“Worth-try” appetizing seafood on Cat Ba Island, Northern Vietnam

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Horseshoe crab

The grilled horseshoe crab is a specialty of Cat Ba Island Photo: VNExpress

Cat Ba Island is home to Horseshoe crab (Sam biển). The horseshoe crab here is believed to be higher-protein and much cheaper than one on other islands.

The grilled horseshoe crab, especially its grilled eggs are favored by many diners. The salad horseshoe crab, sweet and sour horseshoe crab, or boiled horseshoe crab are also preferred. Tourists can enjoy horseshoe crab with sour pomelo, pickled radish, roasted peanuts, herbs, fried onion and dip into chili and garlic fish sauce, according to Tap Chi Du lich (Travel Magazine).

Photo: Bao Quang Ninh

The horseshoe crab has currently not been sold in the island market since they are so difficult to catch. Visitors can go to restaurants to enjoy horseshoe crab with a price of 500,000 - 700,000 VND (US$22- US$ 30) for a pair.

Grouper fish

The grouper dish Photo: 24h

The grouper has a fatty, crispy skin as well as rich-nutrition meat. The grouper can be processed in many ways such as making salad, porridge, grilled, steamed, hot pot, sweet and sour sauce.

Photo: Halo Travel

The restaurants and eateries on Cat Ba Island all offer grouper dishes. Visitors can also follow fishermen to catch groupers or buy at markets for about 350,000 VND/ kg (US$15).

Geoduck

Cat Ba Archipelago offers favorable conditions geoducks to grow; therefore, they are more delicious than ones on other islands.

Geoduck dish Photo: DulichkhatvongViet

Geoducks are often grilled, steamed, salad or porridge, etc especially steamed ones are preferred by many people. Geoduck dishes are served with garlic, dried onion, spring onion, pepper, and fish sauce.

Photo: DulichdaoCatBa

The price of small-sized geoducks is from 220,000 VND/ kg (US$9.5), bigger-sized ones are from 250,000 VND (US$ 10.8).

Mantis shrimp

Photo: DulichHaiPhong

Mantis shrimp is another “must-try” specialty on Cat Ba Island. Its meat is really thick and tasty. The mantis shrimp can be roasted with salt or tamarind, grilled with garlic and butter, steamed with beer, or made the hot pot and dipped into pepper salt, fish sauce, and chili sauce.

Photo: Ivivu

The mantis shrimp served out is usually pre-cut fins, diners just need to detach two pieces of shell, then the whole body will come out. Mantis shrimp on Cat Ba costs about 330,000 VND / kg (US$14).

Lobster

Photo: DulichCatBa

Cat Ba Island is considered as one of the “kingdoms" of lobsters in coastal Vietnam, alongside Nha Trang and the islands of Binh Hung, Binh Ba, Ly Son, and Con Dao. The lobster dishes are mainly served in restaurants. In addition, you can also buy live lobsters at the market with a price of 600,000 VND to 1.8 million VND per kg (US$26- US$77), depending on each type and size.

Photo: KhamphaVietnam

Shrimp noodles

This is a popular dish on Cat Ba Island. The main ingredients of a shrimp noodles bowl include peeled fresh shrimp, dried onions, wood ear mushroom, minced pork wrapped in piper lolot leaves, mantis shrimp, and some vegetables. The broth is simmered from the pork bones and the puree shrimp shells.

Photo: Kienthuc

Visitors can enjoy shrimp noodles at restaurants in the center of the island, Cat Ba market, as well as the Cat Ba tourist area, with an average price of 30,000 VND (US$1.3) a bowl.

Photo: TapchidulichVietnam

The places selling fresh seafood on Cat Ba Island are the rows of restaurants located on 1/4 Street and Nui Ngoc Street in the town center. Besides, floating fishing villages are also ideal places for both sampling fresh seafood and admiring the natural beauty.

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