Where do I eat the best seafood in Hai Phong?
The best seafood is at local restaurants near Cho Sat (Iron Market) and the port — crab, oysters, mantis shrimp, and clams from the Gulf of Tonkin. Prices: 200,000–500,000 VND/person. Look for live tanks and locals dining — not tourist spots. Specific: Hoang Van Thu Street, Le Loi Street, and Ben Rung ferry area.
Hai Phong’s seafood arrives at the table within hours of being caught. The port city’s access to the Gulf of Tonkin means crabs, oysters, and mantis shrimp flow directly from boats to market to restaurant — no freezing, no long-haul transport.
What to order
- Blue crab (cua biển): Steamed with lemongrass and chili, or grilled with salt. The meat is sweet and firm. Price: 250,000–400,000 VND/kg depending on size.
- Oysters (hàu): Grilled with scallion oil or eaten raw with wasabi-soy. Best in cooler months (October–March) when waters are cleaner. Price: 50,000–80,000 VND per piece (grilled).
- Mantis shrimp (tôm tít): Steamed or grilled. The meat is richer than regular shrimp. Price: 300,000–500,000 VND/kg.
- Clams (ngao): Steamed with lemongrass and chili, or in soup. Price: 80,000–120,000 VND/kg.
- Squid (mực): Grilled with salt and pepper, or stir-fried with vegetables. Price: 150,000–250,000 VND/kg.
Where to eat
The best seafood restaurants cluster around two areas:
- Cho Sat (Iron Market) area: Local restaurants, no-frills, live tanks, prices 20–30% below tourist zones. Look for places with plastic stools and ceiling fans.
- Port area (near Ben Rung): Restaurants catering to fishermen and traders — authentic, cheap, and brutally fresh. Not pretty, but delicious.
- Hoang Van Thu Street: Mid-range restaurants with air conditioning and English menus. Prices are higher but still reasonable (300,000–500,000 VND/person).
Price ranges
- Budget (street stalls, plastic stools): 150,000–250,000 VND/person
- Mid-range (local restaurants): 250,000–400,000 VND/person
- Higher-end (AC, English menu): 400,000–600,000 VND/person
The tourist markup trap
Seafood restaurants near hotels and tourist attractions often charge 50–100% more than local places. The crab is the same; the price is not. Avoid:
- Restaurants with touts at the entrance
- Places with “Seafood Restaurant” in large English letters
- Menus with pictures and prices in USD
Ordering script
- “Cua biển hấp sả ớt” — steamed crab with lemongrass and chili
- “Hàu nướng mỡ hành” — grilled oysters with scallion oil
- “Tôm tít nướng” — grilled mantis shrimp
- “Bao nhiêu một ký?” — how much per kilogram?
- “Cân trước mặt tôi” — weigh in front of me
The short version
What: Blue crab, oysters, mantis shrimp, clams — all fresh from the Gulf of Tonkin. Where: Cho Sat area (budget), Hoang Van Thu Street (mid-range), port area (authentic). Price: 200,000–500,000 VND/person for a full meal. Avoid: Tourist-oriented restaurants with English signs and touts. Tip: Always confirm price per kg and watch the weighing.