TOP LOCAL FOOD IN HANOI

The best way to get to know the local culture of Hanoi is through their cuisine. In the list below, we will share our top food in Hanoi on offer in this charming and chaotic city.

BÚN CHẢ – Barbecued Pork with Rice Vermicelli

Bun Cha is Hanoi’s signature dish, which consists of grilled pork strips and balls or chả (vietnamese sausage) served over a bed of vermicelli rice 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 try

Bun cha Huong Lien (Bun cha Obama)

Address: 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

Hours: Everyday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Bun cha Hung Lau

Address: 6, Ngo Tram, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hours: Everyday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

PHỞ – Vietnamese Noodle Soup

Pho is known as a must try when you travel to Vietnam, this universally famous food is best enjoyed in Hanoi.

Pho can be served with chicken or with beef. A bowl of Pho is filled with slices of beef/chicken, rice noodles and a plateful of fresh herbs in an aromatic soup. Each type of meat entails a variety of sub-dish, using from beef tenderloin to beef brisket, chicken wing to chicken thigh.

Where to try

Pho Bat Dan (there is usually a long line here so you should go early)

Address: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hours: Everyday from 6:00 am to 10:30 am and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Pho Suong

Address: 24B Ngo Trung Yen, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hours: Everyday from 5:00 am to 11:00 am and 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm

CHẢ CÁ – Grilled Fish with Dill and Tumeric

Cha Ca is one of the unique specialties of the Hanoi people. So important is this local specialty, that it even has a street named after it – Cha Ca street. 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.

Where to try

Cha Ca La Vong

Address: 14 Cha Ca, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hours: Everyday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5pm to 9pm

Cha Ca Thang Long

Address: 21 Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hours: Everyday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

BÁNH CUỐN – Steamed Rice Rolls

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 savoury ingredients, and you can also dip the Banh Cuon into nuoc cham sauce for added flavour. In Hanoi, you can find Banh Cuon all day long.

Where to try

Banh Cuon Gia Truyen

Address: 14 Hang Ga Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi Tel: +84 43 826 7943

Hours: Everyday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

BÚN THANG – Rice Vermicelli with Chicken, Egg, Pork

Bun Thang is one of the most popular yet hidden fares in Hanoi and one can hardly find it outside of the Old quarters or a few special restaurants scattering across the city.

Bun Thang can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It is a harmonious blend of color – the yellow of sliced egg; the white of bun; the off-white of chicken and the green of onions and herbs. The clear yet flavourful broth is made with 20 ingredients, including dried shrimp, squid, shrimp paste, spring onion, coriander, ginger, mushroom, beet, fish sauce, sugar candy, and vinegar.