Hanoi chicken noodle (Bun thang): One of the best options for your meals

Contents

A bowl of Hanoi chicken noodle (Source: Collected)

Enjoying Hanoi cuisine is a must in your Hanoi travel journey. In particular, this article will introduce to you the unique and signature dish of Hanoi chicken noodle. The dish will promisingly rouse your every taste bud and give you a rewarding culinary experience in Hanoi.

1. The ingredients of Hanoi chicken noodle soup

• History

Hanoi chicken noodle plays an essential role in the traditional culinary culture of the people of Hanoi. According to some sources, this dish used to be made after each Tet holiday, on the 4th day of the first lunar month in particular.

Regarding the name of this Hanoi noodles, some say that the word “thang” implies Chinese medicine, which is often associated with medicinal herbs, as this dish also includes various herbal ingredients. Others say that “thang” means “soup”, which is quite obvious since Hanoi chicken noodle is always served with soup.

People preparing bowls of Hanoi chicken noodle (Source: Collected)

• Ingredients

The main ingredient of Hanoi chicken noodle is vermicelli, which is made into small soft strands. Other ingredients are shredded chicken meat, thinly sliced lean pork paste and omelets, shrimp, radish, and aromatic herbs. The broth is made from boiling dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and chicken bones. Many spices are also added.

The ingredients to make Hanoi chicken noodle (Source: Collected)

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Hanoi chicken noodle (Bun thang): One of the best options for your meals

2. What’s special about Hanoi chicken noodle soup?

• Flavor

At first, the flavor of Hanoi chicken noodle may seem relatively light. It then quickly becomes savory and mildly sweet. The mushrooms, pork sausages, and egg strips are tender, while the radish and shrimp provide a more exciting chewy texture for the dish. The rich broth is delicately spiced, providing a comforting taste for diners.

People enjoying Hanoi chicken noodle (Source: Collected)

• Presentation

The cook is supposed to arrange the toppings nicely onto the noodles, reheat the broth, and pour it into the bowl of Hanoi chicken noodle. Onions should be evenly distributed on top of the bowl. The thinner the toppings are sliced, the better the skills of the cook are shown.

The dish can be served with a squeeze of lime juice, a few drops of Vietnamese shrimp paste, or some chili. The people of Hanoi always eat Hanoi chicken noodle while it is still hot, in order to enjoy the savory broth and the aroma of the ingredients.

A bowl of Hanoi chicken noodle ready to be served (Source: Collected)

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3. TOP 5 highly recommended places to enjoy Hanoi chicken noodle

3.1. Ba Duc chicken noodle

In a small alley of Cau Go Street, there is a famous Hanoi chicken noodle stall called “Bun Thang Ba Duc”. Here, the broth of Hanoi chicken noodle is incredibly pure and savory. This is due to the fact that the broth must be cooked the night before and refrigerated overnight so that in the following morning, all of the frozen fat on top will be removed by the cook, leaving only the clear broth. Also, when making the broth, the cook always keeps the fire at a moderate level.

• Address: No. 48, Cau Go Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Price range: 30,000 – 55,000 VND

The crowded Ba Duc chicken noodle stall (Source: Collected)

3.2. 29 Hang Hanh chicken noodle

Hanoi chicken noodle 29 Hang Hanh is a familiar stop for many tourists when they explore Hoan Kiem Lake. Here, Hanoi chicken noodle has a delicately light flavor and a strikingly colorful presentation.

In general, Hanoi chicken noodle is a dish that requires the meticulous hands of the cook at every step, from cutting the pork sausages, slicing the eggs into thin layers, shredding the chicken meat to thoroughly preparing the aromatic herbs and shrimp paste. Hanoi chicken noodle 29 Hang Hanh meets all these strict requirements to make a delicious bowl of Hanoi chicken noodle.

• Address: No. 29, Hang Hanh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 9.30 PM
• Price range: 20,000 – 33,000 VND

Chicken noodle is one of Hanoi best foods (Source: Collected)

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3.3. Lan Ong chicken noodle

There is a famous Hanoi chicken noodle stall on Lan Ong Street. Here, a bowl of chicken noodle is of medium size, with hot and clear broth made from stewed chicken bones. When the dish is prepared, the cook will repeatedly skim off the fat to make sure the broth is clear, sweet, and aromatic. The dish is served with many spices, such as vinegar, chile, garlic, pepper, and especially a little shrimp paste.

• Address: No. 16, Lan Ong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price range: 25,000 – 35,000 VND

Lan Ong chicken noodle (Source: Collected)

3.4. Giang Vo chicken noodle

This Hanoi chicken noodle stall is nestled in an alley on Giang Vo Street. It makes clear broth with a naturally sweet flavor. The taste of chicken noodle here is vibrant thanks to the seasonings, herbs, and broth.

• Address: No.144 D2, Giang Vo Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Price range: 30,000 – 40,000 VND

Giang Vo is a place to try this Hanoi famous food (Source: Collected)

3.5. Hang Trong chicken noodle

This is one of the oldest Hanoi chicken noodle stalls in Hanoi, which has existed for many generations and is loved by many diners. Although the stall has no signboards, nor tables, it is always crowded with customers waiting in line. This traditional Hanoi chicken noodle stall is a proud culinary site in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

• Address: No. 05, Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Price range: 25,000 – 45,000 VND

Hang Trong chicken noodle (Source: Collected)

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In addition to the traditional Hanoi chicken noodle, you should also try other noodle variations, such as snail noodle soup, red noodle soup with crab, freshwater crab soup, glass noodle, etc.

After exploring Hanoi cuisine, tourists should visit many famous attractions in the city, such as Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Presidential Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Dong Xuan Market, Ta Hien Beer Street, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hoa Lo Prison Hanoi, Ba Dinh Square, etc. Especially, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium are not-to-be-missed destinations for your journey to Hanoi to be complete.

Vinpearl Aquarium Times City is one of Vietnam’s largest aquariums, covering approximately 4,000 square meters and housing over 30,000 different sea animals from various continents.

Vinpearl Aquarium Times City

Meanwhile, VinKE Times City provides a play-and-learn setting, where children can learn about their future prospects. These two locations will undoubtedly provide you and your loved ones with a wealth of joyful experiences!

VinKE Times City

Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium here

Hanoi chicken noodle is a must-try dish during your trip to Hanoi. Hopefully, the information about one of the best noodles in Hanoi provided above will be of great help for your travel planning. Coming here, you will have a chance to deepen your knowledge of the culinary specialties of Hanoi and enjoy a memorable vacation.

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