Hai Phong food tour: Top 15 must-try local delicacies

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Hai Phong offers a fantastic culinary experience (Source: Collected)

1. Crab noodle soup (Banh da cua) – the top dish of any Hai Phong food tour

Banh da cua is one of the most special variations of Vietnamese noodles, also a signature dish of Hai Phong. It remains the most sought-after treat on every Hai Phong food tour. This dish features soft crab noodles soaked in a rich broth and topped with tender crab meat, grilled pork, pork belly, greens, dried shallots, and spices.

Recommended places to enjoy banh da cua in Hai Phong:

• Banh da cua Co Yen: 2B Pham Ngu Lao Street | 6 am – 10 am
• Banh da cua Lach Tray: 143/46 Lach Tray Street | 6 am – 10 am
• Banh da cua Phan Chu Trinh: 16 Phan Chu Trinh Street | 6:15 am – 8 pm

2. Spicy banh mi (Banh mi cay) – a famous Hai Phong food

Banh mi cay is a culinary icon of Hai Phong. It can be found at many street food stalls and Hai Phong restaurants. Filled with paté, shredded pork floss, and a touch of chili sauce, the bread is grilled over charcoal until crispy and hot. The combination of crunchy bread, creamy paté, and hot chili creates a tantalizing taste.

Recommended places to enjoy banh mi cay in Hai Phong:

• Banh mi cay Dinh Tien Hoang: 28 Dinh Tien Hoang Street | 7 am – 6 pm
• Banh mi cay Ba Gia: 57 Le Loi Street | 8 am – 8 pm
• Banh mi cay Ong Cuong: 37 Dinh Tien Hoang | 9 am – 8 pm

Banh mi cay – a famous delicacy in Hai Phong (Source: Collected)

Read more: Things to do in Hai Phong City: Fully updated guide for your trip

3. Spicy fish vermicelli soup (Bun ca cay)

Bun ca cay will infuse your Hai Phong food tour with a delightful mix of coastal flavors. The dish shines with its fresh, sweet fish meat and spicy, flavorful broth. Standing out among Vietnamese vermicelli noodles, bun ca cay is best enjoyed with taro stems, morning glory, shredded banana blossoms, and an assortment of aromatic herbs

Recommended places to enjoy bun ca cay in Hai Phong:

• Bun ca Le Loi: 66 Le Loi Street | 6 am – 10 am
• Bun ca Pham Tu Nghi: 38 Pham Tu Nghi Street | 6 am – 10 am
• Bun ca Cong Lang: 2B Hoang Dieu Street | 6 am – 10 am

4. Sui din – one of the highlights of the Hai Phong food tour

Sui din is a popular snack in Hai Phong. It features the aromatic spiciness of fresh ginger and the subtle sweetness of a broth made from cane sugar. The small, round balls of sui din are soft, chewy, and fragrant. Complemented by roasted peanuts, it brings a distinctively inviting flavor that appeals to many diners.

Recommended places to enjoy sui din in Hai Phong:

• Sui din Co Ut: 163 Cau Dat Street | 3:30 pm – 12 pm
• Sui din Ky Dong: 34 Ky Dong Street | 6 pm – 10 pm
• Sui din Dinh Tien Hoang: 49 Dinh Tien Hoang Street | 8 am – 9:30 pm

Sui din is a must-try on any Hai Phong food tour during winter (Source: Collected)

5. Crab spring rolls (Nem cua be)

Nem cua be, also known as “nem vuong,” encapsulates the heartfelt essence of Hai Phong. This delicacy combines tender vermicelli, fresh crab meat, and crispy fried girdle cakes. Enriched by a tangy, spicy, and sweet dipping sauce, the exceptional flavors of this dish are beyond words.

Recommended places to enjoy nem cua be in Hai Phong:

• Nem cua be Nga: 92 Tran Nhat Duat Street | 7 am – 8 pm
• Bun cha – nem cua be: 32 Phan Boi Chau Street | 10 pm – 1 pm
• Nem cua be Phuong Mai: 87 Cat Cut Street | 7 am – 10 pm

6. Crab hotpot (Lau cua dong)

Crab hotpot is another highlight of the Hai Phong food tour. It features a hearty pot filled with crab chunks, complemented by vibrant red tomatoes and fresh green scallions. The broth is delicately balanced with a hint of tanginess from vinegar and sweetness from crab meat.

Recommended places to enjoy lau cua dong in Hai Phong:

• Lau cua dong Minh Quynh: 188 Van Cao Street | 9 am – 10:30 pm
• Lau cua dong: 302 Van Cao Street | 10 pm – 1 pm
• Lau cua dong Dat Cang: 22 Du Hang Street | 10 pm – 1:30 pm; 5 pm – 10:30 pm

Crab hotpot offers both visual appeal and aromatic richness (Source: Collected)

7. Water fern cake (Banh beo)

Banh beo combines a rice flour shell with a filling of mung bean paste and minced pork, all wrapped in banana leaves shaped like small boats. This delightful snack is served with a hot, flavorful dipping sauce that is tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy. It is topped with finely chopped sawtooth herb for a distinctive taste.

Recommended places to enjoy banh beo in Hai Phong:

• Banh beo Ba Dung: 41 Le Dai Hanh Street | 3 am – 6 pm
• Banh beo U Dung: 147 Hang Kenh Street | 3 pm – 6 pm
• Banh beo Chi Trang: 22 Lan Ong Street | 3 pm – 6 pm

8. Stir-fried snails (Oc xao)

Oc xao is prepared in a special Hai Phong style where the shells are kept intact, cleaned, and stir-fried with distinctive spices such as coconut, lemongrass, chili, ginger, tamarind, and lime leaves. These rich, creamy sea snails bring a combination of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.

Recommended places to enjoy oc xao in Hai Phong:

• Oc Thuy Duong: 30/263 Lach Tray Street | 3 pm – 9 pm
• Oc Online: 52 Dan Lap Street | 3 pm – 10 pm
• Oc Hoa: 69 May To Street | 5 pm – 9:30 pm

Oc xao is a delicious and nutritious dish (Source: Collected)

9. Mixed glass noodles (Mien tron)

Mien tron is a must-try on any Hai Phong food tour. It is a delightful blend of glass noodles, grilled pork, shrimp, quail eggs, onions, carrots, bean sprouts, fried shallots, aromatic herbs, and more. Many Hai Phong restaurants add their own twist with ingredients like chicken, beef, dumplings, clams, and various vegetables.

Recommended places to enjoy mien tron in Hai Phong:

• Mien tron Hang Kenh: 34 Hang Kenh Street | 3:30 pm – 11 pm
• Mien tron thap cam: 42-44 Lach Tray Street | 7 pm – 12 am
• Mien tron Phan Boi Chau: 123 Phan Boi Chau Street | 5 pm – 11 pm

10. Gang jelly (Thach gang) – a must-try on the Hai Phong food tour

Gang jelly is a must-try refreshment on the Hai Phong food tour, known for its affordability and distinctive flavor. It boasts a shimmering moss-green hue and a delightful chewy texture. Enhanced with brown sugar syrup, a few ice cubes, and a touch of light banana oil, thach gang is a perfect summertime treat.

Recommended places to enjoy thach gang in Hai Phong:

• Thach gang Le Loi: 287 Le Loi Street | 9 am – 6 pm
• Thach gang Cho Luong Van Can: 17 Luong Van Can Street | 2 pm – 6 pm
• Thach gang Cho Cot Den: Cho Cot Den Street | 7 am – 5 pm

Thach gang is a refreshing dish perfect for summer (Source: Collected)

11. Coconut dessert drink (Dua dam)

Coconut dessert drink is a beloved street food that is readily available in numerous Hai Phong restaurants. It combines the rich creaminess of coconut milk with the soft chewiness of tapioca pearls, along with refreshing coconut jelly. 

Recommended places to enjoy dua dam in Hai Phong:

• Dua dam Hien Beo: 124 Lach Tray Street | 5 pm – 10 pm
• Dua dam Co Thuy: 20/124 Lach Tray Street | 9 am – 8 pm
• Dua dam Co Tuyen: 100/124 Lach Tray Street | 9 am – 8 pm

12. Coconut milk coffee (Ca phe cot dua)

Hai Phong’s coconut milk coffee is uniquely prepared, blending coffee with toppings like black jelly, tapioca pearls, shredded fresh coconut, and dried coconut. This Vietnamese coffee offers a creamy texture and a subtly sweet flavor with a hint of coffee bitterness. 

Recommended places to enjoy ca phe cot dua in Hai Phong:

• Ca phe cot dua Co Hang: 124A Lam Son Street | 7:30 am – 10 pm
• Ca phe cot dua Co Ha: 105C Le Loi Street | 8 am – 9:30 pm
• Ca phe cot dua Ba Teo: 41 Cau Cap Street | 6 am – 10 pm

Coconut milk coffee (Source: Collected)

13. Chrysanthemum tea (Tra hoa cuc)

Chrysanthemum tea blends a tangy, bittersweet taste that leaves a lingering sweetness on the palate. More than a refreshment, this tea serves as a remedy, promoting eye and liver health. It is especially beneficial for those with high blood pressure.

Recommended places to enjoy tra hoa cuc in Hai Phong:

• Tra cuc Phan Boi Chau: 15-17 Phan Boi Chau Street | 7 pm – 10 pm
• Tra cuc Phan Boi Chau: 33 Phan Boi Chau Street | 7 pm – 10 pm
• Tra cuc Minh Khai: 33 Minh Khai Street | 7 pm – 10 pm

14. Red jellyfish (Sua do)

Red jellyfish, known for relieving headaches and itches, is a cherished ingredient in many dishes, among which the most unique variation is red jellyfish salad. To savor it, diners will wrap a piece of red jellyfish, grilled tofu, and coconut meat in a perilla leaf or mint leaf, then dip it in the sauce.

Recommended places to enjoy sua do in Hai Phong:

• Sua do Ba Oanh: 42 Tran Nhat Duat Street | 3 pm – 7 pm

Sua do is a famous specialty in Hai Phong (Source: Collected)

15. Braised sardine (Ca moi kho)

Ca moi kho is a unique specialty of Hai Phong. It is slow-cooked for 15 hours until the sardine’s bones are tender and the meat is firm. To eliminate any fishy odor, aromatic ingredients like galangal, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, and chili are used.

Recommended places to enjoy ca moi kho in Hai Phong:

• Anh Tuyet Restaurant: 267B Cau Den Street | 8 am – 10 pm

*The details in this article are for reference purposes only and may change over time. If you are planning to visit these establishments, it is recommended that you contact them for the most up-to-date information.

The Hai Phong food tour offers visitors an opportunity to indulge in many local delights. Each dish showcases the dedication and meticulousness of the chefs. Grab your backpack and embark on an exciting culinary adventure in the port city!

While you are Hai Phong, besides indulging in the local cuisine, make sure to experience the thrill at Vinpearl Horse Academy Vu Yen. Here, visitors can enjoy horseback riding lessons, attend horse-care workshops, and leisurely rides through scenic trails. 

Learn more about horses at Vinpearl Horse Academy Vu Yen

After exploring Hai Phong, your Vietnam travel can be extended to Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. These destinations all boast breathtaking landscapes, delightful cuisine, and many recreational hubs.

In these destinations, the entertainment complexes of VinWonders await, where you are in for unforgettable moments of joy. At VinWonders, you can enjoy million-dollar shows, pushing the limits with thrilling games, and fully immersing oneself in immersive activities. After a day full of fun, you can retreat to the lap of Vinpearl’s hotels and resorts. Vinpearl stands out as Vietnam’s top brand for hospitality, offering luxurious accommodations located in beautiful settings.

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