1. Discover Hai Phong cuisine – why should you try?

What to eat in Hai Phong? - Enjoy many delicious dishes when traveling to the port city. (Source: Collected)

Hai Phong cuisine is not only the pride of the people of the port city but also a "key" to help tourists understand more about the culture and people here. With rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and sophisticated preparation styles, Hai Phong cuisine in 2025 promises to bring unforgettable experiences to anyone who visits.

1.1. What's special about Hai Phong cuisine in 2025?

Hai Phong – a paradise of seafood cuisine – is famous for its fresh seafood ingredients, creating a unique identity for the port city's cuisine. Seafood such as swimming crabs, shrimp, mantis shrimp, and sea fish combined with local vegetables offer a rich, delicate flavor, retaining freshness while avoiding greasiness.

Entering 2025, unique preparation methods continue to highlight Hai Phong's culinary style. Noodle soups like Banh Da Cua (crab noodle soup) and Bun Ca (fish noodle soup) attract diners with their clear broth, naturally sweet from fish bones and crab roe. Other local specialties such as Banh Duc Tau, stir-fried Gia Be, and Nom Sua Do (red jellyfish salad) are also refined, retaining traditional flavors while showcasing the creativity and distinctiveness of the port city's cuisine.

1.2. Reasons why tourists should not miss the cuisine of the port city

Each dish in Hai Phong reflects the essence of the culture, traditions, and daily life of the port city's people. The familiar yet creative flavors help tourists create unforgettable impressions on their culinary journey. From famous main dishes like Banh Da Cua (crab noodle soup), Nem Cua Be (Hai Phong crab spring rolls), and spicy Bun Ca (fish noodle soup) to attractive snacks like Banh Mi Cay (spicy baguette), Sui Din, and Nom Sua Do (red jellyfish salad), tourists will experience the richness and diversity of the local cuisine.

A big plus when enjoying Hai Phong cuisine is the affordable prices, suitable for students, tourists, or families. Eateries are distributed throughout the streets, near tourist attractions, making it easy for tourists to enjoy delicious food without spending much time traveling.

2. Top specialty dishes you must try in Hai Phong

Hai Phong cuisine has long been a unique highlight, fully reflecting the essence of the port city's culture. Each dish here not only has a distinct flavor but is also associated with the life and people of Hai Phong, making it hard for tourists to forget after each tasting.

2.1. Hai Phong Banh Da Cua (crab noodle soup)

Banh da cua Hai Phong has a rich, distinctive flavor. (Source: Collected)

When talking about Hai Phong cuisine, banh da cua is always an iconic must-try dish. The soft and chewy banh da noodles combined with broth made from crab roe create a characteristic rich and creamy taste. Each piece of fragrant betel leaf sausage, fresh fish cake, sweet crab meat, golden fried shallots, and tender water pennywort make each bowl of banh da cua appealing and unforgettable.

Some famous banh da cua addresses that tourists should try include: Banh da cua Da Lieu on Tran Phu street with a traditional family cooking secret, Banh da cua Be Co Lun on Tran Nhat Duat street highly rated for its rich broth, and Banh da cua Ba Cu in Cau Dat with diverse and abundant toppings.

2.2. Hai Phong spicy baguette

Hai Phong spicy baguette stands out with its small, stick-like shape, a crispy crust and dense crumb, different from baguettes in Hanoi or Saigon. The liver pate filling is slow-cooked according to a traditional recipe, the highlight is the intensely spicy Chi Chuong chili sauce, carrying the characteristic flavor of the Port City. This chili sauce is naturally fermented, creating a mild spiciness on the tongue and a sweet aftertaste.

As of 2025, long-standing spicy baguette establishments are still chosen by many diners such as Ba Gia on Le Loi street famous for its distinctive chili sauce, Khanh Nap in Hang Kenh with fragrant, rich pate, and Ong Cuong also on Hang Kenh, loved for its perfectly crispy crust.

2.3. Hai Phong spicy fish noodle soup

On cool days in Hai Phong, spicy fish noodle soup becomes an attractive choice for those wondering what to eat in Hai Phong. The clear, chewy, delicious rice noodles combined with a clear, sweet broth from fish bones create a characteristic flavor. The highlight of the dish is the pungent spiciness from fresh chili, pepper, and the aroma of dill, along with ripe tomatoes contributing to a rich and appealing broth.

Tourists can visit the spicy fish noodle soup stalls around Lach Tray and Cau Dat streets, which are famous for many long-standing noodle shops. Reasonable prices, only from 35,000 – 50,000 VND per serving, served hot all day long, very suitable for a warm meal in the cool weather.

2.4. Banh beo and banh duc tau

Hai Phong Banh Beo with a distinct flavor. (Source: Collected)

Hai Phong Banh Beo stands out with its thick, soft batter, combined with rich toppings such as minced meat, dried shrimp, straw mushrooms, and fresh herbs, creating a unique flavor distinct from other regions. Meanwhile, Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau has a smooth white color, the filling includes crunchy wood ear mushrooms, fragrant minced meat, and fresh Vietnamese pork sausage, accompanied by a harmonious sweet and sour fish sauce, making the dish palatable and unforgettable.

To enjoy it like a local, it should be eaten while the cakes are still hot, sprinkled generously with golden fried shallots and dipped in chili garlic fish sauce. The areas of Cau Dat, Dinh Tien Hoang, and Ngo Quyen are reputable and famous addresses for attractive Hai Phong Banh Beo and Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau eateries, attracting both tourists and locals.

2.5. Red Jellyfish Salad

Hai Phong Red Jellyfish Salad is a popular specialty from April to June, when fresh jellyfish are caught from Cat Ba. The red jellyfish is crispy, with a light, refreshing taste blended with herbs, roasted peanuts, and sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a fresh and appealing flavor for the meal.

Tourists can enjoy red jellyfish salad at famous locations such as Luong Van Can Market, Cot Den Market, or along Cau Dat street. The eateries here always ensure fresh ingredients, skillfully prepared, offering an authentic Hai Phong culinary experience.

2.6. Sui Din, Che Vung

Enjoy sui din, che vung for the autumn-winter season. (Source: Collected)

As the weather turns cold, Hai Phong sui din is a warm snack loved by many. The soft and chewy glutinous rice balls, filled with rich black sesame paste, dipped in spicy ginger sugar syrup create a feeling that is both warm and familiar.

Additionally, che vung (black sesame dessert soup) is also a great choice for the cold season. This nutritious dessert is fragrant with finely ground black sesame, combined with rock sugar and coconut milk; enjoyed hot, you will feel the delicate sweetness and characteristic aroma. Tourists can visit Hang Kenh or Dinh Tien Hoang street to experience the authentic traditional Hai Phong che vung flavor.

2.7. Fresh seafood dishes: snails, be be, cua be, shrimp…

Hai Phong fresh seafood is always the pride of the port city, offering rich and fresh flavors. The dishes are prepared in various ways such as steaming, grilled with cheese, stir-fried with garlic butter, or salt-roasted, still retaining the crispness and natural sweetness of the ingredients. Some outstanding specialties include oc huong grilled with scallion oil, be be steamed with lime leaves, cua be stir-fried with tamarind, or shrimp grilled with chili salt.

Famous streets for seafood such as Do Son, Cat Ba, and the Tam Bac area are home to many coastal and riverside restaurants with diverse menus. Visitors can directly choose fresh seafood and request preparation according to their preferences, creating a memorable culinary experience in the Port City.

3. Suggested itinerary for experiencing "what to eat in Hai Phong" combined with sightseeing in 2025

Moving to Cat Ba Island conveniently by Sun World cable car. (Source: Collected)

Hai Phong is not only attractive for its picturesque island and sea scenery but also for its local culinary journey. Combining sightseeing and enjoying specialty dishes will help visitors fully experience the rhythm of life and the special flavors of the port city in 2025.

Start your day in Hai Phong with a delicious bowl of crab noodle soup, savoring the rich crab roe and attractive grilled pork wrapped in betel leaves, before heading to the Sun World cable car to explore Cat Ba Island. From above, you will admire the vast sea and island scenery, creating full energy for your journey.

By noon, experience a fresh seafood meal at the seaside restaurants in Cat Ba, choosing seasonal dishes such as swimming crab, crispy mantis shrimp, fresh mackerel, combined with the cool blue sea space and the murmuring sound of waves, enhancing the flavor of the meal.

As the sun sets, return to the city center and stroll along the Tam Bac night street, enjoy a hot and spicy fish noodle soup to warm your body. Conclude the day of exploration with a cool glass of shredded coconut with milk or a fragrant sesame sweet soup, offering a complete experience of Hai Phong's cuisine.

4. Tips for 'hunting' delicious Hai Phong dishes in 2025

Choose reputable addresses to enjoy delicious Hai Phong dishes. (Source: Collected)

Hai Phong cuisine in 2025 promises to bring many new experiences with a combination of traditional flavors and modern service style. To "hunt" for authentic dishes of the port city, travelers need to equip themselves with some small but useful experiences, making the culinary journey more complete and memorable.

To experience quality Hai Phong cuisine, travelers should choose places crowded with locals, clean, tidy spaces, and friendly, fast-serving staff.

Before ordering, always refer to the prices on the listed board to avoid misunderstandings, also keep your transport tickets and book a table in advance if visiting during peak times or holidays.

Travelers should prioritize places with food safety and hygiene certifications. Long-standing establishments often check ingredients periodically, helping travelers feel at ease when dining.

The ideal times to enjoy each dish are: from April-June for nom sua do (jellyfish salad), the cold season to enjoy sui din (a type of cake) and che vung (sesame sweet soup), while seafood is freshest from late September to April. Travelers can also choose toppings according to their preferences or order takeout with separate containers.

When interacting with restaurant owners, maintain a polite attitude, avoid bargaining as most places have reasonable, transparent prices. Look up information and read online reviews before visiting, and express thanks after being served will help you show respect for the local culture.

The cuisine of the Port City always brings many interesting surprises to visitors, and with the question of what to eat in Hai Phong, you will surely find countless attractive options. From fresh and delicious seafood to rustic street food specialties, this place promises to satisfy all food lovers. Schedule now to discover and enjoy the top latest Hai Phong specialties of 2025 on your trip.