When you think of Sapa, misty mountains and terraced rice fields may come to mind — but for food lovers, this highland town is also home to some of the freshest cold-water fish in Vietnam: sturgeon (cá tầm) and salmon (cá hồi).
Thanks to its cool year-round climate and crystal-clear mountain streams, Sapa became one of the first places in Vietnam to successfully farm these cold-water species — and over time, they’ve become signature specialties of the region.
🌊 Where Else Can You Find Them?
Today, sturgeon and salmon farms have expanded to several northern provinces with similar climates, but Sapa remains the best place to enjoy them fresh at the source.
In cities like Hanoi or Lao Cai, you can also find good restaurants serving these dishes — for example:
- Sapa Fish Restaurant – 1C Phạm Ngũ Lão, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
- Minh Quân Fish Restaurant – Vũ Phạm Hàm, Cầu Giấy, Hanoi
However, many locals and food experts agree: nothing beats eating Sapa fish in Sapa itself. The freshness, the mountain herbs, and the atmosphere make all the difference.
💰 How Much Does It Cost?
Prices vary depending on the restaurant and location:
- In Sapa Town Center: Around 600,000 VND/kg for a ready-to-cook fish (including hotpot broth, vegetables, tofu, noodles, mushrooms, etc.).
- At fish farms (like Thác Bạc or Bản Khoang): Slightly cheaper, from 500,000 VND/kg.
- If you buy to take home: Salmon ~350,000 VND/kg, Sturgeon ~250,000 VND/kg (depending on quantity).
➡️ Tip: In most restaurants, 1 kg is usually cooked as a hotpot; 1.5 kg gets you two dishes (hotpot + grilled or salad), and from 2 kg you’ll enjoy a full feast — hotpot, grilled, sashimi, and crispy fried fish skin!
🍲 Best Ways to Enjoy Salmon in Sapa
Salmon here is incredibly fresh — the meat firm, pink, and slightly fatty, perfect for many preparations.
- Salmon Sashimi (Gỏi cá hồi)
- Thin slices of raw salmon served with green banana, pineapple, pickled radish, and mustard leaves (cải mèo), wrapped together and dipped in soy-wasabi sauce.
- The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors is simply addictive.
- Grilled Salmon (Cá hồi nướng than hoa)
- Marinated in local herbs, lemongrass, and chili, then grilled over charcoal until crispy and fragrant.
- Best paired with sour vegetables (rau chua) and spicy dipping sauce made of garlic, chili, and lime.
- Salmon Hotpot (Lẩu cá hồi)
- A must-try for groups! Ask the restaurant to use fish bones for the broth and thinly slice the fillet for dipping.
- Avoid throwing big chunks directly into the pot — they fall apart quickly and lose texture.
🐉 Best Ways to Enjoy Sturgeon
Sturgeon is unique — the whole fish has cartilage, not bones, giving it a firm, chewy, almost crunchy texture.
- Sturgeon Hotpot (Lẩu cá tầm)
- A Sapa classic. Thick slices of fish are dipped in a flavorful herbal broth with mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables.
- The meat is sweet, the skin gelatinous, and the cartilage pleasantly crunchy.
- Grilled Sturgeon (Cá tầm nướng)
- Marinated with mountain spices and grilled until golden — smoky, tender, and full of natural sweetness.
🏔️ Where to Eat the Best Sturgeon and Salmon
- At the Fish Farms
- The freshest option — try restaurants located near the farms at Thác Bạc (Silver Waterfall) or Bản Khoang.
- Famous spots include Thác Bạc Restaurant (km 12) and Song Nhi Restaurant.
- You can tour the farm, pick your own fish, and enjoy a scenic meal right beside the stream.
- In Sapa Town Center
- Look along Xuân Viên Street — many restaurants have live fish tanks where you can choose your own.
- Always pick the live fish yourself; avoid ordering pre-set dishes from the menu to ensure freshness.
- At Your Hotel Restaurant
- Many hotels in Sapa offer in-house dining using fresh local fish.
- It’s a good option for quieter, personalized service — and you can even watch the chef prepare your meal.
🥢 Pro Tips for First-Timers
- Choose restaurants with live tanks – that’s the sure sign of freshness.
- If you want your meal quickly, don’t rush the restaurant — preparing fresh fish takes time.
- Ask if they can show you the fish before cooking – most places are happy to do so.
- Pair your meal with a glass of local corn wine or apple cider for the full mountain experience.
📍 Where to Try It:
Sapa Cuisine Restaurant
📍 11 Hoàng Diệu Street, Sapa Town, Lào Cai, Vietnam
📞 +84 964 267 569
📧 cuisinesapa@gmail.com
🌐 www.SapaCuisine.com
Taste the freshness of the mountains — from crystal streams to your bamboo table. Sturgeon and salmon in Sapa aren’t just dishes; they’re an experience you’ll never forget.