1. The flavor of Ha Long cuisine captivates tourists
1.1. Why Ha Long cuisine is attractive to tourists
Ha Long cuisine embodies a delicate fusion of fresh seafood ingredients and the elegant flavors of the North. Amidst the sound of waves and the salty sea breeze, the dishes here seem to be imbued with the soul of the bay's people.
What's special is that in Ha Long, each dish tells a story. Cha muc (grilled squid cake) is the pride of the mining region's people. From selecting fresh squid, pounding it by hand with stone pestles to the golden, crispy, chewy pieces of cha muc. Each pounding sound echoing in the small kitchen is like the rhythm of life for those connected to the sea.
For tourists, enjoying the cuisine here is not just about tasting delicious flavors, but also about feeling the rhythm of coastal life, where people are gentle and dedicated to every dish. Perhaps it is this combination of nature's bounty and the skillful hands of the local people that makes Ha Long cuisine so captivating.
Ha Long cuisine is extremely rich. (Source: Collected).
1.2. Famous specialty dishes to try when visiting Ha Long
Ha Long is famous for its hand-pounded squid cake, a dish honored as one of the 50 most famous specialties of Vietnam. Each piece of cake is crispy, chewy, and fragrant with fresh squid, served with white rice, sticky rice, or banh cuon, all irresistibly delicious.
Not only that, this coastal area also boasts countless unique seafood:
Horseshoe crab: a specialty seafood of the coal region, processed into many unique dishes such as sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab, horseshoe crab salad, and fragrant grilled horseshoe crab roe.
Grilled razor shell with scallion oil: a dish with a strange name but a sweet, tender, and fragrant taste.
Dried sea worm: the 'ginseng of the sea', just lightly grilled to release its characteristic aroma, used by locals to cook pho broth or eaten with beer.
Bún bề bề (vermicelli with mantis shrimp): a dish that makes anyone who eats it remember it forever. The broth is clear, naturally sweet, with pre-peeled mantis shrimp, firm meat, served with fresh herbs and a mild chili satay.
Banh cuon cha muc (steamed rice rolls with squid cake): a rustic yet creative combination by the people of Ha Long, creating a unique flavor found nowhere else.
Ha Long is famous for countless seafood dishes with various preparation methods. (Source: Collected).
These dishes, though simple in everyday meals, captivate people not only with their delicious taste but also with the familiar and heartwarming feeling of eating in the kitchen of the coastal people.
2. Top most loved eateries in Ha Long
2.1. Banh Cuon with Squid Cake Goc Bang
Address: Alley 1, Nha Hat Street, Hong Gai Ward, Quang Ninh
Reference price: 40,000 - 50,000 VND/meal
Tucked away in a small street, Cay Bang is a familiar address for Ha Long residents for over 60 years. The eatery specializes in banh cuon with squid cake, a dish that seems simple but contains the essence of Ha Long cuisine.
The rice rolls are thinly steamed, fragrant with fried shallots, served with hot hand-pounded squid cake, dipped in a skillfully mixed sweet and sour fish sauce. The chewy texture of the cake, combined with the light aroma of the rice rolls, makes everyone who eats it sigh with satisfaction.
The eatery has a small space with simple wooden tables and chairs, but it is crowded with customers every morning. Many Ha Long residents share: "Cay Bang is the taste of childhood, a familiar breakfast whenever the weather turns windy."
If you want to buy authentic Ha Long squid cake as a gift, you can buy it directly at Goc Bang restaurant. (Source: VnExpress Newspaper)
2.2. Hong Hanh Restaurant
Address: Hong Hanh restaurant chain, Bai Chay and Hong Gai areas, Quang Ninh
Reference price: 150.000 - 400.000 VND/person
If you ask locals about the best place to eat seafood, Hong Hanh is definitely the first name mentioned. This restaurant chain is a symbol of modern Ha Long cuisine, combining traditional flavors with professional service style.
Here, you can enjoy signature dishes such as grilled abalone with scallion oil, salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp, grilled clams, or authentic Ha Long squid cake. Seafood is imported fresh daily and processed on-site, thus retaining its natural sweetness and freshness from the sea.
The restaurant space is spacious, with a modern design that still carries the breath of the sea with a dominant blue color scheme. In particular, the staff are fast and friendly, helping diners have a comfortable experience as if they were dining in their own home.
The Hong Hanh restaurant chain is famous in Ha Long. (Source: Compilation)
2.3. Ngoc Phuong Nam Restaurant
Address: Do Si Hoa, Cai Dam Urban Area, Bai Chay, Quang Ninh
Reference price: 250,000 - 500,000 VND/person
If you are looking for a romantic space to enjoy Ha Long cuisine in a modern setting, Ngoc Phuong Nam is the ideal choice. The restaurant boasts a view overlooking Ha Long Bay, where the setting sun dyes the entire space a brilliant golden hue.
The menu here is diverse, from steamed grouper with soy sauce, grilled lobster with cheese, to steamed crab with beer. Each dish is delicately prepared. The elegant space and professional service make the restaurant a favorite spot for high-end tourists and international delegations. This is an ideal place to both enjoy delicious food and admire the magical beauty of Ha Long Bay at night.
Ngoc Phuong Nam restaurant's sea view space. (Source: Collected)
2.4. Cua Vang Restaurant
Address: 2 Phan Chu Trinh, Bai Chay, Quang Ninh
Reference price: 300.000 - 600.000 VND/person
Located right in the center of Bai Chay, Cua Vang is likened to a 'paradise for seafood lovers'. The restaurant space is modern, luxurious, suitable for families, groups of friends, or tour groups.
True to its name, the most outstanding dish here is beer-steamed crab, a dish that requires exquisite steaming techniques to preserve its full flavor. The crab is firm, fragrant with the smell of beer, dipped with spicy and pungent salt, pepper, and lime. In addition, grilled lobster with cheese and steamed grouper with soy sauce are also highly rated by customers.
A big plus is that Cua Vang always focuses on customer experience: fast service, clean space, private rooms for VIP guests. With a sea view, this is an ideal place to enjoy a luxurious dinner in the heart of Ha Long city.
Steamed crab with beer at Cua Vang restaurant. (Source: Collected)
2.5. Sam Ba Ty Eatery
Address: 103 Nguyen Thai Binh, Ha Long Ward, Quang Ninh
Reference price: 80,000 – 250,000 VND/dish
When talking about horseshoe crabs, Ha Long locals will immediately mention Sam Ba Ty, a rustic eatery that has been associated with many generations. Here, sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab is the "best-seller", appealing with its crispy texture, mild spiciness, and the distinct aroma of the kitchen smoke.
Additionally, the rich grilled horseshoe crab roe and the refreshing horseshoe crab salad are also "must-try" dishes. The eatery is not luxurious but is always crowded, especially on cool afternoons when locals stop by after returning from the market.
Sam is prepared attractively in many different ways. (Source: Collected).
3. Suggestions for combining dining and sightseeing in Ha Long
Ha Long is not only attractive for its cuisine but also for its countless exciting exploration and entertainment activities. One day here, you can “eat well – play fun – chill to the fullest” all on one route.
Morning: Explore Sun World Ha Long
Start the day by visiting Sun World Ha Long, a leading entertainment complex in Vietnam, located right in the center of Bai Chay. This complex includes many attractive attractions such as the Queen Cable Car, Sun Wheel, Dragon Park, and Water Park.
Sitting on the Queen Cable Car, visitors can admire the majestic panorama of Ha Long Bay. As the cabin glides over the water, the bright red sails of cruise ships appear in the distance, and the early morning sunlight reflects sparklingly, creating an astonishing scene.
This is also an ideal place for families with young children, groups of friends, or couples who want to enjoy modern entertainment experiences in the heart of the coastal city.
Queen Cable Car viewed from afar. (Source: Collected).
Lunchtime: Enjoy seafood at Bai Chay
After playing, stop by at Hong Hanh or Cay Bang. These are two eateries locals recommend trying at least once. Lunch amidst the cool sea breeze, hot seafood, and a glass of salty limeade is the "authentic Ha Long combo".
If you are in a group, you can order a mixed seafood hot pot including shrimp, clams, grouper, mantis shrimp... dishes that are both warming and easy to share. Besides that, don't forget to try hand-pounded squid cake, the signature dish of this coastal region.
Afternoon: Check-in at the tourist pier and stroll along the beach
When the sun has softened, take time to wander around Ha Long International Tourist Pier, where luxurious ships anchor on the calm water. Here, you can watch the sunset over the bay, the golden light spreading on the sea surface like molten honey.
Stop by a small roadside cafe, order a glass of salted coffee or mango smoothie, let your soul drift with the sound of the waves. It's a peaceful moment that everyone wants to cherish after a day of exploration. If you still have time, a Ha Long dinner by the sea, listening to soft music and enjoying grilled seafood is also an experience worth trying for a complete end to the day.
Ha Long cuisine is not just a meal, but an emotional journey, a place where the saltiness of the sea blends with the sincerity of the people. From small eateries nestled along Hong Gai street to luxurious restaurants overlooking the bay, each place holds its own story.
Make your trip more complete with experiences at delicious Ha Long eateries in the heritage city, where Sun World Ha Long sparkles at night, and the taste of the sea lingers on your tongue like an invitation to return.
