Cat Ba Island - A Haven of Delectable Cuisine

When visiting Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong), besides enjoying the beach, marveling at the natural scenery, and breathing in the fresh air, indulging in local specialties is an experience not to be missed. Below, Mytour presents a list of the most famous dishes on Cat Ba Island:

1. Sea Cucumber

Sea cucumber is a rare and valuable seafood with high nutritional value and a unique flavor. It can be prepared in various dishes such as grilling, salad, and porridge. The flesh inside the sea cucumber is delicious, chewy, tender, and sweet. Particularly notable is the crispy steamed sea cucumber dish, infused with fragrant spices.

2. Sam 7 Ways

Discerning food enthusiasts often favor the grilled sam eggs. You can enjoy them with sour pomelo, pickled radish, fragrant herbs, peanuts, fried shallots, and chili garlic lime fish sauce…

Savoring the Sam Delicacy on Cat Ba Island

3. Barramundi

Barramundi comes in three varieties on Cat Ba Island: fatty barramundi, black barramundi, and spotted barramundi. Barramundi are predatory fish with high nutritional value. They are used to prepare many enticing and nutritious dishes such as salads, porridge, hot pots, steamed dishes, sauces, and grilled dishes…

4. Lobster

Lobster is hailed as the king of high-nutrient seafood. The meat is firm, tender, and sweet. However, the most exquisite aspect of the lobster lies not in its proud raised claws but in the golden stripe running along its back from head to tail. Lobster fat is rich, fragrant, and high in protein. Islanders have a habit of drinking liquor on the spot, followed by steaming or grilling lobster.

5. Sea Snake – A Precious Remedy from the Open Sea

Sea snakes are slender with a small body, measuring 1-2 meters in length, covered in scales, and with a flattened tail like a paddle. They have small heads covered in horn-like scales, with venomous fangs located in the upper jaw. According to folklore, sea snakes are highly valued for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

After catching sea snakes, remove the viscera, keeping only the gallbladder and fat. Clean the snake's body of blood with 90°C alcohol (do not use water), then dry or sun-dry it. Fresh sea snake secretions can be mixed with alcohol and aromatic substances for consumption to treat various ailments such as anemia, dizziness, back pain, and bone pain.

6. Red and white fish

From these two types of fish, numerous dishes are prepared, including salads, hotpots, steamed dishes, sauces, and grilled dishes. Visitors to Cat Hai will have the opportunity to enjoy specialties made from red and white fish, with the distinctive flavors of the sea.

7. Cat Ba shrimp vermicelli

For a long time, this coastal shrimp vermicelli has been a specialty, enticing diners not only with its taste but also with its unique ingredients and secret recipe.

While dining, guests will experience the rich flavor of the broth, the fragrant aroma of fresh sea shrimp and fish cake, and especially the unmistakable scent of grilled betel leaf-wrapped beef. But even more special is the tangy taste of tamarind broth, completely replacing the familiar vinegar and lime. The vermicelli is served with some fresh herbs and a few slices of chili when eating. All together make a truly special and enticing shrimp vermicelli bowl.

Some top restaurants/eateries on Cat Ba Island:

- Bamboo Cafe (April 1st Street): This is the best restaurant on Cat Ba Island to enjoy a variety of seafood dishes (both Vietnamese and European).

- Vien Duong (12 Ngoc Mountain): Many people choose Vien Duong to enjoy affordable seafood dishes. Here you can find deliciously prepared crab, squid, and hotpot seafood. The place is quite crowded, so it's not advisable to choose it as a quiet stopover spot.

- Family Bakery (194 April 1st Street, open from 7 am to 4 pm): Here you should try Turkish-style bread and almond pastries. They have the best caramel in Cat Ba.

- If you want to enjoy cheap eats, you can visit eateries in the Cat Ba market area.

- In the evening, taking a stroll to the pier area, tourists will notice dining services on the floating rafts. There are two rafts about 100 meters from the shore (visible from the balcony of every hotel). You don't need to pay for a boat ride to the rafts; after dining, you'll be transported back to the shore.

***

Source: Travel guide on Mytour