.

Noodles with Mantis Shrimp

Another interesting dish from Ha Long Bay is noodles with mantis shrimp, known locally as “Be Be.” This dish features fresh mantis shrimp from Quang Ninh waters, whose shells are used to create a rich broth. The vermicelli noodles are served with various ingredients like collard greens, tomatoes, shrimp, and herbs, which enhance the flavor of the dish.

Loi Am Grilled Chicken

“Loi Am Grilled Chicken” is a signature dish in Halong Bay, characterized by its bold flavors. The chicken is marinated with a blend of local spices and herbs, including lemongrass, garlic, chili, and shallots, before being grilled to perfection. This dish offers a rich, savory experience that highlights the region’s culinary traditions.

Conclusion

Halong Bay offers a rich culinary experience that goes beyond its stunning landscapes. Whether you’re enjoying a steaming bowl of squid cake soup or savoring freshly grilled seafood, these top 10 dishes capture the true essence of the region. So, as you plan your adventure with the best Halong Bay food in 2024, make sure to dive into its diverse flavors for an unforgettable taste of Vietnam’s coastal treasures!