This blog will not waste much of your time. You will get the list of Hanoi street food that is loved by every local and traveller. But let me also give you a glimpse of what street food culture in Hanoi feels like. This is what happens when you go on a food hunt in Hanoi: get pulled by the aromas, buy it, taste it, and then eat, eat, eat!
When it comes to food, Hanoi is very flexible. You get a different style in the city, as it has an equally mixed population: working-class, students, retirees, and tourists all year round.
And that makes the dining scene in the city hit differently. From a tiny stall, grab your food and eat as you stand, or use the small stools, but you need to quickly find one before anyone takes it. On the other hand, you also have these average to fancy restaurants you can choose to dine at.
So, for you to go and taste some of the best food, I have listed the ones you should never miss out on, also with the places you can get them from.
Most Loved Hanoi Street Foods
If you are a foodie, the first thing you will do is make a list of all the food you will eat, then think about the visa or even where to stay. So, take a note of these dishes and also the places you can eat them when visiting Hanoi.
Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)
Pho is the one Hanoi street food known to everybody, and it even turns out to be Vietnam’s identity. This Pho Bo is made out of rice noodles, which glide effortlessly in your mouth.
This broth makes you brisk and wakes you up with its fresh squeeze of lime. Also carries the power of beef bones, ginger, and star anise. And that’s the reason, Pho is still consumed mostly for breakfast, and some suggest it for hangovers as well.
Places to try Pho: Pho Ong Vui, Huyền Hương Chicken Phở, and Pho Bo Duong tau.
Ingredients: Beef bones, brisket, raw beef slices, flat rice noodles, onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, fish sauce, rock sugar, salt, coriander, lime, bean sprouts, cilantro, & Thai basil.
Bún Chả (Vermicelli Noodles with Pork)
The perfect afternoon meal is a bowl of chargrilled pork belly and minced patties served in a sweet-sour fish sauce broth. Along with that, you will get a cold vermicelli noodle and a basket filled with fresh green herbs.
The best way to get this is to take the chopsticks, grab noodles, dip them in the sauce and place them in the lettuce or herbs given. And how can I miss the famous incident? This dish was enjoyed by Obama, and this dish rocked even in other countries.
Places to Try: Bun Cha Huong Lien and Bun Cha Hang Quat
Ingredients: Pork belly, minced pork, fish & oyster sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, chilli, green papaya, carrot, rice vermicelli, mint, perilla, cilantro.
Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
This is one of the best things the French left behind, and the Vietnamese elevated it with even more deliciousness. This Banh Mi is a crusty French-style baguette stuffed with pork, pate, pickled vegetables, cucumbers, herbs, and chilli sauce.
This is the best go-to Vietnamese street food you should grab when you are in a hurry. It’s so crunchy on the outside, and feels rich inside with the meat and herbs.
Places to Try: Bánh Mì 25 & Banh Mi #1 Bon Mi.
Ingredients: Baguette, pork ham, boneless chicken pâté, roast pork, pickled daikon and carrots, cucumber, cilantro, chilli, mayonnaise, & green onions. You can add or leave out the meat according to your taste.
Chả Cá Lã Vọng (Turmeric Fish with Dill)
This Chả Cá Lã Vọng, most famously called the Turmeric Fish, is a unique food you can find in Hanoi. You will be given a bright yellow fish that comes with a great aroma of turmeric and dill.
The secret to the best taste is marinating it well with turmeric, crushed garlic, shrimp paste, ginger, pepper, and oil, then leaving it overnight.
When eating, you have to toss the sizzling fish with herbs and noodles, and mix it with crushed peanuts and herbs. So a spoonful of this, if it enters your mouth, is going to be an explosion of warm, oily, nutty, and spicy.
Places to Try: Chả cá HỀ & Vua Chả Cá Restaurant
Ingredients: Fish, cornstarch, turmeric, ginger, garlic, shrimp paste, fish sauce, dill, spring onions, vermicelli noodles, roasted peanuts, fermented shrimp sauce, lime, oil.
Bánh Cuốn (Steamed Rice Rolls)
When you are in a shopping street with a budget in mind and thinking about what to buy, you will somehow end up in Bánh Cuốn stalls and spending your money eating.
This dish has a soft spot with everyone. It is so delicate, and the thin sheet of steamed rice batter is rolled with minced pork and mushrooms, making a perfect light breakfast any day.
It’s not that simple or bland; when topped with crispy shallots (a type of onion) and dipped in warm fish sauce, it will ultimately satisfy your taste buds.
However, if you want to add more to it and perhaps eat it during the afternoon, the best thing you can do is add lime and chilli as much as you like.
Places to try: Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh, Banh Cuon Gia Truyen Thanh Van, and Banh cuon Ba Xuan
Ingredients: Rice flour batter, potato or tapioca flour, vegetable oil, minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, garlic, fresh herbs, fish sauce, sugar, lime, chilli, crispy shallots, Vietnamese pork sausage.
Chè (Vietnamese Sweet Soup)
If there is a dessert you’re going to crave every day, Che will be one of them. It will be soft, cold, and silky in texture and will just swirl with each spoonful you take.
There is a lot you can do in Che- if you like it nutty, creamy, or jelly, you can just pick accordingly or customise it. When you are roaming in the Hanoi markets when it’s hot, you will stop to get this dessert to calm you down.
You will be tempted to eat it as it is served in a glass bowl full of beans, sticky rice, jelly, and fruit in sweet coconut milk or syrup.
Places to try: Loc Tai House, Little Bowl and Chè 4 Mùa Hàng Cân
Ingredients: Various beans like mung, black, & red, pandan jelly, lotus seeds, tapioca pearls, sticky rice, coconut, sugar syrup, coconut milk, smashed ice.
Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)
This steamed broken rice is the staple food for locals. And now even the go-to comfort food for any person travelling to Vietnam.
This dish is so simple that you can just easily make it at home- take the rice and steam it to perfection. Then you can pair it with any side dishes you prefer. It can be grilled pork chop, fried egg, shredded pork skin, pickled veggies, and a drizzle of sweetened fish sauce.
Though originally a southern dish, Cơm Tấm has found love in Hanoi for its smoky grilled meats and variety on one plate. It’s a hearty, fulfilling lunch option.
This dish was just famous and consumed a lot in the south of Vietnam, but later it became popular and taken in all parts of the country.
Places to Try: Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang & Cơm Tấm 36
Ingredients: Broken rice, and add any meat or protein of your choice. It can be pork chops, steamed egg, sunny-side-up eggs, vegetables and pickles, chicken, etc.
Nem Rán (Fried Spring Rolls)
That one dish that is going to attract you with just looks, it’s going to be Nem Ran. But the crispy look on the outside will not fool you; it does justice to the delicious filling as well.
Perfectly golden, crispy rolls filled with seasoned pork, vermicelli, and vegetables are deep-fried until they provide the satisfying crackle, yet soft and juicy on the inside.
They will cut the rolls and serve them to you, and you can dip them in the sweet and sour sauce. And when you start eating this, you will stop counting the number of rolls you are eating.
Places to Try: Bun Cha Ta Hanoi & Noodle & Roll
Ingredients: Rice paper, shrimp, chicken or minced pork, Vermicelli glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, onions, eggs, fish sauce, white pepper, garlic, vinegar, sugar, lettuce, mint.
Bún Riêu (Crab Noodle Soup)
So finally, a noodle bowl that isn’t in clear white noodles or broth. This vibrant red-orange broth with the noodles gives you the soul-warming comforts.
This bowl is filled with floating crab-pork cakes, tofu, and pure essence of tomatoes, served with rice noodles. You might have no green things on your plate. Of course, you will be served with herbs, just as in any Vietnamese dish.
Places to try: Bún riêu Cô Hoàn Hàng Lược & Bún Riêu Cua 41 Quang Trung.
Ingredients: Crab meat, crab paste, pork, tomatoes, fried tofu, shrimp paste, vermicelli noodles, scallions, lime, chilli, tamarind powder, and herbs.
Ốc Luộc (Boiled Snails)
Want to try something totally different, or just eat these snails as a dare? For some, it is a favourite, and for some, it’s the weirdest thing to eat.
I am talking about Ốc Luộc, which is a classic Hanoi evening snack. It is warm, chewy, and intensely aromatic. On rainy days, you can see a lot of locals gathering at the sidewalk stalls, eating there or getting takeaways to go.
I know some are picky eaters, but trust me, just try this – a hot bowl of boiled snails served with a rich dipping sauce. When you dip it and try, it makes it so much better.
Places to Try: Ốc Hà Trang & Quán ốc bà câm
Ingredients: Snails, lemongrass, lime leaves, ginger, chilli, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar.
Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Sizzling Pancake)
This large, golden-yellow, crispy pancake made from rice flour and turmeric is famously known to tourists as a Vietnamese pancake. Cracking crispy on the outside but filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, and served with herbs and dipping sauce.
Just to give you an idea, similar to dosa, the batter is poured into a pan, followed by the spreading of all the fillings. Then, it is folded in half when serving, and you can dip it in the sauce and take a huge bite.
Places to try: Bánh Xèo Sáu Phước & Bánh Xèo Nem Lụi Ngọc Dương
Ingredients: Rice flour, fish sauce, turmeric, coconut milk, pork, bean sprouts, mung beans, garlic, sugar, shrimp, lettuce, mint, & rice paper.
Xoi
The perfect Hanoi street food is Xoi. Whether it’s a hot, rainy day, a busy day, or you just want to eat something that gives you comfort, get Xoi.
This is a simple go-to sticky rice, which is also a Vietnamese delicacy. You can see this in every grand festival or even simple ceremonies. This is not that simple; it comes in different forms, colours, and each gives you a different flavour. The food colour comes from flowers and herbs, so you are safe to eat them.
Places to eat Xoi: Xoi Yen, Xoi Com – Family Meals, and Xoi Che Ba Thin
Ingredients: There are not many ingredients; you can just eat the plain rice. Also, based on your preference, add veggies, meat or eggs.
Egg Coffee
I know this is not like food, it’s a drink, but listen, if you’re looking for the best Hanoi street food, this egg coffee is highly recommended after Pho.
This is the coffee that was exclusive to Vietnam. You can only get the right taste if you try it there. Just with one sip, you can feel the richness in the blend of egg yolk, sugar, and condensed milk.
If you like coffee or are simply a coffee enthusiast, many cafes offer workshops where you can learn how to make it.
Places to try Egg Coffee: Hanoi Egg Coffee, Cafe Dinh, and Cafe Giảng
Ingredients: Robusta beans, egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and water.
Although there are many vegetarian options in Hanoi, as an Indian, you will start craving some home food. So I have listed a few of the best restaurants you can go to if you are in Vietnam.
Conclusion
Exploring Hanoi’s street food isn’t just about trying new dishes and eating them to fill your stomach. It’s about tasting history, culture, and passion in every bite you take.
Hunting for street food itself is the best experience you can have in Hanoi. And you can find a lot of solo travellers with whom you can exchange stories and even do an activity with them later.
Moreover, having the Hanoi street food guide will be your map to Vietnam’s treasures. Remember to eat like a local. Eat in a local stall, slurp loudly, dip everything, and never say no to chilli, because it makes everything much better.
Frequently asked questions about Hanoi Street Food
Are the street foods in Old Quarter Hanoi worth the hunt?
Yes, Old Quarter basically is a tourist attraction, and you can find all kinds of Vietnamese snacks and food to eat. And 300m from the Quarter, you can find Ta Hien Street. It is the hangout spot for many locals, and it gives you the best beer.
Can I get vegetarian options in Hanoi street food?
The main fear for many vegetarians is not finding veg food. However, don’t worry; in Hanoi, there are many vegetarian options. All you have to remember is the one word “Ăn chay”, which means veg.
If you say the word, vendors will let you know there is meat in it and can recommend other options. If you are going to a restaurant, they will likely offer alternatives to the dish, such as tofu.
How much does Hanoi street food cost?
Vietnam is an affordable investment destination for Indians, so most street food will be significantly cheaper. And for a dish, it can start from just 80 INR and can go higher depending on the food you choose to eat.
But if you’re eating in an average restaurant setting, it can be slightly higher and can start from 300 to 400 INR per dish.
