Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital, is famous for its history and old buildings. It is also a food paradise with many delicious dishes. If you are unsure what to eat in Hanoi, we can explore 10 special dishes. These dishes show the true flavors of the capital.
1. Pho – The Iconic Symbol of Hanoi Cuisine
When you think of Hanoi, you think of pho – a dish that has become a cultural symbol of Vietnamese people. Hanoi pho is different from pho in other regions. It has a special taste with clear broth made from beef bones. The broth simmers for many hours, giving it a naturally sweet and elegant flavor.
The special feature of Hanoi pho is its perfect balance of ingredients. It has soft rice noodles that are not too chewy. The chef cooks the thinly sliced beef to perfect medium-rare.
The rich broth is flavorful but not greasy. They serve coriander, scallions, and perilla on the side, letting diners customize the flavor. A steaming bowl of pho on a chilly Hanoi morning is an memorable experience every visitor should try.
Recommendations: Pho Thin, Pho Bat Dan, and Pho Ly Quoc Su are famous spots worth visiting.
2. Bun Cha – Charcoal-Grilled Perfection
Bun cha is a dish closely associated with Hanoi’s culinary culture, especially popular for lunch. The dish consists of fresh rice vermicelli, charcoal-grilled patties, and a perfectly balanced sweet and sour dipping sauce. Chefs soak pork belly in strong spices and grill it over charcoal. This releases a tasty smell in the small streets.
The chef fries the grilled meatballs made from minced lean meat to golden perfection, keeping them tender inside. When eating, you pick up noodles and patties to dip in the sweet and sour fish sauce, add some fresh chilies, minced garlic, and herbs. This combination creates an hard to describe flavor that makes many diners return time and again.
Recommendations: Bun Cha Hang Manh and Bun Cha Dac Kim are two long-established addresses beloved by many.
3. Bun Oc – A Harmonious Combination
Bun oc is a rustic dish that contains the refined culinary artistry of Hanoi people. Chefs make the broth from pork bones, tomatoes, and spices. This creates a sweet and slightly sour flavor that is very tasty. Chefs boil snails to perfection, retaining their natural crispy sweetness.
The special feature of Hanoi bun oc is the different types of snails. These include freshwater snails, periwinkles, and stuffed snails. Each type has its own unique flavor.
Served with noodles and diverse fresh vegetables like split water spinach, perilla, and Vietnamese balm, creating a refreshing sensation. A hot bowl of bun oc is an excellent choice for cold days.
Recommendations: Bun Oc Hang Can and various bun oc vendors on Nguyen Sieu Street.
4. Nem Cua Be – Beloved Street Snack
Nem cua be is a beloved street snack found throughout Hanoi’s streets. Chefs make the spring rolls with sea crab meat, pork, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli. Chefs mix these ingredients with spices, wrap them in rice paper, and then fry them until crispy. When freshly cooked, the rolls have an appealing golden color, crispy outer layer, and soft, fragrant filling inside.
To eat nem cua be is simple but artistic. First, wrap the spring roll with fresh noodles and vegetables in rice paper. Then, dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce.
The roll is crispy, the vegetables are fresh, and the rice paper is pleasantly chewy.
Together, it’s a really enjoyable bite. It’s an ideal light meal if you’re doing an afternoon stroll through the Old Quarter.
Recommendations: Nem Phung Hung, Nem Cua Be Hang Giay.
5. Bun Dau Mam Tom – Bold and Authentic
Bun dau mam tom is a dish bearing the strong imprint of Old Quarter culinary culture. Although the name sounds simple, this dish involves many meticulous preparation steps.
Fried tofu is golden and crispy on the outside. It is soft and smooth on the inside. They serve it with fresh vermicelli, green rice cakes, and different boiled meats like pork knuckle and pig tail.
The most special feature is mam tom (fermented shrimp paste) – a condiment with a distinctive aroma, naturally fermented. Mam tom is mixed with lime, sugar, garlic, and chili to create an unforgettably rich dipping sauce. You might need to get used to the smell and taste of mam tom. However, once you try it, you will love this unique flavor.
Recommendations: Bun Dau Hang Khoai, Bun Dau Tom Dat.
6. Banh Cuon – Delicate Rice Rolls
Banh cuon is a traditional breakfast dish of Hanoi people, showcasing skill and talent in cuisine. Cooks spread rice flour batter thinly over cloth stretched on a steaming pot, then lift off soft, translucent, paper-thin sheets.
The filling consists of ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and fried shallots. When you eat banh cuon, you top it with sweet-and-sour fish sauce.
It also has fragrant fried shallots. You can enjoy it with cinnamon pork sausage or Vietnamese ham. A plate of hot banh cuon on a cool morning is a wonderful start to a new day in Hanoi.
Recommendations: Banh Cuon Thanh Van, Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh.
7. Cha Ca La Vong – Century-Old Culinary Heritage
Cha ca La Vong is a dish with a long history, associated with a street bearing the dish’s name. Chefs marinate Hemibagrus fish with turmeric, tamarind, galangal, and many secret spices overnight to absorb flavors. After someone pan-fries the fish to golden perfection, they bring it to the table on a hot cast iron pan.
The special thing about cha ca is how you enjoy it. Diners cook the fish with scallions and dill on a small charcoal stove at the table. Served with vermicelli, roasted peanuts, and specially prepared shrimp paste. The rich flavor of fish blended with the intense aroma of dill creates an hard to forget culinary experience.
Recommendations: Cha Ca La Vong at 14 Cha Ca Street, Cha Ca Hang Son.
8. Xoi Xeo – Traditional Breakfast
Xoi xeo is a familiar breakfast dish for Hanoi people, sold on pushcarts along the streets from very early morning. Cooking glutinous rice soft creates just the right stickiness without being too clingy. The chef cooks the layer of mung beans spread on top until it becomes tender, retaining its natural sweet and nutty flavor.
The highlight of xoi xeo is the layer of crispy, fragrant fried shallots and specially prepared soy sauce. Restaurants usually serve a portion of xoi xeo with pate, Chinese sausage, cinnamon pork roll, or braised meat. This filling and affordable dish is a favorite choice for many Hanoi residents for a quick breakfast.
Recommendations: Xoi Yen on Nguyen Huu Huan Street.
9. Banh Tom Ho Tay – West Lake Specialty
Banh tom is a famous specialty of the West Lake area, sought after by tourists when visiting Hanoi. Chefs make fritters using rice flour, shredded sweet potato, and fresh shrimp. They deep-fry them in hot oil to create crispy, golden pieces.
When you enjoy banh tom, you wrap it in fresh vegetables and vermicelli. You dip it in a special sweet and sour fish sauce. The crispiness of the fritter, sweetness of shrimp, and aromatic herbs blend together to create an memorable flavor. Sitting and savoring banh tom by West Lake on a cool afternoon is a memorable experience for many travelers.
Recommendations: Banh Tom Ho Tay, Banh Tom Nha Hang.
10. Street-Side Coffee – A Unique Culture
Street-side coffee culture is an essential part of Hanoi people’s lives. Street-side cafes are different from modern coffee shops. They have a friendly, cozy feel. Small plastic chairs sit right on the sidewalk.
Brewers make traditional drip coffee slowly. They let each drop fall into the cup. This creates a rich and slightly bitter flavor.
Hanoi people enjoy life by sitting and watching the busy crowd. They listen to everyday stories while having condensed milk or ice. A cup of street-side coffee will help you understand more about the slow-paced, simple yet poetic rhythm of life in Hanoi.
Recommendations: Cafe Giang, Cafe Lam, various street-side cafes in the Old Quarter.
Hanoi cuisine is an entire diverse world with countless distinctive flavors. These 10 dishes are just representative suggestions to help you answer the question “what to eat in Hanoi.” Each dish carries within it a story, a unique cultural aspect of Hanoi people.
To have a great culinary experience, take time to explore each dish. Enjoy them at well-known restaurants in the heart of the Old Quarter. Don’t hesitate to try unfamiliar dishes—sometimes the best memories come from flavors you’ve never tasted before.
Wishing you an exciting and flavor-filled culinary journey exploring Hanoi!
