1. General introduction to Hai Phong razor clams
1.1. What are Hai Phong razor clams?
Razor clams, also known as sea clams, belong to the group of shelled mollusks, living mainly in the coastal areas of the Northern region. This species is often found in Trang Cat, Do Son, Cat Ba, and the coastal waters of Hai Phong. They often bury themselves deep in the moist sand, exposing their long legs when searching for food.
The shape of Hai Phong razor clams is compact, the outer shell is pale green or earthy brown. The most distinctive feature is the two slender, curved legs resembling bean sprouts, giving this species its unique name. The razor clam meat is chewy and crisp, blending the characteristic sweetness of the sea, without the fishy or fatty taste of many other seafoods.
In the past, this dish only appeared in the simple meals of fishermen after each fishing trip. Over time, Hai Phong razor clams have gradually become a prominent specialty, attracting a large number of diners from all over to enjoy.
Gia be becomes a specialty of Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
1.2. Why is Hai Phong gia be loved?
The unique flavor is the factor that makes Hai Phong gia be win the hearts of many diners. Gia be meat has a moderate chewiness, a clear sweetness from the sea, and when combined with a sweet and sour sauce, it creates an unfamiliar yet appealing taste sensation. First-time tasters are often impressed by the blend of the distinct salty taste of seafood and the unforgettable crunchy texture.
In terms of nutritional value, Hai Phong gia be provides a rich source of protein and many minerals from the sea. It is also a low-fat dish, suitable for diners who prioritize health or are on a diet. Diverse cooking methods such as stir-frying, grilling, making into salad, and steaming offer a variety of choices for diners.
Enjoying Hai Phong gia be also brings a unique enjoyable experience. Diners need patience to peel off each thin shell to enjoy the meat inside, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere when enjoyed with friends and family. Therefore, this dish is considered by many as a 'test of patience' and leaves an unforgettable impression on diners.
3. Reputable and Famous Places to Buy Hai Phong Gia Be
3.1. Cho Luong Van Can Market
Cho Luong Van Can Market, located at 51 Luong Van Can, is a prominent destination for those looking for high-quality Hai Phong gia be. This market bustles with activity from 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM, with the busiest time usually in the evening, as people are returning after a day's work.
The price range for Hai Phong gia be here is between 20,000 and 50,000 VND per serving, depending on the size and preparation method. A popular gia be stall is located deep inside the market, near the banh beo stall, and its aroma always attracts diners from afar.
Sea cucumber stir-fried with a unique flavor attracts diners. (Source: Lao Dong Newspaper)
Here, Hai Phong sea cucumber is always prepared as soon as the customer orders, ensuring the dish is always hot, preserving its natural fresh sweetness. The sweet and sour sauce is prepared according to a secret family recipe, served with aromatic herbs to make the dish more balanced and appealing to the palate.
3.2. Hue Beo Restaurant
Hue Beo restaurant at 103 Du Hang Street, Le Chan Ward, is a familiar address for fans of Hai Phong sea cucumber prepared in traditional flavors. The space here, although small, is always clean, with prompt service, suitable for young groups or families with small children.
Hue Beo's menu is diverse with dishes like Hai Phong sea cucumber stir-fried with turmeric, sea cucumber salad, along with many other attractive snacks such as banh bot loc, banh goi. The restaurant pays special attention to selecting fresh ingredients daily, ensuring the quality of each serving for customers.
Many diners choose Hai Phong sea cucumber here for its fresh, delicious, and rich flavor, with reasonable prices ranging from 8,000 - 20,000 VND per serving. The restaurant is open from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, a convenient time for tourists to visit. The dish is prepared to perfection, not too sour or too sweet, very suitable for the taste of most diners. The restaurant also offers many side dishes, making the meal more complete.
3.3. 55 Chu Van An Restaurant
Coming to 55 Chu Van An Street, Ngo Quyen District, visitors will find one of the Hai Phong sea cucumber restaurants with the most spacious ambiance in the area. Prices here range from 20,000 to 100,000 VND per serving, depending on the preparation style and portion size.
The restaurant stands out with its dedicated service style and most notably, the Hai Phong sea cucumber stir-fried with an attractive sauce. The restaurant's sauce is not fishy but very harmonious, combining sour, sweet, and a hint of mild spiciness, creating a unique characteristic for the dish.
"Long-legged" specialty makes diners exclaim with delight. (Source: Collected)
Besides stir-fried dishes, the restaurant is also known for its Gia Be Hai Phong salad mixed with roasted rice powder, roasted peanuts, lime leaves, green bananas, and sour starfruit. This salad is an ideal choice for those who want to try various ingredient combinations, offering a rich and experiential meal.
3.4. Hang Kenh Restaurant
Hang Kenh Restaurant at 112 Hang Kenh Street, Le Chan District, serves customers from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with Gia Be Hai Phong priced from only 12,000 to 15,000 VND per serving. This price is suitable for students and young groups who want to explore the specialty without worrying too much about the cost.
With over 30 years of operation, the restaurant has built a reputation for preparing Gia Be Hai Phong as soon as customers place an order. As a result, the dish is always flavorful, hot, and retains the natural crispness and sweetness of the Gia Be meat when served.
The flavor of Gia Be Hai Phong at the restaurant is loved by many for its stir-frying with a rich, spicy and sour sauce. The ideal time to enjoy it is early evening, right when the restaurant opens, helping the dish retain its freshest and most appealing taste.
4. How to enjoy Gia Be Hai Phong the right way
4.1. Stir-fried Gia Be
The preparation process for Gia Be Hai Phong is relatively elaborate and requires skill. Before cooking, Gia Be is soaked thoroughly in clean water for many hours to completely remove any remaining sand. Afterwards, the cook washes it thoroughly multiple times until the water runs clear before starting the preparation.
Razor clams are carefully prepared. (Source: Collected)
To prepare the Hai Phong razor clam stir-fried with turmeric dish, the chef needs to meticulously combine the ingredients. Onions, garlic, and fresh turmeric are sautéed until fragrant, then the razor clams are added and stir-fried over high heat. Fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and a little flour are added, helping to create the characteristic sweet and sour taste and thickness of the dish. Stir-frying over high heat keeps the razor clam meat chewy, while the legs remain crispy.
The way to enjoy the Hai Phong razor clam stir-fry also brings an interesting experience. Diners will use their teeth to gently separate each thin shell to get the meat inside. This meticulousness creates joy when fully experiencing the rich sweetness and the taste of the sea in each piece of razor clam meat.
4.2. Razor Clam Salad
The Hai Phong razor clam salad offers a completely new experience compared to the traditional stir-fried dish. The harmonious ingredients include fragrant roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, crispy sour star fruit, aromatic roasted rice powder, green bananas, and thinly sliced lime leaves. This combination creates a salad with many interwoven layers of flavor.
Seaweed salad (Goi Gia Be) is delicious and attractive. (Source: Collected)
When enjoying the Hai Phong seaweed salad (Goi Gia Be), diners will clearly feel the crispy, chewy texture of the seaweed, the nutty taste of roasted peanuts, the sourness of starfruit, and the freshness from fresh herbs. Roasted rice powder makes the dish more fragrant and rich, creating a harmonious overall for the salad.
The Hai Phong seaweed salad (Goi Gia Be) is suitable for hot summer days or when you want to change your palate. This dish not only brings a cool, easy-to-eat feeling but also stimulates the taste buds, creating a new experience for diners when exploring Hai Phong cuisine.
4.3. Real reviews from tourists and local people
Tourists' feelings when first trying the Hai Phong seaweed salad (Goi Gia Be) are always full of surprise. Initially, many people are impressed by the unique shape and novel way of eating. But after tasting, most are captivated by the balanced, distinctive flavor hard to find in other seafood.
Locals believe that to truly enjoy the Hai Phong seaweed salad (Goi Gia Be), one needs time, patience, and immersion in the traditional market's culinary atmosphere. They often advise choosing long-standing eateries known for fresh ingredients for the most complete experience.
Many diners suggest choosing popular Hai Phong seaweed salad (Goi Gia Be) eateries that have been operating stably for many years to ensure the dish is always fresh and appealing. Good seaweed salad usually has uniform sizes, the sauce is thick and blended, and has no fishy smell, contributing to a good impression for the diner.
Besides enjoying the Hai Phong seaweed salad with its rich sea flavor, tourists can wander around traditional markets like Cat Bi Market, Ga Market to feel the local rhythm of life, or visit Tam Bac ancient town to admire the old French architecture and the charming river scenery. If you have more time, spend a day going to Cat Ba Island. To get to the island, tourists will experience the Sun World Cat Ba cable car, admiring the panoramic view of the bay and majestic limestone mountains from above, concluding the complete Hai Phong exploration journey.
Cat Hai Station at Sun World Cat Ba.
The Gia Be dish of Hai Phong is not only a culinary symbol of the city but also the soul of its coastal culture. This dish continues to offer a fresh, unique flavor, contributing to enriching the culinary exploration journey for every visitor to Hai Phong. One experience will allow you to fully appreciate the essence of the Port City's cuisine, leaving a lasting impression throughout your trip.
