Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop 2023
42/12 Nghĩa Dũng, Quận Tây Hồ, Phúc Xá, Ba Đình, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
16B P. Nguyễn Như Đổ, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/Hải-Sản-Hương-Lan-484764664917964/
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| Meal Flat Lay At Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop |
Still Serving Excellent Vietnamese Seafood In This Casual Eatery
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 6
Value for Money: 9
Spent about VND ₫170,000 / SGD $10 per person.
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I last visited Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop in 2015, and because I had a memorable dining experience back then, I was keen to revisit them. Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop is a casual dining eatery that specialises in seafood, done in 3 ways; boiled, grilled / barbecued, or stir-fried. It remains a popular eatery visited by locals, and I'm glad they not only survived through the pandemic, but expanded to a 2nd outlet as well (which has better overall ambience and is more conveniently accessible).
Ambience at Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop remains quaint and cramped. Their 1st outlet is still housed in a narrow shophouse, but the main road has moved away, so the street leading up to the store is now a side road. The place is brightly lit and clean, with decent hygiene standards, and comfortable wooden furnishings of regular height. It can get crowded during dinner time, which is when most locals drop by. Their 2nd outlet has much improved ambience as I understand.
Service at Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop is better than before. With more tourists visiting, they now have staff that can converse in broken English, and also a special menu (with pictures, clear prices, and English translations) so guests can just point to what they wish to order. Orders are fulfilled quickly, usually within 10 minutes, and I note that staff are quick at cleaning up finished tables. Staff will also helpfully demonstrate how to eat some of the dishes.
Food at Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop is Vietnamese cuisine, focusing on seafood as their name suggests. The seafood here remains fresh, being sourced daily, and includes crabs, snails, clams, squid, prawns, scallops, oysters, fish, and cockles. Portions are sized for communal group dining of at least 2 people or more. Prices are reasonable and wallet-friendly for locals, budget about VND ₫170,000 / SGD $10 per person for a meal here.
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| Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop Exterior |
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| Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop Interior |
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| Quán Hải Sản Hương Lan / Huong Lan Seafood Shop Grand Menu |
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| Other Outlet Poster |
They now offer a Menu Of Popular Dishes With English Translation for tourists that visit. Do note however, that this is not the full menu; it only features their most popular dishes after all (probably only 50% of their dishes are featured). Refer to their Grand Menu for the full range.
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| Menu Of Popular Dishes With English Translation |
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| Menu Of Popular Dishes With English Translation |
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| Menu Of Popular Dishes With English Translation |
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| Menu Of Popular Dishes With English Translation |
Had fond memories of the Mực Trứng Chiên / Fried Squid With Roe (VND ₫120,000 per portion), so made sure to reorder it on this return visit. It's as good as before, with the marinated and deep-fried squid being slightly crisp chewy soft in texture, and savoury salty spice in flavour. I love dunking it in the spicy chili dipping sauce for added kick. Highly recommended!
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| Mực Trứng Chiên / Fried Squid With Roe (VND ₫120,000 per portion) |
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| Mực Trứng Chiên / Fried Squid With Roe |
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| Mực Trứng Chiên / Fried Squid With Roe |
The Sò Diệp Nướng Hành Củ Lạc / Grilled Scallops With Scallions And Peanuts (VND ₫30,000 per piece, pictured 4 pieces at VND ₫120,000) still commands a premium, but I've no regrets reordering this on my return visit - I'd dreamed about this ever so often since I first tasted it. These fresh scallops are grilled with salted butter, chives, scallions, fish sauce, crushed garlic, and roasted peanuts. It has tender soft crisp textures, carrying smoky savoury salty sweet nutty flavour, light yet utterly delicious. Highly recommended!
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| Sò Diệp Nướng Hành Củ Lạc / Grilled Scallops With Scallions And Peanuts (VND ₫30,000 per piece, pictured 4 pieces at VND ₫120,000) |
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| Sò Diệp Nướng Hành Củ Lạc / Grilled Scallops With Scallions And Peanuts |
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| Sò Diệp Nướng Hành Củ Lạc / Grilled Scallops With Scallions And Peanuts |
Settled on the Ốc Hấp Xào Cay Quả Me / Stir-Fried Snails In Chili And Tamarind Sauce (VND ₫70,000 per portion). This features fresh boiled channeled apple snails (a fresh water variety also known as pomacea canaliculata or golden apple snails), stir-fried in an addictive gravy of tamarind juice, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, coriander, and chili. It has a tender springy texture, with enticing sweet sour savoury spicy flavours. Good!
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| Ốc Hấp Xào Cay Quả Me / Stir-Fried Snails In Chili And Tamarind Sauce (VND ₫70,000 per portion) |
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| Ốc Hấp Xào Cay Quả Me / Stir-Fried Snails In Chili And Tamarind Sauce |
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| Ốc Hấp Xào Cay Quả Me / Stir-Fried Snails In Chili And Tamarind Sauce |
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CONVERSATION