A dish shaped by the squid
Squid cake appears in many meals in Hạ Long, but the method is what makes it memorable. The squid is cleaned, pounded until it holds together, shaped, and fried. Quảng Ninh Newspaper describes hand pounding as a way to bind the mixture while keeping some texture, unlike a uniformly smooth paste. Notice the springy bite and small pieces of squid inside, not only the golden surface.
From a local dish to a coastal story
Local reporting places squid cake beside Tiên Yên rice rolls and Quảng Yên ngán noodles. Together, they show that the province’s food is not limited to seafood: terrain and livelihoods change across the region, along with ingredients and ways of eating. If buying some to take home, check when it was made, how to store it, and what the label lists. Anyone with a seafood allergy should ask the seller directly.