Buzz
1. Hot Rice Rolls
This is one of Hai Phong’s signature dishes, and the hot rice rolls in Dong Tam Alley are particularly beloved. Each morning, the air in Dong Tam Alley fills with the delicious aroma of fried onions and fresh rice rolls. The rice rolls here are handmade, thin, and filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms that have been sautéed to perfection. You can also customize your rolls with different fillings like egg, vegetarian, or a rich meat mixture. The secret to the irresistible taste lies in the special dipping sauce, a family recipe passed down through generations. Additionally, when you order a plate of rice rolls, you’re treated to a side of fresh, seasonal herbs, sliced perfectly for your enjoyment, ensuring they are always clean, fresh, and safe to eat.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Dong Tam Alley, Lach Chay, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong
Opening Hours: 06:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Price Range: 30,000 - 60,000 VND
2. Water Fern Cakes
Hot water fern cakes from Dong Tam Alley are another local specialty in Hai Phong. This dish not only attracts the locals but also delights visitors who try it. The filling of the water fern cakes combines finely chopped lean pork, wood ear mushrooms, radish, and fried onions, all stir-fried together to create an irresistible aroma. The cake’s outer layer is made from a delicate, smooth batter, perfectly complementing the vibrant and appetizing filling.
What makes this dish truly stand out is the dipping sauce, which is made from bone broth and expertly blended with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Served hot, it enhances the flavor of the water fern cakes. Accompanying the cakes are fresh herbs, and small, tender meatballs that add a sweet and savory touch, making for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
CONTACT INFORMATION:Address: Dong Tam Alley, Lach Chay, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong
Opening Hours: 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Price Range: 60,000 VND for 2 people
3. Dried Beef Salad & Hot Cake
This shop offering dried beef salad and hot cakes is located at the entrance of Dong Tam Alley, run by a friendly owner named Liễu. Here, you'll find a variety of choices, from rice cakes to steamed cakes and dried beef salad, but the most popular items are the hot cakes and dried beef salad. The hot cakes are wrapped in banana leaves, soft, and filled with a rich, sweet filling. Each serving of cake comes with a few slices of savory steamed pork. Not only is the food delicious, but the owner is also known for her warm and welcoming personality. The shop is always clean, so you can enjoy any dish here with confidence in its food safety and hygiene standards.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Dong Tam Alley, Lach Chay, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong
Opening Hours: 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Price Range: 15,000 - 20,000 VND
4. Hot Blood Soup, Sausage, and Pig's Intestine Soup
If you're a true fan of pig's intestines and blood pudding, you absolutely cannot miss this spot located in Dong Tam Alley. For just 10,000 – 20,000 VND, you can savor a bowl of piping hot blood soup, with round slices of dark blood accompanied by chunks of fatty meat, served in a charming vintage porcelain bowl. The soup comes with a refreshing vinegar-based sauce that balances sweet and sour, adding a unique flavor that tingles your taste buds. Fresh herbs like spring onions and Vietnamese coriander are sprinkled on top, making the dish both visually appealing and fragrant.
You can enhance the flavor by adding condiments like lime, chili sauce, or pickled chili along with fresh herbs such as basil, Vietnamese mint, and onions. Aside from the blood soup, the sausage and blood pudding dish here is also a local favorite. The pig's intestine soup is thick and flavorful, cooked to perfection to remove any unpleasant odors. The savory dipping sauce and the sweetness of the intestines offer a distinctive taste experience that you won't forget.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Dong Tam Alley, Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong
Opening Hours: 02:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Price Range: 10,000 – 20,000 VND
5. Stewed Beef Noodle Soup
Mrs. Toan's stewed beef noodle shop in Dong Tam Alley has been around for nearly 20 years, yet the flavor of their dish remains as delightful as it was on the first day. The shop is located on the sidewalk of an old, modest apartment complex, far from luxurious, but it has gained a loyal following. By early morning, the place is bustling with customers, and there are many days when it’s so crowded that latecomers might struggle to find a seat. At first glance, the stewed beef noodles seem simple, garnished with finely chopped spring onions, but once you take a bite, you’ll discover its hidden deliciousness. The beef here is tender and flavorful, carefully marinated and slow-cooked for around two hours to achieve a perfect texture – chewy yet soft, rich in flavor without being greasy.
What makes this dish stand out is the special vinegar sauce made by Mrs. Toan, passed down through generations. The sauce has a slightly reddish hue from chili paste, but it's not overwhelmingly spicy. It balances a tangy vinegar flavor with a subtle sweetness and the unique aroma of her secret blend of spices. Additionally, Mrs. Toan uses white noodles instead of the usual red ones found in other shops, giving the stewed beef noodles an attractive, colorful appearance that is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Dong Tam Alley, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong
Opening Hours: 06:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Price Range: 25,000 – 35,000 VND
6. Fish Noodle Soup
Fish noodle soup is another must-try delicacy when you're in Dong Tam. What sets this dish apart is the crispy fried fish pieces that are seasoned just right. The fish is firm and flavorful, with bones completely removed, so you won't have to worry about choking. When fried, the fish turns a perfect golden brown, with a rich taste that leaves behind no traces of the typical fishy flavor.
The noodles are thick, white, and soft, briefly blanched in water that’s sweet and blends wonderfully with the savory, piping-hot broth to create a perfect bowl of soup. Accompanying the soup are seasonal greens like water spinach, water celery, and mustard greens, plus fresh herbs. The dish also comes with a variety of condiments like pickled garlic, chili, and lime, allowing you to add extra flavor to your bowl, making it a balanced mix of sour, spicy, salty, sweet, and aromatic notes.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Dong Tam Alley, Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Price Range: 25,000 – 30,000 VND
