Published:  12:58 Saturday - August 24, 2024

Ha Long is an incredibly famous tourist destination in Vietnam, known for its breathtaking natural scenery. However, in addition to its unique beauty, Ha Long also offers a wide variety of delicious and distinctive dishes. Here are 6 must-try specialties in Halong Bay.

1. Grilled Chopped Squid (Cha Muc)

One of the first specialties you must try in Halong Bay is Grilled Chopped Squid (Cha Muc) – a dish that ranks among the top 10 best foods in Asia.

Most of the ingredients used to make Grilled Chopped Squid in Ha Long are sourced from the Quang Ninh sea. The squid used must be freshly caught, thick-bodied cuttlefish. During preparation, the squid is hand-pounded, shaped into bite-sized pieces, and fried in a pan of hot oil.

The best way to enjoy Quang Ninh Grilled Chopped Squid is with white sticky rice. The aroma of the glutinous rice combined with the rich, savory flavor of the hot squid cakes is simply unmatched. Accompanying the Grilled Chopped Squid dish is a dipping sauce made from pure fish sauce with a sprinkle of black pepper, or a simpler option would be a bit of sweet and spicy chili sauce.

2. Horseshoe Crab (Sam) - must-try specialties in Halong Bay

Horseshoe crab (Sam) is a distinctive seafood from the coastal area of Ha Long, Quang Ninh, and can be transformed into various delicious and enticing dishes. Locals often use horseshoe crab to make dishes like horseshoe crab blood pudding, horseshoe crab salad, horseshoe crab stir-fried with lemongrass and chili and many other unique recipes. You can find these dishes in areas like Cao Xanh.

Horseshoe crab has a compact shape, resembling jellyfish but with a protective hard shell. The most popular dish made from horseshoe crab is stir-fried horseshoe crab. Before cooking, the crab is cleaned and its shell removed. It is then stir-fried in hot oil with garlic, onions, spices, and aromatic herbs, creating a delicious, enticing flavor.

In addition, horseshoe crab can be prepared by steaming, grilling, or used to make a refreshing seafood salad when combined with fresh vegetables. Its distinctive flavor and high nutritional value have made horseshoe crab a popular choice for food enthusiasts visiting Halong Bay.

3. Stone crab Cu Ky

Stone crab Cu Ky is a famous seafood specialty from the coastal area of Ha Long, Quang Ninh. With a shape similar to that of a regular sea crab but with a harder shell and smaller size, Stone crab Cu Ky is popular among both locals and tourists.

Cu Ky typically lives in rocky crevices and underwater rock formations along the coast and only appears during certain seasons of the year. The meat of Cu Ky is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, especially high in protein, making it beneficial for health due to its firm and sweet flavor. When visiting Ha Long, tourists can easily find Cu Ky at local restaurants, eateries, or seafood markets.

There are various ways to prepare Cu Ky into delectable dishes, from steaming and grilling to stir-frying with tamarind, salt, or glass noodles and even making soup. One of the most famous dishes is steamed Cu Ky, which retains the natural sweetness of the meat, or Cu Ky stir-fried with tamarind, featuring a sweet and sour taste that is highly appealing.

4. Sipunculus Nudus (Sa Sung)

Sa Sung is a rare seafood delicacy that is considered a famous specialty of Quang Ninh. It is not only a valuable ingredient in cooking but also used in traditional medicine.

The meat of Sa Sung has a mild sweetness and is packed with nutrients, rich in protein, calcium, and other essential minerals. Due to its high value, it is commonly used to enhance broths, enriching the flavor and aroma of various dishes. Sa Sung can be prepared in many delicious ways, such as dried and roasted with salt, fresh and stir-fried with sweet and sour sauce, or grilled.

When visiting Ha Long, tourists should not miss the opportunity to try dishes made from Sa Sung. This not only offers a unique culinary experience but also helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of the culture and lifestyle of the fishermen in the coastal region of Quang Ninh.

5. Austriella Corrugata (Ngan)

Ngan also known as razor clam, is a famous seafood specialty from the coastal area of Ha Long, Quang Ninh. This type of clam has a thin shell, usually grayish or brown, and typically lives in salty, sandy beaches. Although smaller than other clams, ngán has a distinctive flavor that is highly appreciated, making it a must-try specialties in Halong Bay.

The meat of Ngan is mildly sweet and tender, often used to prepare various delicious dishes. Some popular dishes made from ngán include steamed razor clam, grilled razor clam with scallion oil, or stir-fried razor clam with vegetables. Steamed ngán is particularly favored for preserving the natural, sweet flavor of the clam. On the other hand, grilled Ngan with scallion oil offers a savory, rich taste that is easy to enjoy.

In addition to being used in tasty dishes, Ngan is also known for its high nutritional value, providing protein and essential minerals for the body. Local chefs and seafood restaurants in Halong prepare ngán with refined techniques to highlight the clam's unique flavor.

6.Tien Yen Hill Chicken - must-try specialties in Halong Bay

Yen Tien Hill Chicken is a breed raised in the hilly areas of Yen Tien with a natural free-range farming method. The chickens are often allowed to roam freely on the hills, foraging for grains, insects, and herbs, which not only enhances their flavor but also ensures their health and meat quality.

Yen Tien Hill Chicken stands out for its firm, flavorful meat and attractive color. The meat is tender and naturally sweet, making it highly favored in traditional dishes and local cuisine. This chicken is commonly prepared in various delicious ways, such as honey-glazed grilled chicken, boiled chicken, stir-fried chicken with lemongrass and chili, or ginger-braised chicken. Each dish highlights the unique flavor and quality of this special chicken breed.

As a renowned coastal city, Ha Long certainly offers a variety of other fresh seafood dishes you should try, such as Nodding Cake (Banh Gat Gu), Acorn Barnacle Porridge (Chao Ha), Shrimp Floss, and Ha Long Pearl Yogurt. Based on the article about the 6 must-try specialties in Halong Bay, we hope you can explore more about Halong Bay’s cuisine and note down your favorite dishes for your upcoming culinary tour.