What & Where to Eat in Halong Bay?

Halong cuisine takes pride in its delicious dishes, especially fresh and high-quality seafood. Your journey wouldn’t be complete without tasting the best dishes of Halong. Here is a list of must-try foods and places to find unique dishes in Halong Bay with Hanoi Local Tours. Additionally, over 20 top restaurants in Halong Bay are also revealed here. Don’t miss out!

What to Eat in Halong Bay?

Halong Squid Cake (Cha muc Ha Long)

Squid Cake is the most famous dish in Halong and its name also ranks in the top 50 specialties of Vietnam. Halong squid cake, as the name suggests, is made from squid, the main ingredient for this dish. The best Halong squid cakes must be made from squid sourced from the Halong region to ensure the highest quality. It steals the hearts of tourists with its delicate and crispy texture as well as its distinctive aroma of squid. In the daily meals of the locals, they often enjoy the cake with sticky rice or rolled cake. No one can resist its delicious taste and rich aroma.

Girlled Oysters (Hau Nuong)

Grilled oysters are also a popular seafood dish, known for their nutritious benefits and energy-boosting properties. Most people enjoy tasting grilled oysters with a special sauce made from salt, pepper, and lime. The oysters, after being cleaned, are grilled over charcoal upon request from customers. Therefore, the oysters are hot, simple, yet incredibly delicious. This dish becomes even more irresistible when paired with a few glasses of beer.

Horseshoe Crab (Sam Bien)

Horseshoe crab, also known as Sam seafood, is a type of seafood known for its high nutritional value. When visiting Halong Bay, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many delicious dishes made from horseshoe crabs, such as horseshoe crab cakes, fried horseshoe crab eggs, horseshoe crab salad, stir-fried horseshoe crab with lemongrass and chili, steamed horseshoe crab, and stir-fried glass noodles with horseshoe crab. All of these delicious dishes await you.

Stir-fried Snails with Soya Sauce (Oc xao tuong)

Stir-fried snails with soy sauce is a popular dish among locals in Halong Bay. When visiting Halong, you should definitely not miss this dish. It is a beloved street food snack, affordable, and can be found at roadside stalls where you can enjoy the dish and chat with locals. Stir-fried snails with soy sauce are aromatic, delicious, and addictive.

Austriella Corrugate (Ngan)

The Austriella clam (Ngan) is a type of clam found in estuaries. Despite its Vietnamese name meaning “tasteless,” the flavor of the Austriella clam is quite the opposite. Chefs can prepare various dishes from the Austriella clam, such as porridge, grilling, stir-frying with vegetables, or noodles. Additionally, local diners also enjoy Austriella clam liquor for its unique flavor, which is believed to provide strength. However, due to its scarcity, Austriella clams are expensive.

Sipunculus Nudus (Sa Sung)

Peanut worms, also known as Sipunculus Nudus, are a type of worm found in deep sandy areas. This rare and expensive seafood was traditionally reserved for kings, nobles, and officials. After being cleaned until they turn ivory white, peanut worms can be prepared in various ways, such as stir-frying with pineapple, garlic, salt and chili, or deep-frying until crispy. In traditional Hanoi noodle dishes, peanut worms are added to enhance the sweetness of the broth.

“Gat Gu” Cake (Banh “gat gu”)

Nodding cake, also known as “Banh Gat Gu,” is a unique cake similar to steamed rice rolls or steamed rice cakes. Many people are impressed by its name, which means “nodding rice cake.” Made from rice flour, it is served with dipping sauce or a container of meat. Nowadays, it is challenging to find an authentic Nodding Cake, so it’s best to ask locals for recommendations.

Tien Yen Hill Chicken (Ca Say Tiên Yên)

The intriguing name “Ca Say” refers to a poultry breed with characteristics of both duck and chicken. This dish can be found in most restaurants in Quang Ninh province, especially in Halong Bay. At first glance, you might think Tien Yen “Ca Say” Chicken is just an ordinary chicken dish, but once you taste it, your perception will change forever. This dish is renowned for its juicy meat and unique combination of fresh ginger, fish sauce, and Coca-Cola.

Hoanh Bo Soaked Rice Wine (Ruou Nep Ngam Hoanh Bo)

For wine enthusiasts, Hoanh Bo glutinous rice wine is a must-try specialty of Halong Bay. It is made from Hoanh Bo glutinous rice, which has a sweet and sour taste. To ferment it, locals add leaves from the Hoanh Bo forest, creating a unique and delightful aroma. This wine pairs perfectly with seafood. To purchase Hoanh Bo glutinous rice, you can visit Halong Market 2, where various types of goods are sold.

Stone Crab (Cu Ky)

Stone crab, also known as Cua Da or Cua Sam, has become a delicious specialty in Halong Bay that is tastier and more affordable than regular crab. Once you taste stone crab, you will never forget its flavor, especially the meaty and nutritious claws of large crabs. Halong locals have various ways to prepare fresh and delicious stone crabs, such as steaming with beer, cooking with fresh tamarind sauce, or grilling. These enticing stone crab dishes will surely be a reason for you to return to this land.

Acorn Barnacle Porridge (Chao Ha)

Acorn worm congee, also known as Chao Ha, is the most common dish made from acorn worms. After marinating fresh acorn worms with pepper and fish sauce, chefs stir-fry them with onions. Rice is cooked until soft and then mixed with acorn worms. Once the rice has turned into congee, a bit of cilantro and green onions are added for garnish, along with a touch of pepper and more herbs. Local residents enjoy a hot bowl of acorn worm congee on a cold winter night.

10 Famous Restaurants in Halong Bay

May Corner in Halong Bay

• Location: HO2 – 1 Little Vietnam, Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Halong City
• Opening Hours: 09:30 AM – 02:00 PM; 05:30 PM – 09:30 PM

May Corner is a fantastic restaurant where you can feel joyful and relaxed. Here, you can find a wonderful fusion of Vietnamese and European cuisines. The food is prepared to high standards, with Thai dishes standing out. Additionally, there are plenty of delicious drinks available, especially cocktails. Signature dishes to try include grilled mantis shrimp, fried quail, and Thai clams.

Restaurant 1958 in Halong Bay

• Location: E19-E20, New Urban Area Nam Tuần Châu, Tuần Châu Island, Halong Bay, Quảng Ninh
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM; 05:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Named after the year when President Ho Chi Minh visited Tuần Châu Island, Restaurant 1958 is renowned for its cozy and friendly atmosphere. With authentic Northern Vietnamese dishes and delicious seafood, Restaurant 1958 is one of the most beloved restaurants on the island. The menu will take you on a culinary journey with many dishes from hundreds of traditional local recipes, such as stir-fried water spinach, steamed pepper crab, and Halong squid cakes.

Panorama Restaurant in Halong Bay

• Location: Halong Street, Bai Chay Ward, Quảng Ninh Province
• Opening Hours: 07:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Known as the most beautiful restaurant in Halong Bay, Panorama Restaurant features beautifully designed windows with a panoramic view of the bay. While enjoying dinner, you can observe the spectacular scenery through the glass doors. The seafood quality is much better than other restaurants in Halong Bay. The menu offers a wide variety of choices from Vietnamese cuisine to Eastern cuisine.

Linh Dan Restaurant in Halong Bay

• Location: 104 Bai Chay, Halong City
• Opening Hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM

This is perhaps one of the best restaurants you can find in Halong City. There are plenty of fresh and impressive seafood dishes. If you’re unsure of what to try, go for dishes made with crab, shrimp, or lobster. For those tired of seafood, the restaurant also serves spring rolls, noodles, salads, and rice dishes. Especially, these dishes are served at reasonable prices.

Co Ngu Restaurant in Halong Bay

• Location: 66A Halong Street, Bai Chay Ward, Quảng Ninh
• Opening Hours: 09:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Opened 10 years ago, Co Ngu Restaurant received a massive $2 million investment to become the most luxurious restaurant in Halong. Located in the city center, it impresses with its wooden style and beautiful front garden, reminiscent of ancient royal palaces. As the largest restaurant in Halong, it can accommodate nearly 600 guests at once. You can find most of Halong’s specialties at Co Ngu, especially not to miss the live seafood. You can even taste premium seafood like shark fin and grilled oysters. Enjoying expensive seafood while drinking famous Western wines will be your great experience.

Kim Hang Restaurant in Halong Bay

• Location: 123 Halong Street, Halong City
• Opening Hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Halong City has many hotels and restaurants, but the most outstanding is Kim Hang Restaurant. It has a unique, vintage exterior design and a spacious and attractive interior space. Here, high-quality dishes are mainly focused on seafood specialties. Each dish is professionally decorated. The staff is always polite, friendly, and very attentive.

Cua Vang Restaurant in Halong Bay

• Location: Block 9, Zone 9, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province
• Opening Hours: 06:00 AM – 12:00 PM (noon)

Cua Vang is considered one of the finest restaurants in Halong Bay. It’s a seafood paradise where you can find various luxurious seafood dishes to indulge in. The pink, blue, and gold neon lights, along with the Western-style elegant atmosphere, offer a unique dining experience. A plus point of this restaurant is its cleanliness. To preserve the natural flavors of each dish, clay pots are used for cooking. And if you’re homesick, the restaurant provides a specific family recipe passed down through generations.

Jumbo Ocean Restaurant in Halong Bay

Location: 119 Le Thanh Tong, Halong City

Located near Hon Gai Tourist Pier, Jumbo Restaurant is famous for its 17-year experience. The restaurant has 3 floors and can accommodate up to 300 guests. You can enjoy local traditional dishes and Chinese cuisine here. However, seafood is a must-try when visiting this restaurant. You can personally select live seafood before the chef prepares and cooks it for your lunch or dinner.

Avocado Restaurant in Halong Bay

• Location: 09 Halong Street, Quang Ninh
• Opening Hours: 09:00 AM – 10:30 PM

If you’re looking for a relaxed dinner with delicious food in Halong Bay, this is the place to go. Avocado Restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere with an open kitchen. The staff is friendly and efficient. The menu provides a wide selection of local and European dishes. The beautifully designed interior is sure to impress you.

Budget Eats in Halong Bay

Phuong Nam Restaurant in Halong Bay

Phuong Nam Restaurant is a place for delicious food and beautiful scenery. Located near Halong Bay, it offers the best view of the bay from the highest floor, where you can admire the sunset. There are plenty of seafood options, but lobster is the most famous dish here. Besides tasty food, the prices are reasonable, and the restaurant staff is very friendly and enthusiastic.

Delicious Food Garden Area

Dao Garden is located in the bustling Halong City. There are many cheap hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants here. Near Bai Chay tourist area, so there are many tourists. The cheap price and abundant seafood make people call this area “the paradise of live seafood”.

Cheap Seafood at Cai Dam Market

Cai Dam Market, also known as Cai Dam Seafood Market, is located in Tien Ong, Bai Chay. Seafood here is affordable and cheaper than most other places. You can try some seafood dishes at some food stalls in the market. You can find many delicious seafood dishes here to buy some to take home.

Seafood in Ben Doan Area

Located on Tran Quoc Nghien – the beautiful coastal road of Halong City, Ben Doan area is a food street with an area of over 10,000m2. Because it’s near the market, you can enjoy fresh seafood here. The most famous and loved dish is grilled scallops with chili and oyster sauce. After dining in the Ben Doan area, you can admire Halong Bay and enjoy the cool sea breeze.

Floating Restaurants in Halong Bay

There are several floating restaurants in Halong Bay serving all kinds of live seafood. Live seafood is caught from floating cages at sea and then transferred to the kitchen for cooking. This is the best way to enjoy the freshest seafood. And you can order anything you want right on the spot. If you don’t know where to find these restaurants, you can ask the locals or tour guides.