Beyond its wide range of household goods, Cat Bi Market has earned a reputation as a “budget food paradise” or a “street snack haven” in the port city, thanks to its vibrant food section filled with delicious and affordable dishes.

Below are some must-try specialties and snacks for visitors exploring the market.

Beef skin salad

Beef skin salad is one of the signature street foods at Cat Bi Market. It is made from boiled beef, skin, tendons, ears, and snout, all thinly sliced and mixed with lemongrass and roasted rice powder.

When eaten, the dish offers a chewy, crunchy texture combined with the bold heat of the dipping sauce, balanced by a slight sourness and the subtle bitterness of accompanying herbs.

Diners typically wrap the mixture in rice paper with fresh herbs, starfruit, and green banana, then dip it in sweet-and-sour fish sauce, shrimp paste, or fermented soybean paste, depending on personal preference.

The dish is priced at VND25,000 - 30,000 per 100 grams (US$1 - US$1.2), enough for one to two people.

Stir-fried geoduck

Geoduck, a type of mollusk with a green shell, is commonly found in Hai Phong’s coastal waters. Known locally as “gia be,” it has a long siphon and tender, naturally sweet meat.

At Cat Bi Market, stir-fried geoduck is a distinctive dish favored by many visitors. After preparation, the siphon is separated while the body remains in the shell, then stir-fried with onion, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, turmeric, vinegar, and seasoning.

To achieve a slightly thick consistency, cooks add diluted arrowroot or tapioca starch.

The finished dish has a characteristic golden color from turmeric, coated in a rich, fragrant sauce. It is usually served in small bowls priced at around VND30,000 (US$1.2).

Despite its appeal, the dish may not suit everyone. Those with sensitive stomachs or allergies are advised to be cautious.

Banh beo

A familiar delicacy in Hai Phong, banh beo is widely available in traditional markets.

Though its ingredients resemble Hanoi’s banh gio, with a rice flour outer layer and a filling of minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, the Hai Phong version is wrapped in banana leaves and shaped like a small curved boat, with the filling visible on top.

Each piece is placed on a plate, cut into six to eight slices, and topped with fried shallots before being served with a flavorful dipping sauce.

The thin, delicate texture melts in the mouth, blending with the rich filling and the subtle aroma of banana leaves.

Banh beo is usually sold in pairs, priced at VND15,000 - 20,000 (approximately US$0.6 - US$0.8).

More local delights

In addition to the dishes above, visitors can enjoy a wide range of other specialties such as banh duc, fried dumplings, various sweet soups, savory banh duc tau, fermented pork rolls, and the iconic Hai Phong crab noodle soup.

The market also features regional dishes like fresh spring rolls, bun bo, banh khot, banh bot loc, and banh xeo.

Prices are generally affordable, ranging from VND15,000 to 30,000 per serving (US$0.6 - US$1.2). With VND150,000 (US$6), visitors can comfortably try five to six different dishes and leave fully satisfied.

Dessert stalls offer a colorful variety of sweet soups, from lotus seed, mung bean, and black bean desserts to pomelo sweet soup, chewy taro balls, herbal jelly, and fruit mixes made with seasonal ingredients. Prices start from VND10,000 per cup (US$0.4).

Tips for visitors

To fully enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed, visitors are advised to travel in groups, allowing them to sample more dishes.

The best time to explore Cat Bi Market’s food scene is between 3pm and 5pm, when most stalls are open, ingredients are fresh, and the variety of options is at its peak.

Thao Trinh