An Introduction to Horseshoe Crabs in Quang Ninh
The horseshoe crab is a unique seafood delicacy that is notoriously difficult to prepare. These creatures live strictly in the wild and cannot be farmed. Once caught, they survive for no more than three days, which is why they are always considered an exceptionally fresh catch. To harvest them, local fishermen must calculate the tides and choose the perfect day to head out and cast their nets. These nets are woven from nylon with a mesh size of about 8 cm and a height of roughly 1.5 meters. Once caught, they must be placed on their backs with their heads facing each other to prevent them from colliding and injuring themselves. Because they travel in pairs, fishermen often catch both the male and female at once. If a fisherman encounters a lone horseshoe crab, they typically release it back into the sea, as these solitary individuals are often highly toxic. Quang Ninh is famous for its large horseshoe crabs, which are primarily found in the Quang Yen region, and specifically in Tra Co and Van Don.
Horseshoe crab is one of the special seafood dishes in Quang Ninh
There is a popular Vietnamese folk saying, “sticking together like a horseshoe crab” (dính như sam), the meaning of which is widely understood. However, not everyone is familiar with the origin of this comparison. According to local coastal lore, there is a legend of a deeply devoted, impoverished couple. One day, the wife was abducted, and the husband was gifted a precious gem by a fairy to help him find her, though he was strictly forbidden from revealing the secret of the gem. The young man kept the gem in his mouth as he searched the sea and eventually found his wife. However, his wife persistently begged him to reveal the secret. Unable to refuse her, he broke his promise, causing the gem to fall into the sea. The couple perished and transformed into a pair of horseshoe crabs that remain forever inseparable. Since then, devoted couples have been compared to these creatures.
Distinguishing between the Horseshoe Crab (Sam) and the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (So)
While delicious, horseshoe crabs pose significant risks, the most common being confusion with the toxic mangrove horseshoe crab (so bien). While the former is a culinary delicacy, the latter contains potent toxins that can be fatal. For experienced fishermen, distinguishing between the two is simple, but because the mangrove variety is often referred to as a “small horseshoe crab,” many people remain confused. The true horseshoe crab primarily inhabits sandy areas with high tidal ranges, whereas the mangrove variety thrives in freshwater creeks. The true horseshoe crab is generally larger, measuring 17–34 cm in length and weighing up to 3.8 kg, while the mangrove variety is smaller, measuring only 20–25 cm and usually weighing under 1 kg. Notably, it takes about 10 years for a true horseshoe crab to reach that size, which often leads people to mistake a young true horseshoe crab for the toxic mangrove variety. The easiest way to identify the difference is by the tail: the true horseshoe crab has a triangular tail cross-section with three serrated edges, while the mangrove variety has a round or oval tail without any sharp thorns. True horseshoe crabs usually travel in pairs, with the male clinging to the female’s back. While mangrove horseshoe crabs typically move alone, they can also be found in pairs during mating season, so caution is essential. In the event of suspected poisoning from a mangrove horseshoe crab, the victim should drink plenty of water, be induced to vomit as quickly as possible, and be transported to the nearest medical facility immediately.
Delicious Dishes Prepared from Horseshoe Crabs
Before the turn of the millennium, horseshoe crab was not considered a specialty in Ha Long – Quang Ninh. Preparing this dish is quite complex and it is an acquired taste; those with sensitive stomachs were highly susceptible to food poisoning or indigestion. In those days, locals primarily used horseshoe crab meat for animal feed. Back then, it was sold abundantly at local markets for a pittance—estimated at just 25,000 VND per pair. However, as tourism flourished and Chinese merchants began purchasing them in large quantities, the price of a pair has skyrocketed to 600,000 – 750,000 VND, sometimes even becoming impossible to source.
Despite this dramatic price increase, horseshoe crab is still not as expensive as shrimp or crab, yet the preparation remains incredibly meticulous. When butchering, one must carefully remove the liver and intestines, ensuring they do not come into contact with the meat. Even the slightest oversight in the cleaning process can lead to allergic reactions or severe stomach upset for the diner. Therefore, specific tools are essential: a sharp knife, a heavy cleaver, and shears to remove the legs, fillet the meat, and discard the viscera. Before preparation, one must also drain the “blood” (hemolymph). It is quite unique—unlike the red blood of other animals, horseshoe crab blood is milky white, resembling rice-washed water. The volume is significant, with each crab providing a large bowl. This fluid is set aside and used to make a delicious soup.
Preparing horseshoe crab is a meticulous process
In terms of preparation, the male horseshoe crab has larger claws and a smaller, concave mouth compared to the female, and its meat is generally considered tastier. A high-quality horseshoe crab typically has a black shell and feels heavy in the hand—ideally weighing around 5–6 kg for the best meat quality. Traditionally, they are served as a pair, but that serves about 5–6 people; if you are dining as a couple, a male is the perfect choice. A quality crab yields about 1.5 kg of meat after the shell is removed. The meat can be transformed into many dishes, such as sweet and sour stir-fried legs, horseshoe crab blood soup with wild betel leaves, fried thighs, stir-fried meat with bamboo shoots, horseshoe crab soup, or fried roe. However, based on our experience at Halong-LanHaBayCruiseTours, our personal favorites are:
- Sweet and sour stir-fried legs: Among the various preparations, this is the most popular and enticing dish. To prepare it, the thighs and legs are chopped into bite-sized pieces and stir-fried. Ingredients such as fermented rice (mẻ), chili sauce, fish sauce, and salt are added. The result is an alluring dish with a bold, signature blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. The aroma of wild betel leaves adds a wonderful dimension, and the soft leg shells make it easy and fun to pick the meat out, similar to eating sea snails. The meat is arguably sweeter and more delicious than crab claws.
- Fried horseshoe crab roe: Among the many delicacies, grilled roe is highly favored. The chef selects a female crab full of roe, places it over glowing charcoal, and grills it until the meat and roe turn golden and aromatic. Diners can enjoy it paired with segments of tart pomelo, pickled radish, fresh herbs, crushed roasted peanuts, sweet and sour fish sauce, and crispy fried shallots.
Where to find the best horseshoe crab in Ha Long
Horseshoe crab is a difficult dish to prepare and is quite an acquired taste. Nevertheless, as the tourism capital and the seafood paradise of Northern Vietnam, Ha Long offers plenty of great options. Drawing from our team’s experience, we would like to recommend some of the most famous and reputable spots.
1. Sam Gia Truyen Tin Vuong 2 Restaurant
This is a name well-known to seafood lovers, especially those from the Quang Yen or Ha Long regions who specifically seek out horseshoe crab. With years of experience and secret family recipes, the restaurant offers unique and captivating dishes from this rare delicacy.
Sam Gia Truyen Tin Vuong 2 Restaurant in Ha Long
Address: To better serve the growing number of diners, the restaurant has opened a new branch at No. 52 Doi Can, Gieng Day, Ha Long City.
Contact: Guests can book tables and order dishes by calling: 0973608325 – 0382386660.
A Rich and Tempting Menu: Featuring a diverse selection of up to 7 signature dishes, every meal at Sam Gia Truyen Tin Vuong 2 offers an exquisite culinary experience.
- 7-Course Set:
- Price: 1,500,000 VND/pair (serves 6 people)
- Includes: Horseshoe crab blood soup, sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab legs, deep-fried horseshoe crab thighs, deep-fried horseshoe crab pouches, stir-fried horseshoe crab meat with bamboo shoots, horseshoe crab roe, and glass noodles with horseshoe crab.
- Individual Serving:
- Price: 250,000 VND/person (for groups of 3 or more)
- Diners are welcome to freely choose items from the 7-course set menu.
- Must-Try Specialties: In addition to the 7-course set, the restaurant also serves two exclusive delicacies: Horseshoe crab meat salad and Horseshoe crab blood pudding:
2. Sam Bien Dung Hoa Restaurant
Sam Bien Dung Hoa Restaurant
Address: 96 Thanh Thien, Hong Hai, Ha Long City
Contact: 0383 678 988
Menu: Featuring a diverse menu of up to 7 signature dishes.
Requirements: Reservations required · Outdoor seating available · Private dining rooms available
3. Sam Ba Ty
Driven by a commitment to freshness and quality, Sam Ba Ty strives to provide guests with a fresh and unforgettable experience centered around horseshoe crab. We promise a destination with truly memorable flavors.
Sam Ba Ty Ha Long Restaurant
Address: Lane 6 Cao Thang (near Bo Sinh) or Lane 7D Cao Thang, Cao Thang, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh
Contact: 091 541 1877.
Menu: Sam Ba Ty is renowned for its rich and varied 7-course horseshoe crab menu. Every dish here is prepared with meticulous care, resulting in a distinct, signature flavor profile.
Requirements: Reservations required · Outdoor seating available · Private dining rooms available
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