Top 5 Best Quality Squid Paste Brands in Quang Ninh

When talking about Quang Ninh, many immediately think of the famous Halong Bay and Van Don squid paste, made from fresh, golden, aromatic squid. Phuc Squid Paste is a beloved brand of Halong squid paste favored by many travelers.

With a long family tradition passed down through generations, we have refined the art of squid paste preparation, combining it with the freshest seafood and unique seasoning. These are key factors that contribute to the distinct flavor of our squid paste.

Thanks to years of experience in squid paste production, Phuc Squid Paste has perfected its preparation process. The first and most important step is selecting the right squid. The squid used for the paste must be longfin squid (also known as cuttlefish), caught in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, including Coto, Van Don, and Bach Long Vi. The squid must be large, weighing at least 1kg each, fresh, with thick flesh and golden eggs. Smaller squid with soft bodies and thin flesh will not make for good squid paste.

“To make great squid paste, the squid must be fresh. Phuc Squid Paste prioritizes sourcing squid from October to February of the lunar year, as this is the best season when squid are fattier and thicker. After cleaning and preparing the squid, it is frozen and then naturally thawed during cooking to enhance its crispiness and deliciousness.” When preparing the paste, the squid is cleaned, dried with a clean cloth, and sliced into pieces. The squid is then pounded in a mortar until smooth, mixed with other ingredients. The pounding must be done evenly, not too finely, as over-pounding will make the paste too soft. Hand-pounding helps the ingredients bind better, resulting in a squid paste that is both firm and tender. This traditional method is one of the key techniques that gives our squid paste its distinctive quality.

Unlike other products, we use only natural ingredients like glutinous rice flour, sugar, and pepper to enhance flavor and texture. We avoid using any artificial additives. The squid paste is also seasoned with fish sauce from Cai Rong, which enhances its stickiness and adds a savory, aromatic taste,” says Phuc.

Once the paste is prepared, it is formed into patties and fried over a moderate flame until golden brown and fragrant. After frying, the squid paste is placed on stainless steel racks to dry using industrial fans. To improve production quality, Phuc invested over 500 million VND in a 160m2 production space, with equipment like dough mixers, grinders, electric fryers, and cold storage units. Today, Phuc Squid Paste has been recognized as an OCOP product, earning the Phuc Squid Paste brand, and complies with food safety and hygiene standards. It is a popular souvenir for many tourists visiting the area.

Contact Information:

Address: Kiosk 5, near Gate 2, Cai Dam Market, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City

Phone: 0983 683 516

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052430360782

The traditional Halong squid paste Ba Nu was founded in 1986 in Quang Ninh. Made with 100% longfin squid from the waters of Van Don – the finest squid variety – and without any additives. The spices used are also of the highest quality, such as premium white pepper for a more aromatic flavor compared to black pepper. The fish sauce used is a specialty of Van Don, renowned for its superior quality.

Prepared using the traditional hand-pounding method, Ba Nu squid paste stands out from other varieties with its perfect balance of crispness, sweetness, and chewiness. The paste is lightly fried, and when served, it is briefly fried again to achieve a golden brown color. The texture allows you to feel the squid pieces inside, providing a delightful, chewy bite that is irresistible. Served hot with chili sauce, it's a dish no one can resist.

Ba Nu Squid Paste is widely consumed by locals in everyday meals, served at parties and restaurants, and is well-known to many tourists.

Inspired by traditional family recipes and combined with research to bring out the full essence of the sea, representing not just Ha Long, but also the unique coastal flavors of Vietnam, DASAVINA Squid Paste was born. The brand name DASAVINA stands for 'Vietnamese Specialty,' aiming to promote the best of Vietnam’s regional delicacies, with Ha Long Squid Paste being one of the first specialties to be widely introduced.

Over the past decade, DASAVINA Squid Paste has become a famous brand not only in Ha Long but has also spread across other regions. Many visitors, both local and international, who have visited Ha Long, cannot forget the deep, fresh, and crunchy taste of the golden squid paste pieces on a sunny, breezy afternoon.

The squid used is premium Class I cuttlefish, carefully selected by experts from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin to ensure the best quality before being made into paste. What truly sets DASAVINA Squid Paste apart is its traditional hand-pounding method, giving it a chewy, crunchy texture and rich flavor unlike any other brand.

Serving this delightful squid paste is simple and convenient. For hot squid paste, just drop it into hot oil, and serve with a dip of fish sauce and pepper or chili sauce. For the cold vacuum-packed version, thaw and fry again. The distinctive taste of these squid paste pieces will leave a lasting impression, capturing the essence of the sea – hence the saying: 'Hand-pounded squid paste – a taste that wins hearts.'

To ensure customer trust, the production process emphasizes hygiene and food safety at every stage, with strict supervision from machinery to staff. To meet customer needs, DASAVINA Squid Paste offers vacuum-sealed packaging for convenience, with attractive designs ideal for gifting visitors to Ha Long.

Thanks to relentless effort, dedication, and creativity from the team at Vietnam Specialties Company, the quality of DASAVINA Squid Paste has set the standard as the best, winning the Gold Medal at the Vietnam Culinary Awards.

Key Features of DASAVINA Squid Paste:

• DASAVINA Squid Paste is made from the freshest squid caught in the waters of Ha Long Bay or around Co To Island, known for having the finest squid in Vietnam.
• DASAVINA Squid Paste is handcrafted using the traditional hand-pounding method, creating a crunchy, chewy texture with a sweet, nutty flavor.
• 100% pure fresh squid is used with no other additives in DASAVINA Squid Paste.
• DASAVINA Squid Paste won the Gold Medal for 'Vietnam’s Finest Culinary Delights' in 2014.
• DASAVINA Squid Paste was recognized as a prestigious Vietnamese brand in 2015.
• DASAVINA offers a 100% money-back guarantee if customers are not satisfied with the product, ensuring peace of mind when purchasing.

Contact Information:

Address: Lot 41, Group 1, Block 6, Yết Kiêu Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh

Phone: 0962 083 232 & 0462 688 803

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chamuchalonggiatay
Website: http://chamuchalong.org

Opening Hours: 06:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Stretching over two thousand kilometers of coastline, Vietnam's coastal areas are abundant in seafood, but nature seems to have favored Quang Ninh with particularly flavorful seafood. The squid used for making Thoan Squid Paste is notably distinct, sourced from the waters around Co To and Van Don, regions known for having the finest squid. Mai Thu Thuy, the owner of Thoan Squid Paste, explains: 'Though Van Don and Co To are far and difficult to reach, the squid here is fresher and tastier, which the market demands.'

The process of preparing the squid paste is equally important to achieving the perfect golden, savory pieces. After cleaning and washing the squid thoroughly, only the body is used, as the skin is carefully removed to avoid making the paste chewy. One kilogram of fresh squid, after cleaning, leaves about six hundred grams of meat. The squid is then dried to remove moisture, as excess water would prevent the paste from becoming smooth and elastic. The paste is then hand-pounded in a mortar – a method preferred over machines, as it preserves the smooth, chewy texture necessary for great taste, according to Thuy.

As culinary tastes become more refined, Thoan has been one of the first to return to the traditional hand-pounding method to improve the quality of its squid paste. This process results in a smoother, firmer texture and better binding. Finally, the paste is fried, not in lard but in vegetable oil to reduce grease and prevent burning. The amount of pepper and the optional addition of dill vary according to customer preference, and the paste can be fried lightly or thoroughly.

Currently, Thoan Squid Paste is well-known as a Quang Ninh specialty, with prices ranging from 360,000 to 400,000 VND per kilogram. It provides stable jobs and contributes to the local economy. The product has received numerous accolades and awards from local authorities. In July 2017, Thoan Squid Paste was awarded the 'Vietnam Agricultural Gold Brand 2017' by the Vietnam National Union of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Contact Information:

Address: Stall 36 + 37, Ha Long 1 Market Food Area, Ha Long, Quang Ninh
Phone: 0912 045 705 & 020 3362 7219

Website: http://thoanchamuc.vn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thoanchamuc/

Halong seafood is highly favored in the market, and Halong is often referred to as the 'seafood city,' with numerous fishing docks, markets, supermarkets, and restaurants offering fresh seafood from the ocean. However, the vast variety doesn't always guarantee quality, especially for those without much experience in selecting the best products. The freshness of seafood is greatly influenced by factors such as environment, season, weather, fishing regions, and harvesting techniques. To ensure the best quality, it's crucial to find a trustworthy place where you don't have to worry about whether the seafood you're buying was caught in Quang Ninh waters, and if it's fresh and delicious. For this, we recommend visiting HIEN NHUNG SEAFOOD SHOP, located at 228 – 229 – 230, Ha Long 1 Market.

As one of the earliest and largest seafood stores in Ha Long, HIEN NHUNG has become a distinctive part of the city’s seafood scene. The shop exclusively sells seafood sourced from Quang Ninh, including fresh items like lobsters, shrimp, crabs, squid, oysters, snails, fish such as grouper and snapper, as well as processed products like sun-dried mackerel, dried squid, shrimp, and various squid and fish cakes.

Every day, seafood is delivered from 30 fishing boats operating in traditional fishing grounds around Ha Long Bay, Co To, Mui Ngoc, Van Don, Quan Lan, Cat Ba, and Cua Ong. With a steady supply, HIEN NHUNG SEAFOOD SHOP can meet customer demands year-round, whether during the busy tourist season or rough seas when fishing is scarce. The advantage of sourcing directly from local fisheries means that the time from catch to consumer is short, ensuring the freshness and quality of the seafood is almost identical to when it was freshly caught. With decades of experience in transport and preservation, the shop guarantees top-quality seafood every time.

For processed items like sun-dried mackerel, squid, and shrimp, the seafood is cleaned and dried on-site immediately after being caught, ensuring it retains its natural aroma and sweetness. The shop's squid and fish cakes, made from 100% fresh seafood, are prepared using traditional methods – hand-pounded in a mortar for the perfect smooth, chewy texture. No additives are used, only high-quality fish sauce and aromatic herbs, resulting in squid and fish cakes that are both sweet and savory, with an irresistible flavor.

Particularly, the traditional HIEN NHUNG Squid Paste has garnered rave reviews from customers, earning praise and recognition. It was even selected to represent Halong at various food festivals and was ranked among the top 50 best dishes in Vietnam by the Vietnam Records Organization.

HIEN NHUNG SEAFOOD SHOP is committed to offering only the highest-quality seafood, free from harmful additives, and ensuring safe food handling practices. The shop operates with honesty and integrity, with a strict policy of not underweighting products, misrepresenting the origin or quality of goods, or changing prices arbitrarily. This approach has helped build a trustworthy reputation and contributed to the development of a long-lasting and successful business. HIEN NHUNG is also actively involved in promoting Halong's beauty and culinary culture through the 'Halong Smile' initiative, supported by the local government.

With its reliable supply chain and commitment to quality, HIEN NHUNG SEAFOOD SHOP has become a trusted name for both local and international customers, including hotel and restaurant owners, as well as thousands of regular customers. Many international clients, including overseas Vietnamese, trust the shop so much that they place orders by phone without needing to inspect the products in person.

Contact Information:

Address: Stalls 228 - 229 - 230, Ha Long I Market, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh
Hotline: 020 3350 5799 & 0905 568 899 & 020 3382 9404

Website: http://chamuchiennhung.com.vn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chamucgiatayhiennhung/

Email: [email protected]