Hanoi is home to some of the best snail restaurants in Vietnam, offering a variety of mouthwatering dishes made from both freshwater and saltwater snails. Some of these restaurants have even been recommended by Michelin Guide, attracting not only locals but also international visitors.

Oc Di Tu – Ba Dinh District

Oc Di Tu is a Michelin-recommended restaurant located between two of Hanoi’s famous landmarks: Hang Dau Water Tower and Quan Thanh Temple. Thanks to its prime location, it draws in many tourists.

The restaurant specializes in both freshwater and saltwater snails, including apple snails, spotted babylon snails, mud creeper snails, moon snails, and tiger snails. Other seafood options include shrimp, crab, mantis shrimp, clams, squid, and octopus, sourced from Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Thanh Hoa.

Signature dishes include spotted babylon snails in salted egg sauce and giant sea snails stir-fried with scallions and garlic. The restaurant also serves popular side dishes such as grilled chicken feet, French fries, and buttered bread.

Prices vary depending on portion size and type of seafood.

Oc Vi Sai Gon – Hoan Kiem District

Another Michelin-recommended spot, Oc Vi Sai Gon, offers an extensive seafood menu featuring snails, oysters, white clams, scallops, and more, prepared in various delicious styles.

Standout dishes include white clams stir-fried with garlic butter, which gives off a rich, fragrant aroma, and blood cockles stir-fried with tamarind sauce, a flavorful must-try.

The restaurant is also praised for its affordable pricing, with dishes ranging from $2.50 to $6.50 per serving.

Oc Trang – Dinh Liet Street

Despite offering a simplified menu, Oc Trang remains one of the busiest snail restaurants in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The menu features boiled apple snails, boiled small snails, and steamed clams, served with side dishes like fried fermented pork rolls.

The restaurant is famous for its plump and crispy apple snails, juicy boiled small snails, and sweet steamed clams infused with lemongrass, pineapple, and basil. Each dish is served in generous portions.

One of the biggest draws of Oc Trang is its signature dipping sauce, a balanced blend of fish sauce, calamansi, sugar, ginger, chili, and lemongrass, creating a rich, aromatic flavor.

However, the restaurant has limited seating and does not have a designated parking area.

Oc "Ba Cam" – Tong Duy Tan Street

This humble, street-side stall is renowned for its owner, a deaf and mute woman who is known for her warm hospitality. The restaurant may be small, but it has a loyal following.

The snails are carefully cleaned and soaked to remove any odor, then briefly boiled to ensure they remain fresh and juicy. The bottom of the boiling pot is layered with grapefruit leaves, ginger leaves, and lime leaves, infusing the snails with a distinctly fragrant aroma.

The homemade dipping sauce, prepared with a secret family recipe, is what keeps customers coming back for more.

Oc Trang Quan – Cua Bac Street

Offering a diverse menu, Oc Trang Quan serves not only traditional boiled snails but also unique dishes such as snail noodles, clams stir-fried with butter and coconut, and quail eggs stir-fried with tamarind sauce.

Customers also love the variety of side dishes, including fermented pork rolls, spicy chicken feet, grilled fish, and dried squid.

The snails here are known for their size and freshness, while the creamy clam dish with milk sauce, served with bread, has a unique and delicious flavor.

Linh Trang