1. Specialties of Ha Long, Quang Ninh – Why is it a must-try for everyone?
Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties with many delicious and attractive dishes. (Source: Collected)
The World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long is not only famous for its majestic scenery but is also known as the culinary paradise of the North. From the abundant fresh seafood in the emerald waters of the bay, Ha Long Quang Ninh cuisine offers characteristic dishes, imbued with the flavor of the sea. This place gathers countless rare seafood such as cuttlefish, oyster, sea cucumber, horseshoe crab, or mantis shrimp, combined with traditional processing secrets, creating a unique and incomparable flavor. Many Ha Long specialties still preserve traditional processing recipes, helping visitors feel the essence of the unique coal-sea cultural cuisine.
When arriving in Ha Long, visitors will be conquered by the uniqueness of each dish. Ha Long hand-pounded squid cake has a naturally chewy and crispy texture, rare, sweet and delicate dried sea cucumber, or grilled horseshoe crab, sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab, all make diners unforgettable. Not only attractive in flavor, these dishes have been honored many times at domestic and international food festivals, becoming popular Quang Ninh specialties for gifts that many tourists favor.
The exquisite blend of fresh ingredients, traditional processing recipes, and rich sea flavors has created the culinary brand of Ha Long Quang Ninh. Dishes such as Ha Long squid cake, squid cake rolled cake, oyster porridge, mantis shrimp vermicelli, yogurt with tapioca pearls... not only captivate tourists but also tell the story of the people, culture, and soul of this famous island heritage region.
2. List of 8 outstanding Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties 2025
Ha Long is not only famous for its majestic natural scenery but is also a "culinary paradise" that captivates tourists. In 2025, this coastal land continues to assert its appeal with a series of renowned specialties – from squid cake, sea cucumber, horseshoe crab to yogurt with tapioca pearls – each dish carries the cultural imprint and characteristic flavor of Quang Ninh.
2.1. Ha Long squid cake
Squid cake is a famous specialty of Ha Long, Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
Ha Long squid cake has long been an icon of Quang Ninh cuisine, nổi bật nhờ quy trình chế biến hoàn toàn thủ công theo phong cách truyền thống. The main ingredient is fresh cuttlefish or squid caught directly in Ha Long Bay. After preparation, the squid is pounded finely by hand instead of being ground by machine, helping to retain its natural sweetness and create a characteristic chewy and crispy texture that no other cake can match. When fried golden, each piece of squid cake emits a characteristic aroma of the sea, with a shimmering golden color, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside – true to the standard of the renowned delicious Ha Long squid cake.
When enjoying, authentic Ha Long squid cake offers the delicate sweetness of fresh squid blended with perfectly balanced seasoning, making it unforgettable for diners. The price for premium squid cake usually ranges from 400,000 – 500,000 VND/kg, depending on the fishing season and ingredient quality.
To identify quality Ha Long squid cake, you should pay attention to its natural aroma, even chewy and crispy texture, not crumbling when cut, and the delicate sweetness of fresh squid. Conversely, squid cakes mixed with flour or made incorrectly often have a pale color, bland flavor, and are easily mushy. It is the sophistication in ingredient selection and meticulous hand-pounding that has helped Ha Long squid cake deserve to be a Quang Ninh specialty that captivates domestic and international tourists.
2.2. Banh cuon squid cake
A morning in Ha Long becomes more complete when you enjoy a steaming bowl of banh cuon with squid cake – a characteristic breakfast dish with unforgettable flavors of Quang Ninh cuisine. Unlike traditional Hanoi banh cuon, Ha Long banh cuon is served with thick, chewy, and crispy pieces of squid cake, creating a perfect harmony between the thin, smooth rice rolls and the rich flavor of hand-pounded squid cake.
The filling still follows the familiar recipe including minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and fried shallots, but the highlight is the Quang Ninh-style dipping fish sauce – a delicate sweet and sour blend, savory, and with a distinctive aroma. When picking up each thin piece of banh cuon, served with squid cake and herbs, then dipped into the fish sauce, you will experience an explosion of flavors: rich, sweet, and with a hint of the sea.
To fully appreciate the essence of this dish, you should choose eateries that make banh cuon fresh on the spot, with thickly sliced squid cake, fried golden and crispy, and fish sauce mixed with the authentic Quang Ninh flavor. The combination of traditional flavors and the breath of the sea has made Ha Long banh cuon with squid cake one of the must-try specialties when visiting this heritage region.
2.3. Sticky rice with squid cake
Among the myriad of Ha Long specialties, sticky rice with squid cake is always a favorite dish among locals and tourists, thanks to the perfect combination of chewy white sticky rice and crispy squid cake. The glutinous rice used for cooking the sticky rice is carefully selected, with round, even grains; when cooked, it has a moderate chewiness, neither mushy nor dry. On top of the white sticky rice are thinly sliced, golden-brown pieces of hand-pounded squid cake, garnished with fragrant fried shallots and a little light cooking oil, creating an appealing flavor at first glance.
The special point that makes Ha Long sticky rice with squid cake stand out lies in the way it is enjoyed: each spoonful of hot sticky rice eaten with a piece of crispy squid cake, lightly dipped in a delicately sweet and sour fish sauce. The chewy aroma of the sticky rice blends with the rich sweetness of the squid cake, delivering a full-bodied experience, making diners remember it forever.
2.4. Oyster porridge
Speaking of Ha Long cuisine, one cannot miss Quang Ninh's oyster porridge – a dish that is both delicious and nutritious. Ha Long milk oysters are famous for their plump bodies, natural sweetness, and for containing many essential nutrients such as protein, zinc, selenium, and health-promoting minerals. Thanks to this, this porridge not only attracts diners but is also considered a 'natural elixir' to nourish the body.
The porridge is cooked from a mixture of glutinous rice and regular rice, creating its characteristic smooth and thick consistency. When the porridge is cooked, the chef adds fresh oysters, combined with onions, ginger, and herbs to eliminate any fishy smell and enhance the sea flavor. Each spoonful of porridge offers a rich, delicately sweet sensation, the broth has an appealing milky white color, and a gentle aroma spreads. This dish is suitable for all ages, especially beneficial for those needing to recover their health or supplement nutrition.
2.5. Sa sung
Sa sung has high nutritional value. (Source: Collected)
Among the treasures of Quang Ninh's specialties, Van Don sa sung is likened to “gold of the East Sea” due to its high economic value and unique, hard-to-find flavor. This rare seafood lives in the coastal sand, containing abundant natural protein and amino acids, which traditional medicine considers a food that helps tonify qi, enhance health, and improve vitality. When cooked, sa sung has a crispy, sweet, slightly fatty taste, leaving a long-lasting characteristic aroma of the sea.
Among the delicious dishes made from sa sung, roasted sa sung with garlic is the most popular choice, thanks to preserving its natural flavor and attractive crispiness. Additionally, dried Quang Ninh sa sung is used to make broth for bun and pho, helping to create a unique, delicate sweetness and rich aroma that no other seafood can replace. Van Don sa sung stands out with its pale yellow color, firm flesh, rich taste, and characteristic aroma of the sea.
If you want to buy delicious sa sung, you should visit Van Don market, Ha Long I market, or reputable Quang Ninh specialty supermarkets. When choosing, prioritize whole sa sung, with a natural yellow color, firm body, no strange smell, and completely free of sand. Especially, choose properly dried sa sung to ensure its flavor and nutritional value are preserved.
2.6. Sam bien
On the list of Ha Long specialties, Ha Long sam bien is always a favorite dish among diners for its sweet, firm, and nutritious meat. From fresh ingredients caught directly in the bay, the local people have created many attractive dishes imbued with the flavor of the Quang Ninh sea.
One of the most popular dishes is stir-fried sam bien with sweet and sour sauce, combined with pineapple and tomatoes to create a light sourness mixed with a harmonious natural sweetness. Crispy fried sam bien coated in a golden batter, biting into it reveals tender, sweet meat, dipping it with chili sauce offers an unforgettable experience. Additionally, sam bien salad mixed with herbs and peanuts is a refreshing appetizer, while steamed sam bien with ginger preserves the original sweet taste of the meat. Particularly, grilled sam bien with egg impresses with its rich, savory, and aromatic flavor, suitable for those who want to explore the traditional flavors of the coastal region.
Thanks to being caught directly in Ha Long Bay, sam always ensures freshness and food safety. The skillful preparation by local people helps preserve the natural, characteristic flavor of the sea. When choosing fresh sam bien, prioritize live ones, with shiny shells, no cracks, and no strange smell.
2.7. Bun be be
Be be (also known as tom tit) is a characteristic seafood of the Ha Long coastal region, famous for its delicate sweetness and rich sea aroma. The Ha Long bun be be dish impresses with its broth simmered from pork bones, dried shrimp, and fresh shelled be be, providing a natural, clear, and subtly fragrant sweetness.
A generous bowl of bun be be typically contains fresh shelled be be, shredded squid, crab or fish cake depending on the diner's preference. The dish is served with water spinach, bean sprouts, and herbs to balance the palate, bringing a refreshing and crisp sweetness. When enjoying, you will clearly feel the harmony between the rich sweetness of be be, the clear broth, and the fresh, crisp vegetables — all creating an unforgettable flavor.
Good bun be be restaurants in Ha Long are concentrated in Ha Long market and Bai Chay area, with prices ranging from 40,000 – 60,000 VND per bowl. The most ideal time to enjoy it is in the morning or at noon, when the be be has just been prepared, retaining its freshness and characteristic sea flavor.
2.8. Ha Long Sua chua tran chau
Ha Long yogurt with pearls is loved by many people. (Source: Collected)
Originating from a simple local dessert, Ha Long yogurt with pearls has quickly become a "culinary phenomenon" loved by young people across the country. This dish impresses with its harmonious sweet and sour flavor, a smooth, cool texture, combined with chewy, translucent, and lightly sweet pearls, bringing an enjoyable experience when eating. The special point of Ha Long yogurt with pearls lies in its unique preparation formula, suitable for Vietnamese tastes and climate, making the dish both delicious and easy to eat all year round.
By 2025, many famous brands such as Tuan Lien Yogurt with Pearls or Ha Long Original Yogurt with Pearls have expanded their branch systems nationwide. The shops continuously update diverse menus with many new flavors such as chewy matcha yogurt, cocoa, blue sea pearls, or fresh fruit toppings like mango, strawberry, kiwi, meeting the preferences of young people. Each portion of yogurt with pearls costs from 15,000 – 25,000 VND, depending on the size and type of topping chosen.
The appeal of Ha Long yogurt with pearls comes not only from its refreshing flavor but also from its creative way of enjoyment, eye-catching colors, and the ability to be "transformed" according to personal preferences. This is also an ideal dessert for those who love new culinary experiences and sharing beautiful photos on social media.
3. Experience in choosing, buying, and enjoying specialties of Ha Long, Quang Ninh
Choose to buy Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties at a reputable address. (Source: Collected)
Ha Long is not only a tourist paradise but also a culinary treasure trove of Quang Ninh, gathering countless specialties with unique sea flavors. To make the trip more complete, tourists should equip themselves with experience in choosing, enjoying, and preserving specialties correctly — both enjoying the authentic taste and bringing back meaningful gifts from the heritage region.
3.1. Reputable, Authentic Specialty Shops
When visiting Ha Long, finding reputable specialty shops helps tourists fully enjoy the taste of the sea while being assured of product quality. From traditional markets, OCOP supermarkets to authentic restaurants, each destination offers a unique culinary and shopping experience, suitable for both on-site enjoyment and as gifts.
Ha Long Market I and II are ideal destinations to buy Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties, gathering a variety of fresh seafood and processed products characteristic of the coastal region.
In the Bai Chay area, many reputable restaurants such as Phuong Nam, Hong Hanh, and Thien Anh serve authentic dishes, while ensuring food safety and hygiene, providing a complete culinary experience.
If you want to explore specialty seafood, Van Don market is a prominent address with fresh, high-quality sea worms and horseshoe crabs.
For tourists who want to buy Ha Long specialties as gifts, OCOP Quang Ninh supermarket and Ha Long specialty supermarket are safe choices, due to standardized packaged products, transparent information, and clear expiration dates, convenient for long-distance transport.
Ha Long Night Market is also a vibrant shopping and specialty tasting spot, offering a fun and convenient experience for tourists.
3.2. Tips for Distinguishing Genuine from Fake Specialties and How to Preserve Them for Long-Distance Travel
To enjoy authentic Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties and ensure safety, tourists need to know how to identify genuine products, from color, smell, to natural freshness. Additionally, proper preservation and packaging for long-distance travel will help seafood retain its full flavor and quality, providing a complete culinary experience.
To identify authentic Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties, tourists should note some important points. The product must have a natural sea aroma, without any fishy or strange odors. The color of the specialty should be natural, not too shiny or pale. When tasting, squid cakes should be chewy and firm, oysters and sea worms should retain their natural sweetness, without any unusual sour, bitter, or bland taste.
If transporting specialties long distances, dried squid cakes and sea worms should be packed in sealed boxes and further wrapped in moisture-proof zip bags. Fresh horseshoe crabs and oysters need to be stored in cooler bags or styrofoam boxes with ice. The transport time for fresh seafood should not exceed 6–8 hours to ensure quality. Also, avoid direct exposure to sunlight or high temperatures to preserve the characteristic flavor of the Ha Long coastal region.
4. Suggested Itinerary for Culinary Exploration Combined with Ha Long Tourism
Experience Sun World Ha Long when traveling to Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
Combining tourism and cuisine is a great way to fully appreciate the beauty and distinctive flavors of Ha Long. With a reasonable itinerary from morning to night, visitors can enjoy famous delicacies while exploring the magnificent scenery of the island heritage region.
Start a day exploring Ha Long with a specialty breakfast of sticky rice with squid sausage or steamed rice rolls with squid sausage at Ha Long Market or Bai Chay area. Afterwards, visitors can continue their journey with a cruise to admire Ha Long Bay or explore Tuan Chau Island.
For lunch, enjoy fresh seafood dishes such as stir-fried sea worms with garlic, rice vermicelli with mantis shrimp at reputable restaurants like Hong Hanh, Phuong Nam, which are both delicious and have spacious views overlooking the bay. After the meal, visitors can relax or participate in adventure and entertainment games at Sun World.
In the afternoon, a cool yogurt with tapioca pearls at famous shops like Tuan Lien Bai Chay is an ideal choice to cool down. This is also a suitable time to stroll and buy specialties at Ha Long night market, experiencing the bustling atmosphere and discovering the diverse attractive goods of the coastal land.
5. Tips for 'hunting' good value specialties
Choose Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties as gifts. (Source: Collected)
To enjoy delicious and authentic Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties while saving costs, visitors need to grasp the prime time and smart shopping tips. Choosing the right season, the right place, and comparing reasonable prices will help you easily find quality specialty items at the best prices.
The ideal time to buy Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties at reasonable prices usually falls during the off-peak tourist season, after summer and before Tet Nguyen Dan. During this time, vendors often apply discount programs to stimulate demand and consume inventory.
When buying, visitors should ask for prices first, compare between stalls, and prioritize choosing reasonable gift combos.
To ensure a safe and quality culinary experience, choose to buy from reputable addresses, carefully check expiration dates, and avoid products of unknown origin.
If buying in large quantities as gifts, try them first to ensure the specialty is suitable for the recipient's preferences and tastes.
Not only famous for the sacred pagodas of Quang Ninh, this land also attracts visitors with its rich culinary culture, carrying the strong flavor of the sea. From hand-pounded squid cake, sea worms to horseshoe crabs or mantis shrimp noodle soup, each Ha Long Quang Ninh specialty enchants visitors from the very first taste. If you are planning a trip in 2025, don't forget to explore and enjoy 8 Ha Long Quang Ninh specialties to fully experience the culinary essence of this heritage land.
