Tourists come to Hanoi, Vietnam, to visit historical sites, meet new friendly friends, take part in traditional activities, and especially experience the Hanoi cuisine. The traditional food of Vietnam’s capital always leaves an impression on both local and foreign visitors.
But as you know, Hanoi is a big city of different cultures. You will need some experience to choose the best dishes that originated in Hanoi. Therefore, we make this article to share the most famous traditional food and places to eat it! Scroll down to see!
1. Pho
Overview
Pho is the most classic dish of Vietnam’s capital, also known as the symbolic representative for entire Vietnam’s cuisine. Locals use Pho for any meal they like during their day, but commonly for breakfast.
Pho is flat, white noodles made from rice flour, added to the healthy aromatic soup. To make a delicious broth, the chef has to stew fragrant meat (beef or chicken) for hours continuously, along with fresh herbs, such as onions, gingers, etc.
Top 3 restaurants to eat Pho in Hanoi
Pho Thin
- Price: 90000 dong – $3.85
- Address: 13 Lo Duc, Dong Mac, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi
Pho Ga Ban
- Price: 60000 dong – $2.57
- Address: 172 Ton Duc Thang, Hang Bot, Dong Da district, Hanoi
Pho Huyen Huong Bao Khanh
- Price: 50000 dong – $2.14
- Address: 20 Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
2. Cha Ca
Overview
Cha Ca is a unique specialty that attracts every tourist who visits Hanoi. There is even a street named after it, called Cha Ca street. The food is known for being created by the Doan family during the war against the French colonists and having lasted over 130 years.
The highlight of this traditional Hanoi food is the turmeric fish (mudfish or snake-head fish), which does not have many bones. The fish will be quickly fried before being served to the epicure.
After ordering Cha Ca, you will receive a hot pan. Add oils to the pan, and wait till the pan heats up to put the fish inside. You will eat this dish while cooking it. That’s the unique experience any tourist will have with this Hanoian food.
Besides the main ingredient – turmeric fish, you will enjoy the food with vermicelli rice noodles, peanuts, shrimp sauce, and local herbs.
Top 3 Restaurants To Eat Cha Ca In Hanoi
Cha Ca Thang Long
- Price: 140000 dong – $5.99
- Address: 6B Duong Thanh, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Cha Ca La Vong
- Price: 120000 dong – $5.13
- Address:14 Cha Ca Street, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Cha Ca Anh Vu
- Price: 80000 – $3.42
- Address: 116 K1 Giang Vo, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
3. Banh Cuon
Overview
Banh Cuon is a typical dish in Hanoi, commonly used for breakfast and sometimes for lunch. The food is delicate and unique due to its light and flavorful taste.
Banh Cuon looks beautiful in the rolled shape. The chef steams a fermented rice batter and adds toppings such as pork, mushrooms, onions, and herbs on top. The dish is served with fried shallots and cilantro, along with a special warm fish sauce.
Depending on the type of Banh Cuon you order, the toppings are different. Banh Cuon appears in many kinds, including Banh Cuon Trung (Banh Cuon with eggs), Banh Cuon Thit (traditional Banh Cuon with pork), Banh Cuon Thit Nuong (Banh Cuon with grilled pork), Banh Cuon Thanh Long (Dragon Fruit Banh Cuon), Banh Cuon Cao Bang (Banh Cuon with eggs and Vietnamese ham), etc. But overall, the most common in Hanoi is the traditional Banh Cuon with pork.
Top 3 Restaurants To Eat Banh Cuon in Hanoi
Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh
- Price: 60000 dong – $2.57
- Address: 66 To Hien Thanh, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi
Banh Cuon Gia An
- Price: 50000 dong – $2.14
- 61 Huynh Thuc Khang, Dong Da district, Hanoi
Banh Cuon Thanh Van
- Price: 28000 dong – $1.20
- Address: 14 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
4. Bun Cha
Overview
Bun Cha is a famous dish not only in Hanoi but also in other regions of Vietnam. Obama – the former president of the United States, experienced this delicious dish during his visit to Vietnam.
Many foreigners misunderstand Pho and Bun Cha. While Pho is thick rice noodles in hot broth, Bun Cha is vermicelli noodles served with grilled pork and warm diluted fish sauce. The sauce will have fresh sliced carrots and kohlrabi for better taste and aroma.
Visitors have 2 options on the types of grilled pork:
- Cha Bam – grilled ground meat
- Cha Thit – normal grilled meat
If you order Cha Lan, you will get a bowl of 2 meat types. Besides, visitors can order a plate of spring rolls (Nem) to enjoy with Bun Cha.
Top 3 Restaurants To Eat Bun Cha In Hanoi
Bun Cha Obama – Bun Cha Huong Lien
- Price: 60.000 dong – $2.57
- Address: 24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi
Bun Cha Sinh Tu
- Price: 40000 dong – $1.71
- Address: Udic complex N04, N04, Hoang Dao Thuy, Cau Giay district, Hanoi
Bun Cha Hang Quat
- Price: 40000 dong – $1.71
- Address: 74 Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
5. Xoi Xeo
Overview
Xoi Xeo is a quick food for breakfast for Hanoians. At a low price, Xoi Xeo is always the best option for pupils, students, office workers, and tourists.
The food is basically steamed cooked sticky rice, finished with traditional toppings, such as green bean paste, soy sauce, and fried shallots. The entire food is packaged in a leaf cover. In several restaurants, Xoi Xeo is served with optional toppings, such as pate, chicken, Vietnamese ham, stewed pork, sunnyside eggs, etc.
Top 3 Restaurants To Eat Xoi Xeo In Hanoi
Xoi Yen
- Price: 50000 dong – $2.14
- Address: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Xoi Xeo Oanh Oanh
- Price: 50000 dong – $2.14
- Address: 573 De La Thanh, Dong Da district, Hanoi
Xoi Van 1979
- Price: 30000 dong – $1.28
- Address: 193A Ba Trieu, Le Dai Hanh, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi
6. Goi Cuon
Overview
You should try Goi Cuon during your trip to Hanoi. This rolled Vietnamese salad is a super delicious and healthy dish with all fresh ingredients. Locals usually choose Goi Cuon for lunches and dinners, especially on hot days.
The origin of Goi Cuon was in China. However, after this dish migrated into Vietnam, the Hanoians have modified the dish to suit the local taste.
The great thing about Goi Cuon is that you have to make it before eating it. The server will bring out a dish full of fresh ingredients, such as sliced boiled pork, boiled shrimps, fresh sliced cucumber, fresh carrots, vermicelli rice, and rice paper. You put everything on the rice paper and roll it up. There will be a special sweet sauce for you to drip the Goi Cuon.
Top 3 Restaurants To Eat Goi Cuon In Hanoi
Cuon N Roll Restaurant
- Price: 100.000 dong – $4.28
- Address: 90 Tran Thai Tong, Dich Vong Hau, Cau Giay district, Hanoi
3Fresh
- Price: 65000 dong – $2.78
- Address: 617 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
Sushi Viet
- Price: 80000 dong – $3.42
- Address: 211 To Hieu, Dich Vong, Cau Giay district, Hanoi
7. Pho Cuon
Overview
Pho Cuon is a special version of the traditional Pho. You will be amazed by the taste of this delicious Hanoi cuisine. Pho Cuon is popular as a choice of the locals for lunches and dinners.
Instead of Pho in hot broth, the chef will prepare dry and thick sheets of Pho. The toppings on this sheet are quick-fried beef, onions, shallots, and fresh vegetables. Everything is rolled up into many pieces and served to the tourists. Along with the dish is a small bowl of special sweet sauce. You eat the Pho Cuon the same way as you enjoy the Goi Cuon – drip the piece of roll into the sauce before taking a bite.
Top 3 Restaurants To Eat Pho Cuon In Hanoi
Pho Cuon 31
- Price: 50000 dong – $2.14
- Address: 31 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
Pho Cuon Ngu Xa
- Price: 30000 dong – $1.28
- Address: 66 Duy Tan, Cau Giay district, Hanoi
Pho Cuon Huong Mai
- Price: 50000 dong – $2.14
- Address: 26 To Hieu, Cau Giay district, Hanoi
Final Words
Above are the top 7 most delicious foods of Hanoi cuisine. You should list these dishes in your travel plan. Make sure you try every dish, as each has a unique flavour. Tourists who have visited Hanoi always want to come back for these foods!
Follow our website if you want more recommendations for what to eat in Vietnam! We will update new posts in the future to share more delicious dishes and places to eat!
>> Read more: Vietnam Durian: A Fruit With Special Taste