If you’re looking to discover the authentic flavors of Vietnam’s vibrant port city, a food tour in Hai Phong is one of the best ways to dive into its rich culinary culture. With just a motorbike and a food map in hand, you can explore a mouthwatering journey through classic local eats – from the savory depths of banh da cua to the crispy bite of banh mi que and the fragrant crunch of nem cua be. Every dish tells a story of Hải Phòng’s traditions, history, and zest for life, promising an unforgettable adventure for both food lovers and curious travelers alike.

10 must – try dishes in a Hai Phong Food Tour

Hai Phong’s food scene is diverse and delicious, featuring many iconic dishes you should try:

1. Bánh đa cua

Banh Da Cua Hai Phong is a famous local specialty that leaves a deep and lasting impression on diners from near and far. The dish features a light yet naturally sweet broth made from freshwater crab, perfectly balanced with rich slices of pork belly and the fragrant aroma of betel leaves and crispy fried shallots.

The soft yet pleasantly chewy banh da noodles are served with water spinach and fresh herbs, creating a refreshing, distinctive flavor that truly represents the culinary identity of Hai Phong.

Must – try Restaurants:

• 143/46 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City
• Co Yen Restaurant, 2B Pham Ngu Lao, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City
• 16 Phan Chu Trinh, Hong Bang, Hải Phòng

2. Banh mi que

Banh mi que Hai Phong is small in size but delivers an unforgettable flavor thanks to its crispy crust, rich and aromatic pâté, and a touch of spicy chili satay. During a food tour in Hai Phong, you can easily find this local delicacy not only on trains but also on street corners and in bustling markets throughout the city.

Must – try Restaurants:

• 28 Đinh Tien Hoang, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
• Banh mi Ba Gia, 57 Le Loi, Ngo Quyen, Hải Phòng

3. Nem cua bể

One of the most impressive highlights is Nem cua bể Hai Phong, a signature local dish that food lovers should not miss.

This specialty features a rich filling made from fresh crab meat with natural sweetness, blended perfectly with pork and vegetables to create a well-balanced, flavorful taste. The filling is tightly wrapped in a layer of traditional rice paper, then deep-fried until golden brown and irresistibly crispy.

When served, this famous Hai Phong dish is enjoyed with fresh herbs and dipped in a bold sweet-and-sour fish sauce, making it a must-try experience on an Hai Phong food tour.

Must – try Restaurants:

• Nga nem cua be, 92 Tran Nhat Duat, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City
• 32 Phan Boi Chau, Hong Bang, Hai Phong

4. Sea Snails

Sea snails in Hai Phong are famous for their wide variety, rich and flavorful sauces, and diverse cooking methods—from steaming and boiling to stir-frying and grilling. The true soul of this dish lies in its signature dipping sauce, which is spicy, bold, and irresistibly stimulating.
Enjoying snails at roadside eateries during a Hai Phong food tour allows visitors to fully experience the city’s lively atmosphere and the open, cheerful spirit that defines this vibrant port city.A variety of snails with bold sauces and spices, showcasing the city’s coastal zest for seafood.

Must – try Restaurants:

• Thuy Duong, 30/263 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City
• Hoa Snails, 69 May To, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City

5. Spicy fish noodle

Spicy fish noodle soup from Hai Phong leaves a lasting impression with its light yet naturally sweet broth, simmered from fish heads and pork bones. The dish is perfectly complemented by chewy mackerel fish cakes and crispy fried grass carp, creating a rich contrast in texture and flavor. Finished with a hint of heat from chili oil, this bowl of noodles becomes irresistibly addictive and stands out as a must-try highlight on any Hai Phong food tour.

Must – try Restaurants:

• 66 Le Loi, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City
• 38 Pham Tu Nghi, Le Chan, Hai Phong

6. Dua dam

Hai Phong coconut dessert has a special appeal thanks to its rich, creamy, and delicately sweet flavor. Thick coconut milk blends perfectly with soft young coconut flesh, chewy coconut jelly, and fragrant tapioca pearls to create a harmonious texture and taste.
This refreshing chilled snack not only helps cool you down on hot days but also delivers a unique and memorable culinary experience—making it a must-try treat on any Hai Phong food tour. A refreshing coconut dessert with jelly, soft coconut meat, and chewy pearls.

Must – try Restaurant:

• Hien beo 124 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
• Co Thuy 20/124 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong

7. Banh duc tau

Banh duc tau from Hai Phong has a distinctive flavor found only in this port city, thanks to its smooth, white, chewy rice cake and a perfectly balanced sweet-and-sour fish sauce with vinegar. The dish stands out for its rich combination of stir-fried shrimp, savory pork belly, and toppings such as diced green papaya, shredded wood ear mushrooms, and crispy fried shallots that add both aroma and texture.A local steamed rice cake topped with savory pork, shrimp, and crispy shallots.

Must – try Restaurants:

• Banh duc tau co Chuyen, 159 Hai Ba Trung, Le Chan, Hai Phong
• 186 Hai Ba Trung, Le Chan, Hai Phong

8. Ca phe cot dua

Hai Phong coconut coffee features a gentle bitterness from whipped coffee, perfectly blended with rich, creamy coconut milk to create a thick, aromatic, and irresistibly delicious mixture.

This drink becomes even more enjoyable thanks to a variety of toppings, such as black jelly, chewy pearls, candied coconut, and freshly shredded coconut, adding layers of texture and flavor to every sip.

Must – try Restaurants:

• Co Hang, 124A Lam Son, Le Chan, Hai Phong
• Co Hanh, 148 Luong Khanh Thien, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong

9. Banh beo

Banh beo from Hai Phong is known for its distinctive and irresistible flavor. The cake features a soft, silky outer layer made from rice flour, gently scented with the fresh aroma of banana leaves. The savory filling is rich and well-balanced, combining tender pork, crunchy wood ear mushrooms, and fragrant fried shallots.

What truly sets Hai Phong – style banh beo apart is the dipping sauce, slowly simmered from pork bones and prepared using a family recipe. This carefully crafted sauce delivers a deep, savory taste that lingers on the palate and makes the dish unforgettable.

Must – try Restaurants:

• Ba Dung, 41 Le Dai Hanh, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
• U Dung, 147 Hang Kenh, Le Chan, Hai Phong

10. Sui din

Sui din, made with soft and chewy glutinous rice balls filled with sweet mung bean paste, is a beloved street snack among travelers on a food tour in Hai Phong.

The dumplings are served in a bowl of hot, spicy ginger syrup, whose warming heat is perfect for the city’s cool, chilly weather. Topped with fragrant shredded coconut, sủi dìn offers a rich, sweet, and irresistibly comforting flavor that keeps diners coming back for more.

Must – try Restaurants:

• Co Ut Restaurant, 163 Cau Dat, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
• 65 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hong Bang, Hai Phong

Where to Go for the Best Dishes

1. Cát Bi Market

• Address: 34 Ly Hong Nhat Street, Hai An District, Hai Phong City

Cat Bi Market is often referred to as a “street food paradise” in Hai Phong, attracting food lovers with a wide variety of delicious local dishes at affordable prices. Although it is located some distance from the city center, the market is always lively and bustling, especially in the late afternoon and evening.
Visiting Cat Bi Market, you can enjoy popular snacks such as steamed rice cakes, stir-fried sea clams, sweet soups, mantis shrimp porridge, banh khot, crispy stuffed sausage, and more – all priced at just 15,000 – 30,000 VND per dish.A famous “snack paradise” offering a variety of affordable local bites like bánh bèo, stir-fried bean sprouts, sweet soups, and more – perfect for evening exploration.

2. Lương Văn Can Market

• Address: Luong Van Can, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City

Luong Van Can Market is located right in the center of Hai Phong, stretching along Luong Van Can Street at the intersection with Le Loi Street. Although the market is small in size, it attracts a steady flow of visitors thanks to its wide variety of local street food.

Visitors can easily find popular dishes such as rice noodle soup, noodles, snails, porridge, steamed rice rolls, baguette sticks, black bean sticky rice, and many kinds of sweet soups. The market is also well known for Sister Hoa’s snail stall, as well as other favorites like banh beo and stir-fried razor clams—delicious, affordable, and full of local flavor.

3. Co Dao Market

• Address: 78 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong City

Located on Tran Nhat Duat Street, Co Dao Market is known as the culinary “holy land” of Hai Phong. During the daytime, this market operates mainly as a fresh produce market. However, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, it transforms into a lively food street bustling with locals and visitors.

The market offers a wide variety of local specialties as well as famous street foods from all three regions of Vietnam, such as Hanoi-style pho rolls, Hue tapioca dumplings, and Saigon-style mixed rice paper, along with an assortment of sweet and fragrant desserts.

4. Lach Tray Street Food Area

• Address: Lach Tray Street, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong

The Lach Tray Street snack area is located on one of the city’s busiest roads and is well known for its wide variety of delicious local food stalls. This area is especially popular with visitors on a Hai Phong food tour, thanks to its many snail restaurants, crab soup stalls, and colorful dessert carts offering sweet soups and puddings.

Unlike Cat Bi Market, which can be quite crowded, the Lach Tray snack area provides a more relaxed atmosphere. This makes it an ideal place to comfortably explore Hai Phong’s vibrant street food scene, with countless options to satisfy every taste.