TOP 10 FOODS TO
TRY IN HANOI (VIETNAM)
10
Best Hanoi Dishes
Top
Must-Try Foods in Hanoi
The
best Hanoi dishes are inexpensive yet tasty treats that can be found within
Hanoi Old Quarter’s narrow alleyways and bustling street markets. Compared to
other cities in Vietnam, Hanoi food tends to be on the sweeter side and utilizes
freshwater ingredients such as prawns, squids, shrimps, crabs, clams, and
mussels. You can also find familiar Vietnamese street food such as pho noodles,
spring rolls, rolled cakes, and skewered meat.
As
with many dishes in Vietnam, diners are always served with platters of fresh
greens and herbs as well as the quintessential nuoc cham dipping sauce as
accompaniment. Since a trip to Hanoi is not complete without sampling its
traditional delicacies, here’s a list of the top must-try foods in Hanoi.
If
you’re traveling to Hanoi, here are the ten Vietnamese foods you must try while
you are there. Vietnamese cuisine varies by region. Each city, even each
village, may have its own list of unique local specialties. Our quest through
Vietnam started in the north, in the capital city of Hanoi. Many of the popular
Vietnamese dishes originated here. The famous Vietnamese noodle soup Pho, is
one of the most iconic northern Vietnamese food.
Situated
near the Chinese border, northern Vietnamese cuisine reflects Chinese
influences. With the cooler climate in the north and wide availability of
freshwater fish and seafood like prawns, shrimp, crab, clams and more, food
from the region has its own distinctive flavor.
Hanoi,
we discovered, is also famous for its street food culture. Street food stalls
are popular and we had some of our best and surprising local food experiences
on the sidewalks with locals and not in restaurants.
1. Cha
Ca (Turmeric Fish with Dill)
A distinctive Hanoi delicacy, cha ca is white fish seasoned with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and dill served on sizzling pan. Diners also get a bowl of rice noodles, peanuts, chopped spring onions, parsley, nuoc cham sauce, and red chili slices, all of which are meant to be mixed together with the turmeric fish. Cha ca is so popular amongst locals that there’s a street in Hanoi Old Quarter named after it, though the best (and affordable) places to enjoy this seafood delicacy is at Cha Ca Thang Long in Duong Thanh Street.
A distinctive Hanoi delicacy, cha ca is white fish seasoned with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and dill served on sizzling pan. Diners also get a bowl of rice noodles, peanuts, chopped spring onions, parsley, nuoc cham sauce, and red chili slices, all of which are meant to be mixed together with the turmeric fish. Cha ca is so popular amongst locals that there’s a street in Hanoi Old Quarter named after it, though the best (and affordable) places to enjoy this seafood delicacy is at Cha Ca Thang Long in Duong Thanh Street.
Where
to Have It
You will find several Ch? Cá restaurants in
Hanoi. The one we went to was Cha Cá Thang Long, which was recommended highly
by our local airbnb host.
Cha Cá
Thang Long
Address: 19 – 21 – 31, Duong Thanh, Hoan
Kiem, Hanoi
Hours: Everyday from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
Prices for Cha Ca: 120,000 VND per person,
(approximately $5.29 USD)
The original restaurant for Cha Cá, is Cha Cá
Lã Vong also in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. We did not eat at this restaurant as
our host highly recommended Cha Cá Th?ng Long for an authentic experience.
Additionally, the reviews of Cha Cá Lã Vong receives mixed reviews on Trip
Advisor. Nevertheless, noted below is the address of this legendary restaurant.
Cha Cá
Lã Vong
Address: 14 Cha Cá, Hà Noi.
Hours: Everyday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and
5pm to 9pm.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 15:00, 17:00 -
22:00
Address: 21 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter,
Hanoi
2. Mien
Xao Luon (Glass Noodles with Deep-Fried Eel)
Mien xao luon is another tasty option for seafood lovers,
comprising stir-fried glass noodles in an eel-based broth with generous
toppings of crunchy eels, bean sprouts, egg, cucumber slices, fried shallots,
and purple perilla. As with many dishes in Hanoi, a side of fresh herbs, shaved
banana blossoms, and bean sprouts are served on the side. Dong Thinh Nha Hang
Mien Luon at Hoan Kiem District is a local hangout spot for mien xao luon,
where dishes are priced between VND 35,000 and VND 50,000.
Opening Hours: Daily 17:00 – 23:00
Address: 87 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
3. Bun Thang (Rice
Vermicelli with Chicken, Egg, Pork)
Bun
thang or rice vermicelli with chicken, egg and pork can be enjoyed at any time
of the day. The clear yet flavorful broth is made with 20 ingredients,
including dried shrimp, squid, shrimp paste, spring onion, coriander, ginger,
mushroom, beet, fish sauce, sugar candy, and vinegar. It is also a particularly
attractive Hanoi dish as the noodles, chicken, eggs, pork slices, and a dollop
of shrimp paste are carefully arranged to resemble a flower. Available mostly
within Hanoi Old Quarter, we highly recommend Bun Thang Ba Duc as you can enjoy
a generous bowl of bun thang for about VND 30,000.
And
little wonder, of course, when the soulful soup is made from a flavorful mix of
over twenty ingredients, comprising mainly chicken, dried shrimps and shiitake
mushrooms.
Uncover
the heart of Hanoi with a bowl of bun thang at this shop located near Hoan Kiem
Lake. With a sweet and savory broth complemented by slices of ham, egg, onion
and cucumber, this bun thang deserved all fervent praise, making for a warm comforting
meal amidst the constant swirl of Hanoian traffic.
Opening
Hours: Daily 18:00 – 22:00
Address:
48 Cao Go, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
4. Banh cuon (Rolled Cake)
Great as a light breakfast or midday snack, banh
cuon is a combination of ground meat (chicken, shrimp, or pork), minced wood
ear mushroom, onions, Vietnamese ham (cha lua), steamed beansprouts, and
cucumbers that’s wrapped in a steamed rice flour sheet., Its overall taste is
very mild despite the savory ingredients, and you can also dip the banh cuon
into nuoc cham sauce for added flavor. You can easily spot roadside vendors
selling banh cuon all over Hanoi, but Banh Cuon Gia Truyen in Old Quarter is a
good alternative as the restaurant provides menus with English translations.
Bánh cuon is another local specialty from
Northern Vietnam that you don’t want to miss. It is a delicate and light dish
usually eaten for breakfast in Vietnam. However, you can find it all day long.
Bánh cuon is made of a thin rice sheet rolled and filled with ground pork meat
and minced mushrooms. It is served with fried shallots and cilantro herbs on
top. The secret flavor of the dish resides in its dipping sauce.
As with most Vietnamese dishes, Nuoc Mam of
fish sauce is used in the dipping sauce. The magic comes with the additional
drop of cà cuong, the essence of a giant water bug common in Southeast Asia.
This drop in the sauce adds an extra flavor which gives off a taste similar to
scallops or shrimps. Today, this natural essence is becoming scarce and many
restaurants are now using an imitation essence. The rice sheet is made by
steaming fermented rice batter on a cloth stretched over a pot of boiling
water.
Bánh Cuon Gia Truyen
Address: 12 Hàng Gà, Hà
N?i.
Hours: Everyday from 7:00
am to 1:00 pm and 5pm to 11pm
Prices: About 35,000 VND
per person (approximately $1.54 USD)
5. Pho Xao
(Stir-Fried Pho)
Pho
may be best known as rice noodles served in soup, but you can also enjoy it in
the form of pho xao, which is stir-fried with onions, beef slices, and assorted
greens. The flat pho noodles are usually crisp on the outside with a smooth
glutinous texture, and most restaurants sometimes add fried eggs and chilli
sauce to this simple yet satisfying dish. Thin is a family-run restaurant
within Hai Ba Trung District, where you can savour pho xao for only VND 50,000.
Opening Hours: Daily 06:00 – 15:00
Address: 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
6. Nem Cua Be
(Crab Rolls)
A
popular Vietnamese street food, nem cua be (crabmeat rolls) are sold in street
markets and local restaurants within Hanoi – a good choice is Bun Cha Nem Cua
Be Dac Kim in Hanoi Old Quarter. This crispy snack is shaped like a square and
cut into bite-sized pieces, containing generous fillings of minced crab, pork,
mushrooms, and various spices. Eat like the locals do by pairing nem chua with
fresh herbs and lettuce, as well as dipping it in nuoc cham sauce.
Nem
Cua Be, or crab spring rolls are the perfect complement to bún cha. These are
fried rolls filled with sea crab and vermicelli noodles. Fresh and lightly
fried, these rolls melt in the mouth and are to be savored.
These
crab spring rolls are sold by the roll, where one roll is cut into three
smaller pieces. They are eaten as an appetizer while waiting for the bún cha
meal or dipped into the savory bún cha soup. The same restaurants mentioned
above serve equally tasty and crispy fresh crab spring rolls.
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – 19:00
Address: 67 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi
7. Bún Chả – Barbecued Pork with Rice Vermicelli
Bún
chả, is one northern Vietnamese food that quickly became our favorite. It is
one of the best Hanoi food specialties not to be missed.
The
dish consists of grilled pork strips and balls or chả served over a bed of rice
vermicelli noodles or bún. It typically comes with a plate of fresh Vietnamese
herbs and a bowl of dipping sauce.
Pickled vegetables, like cabbage, carrots, onion or green papaya served
with additional meatballs on the side.
The
sauce is made of the famous Vietnamese fish sauce or Nuoc Mam combined with
vinegar, lime, sugar, garlic and chili.
Where to Eat It
Most restaurants in Vietnam specialize in making just one
dish. In Hanoi, there are several bún chả restaurants and vendors. While it is
a popular meal for lunch, some restaurants serve it all-day long. For great bún
chả local experiences, here are two exceptional places to check out in Hanoi.
Bún Cha Huong
Liên
Already popular, this restaurant gained worldwide acclaim
when President Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate Bún cha together. To capitalize
on this fame, Bún Cha Huong Liên restaurant added the name “Obama” to the link
of their Facebook page. The pork balls are slightly fatty, incredibly juicy and
tasty. Fresh herbs, noodles dipped into the special sauce, makes for an
incredible harmony of flavors. A definite must eat in Hanoi dish!
Address: 24 Le Van Huu Street in Hai Ba Trung District
Hours: Everyday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Prices: About 40,000 VND to 50,000 VND ($1.77 USD to $2.21
USD)
8. Pho bo –
Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup
Pho
is the classic Hanoi food, and possibly one of the best food Hanoi offers. Our
previous article, the best pho in Vietnam, goes into detail about the soup and
where to eat it, including in Hanoi.
Delicious
and satisfying Pho Tai Nam. Yum!
Let’s
just say you don’t want to miss this aromatic soup, filled with slices of beef,
rice noodles and a plateful of fresh herbs.
There
are many places that sell this Hanoi food. One of the best place to eat Pho in
Hanoi is Pho Gia Truyen. Be sure to go early, as there is usually a long line!
No
trip to Vietnam is ever complete without a bowl of piping hot pho bo, or beef
served with rice noodles. With a rich broth made from beef bones and meat,
balanced with generous helpings of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime, this dish
is a perennial favorite with both locals and tourists. Add a handful of bean
sprouts for an extra crunch, or have yours with cut chilli to leave your tongue
tingling with delight.
Where to Have
it
Pho Gia Truyen
Address: 49 Bát Đàn, Hà Nội.
Hours: Everyday from 6:00 am to 10:30 am and 6:00 pm to 8:30
pm.
Prices:
About 40,000 VND to 50,000 VND per person, approximately $1.75 USD to $2.20
USD.
9. Cà Phê
Trung- Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Egg
coffee is a Hanoi specialty! A raw egg yolk is whipped furiously (seriously, we
heard the beater on for like 5 minutes non-stop) with the famous drip coffee
and sweetened condensed milk. This creates a concoction that is so thick and
creamy, almost like a custard. And the most amazing thing: it tastes like creme
brulee! Somehow, the egg takes away almost all the coffee flavor. So delicious!
It’s like a dessert and caffeine fix in one. This is a MUST TRY when visiting
Hanoi!
First
introduced by the French in the 19th century, ca phe, or coffee, has since
become a major product for export in Vietnam. From traditional Vietnamese drip
coffee to the expensive luwak and weasel coffee, Hanoi boasts a robust coffee
culture indeed.
But
nothing piques curiosity more than the seemingly bizarre mix of egg and coffee
offered by a number of Hanoi’s cafes and restaurants. Ca phe trung is a
must-try for any intrepid tourist keen on sampling the capital’s many delicious
offerings.
Where to get:
Egg coffee is not available at every café!
Don’t be one of those tourists who walk into every cafe
asking if it serves egg coffee!
We
get this at a little café at the corner of Nguyễn Hữu Huân and Cau Go (the one
without walls).
Although
it is not a food, it is like food. Egg coffee or Cà Phê Trung is the most
famous coffee in the north of Vietnam. It is a thick dark coffee topped with
egg yolk whipped with condensed milk into an airy froth. Rich in taste, it can
be likened to tiramisu dessert.
Where to Drink It
There
are several coffee shops and places to enjoy a silky Vietnamese egg coffee. One
place that offers the best view in Hanoi is a hidden and difficult to find
coffee shop called Café Phố Cổ.
Address: 11 Hàng Gai, Hàng Trống, Hà Nội
Hours: Everyday from 8am until 11pm.
Prices: About 30,000 VND for a cup of egg coffee ($1.34 USD)
10. Chicken
noodle soup (pho ga)
No
matter how many new and interesting Vietnamese dishes I try, I will always love
pho! Back at home, the pho in Vietnamese restaurants are served with bean
sprouts and herbs on the side, and also bottles of sriracha and Hoisin sauce.
But in the north, a bowl of pho comes unadorned, with only white vinegar, lime,
pickled garlic, and chilis to adjust the taste to your liking. Chicken pho also
seems to be more popular in the north, and I loved the clean flavor. Pho will
always make a great meal!
Where to eat:
At
the corner of Hang Bo and Hang Ga are two pho stalls across the street from
each other. Both are delicious and always crowded. One opens in the morning
(costs 30,000 VND, or US $1.50) and one opens in the evening (costs 45,000 VND,
or US $2).
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