Hanoi is renowned for its rich culinary tradition, offering a variety of dishes that reflect the city’s history and culture. Hanoi’s culinary scene is rich and diverse, reflecting the city’s history and cultural influences. Whether you’re dining at a street food stall or in a cozy restaurant, these dishes offer a delicious taste of Hanoi’s gastronomic heritage.
Here’s a list of some of the most famous foods you should try when visiting Hanoi:
1. Phở (Hanoi Noodle Soup)
- Description: Phở is perhaps the most iconic Vietnamese dish, and Hanoi is its birthplace. This dish consists of flat rice noodles served in a flavorful beef or chicken broth, garnished with thinly sliced beef or chicken, fresh herbs, lime, and chili.
- Where to Try: Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn, Phở Thìn, or Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư.
2. Bún Chả (Grilled Pork with Noodles)
- Description: Bún chả is a Hanoi specialty made of grilled pork patties and slices of pork belly, served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and lime.
- Where to Try: Bún Chả Hương Liên (made famous by President Obama’s visit), Bún Chả Đắc Kim.
3. Chả Cá Lã Vọng (Grilled Fish with Dill and Turmeric)
- Description: Chả Cá Lã Vọng is a unique Hanoi dish featuring grilled fish marinated with turmeric and served on a sizzling pan with dill, green onions, and peanuts. It’s typically eaten with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce.
- Where to Try: Chả Cá Lã Vọng on Đường Thành or Chả Cá Thăng Long.
4. Bún Thang (Hanoi Vermicelli Noodle Soup)
- Description: Bún Thang is a delicate and sophisticated noodle soup featuring shredded chicken, pork, egg, mushrooms, and rice vermicelli in a clear, flavorful broth. It’s often garnished with fresh herbs and shrimp paste.
- Where to Try: Bún Thang Bà Đức on Cầu Gỗ Street.
5. Bánh Cuốn (Steamed Rice Rolls)
- Description: Bánh cuốn are thin sheets of steamed rice batter filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, then rolled and topped with fried shallots and served with a dipping sauce.
- Where to Try: Bánh Cuốn Bà Hanh on Thọ Xương Street or Bánh Cuốn Gia An.
6. Cốm (Young Green Rice)
- Description: Cốm is a traditional autumn delicacy in Hanoi, made from young green rice that’s harvested while still tender. It’s typically enjoyed as a snack or used in various dishes like Cốm xào (stir-fried green rice) or Cốm cakes.
- Where to Try: Cốm Làng Vòng, a village famous for its green rice, located near Hanoi.
7. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
- Description: Although Bánh mì originated in the south, Hanoi offers its own version of this popular sandwich, typically filled with pate, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs inside a crispy baguette.
- Where to Try: Bánh Mì P on Chân Cầm Street or Bánh Mì 25 on Hàng Cá Street.
8. Xôi (Sticky Rice)
- Description: Xôi is a popular breakfast and snack food in Hanoi. Sticky rice is cooked with different ingredients such as mung beans, corn, peanuts, or coconut, and can be served with savory toppings like pork, chicken, or pâté.
- Where to Try: Xôi Yến on Nguyễn Hữu Huân Street.
9. Bún Riêu (Crab Noodle Soup)
- Description: Bún Riêu is a tangy and savory noodle soup made from a tomato-based broth with freshwater crab, tofu, and sometimes snails. It’s typically garnished with herbs and served with a side of shrimp paste.
- Where to Try: Bún Riêu Hàng Bạc or Bún Riêu Nguyễn Siêu.
10. Nem Rán (Fried Spring Rolls)
- Description: Nem Rán, also known as Chả Giò in southern Vietnam, are deep-fried spring rolls filled with minced pork, vermicelli, mushrooms, and vegetables. They are crispy on the outside and often served with a dipping sauce.
- Where to Try: Nem Rán Hàng Bồ or in many local eateries.
11. Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây (West Lake Shrimp Cake)
- Description: Bánh Tôm is a crispy fried shrimp cake made from a batter of rice flour, sweet potato, and whole shrimp. It’s served with pickled vegetables and a dipping sauce.
- Where to Try: Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây on Thanh Niên Street.
12. Chè (Vietnamese Sweet Soup)
- Description: Chè is a popular dessert in Hanoi, consisting of a variety of ingredients such as beans, fruits, jellies, and coconut milk. It’s served either hot or cold and can be a refreshing treat on a hot day.
- Where to Try: Chè Bốn Mùa on Hàng Cân Street or Chè Bà Mai on Hàng Than Street.
13. Bún Ốc (Snail Noodle Soup)
- Description: Bún Ốc is a traditional Hanoi dish made with rice noodles, snails, and a tangy tomato broth. It’s often garnished with fresh herbs and served with chili and lime on the side.
- Where to Try: Bún Ốc Cô Thêm on Hàng Chai Street.
14. Kem Tràng Tiền (Trang Tien Ice Cream)
- Description: Kem Tràng Tiền is a beloved Hanoi ice cream brand, offering a range of traditional flavors like green bean, coconut, and chocolate. It’s a nostalgic treat for many Hanoians.
- Where to Try: Kem Tràng Tiền on Tràng Tiền Street.
- Bún Mọc (Pork Ball Vermicelli Soup)
- Description: Bún Mọc is a simple yet flavorful dish made with vermicelli noodles, pork balls, and a light broth. The pork balls are often mixed with mushrooms and served with a variety of fresh herbs.
- Where to Try: Bún Mọc Hàng Lược or Bún Mọc Tô Hiệu.
16. Bún Bò Nam Bộ (Southern-Style Beef Noodles)
- Description: Despite its name, this dish is popular in Hanoi. It consists of vermicelli noodles topped with stir-fried beef, fresh herbs, peanuts, and a tangy fish sauce dressing, offering a balance of flavors and textures.
- Where to Try: Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương on Hàng Điếu Street.
17. Miến Lươn (Eel Vermicelli Soup)
- Description: Miến Lươn is a unique dish made with fried or sautéed eel, vermicelli noodles, and a light, clear broth. It’s usually garnished with fried shallots, herbs, and sometimes a squeeze of lime.
- Where to Try: Miến Lươn Đinh Liệt or Miến Lươn Phủ Doãn.
18. Bánh Trôi Tàu (Sticky Rice Dumplings in Ginger Syrup)
- Description: Bánh Trôi Tàu is a warm dessert featuring sticky rice dumplings filled with mung bean or black sesame paste, served in a sweet and spicy ginger syrup.
- Where to Try: Bánh Trôi Tàu Phạm Bằng on Hàng Giầy Street.
19. Bánh Gối (Vietnamese Empanada)
- Description: Bánh Gối, also known as Vietnamese empanadas, are crescent-shaped pastries filled with minced pork, mushrooms, glass noodles, and quail eggs. They are deep-fried until golden and crispy.
- Where to Try: Bánh Gối Lý Quốc Sư or Bánh Gối Hàng Chiếu.
20. Chả Rươi (Sandworm Omelette)
- Description: Chả Rươi is a seasonal delicacy in Hanoi, made from sandworms, eggs, pork, and herbs. The mixture is fried into small omelettes and served with rice or noodles. It’s considered an acquired taste but is beloved by locals.
- Where to Try: Chả Rươi Hàng Chiếu or Chả Rươi Gia Ngư.
21. Nem Lụi (Grilled Pork Skewers)
- Description: Nem Lụi consists of skewered minced pork, marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal. It’s usually served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and a special dipping sauce.
- Where to Try: Nem Lụi phố Ngô Sĩ Liên or Nem Lụi phố Cửa Đông.
22. Bánh Đa Cua (Crab Noodle Soup)
- Description: Bánh Đa Cua is a dish from the northern province of Hải Phòng, but it’s also popular in Hanoi. It features flat rice noodles (bánh đa), freshwater crab, and a rich tomato-based broth, often garnished with fried shallots and morning glory.
- Where to Try: Bánh Đa Cua phố Hàng Bồ or Bánh Đa Cua phố Nguyễn Du.
23. Bánh Khúc (Sticky Rice with Khuc Leaf)
- Description: Bánh Khúc is a type of sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice, mung bean, and pork, wrapped in khuc leaf (a kind of local herb that gives the dish a unique aroma). It’s a traditional snack or breakfast food in Hanoi.
- Where to Try: Bánh Khúc Cô Lan or street vendors in the Old Quarter.
24. Bánh Đúc Nóng (Hot Rice Flour Cake)
- Description: Bánh Đúc Nóng is a comfort food in Hanoi, made from rice flour cooked to a soft, sticky consistency, topped with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and fried shallots. It’s usually served with a side of fish sauce.
- Where to Try: Bánh Đúc Nóng Lê Ngọc Hân or Bánh Đúc Nóng Minh Khai.
25. Nộm Bò Khô (Dried Beef Salad)
- Description: Nộm Bò Khô is a refreshing and slightly spicy salad made with dried beef strips, green papaya, herbs, peanuts, and a tangy dressing. It’s a popular street food snack in Hanoi.
- Where to Try: Nộm Bò Khô Hồ Hoàn Kiếm or Nộm Bò Khô phố Hàng Chiếu.
26. Bánh Tẻ (Rice Cake with Pork and Mushrooms)
- Description: Bánh Tẻ is a traditional northern Vietnamese rice cake made from steamed rice flour, filled with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and sometimes green beans, then wrapped in banana leaves.
- Where to Try: Bánh Tẻ Hàng Bột or street vendors in local markets.
27. Cá Kho Tộ (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)
- Description: Cá Kho Tộ is a dish of caramelized fish, usually catfish, slow-cooked in a clay pot with fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. It’s served with steamed rice and often a side of pickled vegetables.
- Where to Try: Cá Kho Tộ Bà Triệu or local Vietnamese restaurants offering traditional dishes.
28. Ốc Luộc (Boiled Snails)
- Description: Ốc Luộc is a popular street food in Hanoi, featuring various types of snails boiled with lemongrass and served with a spicy, tangy dipping sauce. It’s a favorite evening snack for locals.
- Where to Try: Ốc Hàng Chai or Ốc Bà Câm on Đinh Liệt Street.
29. Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)
- Description: Egg coffee is a Hanoi specialty where egg yolks are whisked with sugar and condensed milk to create a creamy, frothy topping, served over strong Vietnamese coffee. It’s a unique treat with a rich, sweet flavor.
- Where to Try: Café Giảng or Café Đinh.
These additional dishes showcase the diversity of Hanoi’s cuisine, with a mix of traditional, street, and seasonal foods that reflect the city’s culinary heritage. Exploring these foods offers a deeper understanding of Hanoi’s culture and flavors.
