• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • START HERE
  • BLOG
  • DESTINATIONS
    • BALI
    • CAMBODIA
    • CUBA
    • CZECH REPUBLIC
    • INDIA
    • MALAYSIA
    • MEXICO
    • GUATEMALA
    • MYANMAR
    • THAILAND
    • USA
    • UZBEKISTAN
    • VIETNAM
  • CITY GUIDES
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Store
    • Surfboards
    • Mens Apparel
    • Womens Apparel

15 Vietnamese Foods You Must Try in Hanoi

By Matt Forma 2 Comments Last Updated July 6, 2023

FacebookTweetPin

Best Foods to Try in Hanoi, Vietnam

Wait you mean there’s more to Vietnamese food than pho? Yes of course there is! There are so many Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi. Tasty dishes can be found everywhere. Vietnam’s capital is bursting at the seams with deliciousness.

The great thing about eating in Hanoi is the lack of pretension. It’s all about the food, not the restaurant. You can find most dishes in a simple street food setting or basic eatery for $1-3. It’s remarkably cheap to eat well.

When we first came to Vietnam we didn’t really know what to eat, so we just started trying anything that looked remotely appetizing. We were ready to try everything!

After months of research, living in Hanoi, maneuvering through traffic, and eating around, here are a few of our favorite things. Walk in, pull up a stool, sit amongst the locals, and dive in!

*Why We Seek is supported by readers. This post contains affiliate links that may earn a commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. Thanks.

1. Bún Chả

A bowl of Bun Cha with herbs and garlic. One of the Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

When Anthony Bourdain sat down with President Obama to eat this dish it made international headlines. Bourdain chose this dish for a very good reason. Bun Cha is probably the second most famous dish in Vietnam (other than Pho Bo) and it’s a common lunch item.

Who doesn’t like charcoal grilled pork, fresh aromatic herbs, bouncy vermicelli rice noodles, and pickled green papaya? When the ingredients are combined in a broth-like dipping sauce, it creates a tangy cool BBQ soup that is absolutely divine.

Vietnamese food is as much about texture as it is about contrasting flavors and bun cha covers both so well. It was the first Vietnamese dish that we truly loved. There were at least three places near our apartment to sit on tiny plastic curbside stools and enjoy this mouthwatering meal for breakfast.

Hai bun cha! Hai tra da! That’s one of the first things we learned to say in Vietnamese, “Two bun cha and two green teas!”.

Try it on the street (which is what we typically prefer) or if you want a cleaner place try:

Bún Chả Tuyết 34 Hàng Than, Nguyễn Trung Trực, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam 

Or you can try it for novelty where Obama and Bourdain ate: 

Bún Chả Hương Liên 24 Le Van Huu Hà Nội, Vietnam

Short on time? Book a Private Local Street Food Tour of Hanoi

2. Chả Cá

Cha Ca Thang Long in Hanoi, Vietnam

You’re in for a treat. This is one of Hanoi’s famous specialty foods that has garnered international acclaim in the last 5-10 years. The main ingredient is fresh snakehead fish which is very delicate and doesn’t taste fishy at all. It’s then combined with turmeric, dill, peanuts, rice noodle, and scallions, along with chilies, fish sauce, and additional herbs to top it all off.

This is another restaurant that only offers one thing made to perfection. Pairs nicely with white wine or beer. The medley of flavors and textures make this quite possibly the best fish dish we’ve ever tasted anywhere!

Try it here: Chả Cá Thăng Long
19 – 21 – 31 Duong Thanh, Hà Nội,Vietnam (Old Quarter)
120k VND per person

3. Bún Riêu Cua

A bowl of bun rieu cua in the old quarter. One of the Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

Next up, is this delicious tangy tomato-based soup is made with rice vermicelli and topped with pounded freshwater crabmeat, fried tofu, and green onion. Warm chunks of tomato and chopped morning glory float near the top awaiting your spoons tender embrace.

A dollop of chili sauce, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of garlic vinegar are the finishing touches. Lord have mercy! Easily one of the best Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

Try it here: 11 Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
35-45k VND

Check Current Rates and Book a Room in Hanoi, Vietnam

4. Bún Dậu Mắm Tôm

Bun dau mam tom. Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

Located in a tiny alley in the Old Quarter, this one took us some time to fall in love with. At first, we didn’t really like tofu that much. We didn’t necessarily hate it, but before living in Vietnam we certainly couldn’t imagine going out in search of it.

Bun dau mam tom changed our minds. Translating literally to “noodles” and “tofu” that’s what it is. Alongside a menagerie of herbs, it includes big cubes of rice noodles, perfectly crispy fried tofu, and fresh cucumbers. The idea is to dip, alternate, and enjoy.

The texture combinations going on are what we love most about it. Also, try the chả cốm cakes (fried seasoned pork and rice). Dip it all into nước mắm (fish sauce) and try the mam tom (very rich dark oily fermented shrimp paste) if you dare!

Try it here: Bún đậu Hương 55 Phất Lộc
55 Ngõ Phát Lộc, Hàng Bạc, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
37k VND

5. Phở Cuốn

Pho cuon a common food in Vietnamese cuisine in Hanoi, Vietnam

Pho in a different form! Aren’t you excited? Well, you should be. The first time we had this one of our good Vietnamese friends brought us here. It had been a few blocks away all along and we hadn’t noticed it.

Pho Cuon is a salad roll filled with beef, lettuce or mustard greens, and a selection of herbs all wrapped in wet rice paper. It’s served cool and then dipped into a lovely sauce of nước chấm (Vietnamese dipping sauce).

This dish is commonly found within the Truc Bach neighborhood. It’s a great little area that feels more like a small community, much quieter than other parts of Hanoi.

Every time we had a visiting friend we would make sure they tried it. Even less adventurous eaters will enjoy it. Cheap, healthy, and great for sharing!

Try it here: Phở Cuốn 31
31 Ngũ Xã, Trúc Bạch, Ba Dinh District, Hà Nội, Vietnam
55k VND

6. Bánh Cuốn

A serving of banh cuon with nuoc cham in the old quarter. One of the Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

Typically eaten for breakfast and lunch, a delicate white rice flour sheet is lifted off of a hot steamer with a long bendable piece of bamboo and filled with wood ear mushrooms and ground pork.

These dumplings are then brushed with liquid fat, quickly cut with scissors, and topped with fried onions and cilantro. Onto your plate, they go, like a freshly made hot mound of love.

It’s then dipped into (you guessed it) nuoc mam. Mrs. Coi (who has since passed on) earned her reputation here as one of the better shops in the old town.

Their peppered pork sausage cake is also delectable. Try the Chinese sausage while you’re at it, as it’s only 10k. You can also find cheaper street vendors spread across town and lingering in the alleys.

Try it here: Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền Thanh Vân
14 Hàng Gà, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
45k VND

Don’t Miss: Finding the Best Pho in Hanoi

7. Nộm Thịt Bò Khô

A plate of nom thit bo kho or dried beef salad in Hanoi, Vietnam

Nom Thit Bo Kho (dried beef salad) is a refreshing mix of Vietnamese beef jerky, peanuts, shredded fresh green papaya, slices of dried beef, and tossed with a light fish sauce dressing.

This differs from the Thai or Lao version of papaya salad as it’s not so boldly flavored or spicy. Get a side order of nem cuốn (fresh spring rolls). We ordered the pork rolls, which contained pork skin, toasted rice powder, papaya, and Thai basil.

Try it here: Long Vi Dung
23 Nhà Hỏa, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
35k VND

8. Bún Bò Nam Bộ

Bun bo nam bo with chili sauce and garlic vinegar. Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

Mmmm, Bun Bo Nam Bo, how you have our hearts. Wok tossed beef, crunchy bean sprouts, a sprinkle of peanuts, fried shallots, and pickled veggies. Add a nice squeeze of lime and you’re ready to indulge.

I’m hungry just thinking about it! It tastes like a warm summer afternoon in a bowl. This shop does only one dish and they do it well. One of the best dishes Hanoi has to offer!

Try it here: Bún Bò Nam Bộ
67 Hàng Điếu, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
60k VND

Read Next: How to Ride the Most Epic Motorcycle Loop in Ha Giang, Vietnam

9. Bánh Xèo

Banh xeo with dipping sauce in Hanoi, Vietnam

This is a classic Vietnamese snack, made famous around the world by Anthony Bourdain on his No Reservations TV show. Translating to “sizzling cake”, feast your senses on this pan-fried savory crepe filled with crispy bean sprouts, green onion, pork, and/or shrimp.

Meant to be eaten with your hands this is another wonderful DIY dish that comes with rice paper and lettuce to roll your crepe in. Add Thai basil and mint leaves for extra flavor. Dip your rolls in nuoc cham to set your tastebuds flying!

Try it here: Bánh Xèo Sáu Phước
74 Cầu Đất, Hà Nội, Vietnam
12k-40k VND

10. Bánh Mì

A banh mi sandwich from Banh Mi 25 in Hanoi, Vietnam

Simple, cheap, and easy. Who doesn’t like a good sandwich? Pickled veggies, cilantro, marinated meat, and pâté all laid onto a nice warm French roll. The baguette was introduced by the French during the colonial period in Vietnam and can now be found everywhere.

The owner of the shop told me, “If it doesn’t have pâté, it’s not Vietnamese food. My family’s specialty is pâté.” I recommend trying the bánh mì thịt lợn (pork) with pâté. They also have a honey-grilled chicken sandwich or a tofu version for vegetarians.

Try it here: Banh Mi 25
25 Hàng Cá, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
15k-25k VND

11. Cơm Rang Dưa Bò

Com rang dua bo a rice dish in Vietnamese cuisine

If you’re more of a rice person or you’re sick of eating noodles, here’s one dish you can’t miss. It may not be one of the most incredible dishes in Vietnam, but it’s well worth eating. We would eat this dish at least once a week.

Com rang dua bo consists of fried rice, tender chunks of marinated beef, pickled cabbage, some chilies and scallions, and cucumbers on the side. We like it with plenty of garlic and lime. Wash it all down with a Hanoi beer.

Most restaurants and Bia Hoi’s anywhere in Hanoi should have this perfectly simple dish.

Try it here: Bia Hoi
50 Bát Đàn, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
35k VND

Like Fun Day Trips? Book this Day Trip From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

12. Nem Cua Bể

Nem cua be are fried crab spring rolls in Vietnamese cuisine

You can find many types of spring rolls all over Vietnam, but nem cua be, made with fresh crab meat, are the best of the fried variety. They are a specialty from Hai Phong, a seaside town north of Hanoi, but they are plenty delicious in Hanoi too.

They come with a side of bun (rice noodles), crunchy bean sprouts, and a plate of raw herbs. These are great snacks with beer!

Try it here: Nem Vuông Phố Cổ
37 Đào Duy Từ, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
45k VND

13. Cơm Bình Dân

A plate of com binh dan or working class rice in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Food of the common people or “working class rice” is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. You will find one of these places on almost every city street in Hanoi. A buffet-style meal priced by weight or a set rice combo.

On offer are a variety of meat and veggie dishes, spring rolls, tofu, and the most scrumptious peanuts you will ever eat, all served on rice with a side of soup. We’ve recommended New Day Restaurant where prices are higher and it’s conveniently located in the Old Quarter, but you can find these places all over Hanoi. Just keep an eye out for a sign that says Com Binh Dan and you’ll eat very well for $1 or $2.

Try it here: New Day Restaurant
72 Mã Mây, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
25k-90k VND

Like to Cook? Book a Small Group Cooking Class in Hanoi

14. Bò Bía Ngọt

A woman on a bike sells bo bia ngot a dessert and one of the Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi.

A cheap and light traditional dessert that was popularized many years ago. Bo bia ngot isn’t overly sweet or rich. The combo of a soft thin pancake with crunchy honeycomb, chewy coconut, and toasty black sesame seeds offers a texture unlike anything else.

One of our Vietnamese friends told us that it reminded him of his childhood. Give it a try if you’re in the area near the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Definitely one of the more interesting Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi. Just look for a man or woman on a bike with a styrofoam box that says “Bo Bia” written in red.

Try it here: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho
(The causeway between Tay Ho/West Lake and Truc Bach Lake)
5-10k VND

15. Tràng Tiền Ice Cream

Kem com ice cream bar from Trang Tien in Hanoi, Vietnam
Nothing like an ice cream bar on a warm night in Hanoi.

Lastly, we have to mention this place! Having served ice cream since the 1950s, Kem Trang Tien has become a long-hailed institution among Hanoians for their sticky rice ice cream bars and coconut ice cream scoops served in a crisp waffle cone. Our favorite is the chewy kem cốm (green rice flake) ice cream bar, bet you can’t eat just one!

Try it here: 35 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
10k VND

Hope you enjoy these Vietnamese foods to try in Hanoi. Eat your heart out!

Like this post?

It cost nothing to share it. Click the share buttons below or save the pin. It helps other people find the blog and it supports my work. If you found this post helpful you can buy me a coffee. Thank you!

Any dishes you think need to be added to the list? Do you enjoy Vietnamese food?

15 Vietnamese Foods You Must Try in Hanoi, Vietnam // Why We Seek
Pin this for your trip!

Related Posts

  • Bun rieu cua street food vendor in the Hanoi Old Quarter
    29 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Goulasz and bread dumplings in Prague, Czech Republic
    Ten Must-Eats in Prague
  • 20 Thai Foods You Must Try in Bangkok, Thailand
FacebookTweetPin

About Matt Forma

Adventure seeker, travel blogger, and photographer based in Denver, CO.
I enjoy good coffee, great conversation, meeting new people, live music, tattoos, and tacos.

Join the List

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emma says

    May 27, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    Great foodporn? looks so good, this is worth so much to us when the time comes for us to go to Vietnam, well done!

    Reply
    • Sindhya says

      May 28, 2019 at 1:19 am

      Thanks for checking it out! You’ll absolutely love the food in Vietnam!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to my Travel & Photography Blog!

A portrait of Matt Forma from the Why We Seek travel blog in Vietnam.
Hey, I'm Matt. A travel blogger and photographer from Denver, Colorado. I like to travel, get creative, seek adventures, and eat delicious food!

Here you'll find useful guides, itineraries, travel inspo, photography tips, stories, and thoughts on culture. I hope to help you get more out of your trips and inspire you to explore the beauty of our world.

Subscribe!

Looking for something?

Let’s connect

  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • twitter
  • mail
Buy me a coffee button

Recent Posts

  • 10 Cheap Eats in Antigua, Guatemala
  • Living in Bangkok: 10 Pros and Cons
  • Cedar Point Roller Coasters, Rankings & More
  • Whitney Plantation – The One Place Every American Should Visit
  • A Trip to Football Heaven: Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH

Categories

  • START HERE
  • BLOG
  • DESTINATIONS
  • CITY GUIDES
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • Store

Copyright © 2023 | All photos (unless otherwise noted) by whyweseek.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.