Vietnamese cuisine in Hanoi is incredibly diverse. While some of these dishes might appear in other cities, many remain exclusive to the capital. Vietnamese food is rapidly becoming a global favorite.
There's no need for formal attire or strict etiquette in fancy restaurants; in Hanoi, culinary delights are served on the streets, in every nook and cranny of the city, accompanied by the warm and friendly smiles of the locals. All you need is a hearty appetite and a dash of adventurous spirit.
Content:
Best Vietnam Street Food #1: Bánh cuốn
Best Vietnam Street Food #2: Bún Ốc
Best Vietnam Street Food #3: Lẩu
Best Vietnam Street Food #4: Bún cá
Best Vietnam Street Food #5: Miến xào lươn
Best Vietnam Street Food #6: Bánh đa trộn
Best Vietnam Street Food #7: Bánh tôm
Best Vietnam Street Food #8: Bánh gối
Best Vietnam Street Food #9: Mỳ gà tần
Best Vietnam Street Food #10: Bánh đúc nóng
Best Vietnam Street Food #11: Chè
Best Vietnam Street Food #1: Bánh cuốn
A traditional breakfast in Hanoi, Bánh cuốn comes in various versions, with minced pork, mushrooms, eggs, or a mix of these ingredients. Served with fried shallots, sweet and sour fish sauce, a variety of fresh herbs, and lime-based sauce, it’s a delightful start to the day.
Best Vietnam Street Food #2: Bún Ốc
A classic comfort food, this dish combines rice vermicelli (bún) with snails, beef, crab meat, and abundant herbs. The broth, flavored with tomatoes, wine vinegar, and pepper, adds a spicy kick to the dish.
Best Vietnam Street Food #3: Lẩu
Gather around the bubbling pot, drop in fresh vegetables, meats, and seafood to your liking, and experience the true essence of street food in the city. It might seem daunting initially, but hot pot offers a communal dining experience where you might even make new friends during lively beer sessions.
Best Vietnam Street Food #4: Bún cá
A common lunch option, this soup features rice vermicelli with fried fish pieces and green vegetables, including ‘morning glory.’ Aromatic herbs like cilantro and dill lend a unique flavor to the dish.
Best Vietnam Street Food #5: Miến xào lươn
An unusual ingredient in everyday meals, this dish combines crispy eel with stir-fried glass noodles, eggs, and bean sprouts. Other options include mien tron (noodles tossed with eel, cucumber, and herbs) and chao luon (eel porridge).
Best Vietnam Street Food #6: Bánh đa trộn
Exploring the Old Quarter, you might encounter a woman with a carrying pole and two baskets. This specialty of Hanoi, Banh da tron, features thick, flat noodles topped with sausage, fried fish cakes, tofu, peanuts, and leafy vegetables. Thin glass noodles called mien are another choice, promising a unique local flavor.
Best Vietnam Street Food #7: Bánh tôm
Originating from Ho Tay, the West Lake area, these snacks are made from battered sweet potatoes and local shrimps. Served with sweet and sour fish sauce and papaya, they make for a delightful snack, perfect with a glass of iced soy milk.
Best Vietnam Street Food #8: Bánh gối
For an active afternoon exploring Hanoi, try banh goi, a pillow-shaped pastry filled with minced pork, black fungus, vermicelli noodles, and a quail egg. Explore other fried goodies like ha cao (fried dumpling), Pho mai que (fried cheese stick), and nem chua ran (fried fermented sausage) along with banh goi.
Best Vietnam Street Food #9: Mỳ gà tần
This hearty dish features braised chicken and egg noodles, with options for regular chicken or a miniature black chicken, known for its unique flavor. Aromatic herbs, including mugwort, infuse the dish with rich flavors as the meat simmers in soda and beer cans over heat.
Best Vietnam Street Food #10: Bánh đúc nóng
In the winter days of Hanoi, indulge in Banh duc, a steamed rice cake made from plain rice and tapioca flour. Cooked with precision and care, it’s filled with black fungus, meat, fried shallots, and served with chili garlic fish sauce and herbs. The hot, soft, and fragrant banh duc makes for an ideal snack on a chilly day.
Best Vietnam Street Food #11: Chè
Save room for dessert! Indulge in Che, a sweet soup with layers of red bean and mung bean pastes, glutinous rice balls, herbal jelly cubes, syrup, and coconut shreds. Try the mixed che thap cam with jasmine syrup, a town-famous treat that’s highly recommended to round off your culinary adventure in Hanoi.
So, if you find yourself in Hanoi, don’t miss the chance to savor these delightful flavors. Every dish tells a story of the city’s rich culinary heritage, served with a smile and a side of warm hospitality, and don't forget to get your eSIM here:eSIM Vietnam Unlimited Plans
