What to eat in Halong Bay is a question VietGo Travels helps travelers answer through 15 local dishes worth trying, from fresh seafood to Tien Yen specialties and regional desserts. With local experience and curated tours across northern Vietnam, VietGo Travels shares practical suggestions on flavors, prices, and where to eat. Whether you stay in Bai Chay or explore Hon Gai, this guide makes it easier to discover authentic Halong Bay food beyond the usual cruise menus.
1. Ha Long Cha Muc (Vietnamese Squid Patties)
Any answer to what to eat in Halong Bay starts with cha muc. The patty is made from fresh cuttlefish that is pounded by hand with a wooden pestle in a stone mortar, a method locals credit for its dense, bouncy texture. Machine-ground versions tend to be softer and less springy. Small pieces of diced cuttlefish fin and tentacle are mixed in, which adds a distinct crunch to each bite. The patties are deep-fried until golden and are usually served with chili sauce. Most large vendors also sell vacuum-sealed frozen packs of 500 g or 1 kg. These can be re-fried at home, which is why Cha Muc is one of the most common food gifts from the city.
Three well-known vendors are concentrated in the same market, which makes a side-by-side comparison easy. Each sells freshly fried portions as well as packaged products.
- Cha Muc Ba Kien: Ha Long 1 Market, Hon Gai
- Cha Muc Thoan – cooked-food section, Ha Long 1 Market
- Cha Muc Hoai Phuong – cooked-food section, Ha Long 1 Market
Because all three are inside one market, visitors can taste each version in a single stop and buy vacuum-packed portions on the way out.
2. Cu Ky Noodle Soup
For breakfast, what to eat in Halong Bay is often answered with cu ky noodle soup. Cu ky is a large-clawed crustacean related to sea crabs. Its body meat is dry and sparse, so the dish relies on the claws, which are steamed and cracked in advance. The broth is built from the ground body and roe, which gives it a naturally sweet and rich flavor. A typical bowl costs about 35,000 to 50,000 VND and comes with fresh herbs and fried shallots.
Three places in Bai Chay and Hon Gai are frequently recommended for this dish. Opening hours vary, so it is worth confirming them before a visit.
- Bun Cu Ky Huong Beo – Tan Mai Street, Bai Chay
- Bun Cu Ky 268 – 268 Gieng Don Street, Hon Gai
- Bun Cu Ky Quoc Huy – Kiosk 3, Ha Long Trade Union Hotel area, Bai Chay
The smaller shops focus on morning service, so a breakfast or early-lunch visit is the most reliable plan.
3. Be Be Noodle Soup (Mantis Shrimp)
Be be noodle soup is another staple for anyone weighing what to eat in Halong Bay for a lighter meal. Be be is the local name for mantis shrimp. The broth is simmered from swimming crab, shrimp, and pounded shrimp heads and shells, then strained, so the flavor is clean and sweet rather than heavy. The shrimp are peeled before serving, and toppings such as fish cake and fried tofu soak up the broth. A bowl generally costs 35,000 to 50,000 VND.
The following three shops appear repeatedly in local recommendations. They are spread across Hon Gai and Bai Chay, so at least one is usually close to where visitors are staying.
- Bun Be Be Huy Chien – No. 2 Thuc Thoai, Hong Hai
- Bun Be Be Lang Chai – No. 1 Le Thanh Tong, Hong Gai
- Bun Hai San Cay Gao – Zone 6, Cai Dam, Bai Chay
Each shop also sells other seafood noodle variations, which is useful for groups with mixed preferences.
4. Chao Ha (Local Ha Shellfish Porridge)
Porridge is a simple yet distinctive choice in any guide to what to eat in Halong Bay, especially “chao hà”, a local porridge made with small sea barnacles found along the Quang Ninh coast. The rice is lightly toasted before cooking, giving the porridge a smooth texture, while sautéed barnacle meat adds a savory, slightly briny flavor. The bowl is finished with scallion, Vietnamese coriander, and black pepper, with prices around 30,000–50,000 VND.
“Cháo hà” should not be confused with oyster porridge, a separate dish made with Ha Long milk oysters. The two dishes use different seafood ingredients and have distinct flavors, although both are commonly enjoyed for breakfast or as a late-evening meal.
These three shops are commonly mentioned for their consistent flavor:
- Chao Ha Co Hang – 42 Tran Hung Dao Street
- Quan Cha – 25 Le Thanh Tong Street, Hong Gai
- Chao Cay Gao – Cai Dam entrance gate, Zone 6, Bai Chay
Ordering early in the evening usually gives the widest choice of toppings and side dishes.
5. Banh Gat Gu (Tien Yen Rice Roll)
Banh gat gu adds a regional rice product to the list of what to eat in Halong Bay and is a distinctive part of Halong food. The name means “nodding cake” because the soft, elastic sheet bends and sways when lifted with chopsticks. The rice is soaked overnight, and a small amount of cooked rice is blended into the batter, which gives the sheet a smooth, slightly springy texture. The dipping sauce is the main feature: fish sauce simmered with chicken fat and topped with fried shallots and minced pork. The cake originates in Tien Yen District, more than 80 km from Ha Long City, but it is also sold in the city’s markets.
Visitors can try it at the source or in the city, depending on the itinerary. Two well-known bakeries are located in Tien Yen, and market stalls offer a convenient alternative.
- Banh Gat Gu Ba Cuc – No. 73 Hoa Binh Street, Tien Yen
- Cuong Thia Bakery – No. 30A Hoa Binh Street, Tien Yen
- Food stalls inside Ha Long 1 Market and Ha Long 2 Market
The Tien Yen bakeries suit those already traveling east along the coast, while the market stalls are the easier option for a short stay.
6. Grilled Loi Am Chicken
Grilled Loi Am chicken is the dish most closely tied to a specific setting when deciding what to eat in Halong Bay. The birds are free-range hill chickens, and the restaurants at the foot of Loi Am Pagoda, beside Yen Lap Lake, prepare them only after an order is placed. A wait of about 30 minutes is therefore normal. The chicken is grilled over charcoal or wood until the skin turns golden and crisp. Two seasonings are common: honey, which is sweeter, and mugwort, which adds a mild bitterness. A whole chicken costs roughly 150,000 to 350,000 VND depending on the restaurant.
Three restaurants are regularly listed for this dish. Prices and waiting times differ, so it helps to ask before ordering.
- Quan Ga Nuong Dam Da – Loi Am Pagoda ferry landing, facing the lake
- Ga Nuong Loi Am Chuyen Phuong – 176 Dai Yen
- Quan Ga Nuong Chua Loi Am Thanh Loc Hanh – Loi Am Thuong ferry landing, Quarter 4, Dai Yen
Some locations require a short ferry crossing, so half a day is a realistic allowance if the meal is combined with a pagoda visit.
7. Ha Long Pearl Yogurt
Dessert is easy to overlook, but Ha Long pearl yogurt is one of the best-known answers to what to eat in Halong Bay among younger travelers. The dish pairs chilled, lightly tangy yogurt with warm tapioca pearls in sweetened coconut milk. The contrast between cold and hot is the main point, since each spoonful combines both. Prices are low, typically 10,000 to 50,000 VND per cup depending on the size and toppings.
These three shops are among the most frequently cited. All are in the older parts of the city, where the dish first became popular.
- Sua Chua Tran Chau Co Nghi – No. 10 Van Lang Street, Hong Gai
- Sua Chua Tuan Lien – Tran Quoc Nghien Street
- Sua Chua Co Cuong – No. 29 Minh Khai Street, Ha Lam
A yogurt stop works well as the last item after a seafood dinner in Hon Gai.
8. Tien Yen Ca Say
Tien Yen Ca Say shows the inland side of Halong Bay food. Ca say is a local breed developed by crossing duck and Muscovy duck (called ngan locally). For readers asking what to eat in Halong Bay beyond seafood, it is a strong candidate. The meat is firm and thick-grained without turning dry, while the skin is thin and crisp with relatively low fat content. The classic preparation is boiling, followed by chopping and dipping the meat in fish sauce blended with fresh ginger. Reference prices are about 120,000 to 200,000 VND per kilogram.
Two options are located in Ha Long City, while the third is closer to the source in Tien Yen. The choice depends mainly on the time available.
- Dung Ha Restaurant – Cai Dam Urban Area, Bai Chay
- Ca say restaurants in the Cao Xanh area, Hon Gai
- Ba Ty Ca Say – Tien Yen town, about 1.5 hours from Ha Long City
Ba Ty suits a half-day excursion, while the first two are more practical for a standard city itinerary.
9.Tien Yen Hill Chicken
Tien Yen hill chicken represents the simplest side of what to eat in Halong Bay: minimal preparation and a focus on ingredient quality. The birds are raised free-range on hillsides, which gives them firm, sweet meat and thin golden skin. A local saying places Tien Yen chicken among Quang Ninh’s most reputable products, alongside Mong Cai pork. The standard preparation is boiling, followed by chopping into thick pieces and serving with a salt, pepper, and lime dip or ginger soy sauce. Reference prices are about 120,000 to 200,000 VND per kilogram.
These places are a good starting point, and two of them are in the Bai Chay area. The third describes a style of restaurant found in Hon Gai.
- Dung Ha Restaurant – Cai Dam Urban Area, Bai Chay
- Co Xanh 2 Restaurant – Gieng Day, Bai Chay
- Tien Yen chicken restaurants along the seafront road in Hon Gai
Because chicken is sold by weight, it is worth agreeing on the size and price before the bird is cooked.
10. Sa Sung (Peanut Worm)
Sa sung, or peanut worm, is the most unusual ingredient on any list of what to eat in Halong Bay. It is a marine worm that must be turned inside out and cleaned of sand by hand, a labor-intensive step that partly explains its high price. Its alternative Vietnamese name, dia sam, translates roughly as “earth ginseng”. Fresh sa sung is stir-fried quickly with garlic and celery, giving a crunchy texture and a clean, natural sweetness. Dried sa sung is grilled and torn into strips or added to noodle broth for depth.
Three locations cover both fresh and dried forms. The restaurant is suited to a meal, while the markets are better for purchases.
- Huong Duyen Restaurant – No. 66 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hon Gai
- Seafood section, Ha Long 1 Market
- Dried seafood stalls, Ha Long 2 Market – 433 Le Loi Street
Dried sa sung is compact and easy to carry, so it also works as a food gift.
11. Sticky Rice with Cha Muc
Combining two local staples, sticky rice with cha muc is a common breakfast answer to what to eat in Halong Bay. The rice is glutinous, soft, and lightly flavored with chicken fat and fried shallots. It is served with freshly fried cuttlefish patties. Both components should be eaten hot, because the patties lose their bounce as they cool. The pairing is inexpensive and filling, and it suits an early start before a bay cruise. If you are still planning the rest of the trip, our Halong Bay guide covers the best time to visit, transport, and top attractions.
Breakfast shops in Hon Gai and Bai Chay both offer the dish. The three options below reflect different parts of the city.
- Xoi Cha Muc Minh Hoa – Thuong Mai Street, Hon Gai
- Xoi Cha Muc Quang Phong – Sun World old quarter, Bai Chay
- Breakfast stalls in the alley beside the old theater, Hon Gai
Hon Gai has the more traditional shops, while the Bai Chay location is convenient for travelers staying near the beach.
12. Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe crab, called sam in Vietnamese, is the item that most divides opinion when considering what to eat in Halong Bay. The animals are usually caught and sold in male-female pairs, which is the origin of a local idiom for people who are inseparable. One animal can be prepared in several different ways. The best-known version is grilled roe with scallion oil and roasted peanuts, while sweet-and-sour stir-fried legs are another popular preparation. Prices can vary considerably depending on the size, season, and preparation.
One important point when ordering sam is to make sure it is “sam biển” rather than “so biển”, a different species that can contain dangerous toxins. The two can look similar, so visitors should choose an established Ha Long restaurant with experienced staff who know how to distinguish and properly prepare sam.
The three restaurants below specialize in sam or feature it prominently. They cover both Hon Gai and Bai Chay.
- Sam Hung Mit – No. 128 Gieng Don Street, Hong Gai
- Sam Ba Ty – Lane 6, Cao Xanh, Hon Gai
- Phuong Nam Seafood – branches in Bai Chay and Hon Gai
Ordering a mixed set of two or three preparations gives a fair impression of the ingredient without committing to a large portion.
13. Ha Long Clam Porridge
Clam porridge is a smaller street dish, yet it belongs in a complete answer to what to eat in Halong Bay. Unlike barnacle or oyster porridge, the base is made from finely ground rice simmered in clam broth until thick and smooth. The clam meat is minced, sauteed with fried shallots and fish sauce, and stirred in with scallion, Vietnamese coriander, and culantro. It is typically sold at market stalls in the late afternoon.
Market food areas are the most common places to find it, so exact stalls can change from season to season. The three locations below are a practical starting point.
- Chao Trai Ba Nga – Loong Toong Market food area, Tran Nhat Duat Street, Hon Gai
- Food area of Ha Long 1 Market, Hon Gai
- Night eateries along Gieng Don food street
The dish is best treated as a light afternoon snack rather than a full meal.
14. Dried Shrimp Floss
Not every entry on this list is eaten on the spot. Dried shrimp floss is the practical takeaway answer to what to eat in Halong Bay. Ha Long versions combine sea shrimp, small shrimp caught in the bay, and a small proportion of dried pork as a binder. The result is soft rather than dry, with a natural orange color and a savory-sweet flavor. It is sprinkled over steamed rice or sticky rice, and it keeps well, which makes it easy to pack.
Buyers usually find it in three types of location. Large cha muc brands often stock it next to their main products.
- Dried food section, Ha Long 2 Market – 433 Le Loi Street
- Ha Long 1 Market, Hon Gai
- Major cha muc brands such as Thoan, Dasavina, and Ba Kien
Checking the production date and packaging, and comparing prices at two or three stalls, is a simple way to avoid overpaying.
15. Ngan Porridge
Ngan porridge (chao ngan) closes the list and highlights one of Quang Ninh’s rarer shellfish. Ngan is a large, clam-like mollusk with a rough shell. It should not be confused with the Muscovy duck, which is also called ngan, because the dish contains no poultry. The meat is sweet and slightly fatty with a distinct aroma. It is served grilled, steamed, in soup, stir-fried with noodles (bun xao ngan), or cooked into porridge with scallion, Vietnamese coriander, and ground pepper. For anyone finalizing what to eat in Halong Bay, it is a rewarding choice for those who want something regional and less common.
Three locations are commonly suggested. The first is a seafood restaurant, and the others are broader dining areas where ngan dishes are found.
- Quan Cai Dam – No. 585 Ha Long Road, Bai Chay
- Seafood restaurants along the Cot 5 to Cot 6 seafront, Hon Gai
- Food area, Ha Long 1 Market, Hon Gai
Ngan is a seasonal, limited-supply ingredient, so availability may vary from visit to visit.
Planning your food route around what to eat in Halong Bay is a great way to experience both the coastal flavors and local specialties of Quang Ninh. From fresh seafood in Bai Chay to traditional dishes in Hon Gai and Tien Yen specialties, each stop offers something different. VietGo Travels can combine your food experiences with Halong Bay cruises, day tours from Hanoi, private tours, and convenient transfers.
Our team can help combine local dining suggestions with your Ha Long itinerary based on your schedule and travel style. For personalized advice and trip arrangements, contact VietGo Travels at 84 855 452 888.
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Related: After a seafood dinner, a Halong cafe with scenic views and Vietnamese coffee is a relaxing way to end the day.
