1. Why does Hai Phong's razor clam specialty evoke nostalgia?
Hai Phong Gia Be is an attractive specialty dish. (Source: Collected)
Besides famous specialties like Hai Phong Crab Cake Noodles or Sea Crab Spring Rolls, the Port City also preserves a traditional dish that has remained in the memory of many generations, which is Hai Phong Gia Be . Gia Be, also known as sea clam, is a type of mollusk that burrows under the sand at sea, nổi bật with its sweet meat and protruding legs that resemble bean sprouts.
According to local experience, Gia Be can be harvested year-round, but it is usually best from June to August. This seafood is processed into many attractive dishes, retaining the traditional delicious flavor of Hai Phong. Each kilogram of Gia Be currently has a reference price of about 150,000 VND, and for the dish to achieve its standard flavor, chefs often choose fresh, uniform, and moderately sized clams.
When trying Hai Phong Gia Be for the first time, many people will find the taste unusual due to the slightly tough outer shell, but once the shell is opened, the rich, sweet broth and tender meat will spread the flavor of the sea right in your mouth. The Gia Be meat blends with the special sauce, creating an irresistible deliciousness, making diners want to savor each clam slowly to fully appreciate the flavor.
2. How to prepare and enjoy Hai Phong Gia Be
Hai Phong sea clams are one of the unique specialties, characterized by their fresh and delicious flavor and elaborate preparation method, reflecting the essence of the port city's seafood cuisine. Enjoying the sea clam dish is not just a culinary experience but also a journey to discover the sophistication in each preparation step and the mixing of characteristic spices by the local people.
2.1. Preparation Method
As Hai Phong sea clams live in sand, their preparation requires many elaborate steps to ensure cleanliness and preserve their full flavor. According to local culinary experience, before cooking, the sea clams must be soaked in water for at least 6 hours to completely remove dirt from their bodies. They are then washed thoroughly several times with clean water before being cooked.
Sea clams are a versatile ingredient, but stir-fried sea clams remain the most popular dish among many diners. When cooked, the shell is kept intact, helping to preserve the characteristic flavor, creating an authentic and rich culinary experience.
After cleaning, the legs and bodies of the sea clams are separated, then sautéed with shallots, garlic, turmeric powder, vinegar, and characteristic spices. To achieve a moderate thickness for the dish, Hai Phong people often add diluted dong, wheat, or tapioca starch, creating a perfect binding agent for the naturally sweet and rich flavor of the sea clams.
2.2. Enjoying Hai Phong Sea Clams
After preparation, stir-fried Hai Phong sea clams stand out with their glossy yellow color from turmeric, mixed with a rich, fragrant sauce. The dish is best enjoyed hot, making it very popular on cold winter days. However, for those trying it for the first time, this characteristic flavor might be a bit unusual.
The sea clam legs, after being separated, retain their crisp, chewy texture, combined with a slightly sour and mildly spicy taste, creating a palate-stimulating sensation. To enjoy the meat of the sea clam, diners need to peel off the outer shell to fully savor the natural sweet and light flavor. This is also why this dish is often likened to a "patience exercise" for the diner. The soft, sweet flavor of the meat combined with the rich sauce makes the dish unforgettable, and the sauce can even be used to dip bread, creating a creative culinary experience.
Besides the stir-fried version, Hai Phong sea clam salad is also very popular, although its preparation is more complex. The salad is usually rolled with rice paper, herbs, green bananas, starfruit, and pineapple, creating a balance of sweet, sour, and aromatic flavors. The soul of the salad lies in its light garlic and chili dipping sauce, allowing diners to fully appreciate the chewy, firm texture and unique flavor of the sea clams – a must-try dish when traveling to Hai Phong.
3. Review of Top 4 Best Places to Eat Authentic Hai Phong Sea Clams in 2025
Hai Phong is famous for many unique specialty dishes, among which sea clams are a dish that visitors must try once when visiting the port city. Here are suggestions for the top 4 places to eat delicious and authentic Hai Phong sea clams in 2025, ensuring both freshness and a true Hai Phong culinary experience.
3.1. Luong Van Can Market Sea Clams
Gia be at Luong Van Can Market is a familiar address for many people. (Source: Collected)
Address: 51 Luong Van Can, Hai Phong city
Opening hours: 15:00 to 21:30
Reference price: 20,000 - 50,000 VND/serving
When traveling to Hai Phong, Luong Van Can Market is an ideal stop to enjoy stir-fried gia be – a famous specialty of the Port City. The eatery is located right in the market, near the banh beo area, convenient for tourists to find. The gia be dish here is outstanding with its chewy, crunchy legs, sweet and fragrant meat, combined with a smooth, moderately sweet and sour sauce, and garnished with fresh green herbs, bringing an unforgettable culinary experience to any diner.
3.2. Hue Be Gia Be Hai Phong
Address: 103 Du Hang, Hai Phong city
Opening hours: From 14:00 to 19:00
Reference price: From 8,000 - 20,000 VND/serving
Hue Be is a famous snack spot, familiar to Hai Phong residents, especially known for its delicious stir-fried gia be. According to the owner, all ingredients are selected and prepared daily, ensuring maximum freshness and appeal. Here, diners can enjoy both gia be salad and hot stir-fried gia be, emitting a fragrant aroma that lingers in the memory of anyone who tastes it. Additionally, the menu also features banh goi – an attractive snack that is well worth trying when visiting the eatery.
3.3. 55 Chu Van An
Address: 55 Chu Van An, Hai Phong city
Opening hours: From 13:00 to 22:00
Reference price: 20,000 - 100,000 VND/serving
When mentioning delicious gia be eateries in Hai Phong, local people often immediately recommend 55 Chu Van An. The stir-fried gia be dish here stands out with its large gia pieces, the chewy and crunchy legs are very enjoyable to chew, combined with tender, sweet meat that has absorbed the seasoning evenly. The highlight that makes diners remember is the smooth, moderately sweet and sour sauce, which enhances the unique flavor of the dish. Besides stir-fried gia be, the eatery also serves gia be salad and bì bò (beef skin salad), both of which are attractive snacks that tourists should try when visiting Hai Phong.
3.4. Gia Be Stir-fry Hai Phong Hang Market
Address: Hang Market, Hai Phong city
Opening hours: From 10:00 to 18:00
Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/serving
If you come to Hai Phong and want to enjoy delicious gia be at a reasonable price, Hang Market is the ideal address. Here, stir-fried gia be and gia be salad are sold at prices ranging from only 30,000 – 50,000 VND/serving, suitable for all tourists. The gia be meat is fresh, sweet, and tender, combined with a rich sauce, creating an unforgettable characteristic flavor. Moreover, the stall owners at Hang Market are very friendly, enthusiastic, and ready to advise you for a complete culinary experience.
4. Nutritional value of Hai Phong gia be and health benefits
Gia be Hai Phong is a nutritious dish. (Source: Collected)
Gia be Hai Phong is not only an attractive specialty dish but also rich in nutritional value. In each serving, gia be provides abundant protein, essential B vitamins, and many minerals necessary for the body. Additionally, gia be supports efficient digestive system function and boosts immunity, suitable for those who need a light yet nutritious meal.
This dish is suitable for many groups: the elderly, children, women, and athletes who need to supplement energy and nutrients, helping the body stay healthy and full of energy.
5. Tips for enjoying Gia be Hai Phong the right way
Enjoy geoduck clam right at the restaurant while it's still hot. (Source: Collected)
When visiting Hai Phong, to fully experience geoduck clam, visitors should note some tips:
Geoduck clam is best enjoyed fresh at the restaurant, hot with delicious sauce. When eating, you should savor each clam slowly to feel the crunchy texture of the foot, the natural sweetness of the meat, and the rich sweet and sour flavor of the sauce. Do not eat too quickly to avoid missing out on the full experience.
If you want to buy fresh geoduck clam as a gift, you should choose live, healthy, and large ones. Soak them immediately in clean water for at least 6 hours, rinse thoroughly multiple times to remove dirt, then store them in the refrigerator or on ice to maintain freshness.
Geoduck clam can be enjoyed with bread, geoduck clam salad, or spring rolls to diversify flavors and fully experience Hai Phong's culinary culture.
6. Suggested Hai Phong Food Tour Itinerary
Moving to Cat Ba Island is easy with the Sun World cable car. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong is not only famous for its beautiful sea scenery but also a culinary paradise that attracts every diner. Here is a suggested Hai Phong food tour itinerary:
Morning: Start the journey at Luong Van Can Market or Cat Bi Market to enjoy characteristic breakfast dishes such as crab noodle soup, water fern cake, stir-fried sea clam, or fresh seafood. Visitors should visit famous eateries to experience the authentic Hai Phong flavor.
Noon: Enjoy fresh seafood dishes at Hang Market or the coastal eateries in Do Son, choosing from shrimp, crab, mantis shrimp to grilled, steamed squid, or seafood hotpot. This is the time to experience the "famous" taste of the port city.
Afternoon: Visit nearby cultural sites such as Hang Pagoda, Ba De Temple, or walking streets, while walking and enjoying snacks like sweet soup, pillow cake, and crab spring rolls.
Evening: Stroll around night markets and food streets to try other local specialties.
If you have time, you can combine it with a visit to Cat Ba Island, traveling from the mainland to the island by Sun World cable car, while enjoying the sea view and fresh seafood right on the island.
With its fresh, characteristic flavor and unique culinary value, Hai Phong sea clam is a specialty that cannot be missed when exploring the port city. Visitors can enjoy it at local markets, restaurants, or eateries to fully experience the traditional flavor. Add Hai Phong sea clam to your 2025 culinary journey to experience this unique delicacy and capture memorable tasting moments.
