Tripadvisor recently recognized Hanoi, the charming capital of Vietnam as the Best Food Destination in the world in 2024!!
I’ve got your back with a full list of must-try Hanoi dishes, personally chosen by the locals. Trust me, it’ll be your go-to guide if Hanoi and Vietnam are on your travel radar.
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Why you will love Hanoi Cuisine !!
In Vietnam, there exists a well-known folk saying called “Ăn Bắc, mặc Nam” which can be translated as “Eating like Northern people, dressing like Southern people“.
It conveys the idea that the food in Northern Vietnam is delicious, while the people in the Southern region are known for their fashion sense.
The origin of this folk saying can be traced back to the historical and cultural differences between the North and South of Vietnam.
The North, being the oldest region with a rich history, is home to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is often regarded as the center of a millennium of civilization.
As a result, the cuisine of Northern Vietnam tends to be refined and intricate, while the cuisine in the South is more down-to-earth and rustic.
Hanoi cuisine is characterized by its savory and well-balanced favors. Local chefs in Hanoi strive to delicately balance various tastes in their dishes without overpowering any one flavor.
As a result, Hanoi dishes are often not excessively salty, sweet, sour, spicy, or bitter. This balance makes Hanoi cuisine suitable for a wide range of palates, particularly welcoming to foreign tourists.
Despite being born and raised in the central region of Vietnam (Nha Trang), and having spent a decade working and studying in Saigon, Hanoi cuisine still holds a special place in my heart.
Hanoi is a food lover’s paradise, offering an abundance of delicious choices from cozy cafes to vibrant street food stalls. It’s no wonder both locals and tourists find themselves spoiled for choice! Even Vietnamese people sometimes struggle to decide what to eat in Hanoi.
But don’t worry, my comprehensive Hanoi food guide is here to give you an overview of the best food in the city and provide tips on how to enjoy the food like a local.
Note:
Some street food stalls may charge you a bit more than locals if you are not Vietnamese. It’s not much, just around 0.5 USD. I’ve heard some complaints, and I know it’s not a significant amount, but it can affect your overall experience.
Restaurants and food stalls catering to tourists usually don’t have this issue, but, of course, they are generally pricier than places for locals. So, the decision is yours to make.
1. Phở
This iconic Vietnamese dish is undoubtedly at the top of the list. As the birthplace of Phở, Hanoi is the ideal place to enjoy an authentic bowl—no visit is complete without savoring at least one.
Phở traditionally consists of rice noodles (bánh phở) in a rich, aromatic broth, with either beef or chicken.
Hanoi-style Phở is more subtle than the Saigon-style that is popular in Western countries. Its flavors are delicately balanced, and it’s typically served with pickled garlic and homemade fermented chili sauce instead of the herbs, mung bean sprouts, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce its Southern counterpart.
Related article| Differences between Northern Phở and Southern Phở
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Phở Bò (Beef Phở)
Phở Gà (Chicken Phở)
But here in Hanoi, Phở goes beyond its humble origins with a delightful selection of Pho variations that are absolutely worth trying:
Phở Bò Sốt Vang: This rendition combines Pho rice noodles with a Vietnamese-style red wine beef stew, resulting in a tantalizing blend of flavors.
Phở Trộn: A delightful twist on Pho, this version presents a Pho noodle salad that harmonizes fresh herbs, vegetables, protein like beef or chicken and a tangy soy sauce dressing.
Phở Chiên Phồng: Inflated fried Pho noodles are paired with stir-fried beef. It resembles the appearance of Italian Gnocco fritto while boasting Vietnamese flavors.
Phở Cuốn: Similar to Vietnamese spring rolls, phở cuốn replaces the traditional rice paper wrap with delicate Pho noodle sheets, offering a fresh and delightful alternative.
Phở Áp Chảo (or Phở Xào Giòn): this dish feature a platter of crunchy fried Pho noodles topped with delicious stir-fried beef and veggies.
2. Bún Chả Hà Nội
Bún Chả (Hanoi rice noodles with grilled pork) earned its spot in culinary history after a memorable encounter between President Barack Obama and the legendary Chef Anthony Bourdain.
This delightful dish features grilled pork (meatballs and slices) served with vermicelli rice noodles and a tasty sweet and sour fish sauce.
Down in the South, Bún Chả has a sister named “Bún Thịt Nướng,” sharing some similarities but flaunting its own flavors and charm.
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3. Chả Cá Lã Vọng
Chả Cá Lã Vọng (Vietnamese Turmeric Fish with Dill) is another signature Hanoi dish. It includes freshwater fish fillets marinated in shrimp paste, galangal and turmeric, then fried with a lot of green onions and dill.
The fish is served with vermicelli noodles, a variety of herbs, roasted peanuts, and funky Mắm Tôm (fermented shrimp paste sauce) or Nước Chấm (dipping fish sauce) for those who hesitate to try the shrimp paste.
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4. Nem Rán Hà Nội
Nem Rán Hà Nội (Hanoi Fried Spring Rolls) is a much-loved street food in Hanoi. These rolls are crispy, bursting with flavor, and filled with ground pork, shrimp, Vietnamese aromatic herbs, and spices.
They are usually served with fresh lettuce and dipping fish sauce. Another well-known type of spring rolls in Hanoi is Nem Cua Bể (Square Crab Spring Rolls), which originally comes from the coastal city of Hải Phòng in Northern Vietnam.
Down south, you’ll find their sister, Chả Giò with some local twists.
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5. Bánh Cuốn
Bánh Cuốn (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls) is like the Vietnamese version of Dimsum, with a special nod to the resemblance to Cantonese Cheong Fun. This delightful dish is an excellent pick for breakfast.
These sheets are generously filled with seasoned ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and sometimes even a delightful runny egg.
What’s fascinating is how the local cooks prepare bánh cuốn by spreading a thin layer of rice batter on a cloth, similar to making a crepe, and then steaming it.
The rolls are garnished with crispy fried shallots and typically served with fresh herbs, chả lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage), chả quế (Vietnamese cinnamon pork sausage), sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, and dipping fish sauce.
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6. Bún Riêu Cua
A unique and tangy crab noodle soup, Bún Riêu Cua (Vietnamese Crab Noodles) is made with a tomato-based broth, vermicelli noodles, and a variety of toppings such as fried tofu, minced paddy crabs, pork, and maybe freshwater snails.
It’s a delicious blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors which is perfect for summer time.
In Vietnam, Bún Riêu is made using fresh paddy crabs, prepared with the traditional method that differs entirely from how it’s made in the Vietnamese diaspora communities.
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7. Bún Bò Nam Bộ
Bún Bò Nam Bộ is a delightful dish that combines stir-fried beef, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and vermicelli noodles, all tossed in sweet and sour fish sauce . In the southern regions, it is called Bún Bò Xào.
Rice noodle salads are a popular part of Vietnamese cuisine, known for being light and refreshing. Some well-loved dishes include Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled pork), Bún Chả Giò (crispy spring rolls), Bún Thịt Xào (stir-fried pork), Bún Gà Nướng (grilled chicken), and Bún Tôm Nướng (grilled shrimp).
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8. Xôi Xéo
Xôi Xéo, known as Sticky Rice with Hand-Cut Mung Bean Paste, is a beloved breakfast dish among Hanoians (and even non-locals like myself).
This delightful dish features sticky rice cooked with turmeric and chicken fat, topped with mung bean paste and crispy fried shallots.
Xôi Xéo may appear simple, but it surprises with its rich flavors. Nowadays, people love to add extra toppings such as Vietnamese liver pâté, Thịt Kho Tàu (caramelized pork belly), Chả Quế (cinnamon pork sausage) and Ruốc/Chà Bông (pork floss).
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Recipes on my blog for fans of sticky rice:
9. Bún Cá
Bún Cá (Fish noodle soup) isn’t just Hanoi’s exclusive delight. You’ll find delightful variations of Fish Noodle soup all across Vietnam – like Bún Cá Đà Nẵng, Bún Cá Nha Trang (my hometown), or Bún Cá Kiên Giang.
Hanoi fish noodle soup takes the spotlight with its crispy deep-fried freshwater fish fillets and dill fish cake. It is accompanied by a flavorful broth made from fish bones and abundant dill with the addition of fresh herbs and rice vermicelli noodles.
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10. Cháo Sườn Sụn
In Hanoi, Cháo Sườn Sụn (Pork Ribs Porridge) is cooked in a pretty unique way. Instead of using whole rice grains, it is prepared using rice powder and glutinous rice powder.
This results in a smooth and velvety “flour porridge” consistency, reminiscent of baby food. However, don’t let its appearance deceive you, as it bursts with incredible flavors.
The combination of the flavorful pork ribs broth, creamy rice porridge, tender pork, savory pork floss, and crispy Fried Bread Stick (Youtiao, Dầu Cháo Quẩy) creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
I have fond memories of enjoying a bowl of Cháo Sườn Sụn on a chilly evening, as it warmed me up and provided comfort in the winter weather.
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11. Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm
Bún đậu mắm tôm (rice noodles with fried tofu and fermented shrimp paste) tastes fantastic, but it is not for those with a timid palate. However, it has recently been featured in the New York Times as one of the new trending Vietnamese foods.
Anyway, there is always the regular dipping fish sauce for those who can’t handle the funky Mắm Tôm, so no worries here.
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12. Bún Mọc
Bún Mọc (Vietnamese rice noodle soup with pork balls) is a comforting noodle soup originating from Hanoi. It features a clear yet flavorful broth with pork balls, also known as Mọc (made from Giò Sống, Vietnamese pork paste).
When you’re outside of Vietnam, it’s not as simple to come across a delicious bowl of Bún Mọc like it is with Phở or Bún Bò Huế. So, while you’re in Hanoi, don’t miss the chance to try Bún Mọc.
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13. Cà Phê Trứng
Vietnamese Egg Coffee aka Cà Phê Trứng, is a special drink originating from Hanoi. It was created by Mr. Giảng, a dedicated local barista, and has now captured the hearts of coffee fans both in Vietnam and around the world.
When you visit Vietnam, in addition to the famous Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Iced Coffee with sweetened condensed milk), Cà Phê Trứng, Cà Phê Muối (Salt Coffee), and Cà Phê Dừa (Icy Coconut Coffee) are definitely must-tries.
Vietnamese ground coffee and a Phin filter make excellent souvenirs from your trip to Vietnam. Check out my post on Vietnamese coffee brands for more tips and recommendations.
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Flavors are a personal thing, but I’m crossing my fingers that this post makes your Hanoi trip planning a bit smoother. Don’t forget to save or pin this nifty guide so you can always track it down when you need it.
