Top 15 Most Expensive "Luxury Seafood Dishes" in Vietnam

Sandworm is a rare type of seafood (belonging to the Sandworm species). These creatures are commonly found in the waters of Van Don and Mong Cai in Quang Ninh Province, Nha Trang (Cua Be, Hon Rua...), Con Dao, and even in the Vạn Mỹ beach, Dong Hung in China.

Sandworm is considered one of the most luxurious and rare marine products. Historically, it was harvested to be offered as tribute to the king and nobility. Only the wealthy could afford to indulge in this delicacy. In traditional Chinese medicine, sandworms are believed to have aphrodisiac properties and enhance vitality. They are typically prepared by soaking in saltwater, boiling, stretching out, and drying. For consumption, they are boiled again, sliced, and cooked with Chinese herbs or stewed in a black chicken soup.

Additionally, sandworms can be eaten fresh (in soups or stews) or dried (roasted). In Hanoi and Nam Dinh’s traditional pho, to enhance the broth’s flavor, besides boiling beef bones, sandworm or dried shrimp are added. Currently, the price of Sandworm is about 2.3 million VND per kilogram.

The Sambar Pheasant is a species of bird in the rail family (Rallidae). It has a striking appearance with a jet-black head and neck, brown-red eyes, a long sharp beak, and a white horn-like patch behind the beak. Its average weight is between 400-500 grams, although some individuals can weigh up to 700 grams.

This bird is migratory, traveling around the world each year. It feeds on aquatic plants found at the bottom of ponds and lakes. Sambar Pheasants breed in various freshwater lakes and marshes across the Old World. During cold winters, they migrate southward and westward. Previously a delicacy reserved for royal courts, its price remains high. Currently, a farm-raised Sambar Pheasant costs around 1.8 million VND per kilogram, while wild-caught ones fetch an even higher price.

Dong Tao Chicken, also known as Dong Cao, is a rare and unique breed native to Vietnam. Its most distinctive feature is its unattractive, large, and rough legs. When fully grown, males can weigh over 4.5 kg and females over kg. This breed is traditionally raised in Dong Tao Village, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, where it was once used for ceremonial offerings, festivals, or even as a tribute to the king. Dong Tao Chicken is now listed among the rare poultry breeds of Vietnam and is actively being preserved for its genetic value.

Dong Tao Chicken can be prepared in various dishes such as chicken skin with roasted rice powder, steamed chicken with mushrooms, or chicken feet cooked with Chinese herbs. Many regions are now raising this chicken due to its ease of farming and high economic value. Countries like the UK and Japan have shown interest in importing this chicken for research purposes. In Ho Chi Minh City, as of early 2012, some of the most impressive roosters with large, majestic legs sold for 5 to 6 million VND each. The price for chicken feet ranges from 1 to 1.5 million VND per kilogram, with these prized feet remaining a favorite among the wealthy.

The Anh Vu Fish is considered a rare delicacy and was historically served to the royal court during the feudal period in Vietnam. According to ancient Vietnamese legends, the Anh Vu Fish has existed in Vietnam since 2000 BC, and one was presented to King Hung. The king named it Anh Vu and bestowed the title 'Văn Lang's First Fish,' issuing a royal decree that anyone who caught this fish should offer it to the court.

The most prized part of the Anh Vu Fish is the cartilage of its lips, which gives it a unique appearance, resembling a pig’s snout. This feature is due to the fish's feeding habits, where it attaches to rocks to graze on algae at the riverbed. Fishermen in places like Ben Cat, Viet Tri, and Phu Thi often refer to it as the 'pig-snout fish.' Even when it sleeps, the fish uses its lips to cling to the rocks.
Currently, Anh Vu Fish is priced between 850,000 and 1.3 million VND per kilogram for frozen fish, and between 1.4 and 1.5 million VND per kilogram for live fish.

The Nine-Crested Chicken, also known as the Multi-Crested Chicken, is a special breed from Vietnam, known for its numerous spurs. This unique breed is raised in the Mau Son commune of Loc Binh District in Lang Son Province, as well as in Thanh Son, Xuan Son commune, Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province. The Nine-Crested Chicken is mentioned in the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, where it was presented as a royal dowry to win the hand of Princess My Nuong, along with nine-tusked elephants and nine-maned horses. The chicken is highly valued for its economic potential.

However, finding a Nine-Crested Chicken with all nine spurs is quite rare and valuable; most available birds have only seven or eight spurs. The prices for these chickens are as follows: a chicken with five to six spurs costs between 400,000 and 500,000 VND per kilogram, while a seven-crested chicken is priced between 900,000 and 1 million VND per kilogram.

Ngán is a type of bivalve mollusk that thrives in brackish and saltwater regions. In Vietnam, the only edible variety of Ngán is found in the Bạch Đằng River mouth, located at the border between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. Ngán is considered a specialty of Quang Ninh.

This mollusk is rich in nutrients, containing a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and essential minerals. To prepare Ngán, it is typically washed to remove any mud and then soaked in rice water or warm water for 2-3 hours to allow it to expel any sand before cooking. Ngán can be prepared in various ways, including boiling, grilling, making salad, porridge, or noodle soup. A particularly unique dish made from Ngán is 'Ngán wine.'

The price of Ngán is typically between 600,000 and 800,000 VND per kilogram.

The Crispy Carp, a relatively new addition to Vietnam, has quickly become a favorite among the wealthy due to its firm, sweet, and slightly chewy texture. When eaten, it reveals a blend of shrimp sweetness and pork-like chewiness. Compared to farmed catfish or river fish, the Crispy Carp stands out with its superior taste and fragrance.

The price is significantly higher, ranging from 400,000 to 500,000 VND per kilogram.

The Whale Tongue Fish is named for its long, tubular mouth and flared lips, resembling the opening of a mortar. It is similar in size to a large eel, with a round body and reddish skin. Fully grown, it can reach up to one meter in length and weigh about 1 kilogram. This rare fish is a prized delicacy from the Central region of Vietnam and is eagerly sought after, with prices ranging from 1 to 1.3 million VND.

The meat of the Whale Tongue Fish is highly flavorful, rich in protein, low in fat, and contains vitamins like niacin and B6, along with minerals such as calcium and iron, which support red blood cell production and immune system health. It also boasts a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Beyond its culinary value, traditional medicine uses this fish to treat back pain, strengthen the kidneys, and assist with childbirth. It is often cooked with jujube and shiitake mushrooms to treat goiter and swollen lymph nodes, making it suitable for both children and the elderly.

The Devil Fish is one of the most venomous fish in the world, resembling a scorpion in appearance. It has a bulky, rough body with spiny fins along its back, and its skin is a mottled, coarse brown-red, which is why it's also called the Stone Fish. These fish live on coral reefs and rocky areas, and once captured, fishermen often place them in sealed tanks with seawater and an oxygen pump to keep them alive in their new environment.

Preparing this fish is a delicate process requiring skill and caution. The outer layer of rough skin is tough to remove, and the sharp spines demand careful handling. Using a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle, the chef must gently separate the skin from the flesh while preserving the fish's meat intact. The flesh of the Devil Fish is uniquely delicious—firm, chewy, and sweet like chicken, with a lobster-like crunch. However, it cannot be eaten raw, and its skin is inedible (though cleaning it can make it edible, but it remains bitter). The fish can be cooked in various ways such as grilling, deep-frying, Hong Kong-style steaming, porridge, or hotpot. Its distinct flavor and texture make it a satisfying dish with a rich omega-3 content that supports healthy blood circulation and lowers the risk of heart disease.

Kobe beef, from the Kinki region in Japan, is considered the most expensive meat in the world, renowned for its cows that are fed fresh grass and listen to classical music. The high cost of Kobe beef is due to its rarity, limited supply, expensive care, and unique flavor. Although it is now a globally sought-after delicacy, in feudal Japan (1600-1860), Kobe cattle were only used for labor, and slaughtering them was prohibited due to their importance to agriculture.

Kobe beef is graded into five categories, from A1 to A5, with significant price variations. The distinctiveness of Kobe beef lies in its melt-in-the-mouth sweetness, which lingers on the tongue. The beef can only be produced in specific regions of Japan, which contributes to its distinctive flavor, explaining its premium price. On average, Kobe beef costs between 500 to 3,000 USD per kilogram.

Bird's nest, or more specifically the nests created by cave-dwelling swallows (the term 'sào' refers to the nest), is a renowned delicacy and medicinal food made from swallow nests. A prized delicacy in East Asian countries like Japan, North Korea, China, and Vietnam, bird's nest soup is often referred to as the 'caviar of the East.' The dish resembles a gelatinous substance cooked with spices and a bit of starch and sugar. As one of the most expensive animal-based dishes, a bowl of bird's nest soup in Hong Kong can cost up to 60 USD.

Bird's nests can be prepared in various ways, such as in a nourishing soup with Chinese herbal chicken, or in delicacies like bird's nest porridge with black rice. Despite its high cost, bird's nest remains a favorite among gourmets in Vietnam, especially in Khánh Hòa, the region known for its abundant supply of these nests, priced around 4.5 million VND per 100g. The nests are also exported to other Asian countries.

Sea cucumbers are invertebrates with high nutritional value, commonly used for health supplementation and to treat various medical conditions. In traditional medicine, they are known to enhance immunity, improve oxygen absorption, and combat heart fatigue. In Vietnam, various types of sea cucumbers are found, especially in the northern coastal regions, including species like Leptopentacta typica, Stichopus, and Chloronotus holothuria, as well as in places like Khánh Hòa, Trường Sa, Côn Đảo, and Phú Quốc.

Sea cucumbers have numerous benefits, including:

• Enhancing kidney function, particularly for conditions like night-time urination and impotence.
• Improving vitality, especially for cases of organ weakness.
• Soothing dry skin and treating constipation and diabetes.
• Improving blood circulation, beneficial for anemia.
• Helping with atherosclerosis, stabilizing blood pressure, and reducing heart disease risks.
• Red sea cucumbers are especially beneficial for women, as they are rich in collagen (more than 60%), which helps prevent aging and maintains skin cell health. They also help regulate female hormones, boosting overall health.

Sharks are widespread creatures found in oceans around the world, with over 420 species identified by scientists. Shark fishing is a significant industry, especially in coastal nations, as the demand for shark fins is extremely high due to their value in global markets. The United States and China are the largest consumers of shark fins, and in Vietnam, regions like Phú Yên, Nha Trang, and Bình Định are major shark harvesting areas.

Shark fins have been used in food for thousands of years, but it was only in the 1950s and 1960s that scientists began to study the medicinal properties of shark cartilage and fins. Chondroitin, found in shark cartilage, is often turned into supplements that are used to treat joint issues, eye diseases, and to boost overall health. This has significantly increased the value of shark fins. In Vietnam, a small bowl of processed shark fin can sell for 1.3 million VND, while unprocessed fins range from 10 to 20 million VND per kilogram.

Lobsters, typically found living in coral reefs, have long been regarded as the king of shellfish due to their firm, sweet meat. They are easily recognizable by their large, powerful claws, which contain the most flavorful and tender meat. As lobsters primarily feed on fish, crabs, and shellfish, they are a rich source of calcium and protein, making them an excellent boost for health and vitality. In seafood restaurants, lobsters are prepared in various delectable ways, such as grilled with cheese, garlic butter, or tomato butter sauce. Despite their relatively high cost of around 3 million VND per kilogram, lobsters are highly sought after by food enthusiasts.

The Huỳnh Đế crab is a delicacy found along the coastal regions from Quảng Ngãi to Phú Yên. This particular type of crab was historically offered as tribute to Vietnamese royalty, as it was believed to be both delicious and beneficial to health. Huỳnh Đế crab can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as stir-fried with tamarind, salted, or grilled. However, the simplest and most delightful preparation is steaming it and pairing it with a green chili salt dip, or boiling the meat with onions and spices to make a savory porridge. Compared to other seafood, the Huỳnh Đế crab stands out for its exceptional quality, often likened to black cod or red salmon. Today, the price for this prestigious crab ranges from 2 to 2.5 million VND per kilogram, making it a highly expensive treat.