What to Eat in Ha Long? Seafood to Try and How to Choose a Restaurant
What to eat in Ha Long? If you only pick a few dishes, prioritise hand-pounded squid cake (chả mực), steamed or tamarind blue crab (ghẹ), mantis shrimp (bề bề), grilled geoduck-type clams (tu hài), peanut worms (sá sùng) and ngán clams — the seafood most associated with Quang Ninh waters. A great meal comes from live seafood, weighed in front of you, with the cooking fee confirmed before ordering — not from the size of the restaurant.
This article covers dishes to try, reference price ranges, how to choose a restaurant and health tips. For the overall plan, read it with the Ha Long travel guide from A to Z and the 2-day 1-night Ha Long itinerary.
- Must-try: Ha Long squid cake (crunchy, springy, fragrant), blue crab, mantis shrimp, tu hài clams, peanut worms, ngán — 3–4 dishes are enough for a meal for 2–4 people.
- Beyond seafood: steamed rice rolls with squid cake (breakfast), mantis shrimp / seafood noodle soup, bánh gật gù rice sheets, Quang Yen fermented pork rolls.
- Choosing a restaurant: prices per kg on display, weighing in front of you, a stated cooking fee, clean tanks; avoid touts and places without posted prices.
- Price: an ordinary seafood meal for 2 is usually about 600,000–1,500,000 VND depending on dishes and size; peak season can be higher.
- Health: limit raw/rare dishes, take care with allergies, small children and older travellers; do not eat horseshoe crab of unknown origin.
Why seafood is the “main course” of a Ha Long trip
Ha Long seafood is famous because Quang Ninh waters have limestone islands, tidal flats and many traditional fishing villages; squid, blue crab, mantis shrimp, ngán clams and peanut worms are caught or farmed around Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long, Van Don and Co To. That is why visitors treat seafood as the main food experience, just as the bay cruise is the main sightseeing experience.
Seafood on the menu is not always caught right in the bay; some comes from nearby areas, especially in peak season. What matters is that it is fresh, still alive and transparently priced.
Ha Long seafood worth trying
Hand-pounded Ha Long squid cake
Ha Long squid cake (chả mực) is the best-known dish: fresh squid is pounded (not minced in a machine), so the cake is crunchy, springy and distinctly fragrant; it is usually eaten with sticky rice, steamed rice rolls or simply with chilli sauce. When buying to take home, ask about the squid ratio and look for visible squid pieces, a natural smell, and a cake that is not too uniformly white or too sticky.
Blue crab (ghẹ)
Blue crab is a safe choice for groups: steamed with lemongrass keeps its natural sweetness, while tamarind or salt-roasted versions suit those who like bold flavours. Meaty crabs feel heavy with a hard underside; freshly moulted crabs are light with less meat. Ask how many crabs make a kilo to estimate enough for the table.
Mantis shrimp (bề bề)
Mantis shrimp has sweet meat and works well steamed, salt-roasted or with tamarind; the roe season (usually in the colder months) is sought after. The shell is spiky, so an adult should peel it for young children.
Tu hài clams, scallops, clams and sea snails
Tu hài grilled with scallion oil or steamed is an easy “starter” dish; grilled scallops, clams steamed with lemongrass and babylon snails steamed or salt-roasted make good evening bites. For groups with small children or older people, choose thoroughly steamed or grilled dishes over rare ones.
Peanut worms (sá sùng) and ngán clams
Peanut worms (sá sùng) have a clean, sweet taste and are stir-fried, grilled or used to sweeten pho and noodle broth; dried sá sùng is an expensive specialty often bought as a gift. Ngán is a white-shelled mollusc common along the Quang Ninh coast, steamed, cooked into rice porridge or made into a salad; these two dishes show the “Quang Ninh character” more than standard seafood.
Grouper, cobia and cù kỳ crab
Larger groups can add grouper (cá song) steamed or in hotpot, or cobia (cá giò) grilled or in sour soup. Cù kỳ (a hard-shelled sea crab) with tamarind is also popular, but not every restaurant has it.
Dish guide by traveller type
Choosing seafood in Ha Long comes down to three factors: group size, how much shell-peeling you are willing to do, and budget. The table below is a general guide; restaurants and seasons vary.
| Dish | Common cooking style | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squid cake | Fried, with sticky rice / rice rolls | Everyone, including kids | Ask whether it is hand-pounded or minced |
| Blue crab | Steamed with lemongrass, tamarind, salt-roasted | Friends, families | Ask crabs per kg; meaty crabs feel heavy |
| Mantis shrimp | Steamed, salt-roasted, tamarind | Those who enjoy peeling, slow eating | Spiky shell, careful with kids |
| Tu hài, scallops | Grilled with scallion oil, steamed | First-timers, couples | Prefer fully cooked |
| Peanut worms | Stir-fried, grilled, in broth | Specialty seekers | Dried version is among the priciest |
| Ngán clams | Steamed, porridge, salad | Lovers of local flavours | Sensitive stomachs should skip the salad |
| Grouper / cobia | Steamed, hotpot, sour soup | Large groups, families | Big fish are pricey; ask the weight first |
Local dishes beyond seafood
Not every meal needs a seafood table. A few lighter, cheaper options:
- Rice rolls with squid cake: hot steamed rice rolls with a piece of squid cake, ideal for breakfast before a bay cruise.
- Mantis shrimp / seafood noodle soup: sweet seafood broth, quick to eat and easy to share with children.
- Bánh gật gù: thin, soft rice sheets dipped in fish sauce or eaten with squid cake; a familiar Quang Ninh specialty.
- Quang Yen nem chua: fermented pork rolls, a snack or gift, mildly sour and usually wrapped in leaves.
If you are pairing meals with onshore sights (Bai Chay walking street, Hon Gai market, Sun World), see things to see in Ha Long.
How to choose a seafood restaurant in Ha Long
Choosing a seafood restaurant in Ha Long is easy if you check first: prices per kg on display, weighing in front of you, a clear cooking fee, clean tanks and recent reviews. Places that tick all these boxes usually carry less risk of overcharging, whether they sit on a main road or down an alley.
- Check the price board before sitting down: prices per kg, with “market price” noted for volatile items. If nothing is posted, ask the price of each item and write it down.
- Choose and weigh in front of you: pick from the tank, watch the scale, take a photo of the reading if needed. Avoid letting staff “choose for you” and report the weight later.
- Ask about the cooking fee: some places charge separately for cooking or side dishes; ask first to avoid surprises at payment.
- Check freshness: crab and mantis shrimp still moving; snails and clams closed or reacting to touch; squid with clear eyes and a firm body.
- Read recent reviews: prefer reviews from the last few months with photos of the bill.
- Be careful with touts: guides or motorbike drivers “recommending a good place” may earn a commission — the final price is often higher.
Is buying at the market and paying for cooking worth it?
Buying seafood at a market and having a restaurant cook it lets you choose the produce yourself and is sometimes cheaper, especially for large groups. In exchange, you need time for the market, a bit of gentle bargaining and a restaurant that accepts outside seafood. Short-stay visitors or families with small children often find eating everything at one restaurant more convenient.
Ha Long 1 Market in Hon Gai is a large market familiar to visitors buying fresh seafood and dried goods; Bai Chay also has markets and seafood stalls serving tourists. Mornings usually offer more choice. Cooking fees at restaurants near markets are often about 30,000–70,000 VND per kg or charged per dish — ask before handing over your seafood.
Where to eat seafood: Bai Chay or Hon Gai?
Bai Chay has many restaurants serving visitors, close to the beach, the walking street and entertainment areas — convenient if you stay there and want to walk to dinner. Hon Gai feels more like a local city, near the market, with many casual eateries frequented by residents. Tuan Chau has fewer options.
If you have not chosen your base yet, see where to stay in Ha Long to pick an area convenient for both dining and the harbour. For travel from Hanoi and expected arrival times, read how to get from Hanoi to Ha Long.
Reference price ranges (2026)
Prices change with season, size, supply and location. The table below is a reference to estimate your budget, not the fixed price of any particular restaurant.
| Dish / item | Reference range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-pounded squid cake (takeaway) | about 350,000–500,000 VND/kg | Depends on squid ratio and producer |
| Blue crab | about 400,000–900,000 VND/kg | Large, meaty crabs cost more |
| Mantis shrimp | about 300,000–600,000 VND/kg | Roe season is usually higher |
| Tu hài clams | about 250,000–450,000 VND/kg | Often priced per plate when grilled with scallion oil |
| Dried peanut worms | usually several million VND/kg | Among the priciest specialties; buy from reputable sellers |
| Seafood meal for 2 (ordinary) | about 600,000–1,500,000 VND | 3–4 dishes + drinks |
Budget tip: order one “main” dish (crab or mantis shrimp), one grilled dish (tu hài, scallops) and one filling dish (fried rice, noodles, porridge) instead of too many expensive items.
Health tips for eating seafood
- Anyone with a history of seafood allergy should try a small amount first and carry medication as advised by a doctor.
- Young children, older people and pregnant women should choose thoroughly cooked dishes and limit salads, rare dishes and raw oysters.
- Do not eat horseshoe crab of unknown origin or not prepared by a reputable restaurant — some species can cause poisoning.
- Lots of seafood with beer or alcohol can upset the stomach; eat vegetables and carbohydrates alongside.
- Keep takeaway seafood cold and eat it soon; freeze squid cake if travelling a long way.
FAQ
What is the one dish you must eat in Ha Long?
If you pick just one, many people choose hand-pounded squid cake because it is distinctive and suits all ages. Next come blue crab, mantis shrimp and grilled tu hài; for more “Quang Ninh character”, add peanut worms or ngán clams. Three to four dishes are enough for 2–4 people.
Is seafood in Ha Long expensive?
Not necessarily. An ordinary meal for 2 is usually about 600,000–1,500,000 VND depending on dishes and size. Costs rise sharply with large crabs, big grouper or peanut worms. Check per-kg prices and watch the weighing to stay within budget.
How do I avoid being overcharged for seafood?
Choose places with posted prices, pick and watch the weighing yourself, ask about the cooking fee upfront and note the price of each item. Avoid restaurants you are led to by strangers or touts on the street. Check the bill before paying.
Should I eat seafood in Bai Chay or Hon Gai?
Bai Chay is convenient if you stay near the beach and want to walk to dinner; there are many options aimed at visitors. Hon Gai is near the market with many casual local eateries, good for a local atmosphere. Both have good restaurants and places to be careful with.
How do I buy Ha Long squid cake as a gift?
Choose producers with a clear address, cakes with coarse squid pieces, a natural aroma, not too sticky or uniformly white. Ask whether it is hand-pounded or minced and check the use-by date. Request vacuum packing, with dry ice or a cool box for long journeys.
What should children watch out for when eating seafood in Ha Long?
Choose well-cooked, mild dishes such as squid cake, steamed fish, ngán porridge or seafood noodle soup. Peel mantis shrimp and crab in advance to avoid spikes. If a child has never eaten a type of seafood, offer a small amount first and watch for signs of allergy.
Conclusion
What to eat in Ha Long — the short answer is squid cake, blue crab, mantis shrimp, tu hài clams, peanut worms and ngán, plus rice rolls with squid cake or seafood noodle soup for lighter meals. A great meal comes from fresh produce, transparent prices and ordering just enough, not from ordering many expensive dishes.
Next, fit your meals into the 2-day 1-night Ha Long itinerary, check things to see in Ha Long to see which sights are near restaurants, and read the Ha Long travel guide from A to Z if this is your first time in Ha Long.
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