Embark on a delectable journey through the culinary wonders of Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital, where flavors from street vendors and traditional eateries mingle to create an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. Join us as we introduce the top 10 must-try dishes that encapsulate Hanoi’s culinary heritage. From savoring iconic street foods to indulging in time-honored delicacies, each bite tells a story of the city’s culinary evolution. With Vietnam Local Travel & Transport as your culinary guide, let’s delve into this tantalizing expedition where taste buds are delighted and Hanoi’s food scene comes alive.
- Pho
Pho, the quintessential Vietnamese dish, holds a special place in Hanoi’s culinary heart. This savory noodle soup is a harmonious blend of delicate rice noodles, tender slices of beef or chicken, and a rich, aromatic broth infused with fragrant herbs and spices. The dish’s preparation is an art form – the broth is simmered for hours to extract the utmost flavor, creating a comforting and satisfying experience. What sets Hanoi’s pho apart is the balance achieved between textures and tastes, with each component contributing to the symphony of flavors.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư
Address: Lot 06 To Huu Ward, Van Phuc, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam
Open hours: Daily from 6:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m and 6:00p.m to 10:00p.m
2. Phở Thìn Lò Đúc
Address: 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 6:00a.m to 8:30 p.m
3. Phở Bò 49 Bát Đàn
Address: 49 Bat Dan, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 6:00a.m to 10:00 a.m and 6:00p.m to 8:30 p.m
- Cha Ca La Vong – La Vong Grilled Fish
Cha Ca La Vong, a culinary treasure of Hanoi, is a dish that showcases the city’s rich gastronomic heritage. This iconic dish revolves around white fish, traditionally snakehead fish, which is marinated with turmeric, galangal, and other flavorful spices before being pan-fried to perfection. The fragrant fish is then served atop a sizzling pan at the table, accompanied by a tantalizing array of accompaniments. Diners create their own personalized wraps by placing the fish on a bed of vermicelli noodles, sprinkling on fresh herbs, and drizzling with fish sauce and shrimp paste. The result is an explosion of textures and flavors – the tender fish, the freshness of herbs.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. 14 Phố Chả Cá Hà Nội:
Address: 14 Cha Ca, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
2. Chả Cá Hà Thành:
Address: 20 Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay
Open hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
3. Chả Cá Thăng Long:
Address: 19-21-2D Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open hours:Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Banh Cuon – Rice Noodle Roll
Banh Cuon, a delicate and enticing dish from Hanoi, unveils the artistry of Vietnamese cuisine. These ethereal rice paper rolls are filled with a mixture of minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The rice paper itself is a testament to the culinary finesse of Hanoi, as it is meticulously handcrafted to achieve a thin and tender consistency. The banh cuon is typically served with a scattering of fried shallots, fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, and a touch of sweetness. The result is a marriage of softness and crunch, earthiness and freshness, all brought together in a single bite.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân
Address: 16 Doc Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 07:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 00:30 a.m.
2. Bánh Cuốn Phượng
Address: 16 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
3. Bánh Cuốn Thanh Vân:
Address: 12-14 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 06:30a.m to 2:00p.m and 5:00p.m to 10:00p.
- Bun Oc – Snail Rice Noodle Soup
Bun Oc is a hidden gem in Hanoi’s culinary repertoire. The essence of this dish lies in the carefully crafted broth, infused with a symphony of fragrant spices like lemongrass and ginger. The tender snail meat soaks up the flavors, creating a delightful harmony between the mild sweetness of the meat and the tangy notes of the broth. Served with soft rice vermicelli noodles, the dish gains texture and substance. To elevate the experience, an array of fresh herbs and zesty lime accompany the dish, allowing you to customize each bite. Bun Oc embodies the city’s inventive approach to combining simple ingredients into an intricate culinary masterpiece, providing you with a unique and satisfying taste of Hanoi’s street food scene.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bún Ốc Giang
Address: 36 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Bún Ốc Cô Thêm
Address: 6 Hang Chai, Hang Ma, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 7:00a.m to 3:00p.m
3. Bún Ốc Bà Lương
Address: 195 Khuong Trung, Dong Da, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m
- Bun Cha – Kebab Rice Noodles
Bun Cha, a quintessential Hanoi dish, offers a delectable symphony of flavors that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. Grilled pork patties, marinated to perfection with ingredients like fish sauce, garlic, and shallots, are the star of this dish. The patties are charred on an open flame, imparting a smoky aroma that mingles with the sweet and savory marinade. Served alongside a bowl of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a dipping sauce that harmonizes the sweet, salty, and tangy elements, Bun Cha becomes a complete culinary experience. As you assemble each bite, you’ll savor the interplay of textures and tastes, creating a truly satisfying and authentic encounter with Hanoi’s gastronomic scene.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bún Chả Hương Liên:
Address:24 Le Van Huu Street in Hai Ba Trung District
Open Hours: Daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
2. Bún Chả Đắc Kim
Address: 1 Hang Manh Street
Open Hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
3. Bún Chả Hùng Lẩu
Address: 6, Ngo Tram, Ha Noi.
Open Hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Bun Rieu Cua – Crab Rice Noodle Soup
Bun Rieu Cua, a lesser-known gem of Hanoi’s culinary scene, showcases the city’s creativity in blending flavors and ingredients. This dish revolves around freshwater crab, featuring crab meat mixed with a rich and aromatic broth that’s prepared from tomatoes, dried shrimp, and a medley of spices. The result is a hearty and comforting soup that boasts both depth and complexity. The dish is served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of fried shallots, creating a harmonious combination of textures and tastes. Bun Rieu Cua offers a taste of Hanoi’s ingenuity, delivering a unique and flavorsome experience that reflects the city’s passion for culinary innovation.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bún Riêu Bưng- 25A Bát Đàn
Address: 25A, Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Ha noi
Open Hours: Daily from 6:00a.m to 11:30 A.m
2. Bún Riêu Hồng Phuc
Address: 22 Hong Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 3:00p.m to 00:00 a.m
3. Bún Riêu 16 Hàng Lược
Address: 16 Hang Luoc, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 6:00a.m to 9:00a.m
- Xoi Xeo – Sticky Rice With Mung Bean
Xoi Xeo, a beloved Vietnamese street food, presents a delightful fusion of textures and flavors that captures the essence of Hanoi’s culinary tapestry. This dish centers around glutinous rice that’s infused with turmeric, lending it a vibrant yellow hue and a subtle earthy aroma. Topped with mung bean paste, crispy fried shallots, and a drizzle of fragrant scallion oil, Xoi Xeo offers a delightful contrast between the creamy, slightly sweet rice and the crunch of the toppings. Often served with a variety of accompaniments such as shredded chicken, sausage, or pate, Xoi Xeo allows for endless customization, making it a favorite breakfast or snack option among locals and visitors alike.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Xôi Xéo Cô Mây
Address: 33 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
2. Xôi Xéo Cô Tuyết
Address: Cu Loc, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
3. Xôi Yến
Address: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open hours: Daily from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Bun Thang – Hanoi Combo Noodle Soup
Bun Thang, a delicacy that showcases Hanoi’s culinary finesse, is a bowl of noodle soup that reflects the city’s rich history and cultural diversity. This dish is an artful combination of various elements, with thin rice vermicelli serving as the foundation. The broth, typically made from chicken and pork bones, is infused with delicate flavors that are complemented by the addition of dried shrimp and squid. What sets Bun Thang apart is its visually striking presentation, with ingredients meticulously arranged on top of the noodles. Thinly sliced omelette, shredded chicken, and fragrant herbs create a colorful and intricate tapestry that is both pleasing to the eyes and tantalizing to the taste buds. As you savor each spoonful of Bun Thang, you experience a harmonious interplay of textures and flavors that exemplifies Hanoi’s dedication to culinary artistry and its deep-rooted connection to its heritage.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bún Thang Thuận Lý
Address: 33 Hang Hom, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
2. Bún Thang Hàng Hành
Address: 29 Hang Hanh, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m
3. Bún Thang Bà Đức
Address: 48 Cau Duc, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 4:30 p.m to 10:00 p.m
- Bun Dau Mam Tom – Noodle with Fried Tofu & Shrimp Paste
Bun Dau Mam Tom is a dish that showcases the unique flavors and textures of Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in Hanoi. This dish combines simplicity with complexity, consisting of several distinct elements that come together to create a memorable dining experience. The star of the dish is the crispy and tender cubes of deep-fried tofu, which are paired with vermicelli rice noodles. However, what truly sets Bun Dau Mam Tom apart is the pungent shrimp paste dipping sauce, known as mam tom. This fermented sauce adds a bold and intense umami flavor that perfectly complements the mild tofu and noodles. Served alongside fresh herbs, aromatic greens, and sometimes pieces of pork belly or Fried fermented pork roll, Bun Dau Mam Tom is a dish that offers a symphony of tastes and textures, inviting diners to create their own combinations and savor the intricate interplay of flavors that make Vietnamese cuisine so captivating.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bún Đậu Cô Tuyết
Address: 29 Hang Khay, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
2. Bún Đậu Mẹt Tuấn Trọc
Address: 23 Phan Huy Ich, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
3. Bún Đậu Yến
Address: 1B Ngo Tram, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Open Hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m
- Nem Cua Be – Crab Spring Rolls
Nem Cua Be, or “crab spring rolls,” is a delightful delicacy originating from Hai Phong city but widely enjoyed in Hanoi as well. These spring rolls feature a delicate balance of flavors and textures that exemplify Vietnamese cuisine’s artistry. The filling is a mixture of minced crab meat, lean pork, wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli noodles, and various aromatic herbs and spices. Wrapped in rice paper and then lightly fried, the rolls achieve a satisfyingly crisp exterior that contrasts with the tender and flavorful interior. These spring rolls are often served with fresh herbs, lettuce leaves, and a dipping sauce, allowing diners to create their own personalized bites. The combination of the sweet and briny crab, the savory pork, and the refreshing herbs make Nem Cua Be a harmonious blend of tastes that captures the essence of Vietnamese culinary craftsmanship.
Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:
1. Bún Chả Hương Liên:
Address: 24 Le Van Huu Street in Hai Ba Trung District
Open Hours: Daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
2. Bún Chả Đắc Kim
Address: 1 Hang Manh Street
Open Hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
3. Bún Chả Hùng Lẩu
Address: 6 Ngo Tram, Ha Noi.
Open Hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
With Vietnam Local Travel & Transport by your side, every step of your adventure is guided by expertise and personalized attention, ensuring that you uncover the hidden gems, savor the flavors, and immerse yourself in the heart and soul of this extraordinary city. Whether it’s the architectural wonders, the savory dishes, or the warm hospitality of its people, Hanoi leaves an indelible mark on every traveler fortunate enough to explore its depths. Let Vietnam Local Travel & Transport be your gateway to this captivating world, where every moment becomes a cherished memory and every experience is an invitation to embrace the magic of Hanoi.
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