Exploring Ha Noi's Iconic Dishes: A Culinary Tour Guide

Created by Tuan Luong at 2024-05-10 12:05:49 , Updated by Mai PHAM at 2024-12-17 10:30:04
If you're looking for the best Vietnamese food, look no further than Hanoi, Vietnam! From budget-friendly street food to higher-end Vietnamese cuisine, there's something for everyone to enjoy Hanoi food.

Food plays a central role in Vietnamese culture, and sampling the local cuisine is a great way to immerse yourself in the traditions and customs of Hanoi foodtour. No matter where you eat, from a busy street food market to a family-run restaurant, you'll get to meet the locals and learn more about their way of life.

Explore the Vietnamese cuisines in Hanoi

Explore the Vietnamese cuisines in Hanoi @Tourlane

Why should you try food in Ha Noi?

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and a great place to explore and taste the local cuisine. The city is vibrant with new coffee shops opening up, creating a space for a new generation. Tradition still reigns, and one early wake-up will give you a window into their daily life.

For Vietnam food tour enthusiasts, Hanoi is also known for its authentic Vietnamese dishes that reflect the diverse flavors and ingredients of the country. From tasty street food to fancy restaurant fare, Hanoi has a lot to offer when it comes to culinary experiences. It's a great place to explore the best of Vietnamese cuisine through a Hanoi tourism.

Hanoi food reflects the diverse flavors and ingredients of the country

Hanoi food reflects the diverse flavors and ingredients of the country @VinWonders

Local cuisines you should try in Ha Noi

Bun cha Ha Noi

Bun cha is a dish many people consider the most iconic in Ha Noi. It is the combination of grilled fatty pork and pork meatballs served in a bowl of fish sauce mixed with garlic, chili, sugar, and a small amount of vinegar. You’ll also typically find a few pickled papayas and carrots floating on the bowl as well.

Along with your bowl of pork and sauce, you'll also get a dish of vermicelli noodles. Usually, you can ask for a bowl of sliced chili, peppers, and a big plate of fresh herbs and lettuce leaves if you want more taste stimulation.

Bun cha Ha Noi

Bun cha Ha Noi @Hotels.com

There are various options for bun cha eating places in Ha Noi, but for the expats, you can try this dish at Bun cha Huong Lien, located at No.24 Le Van Huu. This food store is constantly busy because of its international fame after President Barack Obama and Chef Anthony Bourdain visited here in 2016, so you have to plan to get there early to not wait for a long time.

Barack Obama visited Bun cha Huong Lien

President Barack Obama visited Bun cha Huong Lien @Thanh Nien

Banh mi Ha Noi

Banh mi Ha Noi is a local specialty that offers a delightful fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary influences. This iconic sandwich typically consists of a crispy baguette filled with abundant flavorful ingredients.

Banh mi Ha Noi usually features a crusty baguette that encases a variety of savory ingredients such as grilled pork, pâté, Vietnamese sausage, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumbers, cilantro, and chili peppers. You can feel the harmonious blend of textures and flavors inside your mouth, creating a truly satisfying culinary experience.

What sets Banh mi Ha Noi apart from any kind of sandwich is its distinctive balance of flavors. The harmonious use of local ingredients, results in a unique and memorable taste. Whether you're in the mood for a quick snack or a hearty meal, you can find local Banh mi stalls on any street and taste this street food delicacy at a reasonable price - around $1.

Banh mi Ha Noi

Banh mi Ha Noi @Tico Travel

Cha Ca

Cha ca is Hanoi's famous fried fish that has been infused with turmeric and dill. Usually, Cha Ca is made with filleted freshwater fish which can be easily found in any pond in Vietnam.

This food is served with vermicelli rice noodles, chili peppers, cilantro, peanuts, and fish sauce, and it's got all these great flavors going on. Cha Ca is the Hanoi dish that everyone knows and loves, and if you're going to Vietnam's capital, you've got to try it.

Cha ca Ha Noi

Cha ca Ha Noi @VinWonders

While Cha Ca La Vong is the famous Cha Ca establishment in Ha Noi, its popularity has led to different prices and quality between restaurants. For an authentic experience, it's a good idea to look for other places to get your Cha Ca fix in Hanoi.

Some recommendations for you are Cha Ca Thang Long, located at 19 - 21 - 31 Duong Thanh, which was recognized as a Michelin Bib Gourmand, or getting a generous dish of delicious Cha Ca at Cha Ca Anh Vu which takes place at 120 K1 Giang Vo.

Cha ca Thang Long

Cha ca Thang Long, 21 Duong Thanh @bohemian_eeezangnim

Pho

Undoubtedly, pho is a must-try dish when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine. Each pho taste might be different based on region, such as the sweet flavor in the Southern part of Vietnam, while it is soft and a little salty in the North, especially in Ha Noi.

Pho is food for the soul – warm, soothing, and yet packed with flavor, it’s one of the most famous street foods in Ha Noi. Usually, Hanoi Pho is made with spring onions, rice noodles, chicken or a slice of beef, and a fragrant bone broth.

Pho Hanoi with fried dough stick

Pho Hanoi with fried dough sticks @mia.vn

You can easily find any pho restaurant on every street, even deep inside in the alleys of Hanoi, there will be a pho store located at that place. From our perspective, we would recommend you try this delicacy at Traditional Pho, 49 Bat Dan, this place is only open from 6 am - 10 am and 6 pm - 8:30 pm daily, so make sure you plan accordingly.

Traditional Pho, 49 Bat Dan

Traditional Pho, 49 Bat Dan @mia.vn

Banh Cuon

This is a traditional Vietnamese breakfast food. There are two options for travelers: the meat one and an egg one for vegetarians.

Banh Cuon-making process is really fast. The rice flour batter is spread thinly over a cloth stretched over a steamer, creating thin, translucent sheets. Then they are filled with the savory pork mixture before being rolled up into delicate parcels. The process takes just 30 seconds to a minute to make a Banh Cuon dish.

Banh cuon Ha Noi

Banh cuon Ha Noi @VinWonders

Banh Cuon is popular for its simplicity and versatility. The combination of textures and flavors—the softness of the rice rolls, the crunch of the fried shallots, the freshness of the herbs, and the mixture of five tastes—makes for a comforting and satisfying culinary experience. 

You can try this local cuisine at Thanh Van traditional Banh Cuon, located at 14 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem. This place is open from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm, so do not worry about the lack of Banh Cuon here.

Thanh Van traditional Banh Cuon

Thanh Van traditional Banh cuon, 14 Hang Ga @mikey_wes

Egg Coffee

When you reach Ha Noi, you should try Hanoi coffee culture, especially egg coffee. Egg Coffee, one of six Vietnamese-style coffee variations that Michelin Hanoi suggests, is made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk, creating a creamy topping for strong Vietnamese coffee. Moreover, you can visit some of the best places to get your egg coffee, the specialty of Hanoi coffee:

Hanoi Egg Coffee

Hanoi Egg Coffee @Vietnamnet

Giang Cafe is one of the oldest cafes in Hanoi. It's the place to go for the legendary Hanoi egg coffee. If you don't like a bitter taste, you can get egg coffee with a sweeter version, like cocoa or matcha. It's served hot and put in a bowl of boiled water to keep it hotter for longer. The cafe has two brands, both attracting many locals and foreigners.

Giang Cafe, one of the oldest cafes in Hanoi

Giang Cafe, one of the oldest cafes in Hanoi @Vietnamnet

Dinh Cafe is a good choice for coffee lovers. Dinh Cafe is on the second floor of an old French villa with a beautiful view of Hoan Kiem Lake. The egg coffee cups at Dinh Cafe differ from those at Giang Cafe. So instead of being put in boiled water, you should drink them as soon as possible, or they'll get a bit smelly once they cool down.

You may also like: Top 7 Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi You Should Try Once

Che (Sweetened Dessert Soup)

When visiting Ha Noi, take your chance to taste Che. Che is a delicious dish that'll delight your taste buds with its rich flavors. There are many variations, each with a unique combination of ingredients and textures.

Typically, Che is served hot or cold based on customers' choices, with a sweet soup base made from coconut milk, mung beans, black-eyed peas, tapioca pearls, or glutinous rice. The soup is sweetened with sugar or condensed milk, which makes it indulgent and satisfying.

A Hanoi Che variation

A Hanoi Che variation @mytour.vn

What makes Che special is the way you can add different toppings like sliced fruit, jellies, cereals, and garnishes to it. These add layers of flavor and texture to the dish. Common toppings include tropical fruits like bananas, jackfruit, and mangoes, as well as chewy jelly, coconut flakes, and roasted peanuts.

Che offers a delightful medley of tastes and textures that is sure to please even the most discerning palate. You can try Che at many affordable street food stands anywhere in Ha Noi.

Making Che in a Hanoi food stall

Making Che in a Hanoi food stall @VinWonders

Conclusion

Ha Noi, Vietnam is the perfect gastronomical destination! It has a diverse range of cuisines, rich culinary traditions, and a lively ambiance. It's an unforgettable culinary experience that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime. A Ha Noi food tour is a must-do for people who enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and culture!

So, what are you waiting for? Book your culinary tour of Hanoi today with Asia King Travel and let your taste buds guide you on the exciting experience!

You may also like: Egg coffee in Vietnam: A special taste for travellers

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