Top 10 Must-Try Dishes in Hai Phong

Bánh Bèo is a unique dish that should not be missed when visiting Hai Phong. While it shares a similar name with other regional rice cakes, Hai Phong’s version stands out. These cakes are made from dry rice flour and wrapped in banana leaves, topped with a savory mix of minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and crispy fried onions. The banana leaf wrapping gives the dish a rustic, aromatic fragrance.

To elevate the experience, the cake is served with a rich broth made from simmered bone marrow, seasoned with chili powder, pepper, and meatballs. Bánh Bèo from Hai Phong is a popular and easily accessible dish found at local eateries, restaurants, and traditional markets throughout the city, making it a great choice for both tourists and locals alike.

Giá bể, or sea bean, is a marine mollusk with a green shell, about the size of a finger, featuring a sweet, tender meat and crunchy, bean-like legs. This dish is a local specialty that can only be found in coastal regions like Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. Stir-fried sea bean from Hai Phong is a delicacy that challenges your patience, as diners must peel off the outer shell to reveal the juicy meat inside, accompanied by fragrant herbs and a sweet-sour stir-fry mixture that blends perfectly with the sea bean’s natural flavor.

When served, the dish is enhanced with a splash of fresh lime juice and herbs, which add an extra layer of flavor. The sea bean legs offer a satisfying, crunchy texture, while the tangy, spicy sauce excites the taste buds. Stir-fried sea bean is commonly found in local restaurants, eateries, and markets, offering an affordable, tasty option for family meals or gatherings with friends. If you visit Hai Phong, don’t miss out on this unique culinary experience!

For a long time, Tàu-Style Rice Cake has been an essential part of Hai Phong’s local cuisine, drawing in visitors from far and wide to savor this delicacy. Despite its name, which may seem a bit foreign, this dish is a familiar favorite among Hai Phong locals, particularly the younger generation. When you try the Tàu-style rice cake, you’ll immediately be impressed by its soft, smooth, and chewy texture, offering a unique and delightful culinary experience.

The white rice cake is cut into small pieces and served in a bowl, accompanied by crispy fried pork, shrimp, finely chopped papaya, and a tangy chili vinegar sauce on top for added flavor and visual appeal. These ingredients combine to create a harmonious dish with a fragrant aroma and a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Tàu-style rice cake in Hai Phong is affordably priced at around 30,000 VND for a small bowl, making it an easily accessible snack. It's sold widely on the streets, with some vendors having built a reputation over 30 years.

Sui Din is considered a representative dish of winter in Hai Phong, often recommended by both locals and visitors alike. Though it may resemble Hanoi's 'bánh trôi tàu,' Sui Din offers a unique identity. The preparation of Sui Din is quite delicate, requiring skill to craft thin, smooth rice cakes that maintain their perfect round shape. The filling is rich, made from roasted black sesame, crushed peanuts, and grated coconut.

Sui Din from Hai Phong is made with glutinous rice flour, filled with roasted, crushed black sesame seeds, peanuts, and served with a light, golden brown sugar syrup infused with ginger, along with some extra crushed peanuts and grated coconut. The result is a delicate sweetness, smooth texture, and just the right level of chewiness. Sampling this iconic winter treat in Hai Phong will surely make your winter feel warmer and richer. If you visit Hai Phong, don’t miss the opportunity to try a few pieces of Sui Din to experience its subtle and refined flavor.

If you're a foodie or passionate about food tours at famous destinations, you definitely can't miss Hai Phong, a city renowned for its "top-tier" culinary scene. With Shredded Coconut Drink from Hai Phong, visitors are always impressed by these simple, delicious, and affordable treats. Especially on hot summer days, a cold coconut drink is the perfect way to cool down.

When enjoying Shredded Coconut Drink from Hai Phong, you'll experience the crunchy texture of freshly grated young coconut combined with the refreshing jelly. The thinly shaved jelly adds a chewy texture, and the special coconut milk blend with coconut cream creates a rich, creamy taste with a delightful coconut fragrance. You can find this refreshing treat at eateries, bubble tea shops, or bakeries around Hai Phong, or ask locals to guide you to a place that serves the city’s unique version of this drink.

Red Jellyfish Salad is a famous specialty dish from Hai Phong, a seasonal delicacy eagerly awaited by locals and tourists alike. The jellyfish is carefully separated into soft, red, and naturally sweet pieces. This dish combines the jellyfish with a variety of fresh herbs such as basil, Vietnamese coriander, and cilantro, along with onions, chili peppers, and other seasonings like fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and garlic. Each ingredient comes together in perfect harmony, offering a balance of colors and flavors—sweet, sour, spicy, and aromatic.

The Red Jellyfish Salad is typically served fresh, crisp, and chilled. During jellyfish season, from early summer between March and May, you can enjoy this dish at traditional family-owned eateries or from street vendors, or visit famous markets like Co Dao, Ga, Luong Van Can, Chu Van An, and Cat Bi to find it.

Hạ Lũng Fried Pork & Squid Rolls are another must-try delicacy when visiting Hai Phong. These rolls are flavorful, savory, and irresistibly delicious, with a perfect size that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The golden, crispy exterior gives way to a chewy and tender texture inside, made from a carefully prepared blend of pork and sun-dried squid. The natural sweetness of the filling pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs and a rich dipping sauce, creating a sensational taste.

The creation of this dish involves blending several ingredients like shrimp, crab, and squid. However, after much experimentation, it was discovered that the best combination is simply the sun-dried squid. The renowned Chả Chìa Bác Hoạt is a trusted brand in Hai Phong, where you can buy this unique dish from the creator himself. You can also find it in supermarkets across the city, but be cautious when purchasing from local markets to ensure the quality and authenticity of the product.

Crab Noodles are the most iconic dish when talking about Hai Phong, long considered the culinary pride of the city. With its distinctive flavors and the perfect blend of fresh ingredients, Crab Noodles have captivated not only the locals but also tourists from around the world. In Hai Phong, you can find this dish at many eateries, from casual to upscale, catering to a wide range of customers and helping promote the city's culinary reputation both locally and internationally.

The soul of this delightful dish is the fragrant crab broth and the signature red noodles unique to Hai Phong. A bowl of Crab Noodles beautifully blends the five elements of the dish: the dark brown noodles, the light red of the tomatoes, the golden richness of the crab roe, the fresh green of water spinach and herbs, and a sprinkle of finely chopped scallions. The noodles are tender yet maintain a chewy texture without becoming mushy. You can enhance the flavor by adding shrimp paste, lime, or chili, depending on your preference. In different seasons, Crab Noodles are often served with shrimp, grilled meatballs, or tender pork ribs.

If you're planning a trip to Hai Phong, be sure to try the famous Ocean Crab Spring Rolls at both local stalls and upscale restaurants, where this dish will leave a lasting impression. The crispy texture of the spring roll's wrapper, combined with the sweet, rich flavor of fresh crab, makes it a standout in the city's culinary offerings. Unlike typical spring rolls, Ocean Crab Spring Rolls are square-shaped and neatly wrapped, filled with a perfect blend of seafood like shrimp, crab, and prawn, along with minced lean pork, shiitake mushrooms, and bean sprouts.

The meticulous preparation process is key, ensuring that each roll has its own distinct flavor. Additionally, these crispy square rolls are stuffed with a flavorful filling that makes a memorable impression on foreign tourists. To fully enjoy Ocean Crab Spring Rolls, pair them with a dipping sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce, offering a balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet, complemented by a side of thin rice noodles. This is the true taste of Hai Phong's refined culinary culture.

The Spicy Bread Roll, also known as the Que Bread, is a must-try snack for students in Hai Phong, especially after school. This long, slender roll is filled with a rich, savory pate that pairs perfectly with the umami flavor of meat floss and the gentle heat of chili sauce. The crispy, small bread creates a satisfying crunch, making it an ideal bite to enjoy while sharing endless stories with friends. In Hai Phong, it is not only a beloved street food but also a perfect souvenir to bring home.

Spicy Bread Roll Hai Phong represents the essence of the coastal city, blending traditional flavors with a subtle spice. The delicate balance between the crispy bread and the flavorful filling provides an unforgettable culinary experience. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly convenient and affordable, making it accessible to everyone, anytime, anywhere.