Hanoi cuisine 2024: TOP 12 flavorful dishes to include in your food tour

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During your Vietnam travel journey, besides visiting some of Hanoi’s famous tourist attractions, you should enjoy Hanoi cuisine to experience a famous food paradise in Asia. Hanoi’s specialties will impress you with the naturally delicious taste of the fresh ingredients and the sophistication of seasoning and processing methods.

1. The quintessences of Hanoi cuisine that are high appreciated

Having gone through a thousand years of development, Hanoi cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most diverse and unique culinary cultures in Asia and the world. The people of Hanoi choose their foods based on the season of the year and the time of the day. Therefore, romantically speaking, Hanoi food culture depicts the colorful and beautiful life of the locals.

Hanoi cuisine is known for the diversity of flavours, the crunchy texture of fresh herbs, the fascinating combination of spices, and the attractive colour of ingredients. It is also noticeable that every restaurant offers some types of seasonings, such as fish sauce, chilli sauce, or shrimp paste, which can be used to add more flavours according to the taste of the customers.

2. Which are the best Hanoi dishes to enjoy during your visit?

Hanoi is the birthplace of numerous Vietnamese exquisite dishes. If you are a street food lover, Hanoi would definitely be a paradise for you as it offers numerous wonderful dishes. Here are some must-try Hanoi famous foods that you should put on your bucket list:

2.1. Snail noodle soup (Bun oc)

Snail noodle soup is a popular dish that can be found anywhere in Hanoi, from street vendors to formal restaurants. Bun oc is typically prepared with tomato-based broth made from snails, chicken or pork bones. This dish is often topped with snails, fried tofu, shrimps, along with fragrant Vietnamese herbs, chopped shallots, and lime wedges. For those who want to add their own twist, a bowl of fermented shrimp paste or chilli sauce is available.

A hot bowl of snail noodle soup (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Bun oc Ba Luong – No. 34, Khuong Thuong Alley
• Bun oc Phuong Dung – No. 31, Phu Tay Ho Street
• Bun oc Co Hue – No. 43, Nguyen Sieu Street

2.2. Pho – the signature dish of Hanoi cuisine

Pho (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) is a classic dish of Hanoi that you definitely should not miss out on when visiting this thousand-year-old capital. The essence of Pho is its flavourful broth made from stewed cow bones or sometimes chicken bones, together with some spices such as cinnamon, anise, and cardamom. The combination of soft and well-cooked beef, spotless noodles, green onions, and basil creates an aromatic bowl of Pho that food lovers cannot help but fall in love with.

A typical bowl of pho (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Pho Nho – No. 27A, Huynh Thuc Khang Street
• Pho Suong – No. 36B, Mai Hac De Street
• Pho Thin – No. 13, Lo Duc Street

2.3. Red noodle soup with crab (Banh da cua)

Red noodle soup with crab is a local speciality which originated in Hai Phong, a port city located 100 kilometres away from Hanoi. You can find numerous places serving this wonderful dish in Hanoi. The toppings of banh da cua may vary across different restaurants, but each bowl is always filled with special red noodles.

Different from pho, the broth of banh da cua is made from freshly pounded small crabs, which creates the natural sweet flavour of seafood for this dish. Normally, banh da cua consists of toppings such as meatballs, sausage, ground meat wrapped with betel leaves, fried tofu, and fresh herbs. Lime wedges, lettuce, perilla leaves, and sliced chilli peppers are available for diners to add.

Banh da cua, a speciality of Hai Phong in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Banh da cua Ly Thuong Kiet – No. 42C, Ly Thuong Kiet Street
• Banh da cua Ly Quoc Su – No. 06, Phung Hung Street
• Banh da cua Co U – No. 01, Alley 154, Doi Can Street,

2.4. Vietnamese noodles with grilled pork (Bun cha)

Besides pho, bun cha is also a prominent highlight of Hanoi cuisine. A typical dish of bun cha includes vermicelli, grilled pork, vegetables, and dipping sauce with pickled papaya and carrot. The sauce is heated until it is just slightly warm, then seasoned with garlic, chilli, and vinegar to make a mildly sweet taste. This sauce is the essential component that makes bun cha special.

A typical dish of Vietnamese noodles with grilled pork (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Bun cha Lien Huong – No. 24, Le Van Huu Street
• Bun cha Bat Su – No. 23, Bat Su Street
• Bun cha Sinh Tu – No. 316, Pho Vong Street

2.5. La Vong fish cake (Cha ca La Vong)

La Vong fish cake is one of Hanoi’s quintessential dishes. Many world-famous culinary websites have included this delicacy on their list of delectable dishes. The highlight of this dish is sliced catfish that has been marinated and grilled on charcoal. Cha ca La Vong has its authentic taste when served with fermented shrimp paste, lemon, chilli, belostomatid essence, peanuts, and fresh herbs. The sweetness of fish, the freshness of peanuts, the aroma of vegetables, and the exquisite flavour of shrimp paste will surely take diners by surprise.

A pan of La Vong fish cake (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Cha ca La Vong Gia Nguyen – No. 339, Tran Khat Chan Street
• Cha ca La Vong 14 – No. 14, Hang Bo Street
• Cha ca Lao Ngu – No. 171, Thai Ha Street

2.6. Vermicelli with fried tofu dipped in shrimp paste (Bun dau mam tom)

Bun dau mam tom is one of the most well-known dishes in  Vietnamese cuisine in general and Hanoi cuisine in particular. As the name suggests, this dish consists of vermicelli, deep-fried tofu, and fermented shrimp paste. Many types of toppings are available to be enjoyed, including boiled pig’s leg, pork belly, pig offal, green rice pork nuggets, and fried spring rolls. The side dish of this special food consists of fresh herbs and vegetables such as fish mint, perilla leaf, and cucumber. The dipping sauce, mam tom or shrimp paste, is the feature of this dish. It has a distinct pungent taste that goes extremely well with all the toppings.

Vermicelli with fried tofu dipped in shrimp paste – another highlight of Hanoi cuisine (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Bun dau Goc Da Ngo Gach – No. 4, Hang Buom Street
• Bun dau Trung Huong – No. 49, Phat Loc Alley
• Bun dau Dong Thai – No. 11, Dong Thai Street

2.7. Hanoi chicken noodle (Bun thang)

Bun thang is a traditional and elegant chicken noodle soup of Hanoi cuisine. It stands out for having all the garnishes cut into lovely thin strands. It is estimated that a bowl of authentic Bun Thang consists of approximately 20 ingredients, which are vermicelli, chicken bone and squid broth, salted dried shrimp floss, shredded chicken, Vietnamese ham, pickled beet, sliced fried eggs, shiitake mushrooms, etc. This dish tastes best with fermented shrimp sauce and a few drops of belostomatid essence.

Hanoi chicken noodle – a traditional dish in Tet holiday (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Bun Thang Ba Duc – No. 48, Cau Go Street
• Bun Thang Hang Hanh – No. 29, Hang Hanh Street
• Bun thang Ba Am – No. 37, Cua Nam Street

2.8. Freshwater crab soup (Bun rieu cua)

Bun rieu cua is widely regarded as one of Vietnam’s most popular dishes. It is typically served with tomato-based broth made from minced freshwater crabs found in Vietnamese rice paddy fields. Other toppings are fried tofu, pig blood pudding, meatballs, sausages, ground meat wrapped with betel leaves, and some fresh herbs and vegetables such as shredded banana flower, spearmint, perilla, and bean sprouts. The dish is also subtly seasoned with the traditional shrimp paste.

Freshwater crab soup – a popular dish of Vietnamese cuisine (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Bun rieu cua 16 Hang Luoc – No. 16, Hang Luoc Street
• Bun rieu Huyen Thu – No. 2F, Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Bun rieu Hong Phuc – No. 22, Hong Phuc Street

2.9. Vietnamese sticky rice balls (Xoi khuc)

Xoi khuc or banh khuc is made of cudweed leaves, sticky rice, fatty pork, and mung beans. Vietnamese sticky rice balls can serve as a snack or main course. This variation of the traditional sticky rice has been modified and is now served with various slices of meat, sausages, pate, braised eggs, fried eggs, omelettes, etc. This dish is usually served with a little salt and sesame also.

Vietnamese sticky rice ball – a special culinary gift from the people of Hanoi (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Banh Khuc Co Lan – No. 69B, Nguyen Cong Tru Street
• Banh Khuc Quan – No. 35, Cau Go Street
• Banh Khuc Bear House – No. 5, Alley 60, An Duong Street

2.10. Vietnamese steamed rice rolls (Banh cuon)

Vietnamese steamed rice rolls are a popular dish among gastronomes throughout the country. This dish is made of steamed rice batter filled with minced wood ear mushrooms, chopped onion, black pepper, and ground pork, topped with crispy fried shallots and Vietnamese sausage slices. Banh cuon is also served with dipping sauce, fresh cucumber slices, chopped lettuce, basil, and blanched bean sprouts. This dish could be enjoyed as a quick snack, a light meal, or a full-fledged main course.

Vietnamese steamed rice rolls – a wonderful choice for your breakfast (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:

• Banh cuon Ba Hanh – No. 16B, Tho Xuong Street
• Banh cuon Gia An – No. 25, Thai Phien Street
• Banh cuon Ba Xuan – No. 16, Hoe Nhai Street

2.11. Trang Tien ice cream (Kem Trang Tien)

After tasting many savoury dishes mentioned above, it is recommended that you try Trang Tien ice cream – a traditional dessert of the people of Hanoi. Even though there are many new local and international ice cream brands in Hanoi, people still prefer Trang Tien ice cream because of its distinctive flavours and fresh natural taste. It offers a variety of ice creams such as fresh ice cream, popsicles, cone ice cream, and mochi with many flavours, including vanilla, strawberry, taro, green tea, and durian.

Trang Tien ice cream – a must-try dessert in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

Recommended place to buy Trang Tien ice cream:

• No. 35, Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

2.12. Egg coffee (Ca phe trung)

Egg coffee is one of the most special and well-known coffee variations that has won the hearts of not only Vietnamese people but also international travellers. Vietnamese egg coffee will make you drool with its strong bitter taste of natural coffee and the frothy texture of egg yolk mixture.

A hot cup of egg coffee (Source: Collected)

Recommended places to drink egg coffee in Hanoi:

• Cafe Giang – No. 39, Nguyen Huu Huan Street
• Cafe Dinh – No. 13, Dinh Tien Hoang Street
• Cafe Pho Co – No. 11, Hang Gai Street

3. Where are the most well-known Hanoi food streets?

If you are a street food lover, Hanoi would definitely be a paradise for you as it offers a plethora of culinary options. Read on to discover some well-known food streets for your Hanoi food tour.

• Hoan Kiem Street

Wandering around Hoan Kiem Lake, you can easily find numerous food stalls selling various local street foods. It is recommended that you taste some special and well-known dishes such as dried beef salad, vermicelli with fried tofu dipped in shrimp paste, Trang Tien ice cream, Thuy Ta ice cream, and Vietnamese noodles with grilled pork.

Young people enjoy street food near Hoan Kiem Lake (Source: Collected)

• Hang Buom Street

Hang Buom Street is one of the most crowded and bustling Hanoi food streets. Here, there are many dishes originating from different countries around the world, such as Korea, Japan, and Western countries. Still, you can also enjoy numerous Vietnamese traditional dishes at reasonable prices.

Foreigners trying Hanoi food specialities on Hang Buom cuisine path (Source: Collected)

• Tong Duy Tan Street

Not only famous for having many beautiful and delicious coffee shops, Tong Duy Tan is also regarded as a famous Hanoi food street. Foodies in Hanoi also call it “Chicken Street” as there are many famous restaurants selling traditional and delicious stewed chicken here.

Tong Duy Tan Street – a street full of local eateries (Source: Collected)

• Ta Hien Street

Ta Hien Street, which is only 266 meters long, is known as a “beer paradise” for locals and tourists in Hanoi. Street food lovers often come here to drink beer while enjoying some flavourful dishes, including spring rolls, taro, grilled chicken feet with lemongrass and chilli, etc.

Ta Hien Street – a favourite spot of tourists in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

• To Hieu Street

There are numerous foreign and local restaurants offering undeniably attractive food on To Hieu Street. Some famous and flavourful dishes you should try when coming to this street are pho rolls, freshwater crab soup, Beijing roasted duck, pork skewers, beef steak, hot pot, etc.

To Hieu Street – a bustling food street in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

• Dong Xuan Market

Dong Xuan Market is not only a symbol of Vietnam’s capital city but also the oldest market in Hanoi. Not only a trading area, it is also a culinary haven, especially for young people.

Dong Xuan Market – An old market in Hanoi Old Quarter (Source: Collected)

In addition to exploring Hanoi cuisine, there are many other Hanoi tourist attractions that you should take your time to visit, such as Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Presidential Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Moreover, you should also visit VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, which are both located in Vincom Mega Mall Times City and widely regarded as the most appealing attractions in the city for young families and teenagers.

VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, a complex for both entertainment and education

At Vinpearl Aquarium, you can immerse in a colorful world of the mysterious ocean. This place has set numerous records and is now home to almost 30,000 sea creatures. Meanwhile, VinKE is an ideal place for children to try their dream jobs while having fun with their parents.

Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium here

Hanoi cuisine, which is a fascinating and sophisticated mix of Vietnamese food culture with Chinese, French and American influences, is a great charm of Vietnamese culinary art. Don’t forget to visit some of the above-mentioned food streets and try many Hanoi local dishes. Hopefully, this Hanoi food guide will help you make a wonderful plan for a fantastic food tour in Vietnam’s capital city.

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