Hanoi is not only famous for its historical landscape and unique culture, but also conquers tourists with its rich and diverse cuisine. In particular, Hanoi street food has become a unique cultural feature, attracting tourists from all over the world. The rustic, simple but flavorful dishes have been deeply engraved in the hearts of every tourist who has ever enjoyed them. Readers, let's explore with us the Top 22+ Hanoi street food you cannot miss when coming there, where each dish carries within it the culinary quintessence and identity of the capital.
What is unique about Hanoi street food?
Hanoi street food
Hanoi street food is not simply delicious food, but also contains a part of the cultural identity of the thousand-year-old capital. With its diversity and richness, Hanoi cuisine has become a typical symbol of Northern Vietnam, attracting tourists from all over the world. The dishes here are skillfully prepared, imbued with traditional flavors, contributing to the soul of Vietnamese cuisine.
A unique feature of Hanoi street food is the flexible change according to the seasons, bringing different culinary experiences for each time of the year. In the hot summer, there is nothing better than enjoying a glass of sweet and sour, cool sour plum juice, which helps to cool down effectively. When autumn comes, a plate of fresh, fragrant green young rice with the characteristic flavor of young rice makes people's hearts flutter. In particular, famous dishes such as rice paper, bread, and pho are always loved all year round, becoming symbols of Hanoi cuisine.
Besides its irresistible taste, each Hanoi street food also reminds us of a part of the local history and culture. Hanoi Pho with its sweet and clear broth, soft and chewy rice noodles and fragrant slices of beef or chicken, has become a familiar breakfast dish and is sought after by international tourists. Banh mi, a dish combining French and Vietnamese cuisine with a crispy crust and diverse fillings, is always the perfect choice for a quick meal.
If you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the dishes that are only available here. It is a wonderful combination of unique flavors, sophisticated cooking techniques and the love of the capital's people for cuisine. These dishes will satisfy visitors' taste buds, leaving them with unforgettable memories of Hanoi's unique cuisine.
Top extremely attractive dishes not to be missed when coming to Hanoi
When you come to Hanoi, you will be attracted by the richness and diversity of the cuisine here. From simple street food to traditional dishes, Hanoi always makes visitors remember forever with its unique and unforgettable flavors. Below is a list of extremely attractive Hanoi street food that you cannot miss when visiting the capital.
Banh mi
Old Quarter Bread
Hanoi bread is a symbol of Vietnamese street food. With a crispy outer layer and a variety of fillings such as pate, pork sausage, salad, along with herbs and cucumbers, bread is a wonderful combination of ingredients that create an irresistible flavor. This is a dish you should try if you have the opportunity to visit the capital Hanoi.
Banh cuon (Vietnamese rice rolls)
Banh cuon is a popular and favorite breakfast dish of Hanoians. The thin, soft banh cuon pieces are made from rice flour, rolled with minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce with crispy fried onions. Banh cuon is often eaten with herbs, bringing a refreshing and rich flavor.
Bun oc (Snail vermicelli soup)
Hanoi Bun Oc - Hanoi street food
Hanoi's Bun Oc is a traditional dish with an unforgettable rich flavor. A bowl of hot, fragrant Bun Oc from the sweet and sour broth combined with fatty snails, crispy fried tofu and fresh vegetables creates a very attractive dish.
West Lake Shrimp Cake
West Lake shrimp cake is a specialty not to be missed when visiting Hanoi. The cake is made from flour and fresh shrimp, then fried until golden brown. Shrimp cake is usually served with sweet and sour fish sauce and raw vegetables. If possible, you should go to West Lake to enjoy this famous dish.
Banh goi (Pillow cake)
Pillow cake
Banh goi is a popular snack, characterized by its crispy, golden-fried crust, filled with pork, vermicelli, eggs and wood ear mushrooms. Banh goi is often served with raw vegetables and sweet and sour dipping sauce, making it the perfect dish for chilly Hanoi afternoons.
Banh duc
Hot Banh Duc is an ideal dish in winter. This cake is made from rice flour and tapioca flour, mixed until smooth. The filling is minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, fried onions, served with herbs and fish sauce with garlic and chili. The harmonious combination of salty, sweet and fatty flavors of Banh Duc creates a rustic but attractive dish.
Sweet soup
Sweet soup
Hanoi sweet soup is not only diverse in types but also rich in processing methods. Popular sweet soups such as mixed sweet soup, black bean sweet soup, lotus sweet soup, sweet soup with dried shrimp, sweet soup with white jelly, etc. all have their own appeal. Sweet soup can be eaten hot or cold depending on the season.
Banh da tron (Mixed rice paper)
Banh da tron (Mixed rice noodles) is a unique dish with large, chewy rice noodles, served with fillings such as sausage, fish cakes, tofu, raw vegetables, and peanuts. All ingredients are then mixed with sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a refreshing and flavorful dish.
Chicken noodle soup
Chicken noodle soup
Chicken noodle soup is a nutritious dish made from stewed chicken and herbs such as mugwort, wolf berry, red dates and lotus seeds. This is a delicious dish that also has health benefits, very suitable for days when the body needs to restore energy.
Pho
Pho Hanoi has become an icon of Vietnamese cuisine, with its clear, rich broth, soft rice noodles and slices of fresh beef or chicken. Pho can be enjoyed at any meal of the day, and wherever you go, Pho Hanoi always holds a special place in the hearts of diners.
Bun Cha
Bun Cha Hanoi
Bun cha Hanoi is a popular dish suitable for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bun cha consists of fresh rice noodles, fragrant charcoal grilled meat and sweet and sour dipping sauce, served with raw vegetables. The combination of the fragrant grilled meat and rich dipping sauce has made bun cha a famous street food not to be missed when coming to Hanoi.
Read more: Bun cha Ha Noi - Top 7 best places to try
Places to enjoy Hanoi street food
If you are planning to explore Hanoi cuisine, below are the must-visit places to enjoy attractive street food.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter with 36 streets is the heart of the capital, where thousands of years of culture are preserved. Not only a historical relic, the Old Quarter is also a street food paradise. Small alleys are intertwined with long-standing eateries, where traditional delicacies are still passed down through generations. Here, you can enjoy famous dishes such as beef noodle soup, bun cha, banh cuon and traditional cakes such as fried cakes and banh gio. The Old Quarter is the most ideal place for you to experience authentic Hanoi cuisine and feel the daily life of the capital's people.
To Hieu Street
To Hieu Street is located in Cau Giay District, one of the most famous culinary streets in Hanoi. With rows of shops close together, this street is like a miniature version of Hanoi, you can easily find countless delicious dishes from traditional to modern. From rustic dishes such as vermicelli with crab, mixed rice paper, to fast food such as bread, fried dumplings, all are available on this street. To Hieu Street attracts young people and is a favorite destination for those who want to explore the diversity and richness of Hanoi street food.
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is a culinary paradise for street food lovers. The market is famous for its crowded and bustling food stalls, offering a variety of snacks and rustic dishes such as banh xeo, banh tom, bun dau mam tom, bun cha and tao pho. The prices of the dishes here are also very affordable, suitable for everyone. A walk around Dong Xuan Market, enjoying delicious street food will definitely be an unforgettable experience for any tourist to Hanoi.
When coming to Hanoi, one of the experiences that cannot be missed is enjoying street food - where each dish reflects the culture and culinary quintessence of the capital. With Sinhcafe's Hanoi tours, international visitors will have the opportunity to explore the bustling, bustling streets and enjoy famous specialties such as pho, bun cha, banh mi, banh cuon or bun oc. Sinhcafe brings you an interesting culinary journey, combining visiting famous landmarks with experiencing unique local cuisine, ensuring that visitors not only admire the cultural beauty of Hanoi but also immerse themselves in the rich flavors of famous street foods.
Read more: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex: One of must-see Hanoi attractions