Haiphong Local Dishes List with Easy Tips for Ordering

Here is a Haiphong local dishes list you can take straight to the street: banh da cua (crab noodle soup), banh mi que (thin chili baguette sticks), nem cua be (square crab spring rolls), bun ca cay (spicy fish noodle soup), banh beo, oc (snails and shellfish), nom bo kho (papaya salad with dried beef), lau cua dong (field crab hotpot) and a sweet cup of che to finish. For each dish we explain what it is, when locals eat it and exactly how to order it, even if you do not speak Vietnamese.

We are Haiphong Adventure, a local team that eats our way around the city with travelers every week. These tips come from real meals at real stalls, so you can order with confidence on your own.

Haiphong Local Dishes List at a Glance

Dish	What it is	Best time
Banh da cua	Crab noodle soup with flat brown rice noodles	Breakfast or lunch
Banh mi que	Thin baguette sticks with pate and chili sauce	Snack, any time
Nem cua be	Square crab spring rolls	Lunch or dinner
Bun ca cay	Spicy fish noodle soup	Breakfast or lunch
Banh beo	Soft steamed rice cakes with savory toppings	Afternoon or evening
Oc	Snails, clams and shellfish cooked many ways	Evening
Nom bo kho	Green papaya salad with dried beef	Afternoon snack
Lau cua dong	Field crab hotpot shared by a group	Dinner
Che	Sweet soups and dessert cups	Afternoon or late evening

Banh Da Cua, Crab Noodle Soup

If you only eat one dish in Haiphong, make it this one. Banh da cua uses wide, reddish-brown rice noodles in a light broth made from field crabs, topped with crab paste, water spinach or other greens, fried tofu and sometimes slices of pork or beef. It tastes gentle, slightly sweet and deeply savory.

How to order

• Say Cho toi mot bat banh da cua, which means one bowl of crab noodle soup, please.
• Add day du if you want the full set of toppings.
• Use the lime, chili and fish sauce on the table to season it your way.

Curious about its background? Read about the history of banh da cua in Haiphong.

Banh Mi Que, the Chili Baguette Stick

Haiphong’s version of banh mi is long and thin, about the width of a finger. The crispy bread is filled with a smear of pate and a spicy chili sauce, then toasted. Locals buy them by the bundle as a snack, and they are perfect for walking.

How to order

• Hold up fingers to show how many sticks you want.
• Say it cay for less spicy or khong cay for no chili.
• Eat them warm, straight away, while the bread is crisp.

>>> Why Banh Mi Cay Is Famous Haiphong Street Food

Nem Cua Be, Square Crab Spring Rolls

These large, square spring rolls are a Haiphong specialty. The crisp rice paper wrapper holds a filling of crab meat, pork, mushrooms and vegetables. They are usually cut into pieces and eaten with fresh herbs, rice noodles and a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

How to order

• Order by the piece or as a plate to share: mot dia nem cua be means one plate.
• They often come as a side with noodle dishes, so ask if a set is available.

Bun Ca Cay, Spicy Fish Noodle Soup

Bun ca cay is a tangy, slightly spicy soup with round rice noodles, fried fish pieces, fish cake and green vegetables in a red-tinted broth. It is warming on cool mornings and very popular with locals for breakfast.

To order, simply say mot bat bun ca cay. If you are sensitive to heat, ask for it cay and add chili yourself.

Banh Beo, Steamed Rice Cakes

Banh beo are small, soft rice cakes steamed in little dishes or on a tray, then topped with savory toppings such as dried shrimp, fried shallots and pork. You eat them with a light fish sauce dressing. In Haiphong they are a popular afternoon and evening snack at sidewalk stalls.

Order one portion with mot dia banh beo and pour the sauce over gradually so the cakes do not get soggy.

Oc, Snails and Shellfish

As a port city, Haiphong loves its shellfish. Oc stalls display trays of snails, clams, scallops and other shellfish, which are boiled with lemongrass, stir-fried with garlic or tamarind, or grilled with spring onion oil. Eating oc is a social evening activity, often with a cold drink.

How to order

• Point at the tray you like and say how you want it cooked: luoc (boiled), xao toi (stir-fried with garlic), nuong (grilled).
• Ask the price per plate first with bao nhieu tien mot dia?
• Use the small pins or toothpicks provided to pull snails from their shells.

Nom Bo Kho, Papaya Salad with Dried Beef

This crunchy salad mixes shredded green papaya with strips of dried beef, herbs, peanuts and a sweet, sour and spicy dressing. It is a favorite afternoon snack, often sold from small carts near schools and parks.

Say mot dia nom bo kho and ask for it cay if you want less chili.

Lau Cua Dong, Field Crab Hotpot

For a group dinner, lau cua dong is a warming choice. A pot of field crab broth simmers at the table, and you add beef, tofu, vegetables and noodles as you go. It is designed for sharing, so it works best with at least two or three people.

Order one pot for the table, then add extra plates of ingredients if needed. Prices vary a lot by restaurant and what you add, so check the menu or ask before ordering (reference only, updated November 2026).

Che and Sweet Treats

Finish your food crawl with che, the Vietnamese family of sweet soups and dessert cups. You will find versions with beans, jelly, coconut milk, fruit and crushed ice. On hot days it is the perfect cool-down, and on cool evenings some stalls serve warm che.

Many shops display the ingredients in jars at the front, so you can point at the ones you like. Pair it with a Vietnamese coffee for the full local experience.

>>> Top Dishes To Try On Your Haiphong Food Tour Day

Easy Vietnamese Phrases for Ordering

Phrase	Meaning
Cho toi mot …	One … please
Hai, ba, bon	Two, three, four
Bat / dia	Bowl / plate
Khong cay / it cay	No chili / less spicy
Khong hanh	No spring onion
Bao nhieu tien?	How much is it?
Tinh tien	The bill, please
Ngon qua!	Delicious!

Do not worry about tones. Vendors are used to visitors, and a smile plus pointing works almost everywhere.

Practical Ordering Tips

• Follow the crowd: busy stalls with local customers usually mean fresh food.
• Check prices first: most stalls have fixed prices, but ask if there is no menu, especially for seafood sold by weight.
• Pay after eating: at most stalls you pay when you finish.
• Carry small notes: vendors may not have change for large bills.
• Wet tissues: packaged tissues on the table may cost a little extra.
• Allergies: shellfish, peanuts and fish sauce are common, so carry a written note in Vietnamese if you have allergies.
• Timing: noodle soups are mainly breakfast and lunch dishes, while snacks and shellfish shine in the evening.

To see how these dishes fit into a full day of eating, follow our Haiphong food tour route through local markets.

>>> Secrets To Enjoying A Real Haiphong Food Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous dish in Haiphong?

Banh da cua, the crab noodle soup, is the city’s signature dish. Banh mi que and nem cua be are close behind.

Is Haiphong food very spicy?

Some dishes, such as banh mi que and bun ca cay, have a kick, but you can usually ask for less chili and add your own.

Can I find these dishes without speaking Vietnamese?

Yes. Show the dish name on your phone, point at what others are eating and use the simple phrases above.

Is street food safe in Haiphong?

Choose busy stalls where food is cooked fresh and hot, drink bottled water and use hand sanitizer before eating.

Which dishes are best for vegetarians?

Most classic Haiphong dishes use seafood or meat. Ask for do chay (vegetarian food) and look for vegetarian restaurants, often near pagodas.

Eat Like a Local with Haiphong Adventure

This Haiphong local dishes list is your starting point. If you would like a local to take you to the best family-run stalls and order for you, message us or browse our Haiphong tours, including street food tours on foot and by motorbike.

Contact Haiphong Adventure:
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