The taste of Ha Long horseshoe crab

Ha Long is not only renowned for its majestic natural beauty, but also captivates visitors with its rich and distinctive culinary culture. Among its many specialties, the horseshoe crab (sam bien) stands out as a unique and flavorful delicacy that intrigues both locals and travelers from all over.

Horseshoe crabs are commonly found in the coastal waters of Ha Long and Quang Ninh. They are known to live in pairs, with the smaller male typically riding on the back of the larger female. Remarkably, the male is only about half the size of the female. These crabs remain attached to one another for life, which has given rise to the Vietnamese saying “dính như sam,” meaning “as inseparable as horseshoe crabs.”

Because they usually travel in pairs, it is common practice for fishermen to release the remaining crab if only one is caught-honoring the belief that they should not be separated.

  While not difficult to find, sam bien (horseshoe crab) requires meticulous preparation to be turned into a delicious and safe-to-eat dish. Mastering the art of cooking horseshoe crab demands skill, patience, and attention to detail. Each crab must be thoroughly cleaned and processed through multiple careful steps to ensure both hygiene and flavor.

Once properly prepared, horseshoe crab can be transformed into a variety of distinctive dishes, such as fried horseshoe crab eggs, horseshoe crab patties (cha sam), blood pudding soup (canh tiet sam), sweet and sour stir-fried crab legs, or horseshoe crab salad (nom sam). These dishes are often enjoyed with a variety of aromatic herbs and a tangy-sweet dipping sauce that enhances the unique flavor of the crab.

The best season to enjoy horseshoe crab in Quang Ninh is from the 10th to the 2nd lunar month each year. This is the breeding season, when female crabs are rich with roe, and the meat is at its fattest and most flavorful-making it the ideal time to savor this coastal delicacy.

Each horseshoe crab dish is a harmonious blend of the ocean’s salty essence and the skilled hands of coastal locals. More than just a rustic seafood specialty, sam bien embodies the uniqueness and refinement of Ha Long’s culinary heritage. 

  Come to Ha Long to immerse yourself in majestic natural landscapes, feel the refreshing sea breeze on your skin, and indulge in the irresistible flavors of sam bien-a unique and delicious local delicacy. All these elements come together to create a truly unforgettable journey.

To withstand the harsh climate and living conditions, the coastal vegetation here has developed strong, deep root systems that cling firmly to the rocky cliffs-enduring storms and reaching deep into crevices to survive. This resilience mirrors the spirit of the land and its people.

Translated by Thuy Ha