1. Overview of Hai Phong's breakfast culture
1.1. Characteristics of Hai Phong's morning cuisine
As soon as the first rays of the day appear, Hai Phong breakfast eateries begin preparing attractive dishes, creating a distinctive mark for the local cuisine. The morning cuisine of the port city stands out thanks to the sophisticated combination of oceanic flavors and the careful selection of ingredients.
The most recognizable characteristic of Hai Phong's breakfast culture is the salty, sea-infused flavor. Ingredients such as freshwater crabs, tiger prawns, and tilapia are purchased fresh daily by locals, ensuring the freshness of each dish. Thanks to the habit of using fresh ingredients every morning, bowls of pho and bun always retain their local characteristic flavors.
Banh mi que - a signature breakfast dish in Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
The breakfast menu in the port city is also very diverse. Besides banh da cua and bun ca cay, which are signature dishes, diners can also choose hot banh cuon, banh mi que, xoi pate, along with many other dishes to meet the diverse needs of each person. The dining spaces are mainly long-standing family eateries, simple but friendly sidewalk stalls, where family secrets are preserved and a cozy intimacy rarely found elsewhere.
1.2. Characteristic Breakfast Trends in Hai Phong
More and more tourists choose not just to eat breakfast to fill their stomachs, but also to explore the unique culinary culture through each dish. Central areas like Ngo Quyen, Hong Bang offer a wide variety of choices, suitable for all ages and demographics. Prices range from only 8,000 VND to 50,000 VND for a complete breakfast, making it convenient for students, workers, and tourists to experience Hai Phong breakfast without worrying about the cost.
The street scene in the morning with the calls of vendors and the aroma spreading from eateries contributes to the vibrant life in the port city. Many young people today prefer eateries that retain traditional characteristics while also incorporating modern styles, where they can enjoy delicious food and capture beautiful memories through photos.
2. Identifying Signature Breakfast Dishes of the Port City
2.1. Hai Phong Banh Da Cua
It is impossible not to mention banh da cua when talking about breakfast in Hai Phong. This is an iconic dish of the port city's cuisine. The dark brown banh da noodles are moderately soft and chewy, blending into a clear broth, delicately sweet, cooked from fresh, pure river crabs. The flavor of the broth harmoniously combines the sweetness of crab, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
Banh da cua, the culinary icon of the Port City. (Source: VnExpress)
Hai Phong's banh da cua stands out with its unique broth preparation and presentation. A bowl of banh da typically includes fresh shrimp, thinly sliced fish cake, ground pork paste, celery, boiled water spinach, and a topping of crispy fried shallots. The rich broth flavor, combined with fresh herbs and grilled pork sausage, creates a well-rounded taste for diners.
2.2. Hai Phong Spicy Fish Vermicelli
Spicy fish vermicelli is a dish that fully embodies the strong personality of Hai Phong people. The vermicelli is prepared with crispy fried fish cakes, fresh tilapia or snakehead fish, mixed with a broth simmered from fish bones for many hours to achieve a rich and delicious flavor.
What makes this Hai Phong breakfast dish special is the spiciness level, which is flexibly adjusted according to each diner's taste. The bowl is generously topped with fresh herbs, crunchy taro stems, sliced tomatoes, and especially the characteristic red spicy fish sauce. The intense spiciness awakens the palate, helping to dispel the chill of the morning.
Spicy fish noodle soup with abundant toppings, famous in Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
2.3. Hai Phong Spicy Baguette
Hai Phong spicy baguette is small, crispy, and fragrant. The crust is baked golden, with a hot and rich pate filling inside. Hai Phong chili sauce, with its bright red color and pungent spiciness, provides a uniquely distinctive highlight.
This Hai Phong breakfast dish is usually enjoyed immediately at the shop to maintain its crispiness and warmth. However, this baguette is also very convenient for takeaway, fitting the dynamic lifestyle of many people.
2.4. Pan-fried Baguette
Hai Phong pan-fried baguette is an interesting breakfast choice with a unique way of enjoying it. Crispy baguette pieces are served with a hot pan of toppings including pate, fried eggs, sausage, cold cuts, french fries, and fish cake. The sauce is made from pate and tomato sauce, creating a rich and harmonious flavor.
When eating, diners dip the baguette into the pan of toppings themselves, creating an interactive and intimate dining experience. This dish is especially suitable for those who want a filling and energetic Hai Phong breakfast.
2.5. Hot Rolled Rice Cakes Hai Phong
Hot rolled rice cakes are an ideal Hai Phong breakfast choice for those who want to start the day with warmth. The cake layers are thin, smooth, and velvety, wrapped around a perfectly seasoned and fragrant minced pork filling. Served with thick-cut cinnamon sausage, its natural sweetness further enhances the distinctive flavor.
The special feature of Hai Phong rolled rice cakes is the meticulously prepared dipping fish sauce, made according to a secret recipe. The fish sauce has a harmonious sweet and sour taste, with a little chopped chili and a layer of golden fried shallots on top. This combination creates an attractive flavor that captivates from the first bite.
2.6. Shrimp Noodle Soup, Sticky Rice, and Other Breakfast Dishes
Beyond famous dishes, Hai Phong breakfast also offers many other novel options. Shrimp noodle soup with small, chewy noodles served with a sweet and savory broth from fresh shrimp is an attractive suggestion. Crispy shrimp cakes and aromatic herbs provide a balance of flavor and nutrition.
Sticky rice with pate and braised pork is a combination of fragrant, chewy sticky rice, rich pate, and savory braised pork. Garnished with golden fried shallots and served with well-seasoned fish sauce, it all creates an unforgettable culinary experience for the diner.
Xoi thit has become a familiar breakfast dish for local people. (Source: Collected)
Regarding drinks, two popular breakfast options are coconut coffee and chrysanthemum tea. Coconut coffee is rich in flavor with a harmonious creaminess and the characteristic aroma of roasted ground coffee. Chrysanthemum tea offers a refreshing feeling, helps cool the body, and is good for health.
3. Outstanding Hai Phong Breakfast Restaurant Suggestions
3.1. Ba Cu's Banh Da Cua
Located at 179 Cau Dat street, Ba Cu's Banh Da Cua is a familiar destination on the journey to discover Hai Phong's breakfast for many tourists. The shop operates from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM, serving banh da cua at prices ranging from 40,000 VND to 50,000 VND depending on topping choices.
The banh da cua here stands out thanks to its clear broth, naturally sweet from freshwater crabs. Additionally, customers can opt for banh da tom with full toppings such as thinly sliced fish cake, water celery, water spinach, and fragrant fried shallots. The space is compact but retains its traditional charm, is always clean, and the service staff are quick and enthusiastic.
Ba Cu's Banh Da Cua restaurant is famous in Hai Phong. (Source: Collected)
The uniqueness of Ba Cu's Banh Da Cua lies in preserving the traditional flavor through generations. Many diners who have eaten here say they feel like they are returning to childhood memories and sensing the breath of the old port city.
3.2. Cau Doanh's Spicy Fish Vermicelli
Located at 66 Le Loi street, Cau Doanh's spicy fish vermicelli is a familiar address for those who love spicy, flavorful Hai Phong breakfast dishes. The restaurant serves spicy fish vermicelli from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with prices ranging from 25,000 VND to 50,000 VND per bowl.
The broth here is always simmered thoroughly, creating a rich and harmonious flavor. Fish cakes and fried fish are guaranteed to be crispy and seasoned to perfection. Especially, the restaurant offers fresh herbs of many different kinds, which customers can choose themselves to suit their preferences.
Cau Doanh spicy fish noodle soup is rich, fragrant, and delicious. (Source: Collected)
The restaurant space is cozy and rustic with familiar plastic tables and chairs. The restaurant is often crowded with local customers, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere every morning. This place is also an ideal destination to clearly feel the daily life of the people of Hai Phong.
3.3. Banh Cuon Quyen
Operating for many years at 99 Van Cao, Banh Cuon Quyen is an ideal destination to enjoy traditional Hai Phong breakfast dishes. The restaurant is open from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM, serving hot banh cuon at reasonable prices.
The banh cuon here are freshly made every morning, the pancakes are thin, silky smooth, with rich minced pork filling, thick slices of cinnamon sausage, and natural sweetness. The dipping fish sauce is prepared according to a long-standing family secret recipe, creating a distinct Hai Phong flavor that many other places cannot replicate.
The restaurant space is spacious, clean, and more airy than many other breakfast places in the area. The service staff is friendly and attentive, always satisfying customers. Many people have been loyal customers for a long time and are always satisfied with the quality of the food here.
3.4. Banh Mi Cay Dinh Tien Hoang
Located at 37 Dinh Tien Hoang, this is a famous banh mi cay shop for those who want to experience a quick and flavorful Hai Phong breakfast. The shop serves from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and each banh mi cay costs only from 2,000 VND to 5,000 VND.
The baguette is small and easy to hold, the crust is crispy, with a filling of hot, rich pate. The bright red chili sauce is prepared according to a secret recipe, bringing the distinctive spicy flavor of the port city. This dish is usually enjoyed on the spot to maintain the heat and crispiness of the baguette.
Although it's a small sidewalk stall, it always attracts many customers from early morning. The service staff is quick, convenient for customers to buy and take away. Reasonable prices and stable quality are the reasons why the shop always maintains a large number of regular customers.
Besides enjoying famous Hai Phong breakfast dishes such as crab cake noodle soup, spicy fish noodle soup, or banh mi que, tourists can combine this with exploring many special destinations in the city. Notably, Hai Phong Opera House is a work bearing the strong imprint of French architecture. Especially for nature lovers, Cat Ba Island, the 'green pearl of the Gulf of Tonkin', is an unmissable stop. The journey to the island by Sun World Cat Ba cable car will bring a unique experience, allowing tourists to admire the vast sea bay scenery and majestic limestone mountains from above.
Tourists enjoy taking photos on the Sun World Cat Ba cable car. (Source: Collected)
Breakfast in Hai Phong is not just about fueling up for the day, but also an opportunity to experience the unique culinary culture of the port city. From the sweet crab noodle soup (Banh da cua) to the rich and spicy fish noodle soup (Bun ca), the dishes here tell a story about the people and land of Hai Phong. Take time to savor each dish, immerse yourself in the early morning street atmosphere, and create unforgettable memories of your exciting trip to Hai Phong!
