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As a cultural center for a long time, Hanoi has maintained Vietnam's cultural heritage, and Hanoians have infused their culinary creations with this unique character. The city's famous dishes have contributed significantly to putting Vietnamese food on the global map.
Any visitor to Hanoi is bound to be impressed by the city's diverse culinary scene. The only dilemma for travelers is deciding "What to eat today?". With so many mouthwatering options, nearly impossible to try them all in a few days. Once you've tried Hanoi food, you'll understand why it's so addictive.
You don't have to find a delicious dish in Hanoi, just worry about choosing among them. Source: Tophotel
Therefore in the 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations, Hanoi was crowned the world’s top food destination. Among countless destinations offering world-class food, Hanoi still received the most love. There must be something special that has enchanted travelers. Let's join Asia King Travel to discover the reasons behind this fascination.
Travellers' Choice Best of the Best is an annual award presented by TripAdvisor, the world's leading travel website. This award recognizes destinations with hotels, restaurants, and attractions that have consistently garnered exceptional reviews and ratings from travelers over the last 12 months.
Hanoi proudly stands as the best food destination in the world voted by Tripadvisor's users. Source: Tripadvisor
This travel website has showered Hanoi, with praise for its tourism and cuisine. TripAdvisor introduced the capital of Vietnam as: “The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside.
Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon," but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest.”
Hanoi serves international crowds through food streets, such as Tong Duy Tan Food Street in Hoan Kiem District and Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa Walking Street in Ba Dinh District. Additionally, spontaneous food stalls around the city bring distinctive street food flavors. Tourists don't need to go far; walking in their neighborhood is enough to fill their bellies with delicious treats.
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Hanoi food is loved by people from all walks of life, including famous politicians. Source: VnExpress
International media and travelers widely acclaimed Hanoi food in the past year. TripAdvisor users have highlighted several must-try spots in the capital. Address these: Bun Cha Huong Lien, Giang Cafe, Hanoi Fish Cake, Pho Ly Quoc Su, Banh Mi 25, and Trang Tien Ice Cream.
Hanoi's culinary scene has been repeatedly honored by global travel publications. In 2023, the Michelin Guide arrived in Vietnam for the first time and released a list of 103 recommended eateries. Four Vietnamese restaurants were awarded one Michelin star, and three of them were based in Hanoi.
Hanoi cuisine is a melting pot of flavors from regions, some native to Thang Long and others imported from the surroundings. Yet, each dish is imbued with a unique culinary touch. As a result, these specialties have their one-of-one flavors and convey the unique cultural identity of Hanoi.
Culinary experts believe that Hanoi cuisine encompasses tangible elements (ingredients, flavors, colors) and intangible ones (etiquette, dining interactions, culinary artistry, presentation). Hanoi's dishes are appealing due to their balanced nutritional content, as well as meticulous selection of ingredients and refined cooking process.
Hanoi cuisine is the perfect balance of everything. Source: Shopeefood
Few culinary scenes can match Hanoi's unique combination of elements. These attributes have propelled the city to top travelers' must-visit lists. Tourists seek the unfamiliar when they travel, and Hanoi cuisine responds by a fresh and exciting experience. With its culinary appeal advantage, Hanoi has the potential to become a global tourism hotspot.
International travelers are increasingly interested in food tours as a way to explore Hanoi. These tours usually last for a few hours or a full day, taking participants to popular local restaurants recommended by a knowledgeable guide. Despite the short duration, food tours are the quickest way to wrap up local culture.
The Hanoi food tour is a fantastic experience filled with surprises. Not just about eating; you'll also visit various landmarks along the way. While sitting at a local eatery, you can observe how the dishes are prepared, interact with other diners, and watch the bustling street life. A cultural discovery you might not have realized.
To experience an unforgettable food tour, you must explore eateries in the Hanoi Old Quarter, which have maintained the time-honored traditions of Thang Long. Some of the notable food streets to create a food tour itinerary:
Dong Xuan Market Alley is a go-to place for noodles and snacks. Source: Vietnamnet
Tong Duy Tan Street is a great option outside the Old Quarter. Source: VOV
Nightlife spots for foreign tourists in the capital. Source: MIA
Suggested for you: North Vietnam Tour 3 hours: Taste of Street Food in Hanoi
Located at 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, this restaurant is a local favorite and consistently ranks among the most delicious pho. Prioritizing traditional flavors, their pho is a perfect combination of high-quality ingredients and avoids the MSG cooking method. For nearly 20 years, Pho Ly Quoc Su has never failed to impress customers.
Top address to enjoy Pho. Source: chonhangchuan
Cha Ca La Vong originated from the Doan family. With over 150 years of history, the restaurant has become so iconic that Hang Son Street where it’s on was renamed Cha Ca Street in Hoan Kiem District. The rich and flavorful fish cakes, paired with the fragrant herbs and fermented shrimp paste, make for an unforgettable dining experience.
Cha ca La Vong is made from lang fish, a type of catfish with few bones only found in the northern Vietnam mountainous regions. Source: Vinpearl
Tucked away in a small alley at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Cafe Giang humbly hides a culinary masterpiece. Mr. Giang created egg coffee by replacing milk with egg whites due to the difficulties Vietnam faced in the 20th century. From this experiment, a beloved egg coffee was born and has delighted people for over 80 years.
Only at Cafe Giang can you truly experience the authentic taste of egg coffee. Source: MIA
Slightly yellow egg coffee is served in a small cup. After being poured through a layer of whipped egg cream, the coffee at the bottom of the cup has a stronger flavor. When drinking egg coffee, you'll first experience the sweetness and creaminess of the sugar and egg, followed by the rich flavor of the coffee lingering in your mouth.
Established in 1958, the brand is named after its original and still current address: 35 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District. Trang Tien ice cream is soft, chewy, and refreshingly cool, made entirely from natural ingredients.
What makes Trang Tien ice cream more special compared to other international brands is the use of traditional Vietnamese flavors. Coconut milk ice cream, green bean ice cream, young sticky rice ice cream, etc. have won the hearts of many generations of Vietnamese people.
Always a long queue at 35 Trang Tien, even on the chilliest days. Source: Nguoi Lao Dong
The ice cream has a gentle sweetness, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of ingredients. Foreign tourists going on a Vietnam tour find Trang Tien Ice Cream both familiar and unique. Although just ice cream like any other, they can feel the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people in every bite.
Hanoi Old Quarter is a living museum, preserving centuries of Vietnamese culture. Behind the charming, old-world facade lies a culinary captivating taste buds worldwide. Let Asia King Travel be your guide to the authentic flavors of Vietnam. We are honored to introduce you to the wonders of Vietnamese cuisine and share it with the world!
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