1. Quang Ninh Horseshoe Crab – A Unique Specialty Tied to the Sea
Horseshoe crabs are a uniquely shaped seafood, resembling a giant crab shell with a hard shell and a long tail. This creature mainly lives in clean, fertile waters like Mong Cai, Van Don, or Co To – places with ideal conditions for Quang Ninh horseshoe crabs to thrive, resulting in the best quality meat.
Interestingly, horseshoe crabs usually travel in pairs, with the male smaller than the female and always clinging to her. Therefore, Quang Ninh fishermen often say: "If you catch a female crab, you're sure to get a male." Because of this characteristic, the horseshoe crab is also seen as a symbol of fidelity in love.
However, not everyone knows how to prepare horseshoe crab correctly. If not done properly, some parts of the crab can cause poisoning. Therefore, this dish requires the skill and experience of skilled chefs.
2. The Flavor of Quang Ninh Horseshoe Crab – Why is this dish so popular?
Unlike other seafood like crabs or shrimps, Quang Ninh horseshoe crab has its own unique flavor. The crab meat is not too soft but has a slight firmness, natural sweetness, and a distinctive sea flavor. Especially, if you enjoy the female crab, you will have the opportunity to taste the golden, rich eggs – one of the best parts of the horseshoe crab.
In addition, the appeal of horseshoe crab lies in its preparation combined with spicy seasonings such as lemongrass, chili, galangal, pepper… These spices not only balance the cold nature of the crab but also enhance its irresistible delicious aroma.
3. Delicious Dishes Made from Quang Ninh Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe crab can be prepared into many different dishes, each offering a unique culinary experience:
Lemongrass Chili Stir-fried Horseshoe Crab – The most popular dish made from horseshoe crab, with the spicy aroma of lemongrass and chili blending with the chewy sweetness of the crab meat, creating an attractive and fragrant flavor.
Grilled Horseshoe Crab Eggs with Scallions – Rich horseshoe crab eggs combined with scallions, crispy roasted peanuts, creating a dish that is both fragrant and nutty, suitable for drinking sessions.
Horseshoe Crab Salad – Boiled horseshoe crab meat, thinly sliced and mixed with green mango, herbs, sweet and sour fish sauce, and roasted peanuts, creating a refreshing, crunchy dish that stimulates the palate.
Horseshoe Crab Cakes – Cakes made from minced horseshoe crab meat, mixed with spices and fried until golden brown, with a crispy exterior and soft, fragrant interior.
Horseshoe Crab Porridge – A nutritious dish that warms the stomach on cool days, especially good for people recovering from illness.
4. Best Addresses to Enjoy Quang Ninh Sea Sam
If you want to eat authentic Quang Ninh sea sam, you can't miss the famous addresses below:
Huong Duyen Restaurant (66 Nguyen Van Cu, Ha Long) - One of the long-standing seafood restaurants, famous for its lemongrass-chili sea sam and sea sam salad.
Cua Vang Restaurant (Ha Long) - Specializes in high-class seafood dishes, in which sea sam is a favorite dish of many diners.
Ha Long Market 1 & 2 - A bustling culinary area with many affordable eateries serving fresh and delicious sea sam.
Phuong Nam Restaurant (Van Don) - An ideal place to enjoy sea sam right in the coastal area famous for this specialty.
5. Important Notes When Eating Quang Ninh Sea Sam
Although Quang Ninh sea sam is a delicious dish, not everyone can eat it at will. Here are some things to keep in mind:
✔ Do not eat raw or undercooked sea sam to avoid food poisoning.
✔ People with seafood allergies should be cautious when eating sea sam.
✔ Sea sam has a cold nature, so you should not eat too much in one meal to avoid stomach cold and indigestion.
✔ Always eat with spicy seasonings such as lemongrass, chili, and galangal to balance the cold nature and enhance the flavor.
Quang Ninh horseshoe crab is not only a specialty dish but also a delightful culinary experience for tourists. With its sweet, chewy, and rich flavor, along with the diverse ways it can be prepared, horseshoe crab has conquered countless food enthusiasts. If you have the opportunity to visit Quang Ninh, don't forget to try this unique dish to fully experience the flavors of the sea!
Have you ever tried Quang Ninh horseshoe crab? If so, please share your thoughts on this special dish!
