What are the best of foods and drink in Hanoi City
The greatest Hanoi dishes are inexpensive yet tasty treats which can be found within Hanoi Old Quarter’s narrow alleyways and street that is bustling. In comparison to other cities in Vietnam, Hanoi food is often in the side that is sweeter utilises freshwater ingredients such as for instance prawns, squids, shrimps, crabs, clams, and mussels. You can also find familiar Vietnamese street food such as for instance pho noodles, spring rolls, rolled cakes, and meat that is skewered.
As with many dishes in Vietnam, diners will always served with platters of fresh greens and herbs as well as the nuoc that is quintessential dipping sauce as accompaniment. Since a vacation to Hanoi is not complete without sampling its traditional delicacies, here’s a listing of the top must-try foods in Hanoi.
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Cha Ca (Turmeric Fish with Dill)
An exceptional Hanoi delicacy, cha ca is fish that is white with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and dill served on sizzling pan. Diners also get a plate of rice noodles, peanuts, chopped spring onions, parsley, nuoc cham sauce, and red chili slices, all of these are meant to be mixed together with the turmeric fish. Cha ca is so amongst that is popular that there’s a street in Hanoi Old Quarter named after it, although the best (and affordable) places to savor this seafood delicacy is at Cha Ca Thang Long in Duong Thanh Street.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 15:00, 17:00 – 22:00
- Address: 21 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Mien Xao Luon (Glass Noodles with Deep-Fried Eel)
Mien xao luon is yet another tasty option for seafood lovers, comprising stir-fried glass noodles in an eel-based broth with generous toppings of crunchy eels, bean sprouts, egg, cucumber slices, fried shallots, and purple perilla. Just like many dishes in Hanoi, a side of fresh herbs, shaved banana blossoms, and bean sprouts are served regarding the side. Dong Thinh Nha Hang Mien Luon at Hoan Kiem District is a hangout that is local for mien xao luon, where dishes are priced between VND 35,000 and VND 50,000.
- Opening Hours: Daily 17:00 – 23:00
- Address: 87 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Bun Thang (Rice Vermicelli with Chicken, Egg, Pork)
Bun thang or rice vermicelli with chicken, egg and pork may be enjoyed whenever you want associated with the day. The clear yet broth that is flavourful created using 20 ingredients, including dried shrimp, squid, shrimp paste, spring onion, coriander, ginger, mushroom, beet, fish sauce, sugar candy, and vinegar. It’s also a particularly attractive Hanoi dish as the noodles, chicken, eggs, pork slices, and a dollop of shrimp paste are carefully arranged to resemble a flower. Available mostly within Hanoi Old Quarter, we highly recommend Bun Thang Ba Duc as you are able to enjoy a bowl that is generous of thang for about VND 30,000.
- Opening Hours: Daily 18:00 – 22:00
- Address: 48 Cao Go, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Banh cuon (Rolled Cake)
Great as a light breakfast or midday snack, banh cuon is a variety of ground meat (chicken, shrimp, or pork), minced wood ear mushroom, onions, Vietnamese ham (cha lua), steamed beansprouts, and cucumbers that’s wrapped in a steamed rice flour sheet., Its overall taste is extremely mild despite the savoury ingredients, and you may also dip the banh cuon into nuoc cham sauce for additional flavour. You can easily spot roadside vendors selling banh cuon all over Hanoi, but Banh Cuon Gia Truyen in Old Quarter is an excellent alternative as the restaurant provides menus with English translations.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 21:00
- Address: 14 Hang Ga Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Banh Goi (Fried Dumplings)
Shaped like miniature pillows (hence the name), banh goi contains glass that is finely-chopped, wood ear mushrooms, minced pork, steamed quail eggs, and seasoning within a rice-flour pastry. It really is then deep-fried for a crispy texture and served with a dipping that is sweet-sour made with garlic, chilli, sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce. You’ll be able to pair your banh goi with fresh lettuce and coriander leaves if you find it too greasy to enjoy it by itself.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 21:00
- Address: 52 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Xoi Xeo (Sweet Sticky Rice)
Xoi xeo or sweet sticky rice usually comes with staple toppings of green mung bean paste, soy sauce, and dried shallots, you could go for many different add-ins such as for instance pate, boiled chicken, cha lua (Vietnamese ham), marinated pork belly, or preserved eggs for an even more substantial meal. Some restaurants also serve xoi xeo as dessert, topped with dried coconut shavings, roasted sesame seeds, and sugar that is crystallised. A cheap yet prominent xoi xeo restaurant is Xoi Yen, where you can enjoy a basic bowl for VND 15,000, with additional ingredients between VND 15,000 and VND 30,000.
- Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 22:00
- Address: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Pho Xao (Stir-Fried Pho)
Pho might be most widely known as rice noodles served in soup, but you can also appreciate it in the shape of pho xao, which will be stir-fried with onions, beef slices, and assorted greens. The flat pho noodles are usually crisp on the outside with a smooth glutinous texture, & most restaurants sometimes add fried eggs and chilli sauce to this simple dish that is yet satisfying. Thin is a restaurant that is family-run Hai Ba Trung District, where you could savour pho xao for only VND 50,000.
- Opening Hours: Daily 06:00 – 15:00
- Address: 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Nem Cua Be (Crab Rolls)
A popular street that is vietnamese, nem chua be (crabmeat rolls) can be purchased in street markets and local restaurants within Hanoi – the ideal choice is Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim in Hanoi Old Quarter. This crispy snack is shaped like a square and cut into bite-sized pieces, containing generous fillings of minced crab, pork, mushrooms, and spices that are various. Eat such as the locals do by pairing nem chua with fresh herbs and lettuce, along with dipping it in nuoc cham sauce.
- Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – 19:00
- Address: 67 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Chim Quay (BBQ Pigeon)
If you’re an adventurous food lover, then chim quay at Chim Quay Bit Tet is a must-try when you’re in Hanoi. A less fatty form of a Chinese-style roast duck, this dish comprises a whole pigeon seasoned with various spices and barbecued until crispy. Another variation with this dish could be the nom chim quay, that will be BBQ pigeon served atop a bed of lettuce, cooked onions, carrots, and papaya slices.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 23:00
- Address: 20 Hang Giay Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi
Bun Rieu (Rice Noodles in Tomato Broth)
Bun rieu comprises thin rice noodles with freshwater paddy crab and shrimp paste that’s served in tomato broth. A breakfast staple amongst locals, the dish can also be garnished with bean sprouts, prawn paste, herb leaves, tamarind/lime, tofu, water spinach, and tomato chunks. Like most Vietnamese noodle soups, local restaurants offer a basket of greens and herbs on each table, such as leaf lettuce, perilla leaves, cilantro, shredded morning glory stem, and in addition deep-fried crullers for dunking straight into the soup.
- Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 22:00
- Address: 11 Hang Ba Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi