Eating Tiny Squid Stir-Fried with Shrimp Paste at Vietnamese Market

Eating Tiny Squid Stir-Fried with Shrimp Paste at Vietnamese Market — A unique tasting experience you must try

If you enjoy tasting local market foods that aren’t on fancy restaurant menus, don’t miss the “Tiny Squid Stir-Fried with Shrimp Paste” that I, mr.hotsia, discovered at a northern Vietnamese market. It’s still little known among tourists, but the deliciousness and uniqueness of this dish impressed me enough to share it here on hotsia.com.

The morning atmosphere at the Vietnamese market was filled with the chatter of vendors, the sizzling sound of woks, and the fragrant aroma of shrimp paste spices wafting through the air. I walked past neatly arranged fresh seafood stalls and then found a hot pan with tiny squid stir-fried in authentic shrimp paste. The squid had a sea aroma and salty shrimp paste flavor, balanced with a slight spiciness from fresh chili. The small squid were firm and chewy, delivering a unique, well-rounded taste unlike anywhere else.

I, mr.hotsia, remember that day the weather wasn’t as hot as in big cities but slightly warm, similar to what I experienced in Lang Son province, where I once traveled to experience mountain and Chinese border town life (read more about Lang Son province, Vietnam). This stir-fried squid dish seemed to perfectly blend sea and mountain flavors in a lively local market full of color and energy.

This tiny squid stir-fried with shrimp paste isn’t an easy dish to find in big cities, where seafood tends to be larger and presented elegantly. But in local markets like this, it’s a popular delicacy among locals. I deliberately sat down to eat it right there with hot sticky rice sold alongside. This kind of atmosphere makes the food taste even better.

Imagine walking through a morning market filled with fresh produce, from tiny squid, crabs, giant squid, to freshwater and saltwater fish. I’ve seen markets like this in many parts of Vietnam, such as the Mukdahan morning market I visited, or even in Lang Son city, where both local and fresh seafood are available (see more about Mukdahan morning market).

Besides the shrimp paste stir-fried squid, I also tried grilled button squid at a nearby stall. These small squids were grilled over charcoal until fragrant and served with a sweet, sour, and spicy dipping sauce that enhanced the squid’s flavor (recommended to watch the Vietnamese grilled button squid clip). The freshness and authentic Vietnamese seasoning made me feel that the seafood here is truly world-class.

If you plan to visit northern Vietnam and want to experience a genuine local market atmosphere, I recommend staying in Lang Son city where I stayed at the affordable Hoang Son Hotel, conveniently located near markets and key attractions (see more about Lang Son province, Vietnam). From here, you can easily explore local culture and cuisine.

Another memorable experience from this trip for me, mr.hotsia, was seeing the local way of life up close — from the friendly shrimp paste squid vendor to children playing in the market. The laughter and lively market sounds made me feel like I had traveled back in time to a small town that still preserves its original charm.

For those who love market trips and trying unusual foods like me, tasting tiny squid stir-fried with shrimp paste at a Vietnamese market is an experience not to miss. If you want to see the atmosphere and how the dish is freshly prepared, you can watch the video I recorded here.Eating Tiny Squid Stir-Fried with Shrimp Paste at Vietnamese MarketGuaranteed you’ll want to try it yourself.

If you have a chance to visit Vietnam, I, mr.hotsia, suggest planning a mixed itinerary including nature trips likeLang Son Provinceor cultural and religious experiences likeBuddhist Temples in Da LatThere are also important market and transport hubs such asVinh Long Bus Stationwhich make traveling more convenient.

Finally, for sea lovers, don’t forget to visitNha Trang Seafamous for beautiful beaches and fresh seafood, where I have also relaxed and experienced. Vietnam still has many amazing things to discover.

Thank you for following my stories, I’m mr.hotsia. I hope this article inspires you to travel and try tiny squid stir-fried with shrimp paste and experience local life in Vietnam yourself.