What food is Hanoi famous for? Top 20 Best Foods in Hanoi

Hanoi cuisine is without a doubt one of the most diverse and unique in Asia and the world, with the blend of different flavors ranging from sweet to sour to spicy, and fresh herbs creating culinary harmony in your mouth.

Here are the top 20 dishes you MUST try as a tourist in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Delicious dishes for breakfast in Hanoi Old Quarter

Pho Bo – Beef rice noodle soup

• Beef noodle soup is an iconic Vietnamese dish that is well-known throughout the world. Few broths taste like beef noodle soup, so a bowl of pho is one of those dishes you won’t soon forget. The broth is made from beef bones and simmered for many hours before being flavored with green onions and herbs.
• Vietnamese cuisine makes excellent use of herbs, particularly in dishes like pho. Taste the greatest version of this distinctive dish in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, which is also a popular street food.

Recommended some places to enjoy in Hanoi:

• Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan – Address: 49 Bat Dan Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Pho Suong – Address: 24 Trung Yen Lane, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Pho Vui – Address: 25 Hang Giay Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su – Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su tr, Hang Trong Ward, Hanoi
• Phở bò Khôi Hói- Address: 50C Hang Vai Str, Hanoi 

  

  Pho Ga – Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Apart from beef Pho, Hanoi chicken noodle soup contributes considerably to the quintessential Vietnamese cuisine. The golden pieces of tender chicken with the aroma of onions and ginger spread, making everyone fall in love. Each location offers a unique experience, but none more so than Hanoi.

  Recommended some places to enjoy in Hanoi:

  • Phở gà Hàng Hòm – Address: 15C Hang Hom Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
  • Phở Gà Hàng Điếu – Address: 01 Hang Dieu Str, Hanoi
  • Phở Gà Nguyệt – Address: 5B Phu Doan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi

 

Bun Rieu Cua – Crab noodle soup with Hanoi Freshwater Crab flavor

• A crab noodle soup consists of aromatic tomato soup, round rice noodles, and pounded crab meat, deep-fried tofu, and sometimes blood curd. The wonderful shrimp paste is also given separately to add extra flavor to your liking. The last touches to a wonderful breakfast dish are chili and fresh herbs.

Recommended some places to enjoy in Hanoi:

• Bún Riêu – Hàng Bạc – Address: 11 Hang Bac Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Trang – Bún Riêu Sườn Sụn – Address: 23 Nguyen Sieu Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bún Riêu – Hàng Lược – Address: 14 Hang Luoc Str, Hanoi
• Bún Riêu – Bát Đàn – Address: 25A Bat Dan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi

Banh mi – Vietnamese Sandwich

• Banh mi originated from France, but the Vietnamese have adapted it to our own. Vietnamese baguette made from a combination of flour and rice flour with a thin crispy crust.
• A loaf of banh mi can be stuffed with pork, pate, salted ham and a mixture of Vietnamese herbs like coriander, cucumber, carrot, radish, etc. depending on each region. With a crispy texture and a variety of textures, you’ll enjoy spicy, salty, sweet, and aromatic flavors in every bite.

Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:

• Bánh Mì 25 – Address: 25 Hang Ca Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bánh Mì Phố – Address: 57C Dinh Tien Hoang Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bánh mì Lãn Ông – Address: 20 Cha Ca Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi

Banh Cuon – Vietnamese steamed rice rolls

• Banh Cuon, a sort of steamed rice flour roll, is a popular dish in Hanoi. Because of its inexpensive pricing and quick service, Banh Cuon is a popular breakfast meal among Hanoians. This dish served hot should be eaten immediately after cooking.
• Here, we’d like to recommend to visitors a list of the top 4 places to try the best Banh Cuon in Hanoi, which are highly rated by the capital’s gourmets.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Bánh cuốn Bảo Khánh – Address: 14 Bao Khanh Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bánh cuốn Phủ Lý – Address: 39 Dao Duy Tu Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bánh cuốn Phượng – Address: 68 Hang Cot Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bánh cuốn gia truyền Thanh Vân – Address: 14 Hang Ga Str, Hoan Kiem Dis, Hanoi

Xoi Xeo – Vietnamese Sticky Rice with mung bean paste

• Xoi Xeo, or sweet sticky rice, is typically served with a filling of mung bean paste, soy sauce, and dried shallots, but you may also add pate, boiled chicken, Vietnamese sausage (Vietnamese ham), marinated pig belly, or eggs. Some restaurants also serve sweet sticky rice as dessert, topped with shredded coconut, roasted sesame and sugar

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Quán xôi Thái – Address: 37 Nguyen Sieu Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Xôi Cát Lâm – Address: 24B Duong Thanh Str, Hanoi
• Xôi Yến – Address: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Bun Oc – Rice noodle soup with snails

• This small shop is easily found at No.11 Dong Xuan Market Alley. The snail noodle soup here is delicious; the crispy, lumpy snail dish with the warm, thick broth served with fresh herbs is a terrific choice for a chilly morning! The shop is extremely crowded, especially on weekends, so come early.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Bún Ốc Thủy, Dong Xuan Market Alley
• Address: No.11, Dong Xuan Market Alley
• Opening hours: 7:30am – 5:30pm
• Reference price: 30,000 VND – 55,000 VND

Delicious dishes for lunch in Hanoi Old Quarter. What to eat for lunch in Hanoi Old Quarter?

Hanoi Explore Travel will introduce you to a few eateries in Hanoi Old Quarter that serve distinctive lunch meals that both locals and visitors enjoy!

Bun cha – Rice noodles with grilled pork

• When President Obama first visited Hanoi, this was his favorite dish. It’s understandable given that this is one of the most tasty and outstanding dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. Bun Cha comes with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, grilled pork, white vermicelli, and fresh herbs.

Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:

• Bún Chả Que Tre – Address: 33 Hang Giay Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bún Chả Ta – Address: 21 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bún Chả Hàng Quạt – Address: 74 Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bún Chả Đắc Kim – Address: 01 Hang Manh Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bún chả Cửa Đông – Address: 41 Cua Dong Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi

Bun Bo Nam Bo – Southern beef noodle Salad

• This is a fresh dish with rice noodles and papaya salad, carrots, fresh herbs, sweet and sour fish sauce, and the dish’s highlight, marinated stir-fried beef with roasted peanuts and fried shallots. This dish is best served on hot days.
• To enjoy the dish, mix it up so that all of the flavors and ingredients mingle with tasty sweet and sour fish sauce, eat once but enough to make us remember forever.

Recommended places to eat in Hanoi:

Bun Bo Nam Bo – Bach Phuong restaurant

• Address: No.67 Hang Dieu street, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 22:30
• Reference price: VND 30,000 – VND 70,000

Bun Bo Nam Bo – No. 7 Ta Hien, Hoan Kiem

• Address: No. 7 Ta Hien street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 16:00 – 22:00
• Reference price: 35,000 VND – 75,000 VND

Cha ca – Hanoi grilled fish

• Cha Ca is a famous more-than-130-year-old dish in Hanoi, with its own street dedicated to it. Tourists can sample this cuisine at Cha Ca La Vong, the first establishment to open on Cha Ca street more than a century ago and one of Hanoi’s oldest restaurants. Cha Ca is served with vermicelli, scallions, herbs, and grilled catfish.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Chả Cá Thăng Long – Address: 21 – 31 Đường Thành, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
• Chả Cá Lã Vọng – Address: 14 Chả Cá, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
• Chả Cá Kinh Kỳ – Address: 43 Cửa Đông Str, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Bun ca – Rice noodle soup with fish

• This is not a typical fish soup. Fish can be cooked in a variety of ways, but it always includes crispy fried fish or fresh fish slices, each of which adds a distinct flavor to the noodle soup. In addition to fish sauce, bean sprouts and a variety of additional toppings can be used to enhance the flavor of the dish. This is a specialty that demonstrates how diversified Hanoi food is.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Bún Cá Chấm An Viên – Address: 48 Bat Dan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bún Cá Sâm Cây Si – Address: 05 Trung Yen Lane, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bún Cá Thái bình – Address: 02 Hang Bai Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bún Cá Hàng Đậu – Address: 42 Hang Dau Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Pho Cuon – Pho rolls

• Pho rolls are made from uncut Pho noodle sheets that are wrapped around beef and green herbs such as cilantro and basil. This dish is frequently served with a bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce composed of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and chili.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Phở cuốn Thanh Hằng Hà Nội – 29B Ngũ Xã, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
• Phở cuốn 31 – 31 Ngũ Xã, P. Trúc Bạch, Quận Ba Đình, Hà Nội
• Phở cuốn Hưng Bền – 33 Ngũ Xã, Quận Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Nem ran – Deep Fried Vietnamese Spring Rolls

• Vietnamese-style spring rolls/spring rolls are a year-round dish that can be found on the menus of most Vietnamese restaurants. Spring roll ingredients vary by region, but typically include minced lean pork, sea crab or shrimp, wood-ear mushrooms, onions, duck/chicken eggs, pepper, salt, and spices. Apart from the traditional pork spring roll, you also can choose to try crab spring rolls

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Nem rán Hàng Quạt – 74 Hàng Quạt
• Nem thịt Hàng Bè – 21 Hàng Bè
• Nem Vuông: 37 Đào Duy Từ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Bun Thang – Rice noodle soup with chicken and egg –

• Rice noodle soup with chicken and egg is a delicious dish that tourists to Hanoi Old Quarter should not miss. To make a delectable bowl of Bun Thang, the seller must be meticulous and knowledgeable about the steps. The aroma of simmering chicken, shrimp, onions, and shiitake mushrooms will be enhanced by the natural sweet broth stewed from bones. Each bowl of Bun Thang here is made with tender, gently scented chicken, green onions, and laksa leaves.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

Bun Thang Ba Duc, Cau Go street

• Address: No.48, Cau Go street
• Opening hours: 18h00 – 22h00Reference price: 30.000VND – 55.000VND
• Bún thang Hàng Hành – 29 Hàng Hành, Hoàn kiếm, Hà nội
• Bún thang Thuận Lý – 33 Hàng Hòm, Hà Nội

My Van Than – Wonton Noodles

• Wonton noodles are a wise choice when you’re out at night in the cold weather of Hanoi Old Quarter. In the Old Quarter, wonton noodles on Hang Chieu Street are a well-known treat that are frequently referenced. The noodles here are chewy with flavorful broth and the sweetness of stewed bones. Particularly, the shrimp dumplings at this location are quite rich because they were marinated using the shop’s unique recipe.

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

Phuong Beo – Hang Chieu street

• Address: No.9 Hang Chieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Opening hours: 17h30 – 23h30
• Reference price: 40.000d – 80.000d

Delicious street food for dinner in Hanoi Old Quarter

Recommended dining options:

When visiting Hanoi Old Quarter at night, you can select from the following dependable, excellent, and reasonably-priced dining options:

BBQ Beef – At Bo Nuong Ma May

• Address: No.47 Ma May street, Hang Buom ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Walking down Ma May street, you will easily come across a restaurant with a professional uniformed staff and the aroma of roasted beef chunks on the fire. The grilled items here are well-seasoned, and the portions are generous. The average price for a single person is between 100,000 VND and 150,000 VND.

Grilled chicken feet in Ngo Gach street

• Address: No.21, Ngo Gach Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

When it comes to grilled chicken feet, individuals immediately think of Ly Van Phuc street. But, grilled chicken feet in Ngo Gach are also worth tasting. Chicken feet are well-seasoned and cooked only when customers order, ensuring that they are always hot. On average, each person will spend between 40,000 and 50,000 VND.

Hot pot

• Vietnamese Hot Pot is one of the most typical dishes served with soups and broths as part of Hanoi’s rich street food. Think of a steaming hot pot filled with everything from seafood to mushrooms and an abundance of vegetables.
• Hot pot has a lot of soup, as do most soups in Hanoi, and it’s seasoned with fish sauce and a touch of sweet and tart tamarind sauce. Hot pot is one example of a dish that demonstrates how Vietnamese people make the most of their fresh ingredients!

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Bếp Quán – Address: 12 Hàng Điếu, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
• Lẩu Cầu Gỗ – Adress: 73 Cầu Gỗ, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
• Quán Lẩu Thắng Béo – Address: 3B Ngõ Cấm Chỉ 202 Hàng Bông, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
• Hải Sản Lẩu Cua – Address: 11 Lý Thái Tổ, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
• Lạ Quán – Address: 6 Hàng Lược, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Mi Ga Tan – Mugwort chicken instant noodle soup – At Hang Bo street

Located at No.24 Hang Bo street, mugwort chicken instant noodle soup is a tasty delicacy worth eating in Hanoi Old Quarter. The broth is sweet but not harsh, and there is a lot of chicken meat in this dish.  Spices like jujube, herbs, and goji berries mix to create a Chinese medicine flavor paired with the bitter taste of wormwood, making a warm bowl of chicken noodles more delicious than ever.

• Address: No.24 Hang Bo street
• Opening Hours: 17h30 – 23h30
• Reference Price: 40.000VND – 80.000VND

Fried Sticky Rice – At Hang Dieu Street

• Address: 02 Hang Dieu street
• Opening Hours: 16.00pm – 23.30pm
• Reference Price: 40.000VND – 80.000VND

There are several places in Hanoi that sell fried sticky rice, but the most popular is still sticky rice on Hang Dieu. White, round, aromatic, hot sticky rice is pulled from the boiling pot, compressed, and fried till golden brown on both sides.

Fried sticky rice is crispy on the outside and soft and aromatic on the inside. It is also served with spring rolls, braised eggs, sausages,… that all blend together to make customers want to return for more.

Addresses for snacks in Hanoi Old Quarter

What should you eat at night in Hanoi Old Quarter? Check out the delectable snacking addresses below and add them to your Old Quarter night trip plan!

Banh Xeo – Vietnamese Crepe

• This well-known snack, also known as Vietnamese crepe, is popular throughout the country. The thin rice flour is fried to perfection in a scorching hot skillet before being combined with a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, veggies, and herbs.
• These foods are already delicious, but dipping them in sweet and savory sauces elevates them to new heights. Vietnamese cuisine is dominated by sauces and dips. That’s what makes it so enjoyable to eat!

Recommended place to eat in Hanoi:

• Bánh xèo – Address: 22 Hang Bo Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bánh xèo Sáu Phước – Address: 74 Cau Dat Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
• Bánh Xèo, Nem Lụi cô Minh- Address: 12 Cua Dong Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi

Nem Chua Ran – Fried fermented pork rolls in Tam Thuong alley

If you want to eat the delicious fried fermented pork rolls in Hanoi Old Quarter, go to Tam Thuong alley for lunch. This is a “heaven” of fried fermented pork rolls, with eateries close together. Moderately fried fermented pork rolls are served on a plate lined with banana leaves with side dishes such as cucumber and sweet and sour green mango.

You can come here for lunch because the shop is normally open all day!

• Address: No.36 Tam Thuong Alley, Hang Gai street
• Opening Hours: 8h00 – 23h00
• Preference price: 47.000VND

Trang Tien Ice Cream

Trang Tien ice cream should be tried once if you wish to enjoy ice cream in Hanoi Old Quarter. This is a popular and tasty snack in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The ice cream here has a distinct rich, wonderful flavor that can’t be found anywhere else.

The taste of fragrant, refreshing, and sweet ice cream on the tip of the tongue will make you remember forever. The menu is likewise very diverse, but it is highly recommended that you taste the “special” fresh ice cream here!

• Address: No.35, Trang Tien street
• Opening Hours: 7h30 – 23h00
• Preference Price: 8.000 – 25.000 VND

Dried Beef Salad – At Nom Bo Kho Long Vi Dung

• Address: Hang Giay Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Price: About 50.000 VND
• Opening Hours: 8h30 – 22h00
• Phone Number: 090 324 6384

When it comes to Hanoi’s excellent Old Quarter specialties, dried beef salad near Hoan Kiem Lake cannot be overlooked. Along Hoan Kiem street, you will see dried beef salad shops close together. However, the most delicious and well-known is the Long Vi Dung shop. A plate of dried beef salad here is perfectly sweet and sour with a lot of toppings.

Mixed Fruits – To Tich street

Trang Tien ice cream is famous in Hoan Kiem Lake, but To Tich is famed for its wonderful snacks from fruit. Numerous fresh fruits are mixed together to create a delectable snack in Hanoi’s Old Quarter that you should taste.

• Address: No.17, To Tich street
• Opening Hours: 9h30 – 22h30
• Preference Price: 20.000VND – 60.000VND

Xoi Che – Sticky rice sweet – At Xoi Che Ba Thin

Xoi Che Ba Thin has existed for nearly a century, starting from a street stall. This is a favorite long-standing shop for traditional sweet soup in Hanoi Old Quarter. With a diverse menu, many different types of sweet soups are available depending on the season. In the early autumn days, nothing beats a bowl of hot sweet soup with soft sticky rice and the delicate aroma of mung beans.

• Address: No.95 Hang Bo Street
• Opening Hours: 7h30 – 23h00
• Preference Price: 15.000VND – 25.000VND

Fried dumplings – At Hang Bo street

Fried dumplings in Hang Bo is a should-not-miss dish when it comes to the delectable cuisine of Hanoi Old Quarter. The fried dumpling here is well-known for its generous fillings and sweet and sour sauce. Small dumplings just eaten, cheap pricing, only 9,000 VND for ten little and lovely dumplings.

• Address: No.57, Hang Bo Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Opening Hours: 15h00 – 18h00
• Preference Price: 25.000VND – 55.000VND

Mixed rice paper – Banh Trang Tron Co Toan

Mixed rice paper is a popular snack in Hanoi Old Quarter. The rice paper’s sauce here is just right, neither too sweet nor spicy. Peanuts, onions, laksa leaves, and quail eggs are combined with a delicious flavor. If you like junk food, don’t miss out on this delectable snack when you go for a stroll in Hanoi Old Quarter!

• Address: No.86, Hang Trong Street
• Opening Hours: 19h00 – 23h00
• Preference Price: 20.000VND – 25.000VND

Sweet soup – Che Bon Mua – Hang Can Street

The shop offers a diverse menu for customers to pick from, and the menu changes based on the season. The traditional taste of sweet soup, pure and not overly sweet, is what makes people fall in love. This is undoubtedly a trustworthy snacking location in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

• Address: No.4, Hang Can Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Opening Hours: 10h00 – 23h00
• Preference Price: 15.000VND – 22.000VND