With no extravagant looks, nor modern amenities, these restaurants have been famous over the years for their distinctive flavors that cannot be ‘imitation’.
Hanoians are famous for their refined eating habits, focusing on the aesthetics of the dishes and the elegant way of enjoying them. Although the lifestyle has many changes due to the influence of modern urban life, this eating habit of Hanoians has remained intact through generations.
The way of eating of Hanoians is also very interesting. They prefer hawker stalls and local food carts to fancy restaurants. However, this does not mean that they easily eat anything. The long-term existence and continuous development of long-standing restaurants in Hanoi is a clear proof of the sustainability of the inherent culinary traditions of Hanoians. There are even addresses that have been open for more than two decades, but every day is crowded with customers.
Bun Cha Hang Quat (grilled meat and vermicelli)
Over time, bun cha is still an idyllic dish, rich in the flavor of the Northern countryside. Visitors to Hanoi must definitely come to this traditional specialty at the right address with authentic flavor. Although it is an easy dish to make with simple ingredients including grilled pork and sauce, to marinate and grill a delicious batch of meat is an art. And only connoisseurs can create authentic sweet and salty dipping sauce in the Northern style. Hang Quat bun cha restaurant was born a long time ago and is always full of customers. At first, the restaurant only had a few tables against the wall. So far, the number of tables has increased and even spread throughout the alley 74. The best way to see how Hanoians eat bun cha is to come here and give it a try.
Bun Cha Hang Fan – Photo: @2uang_
Noodles with snails in Dong Xuan Market
The narrow streets and alleys around Dong Xuan Market are best known for a veritable culinary strip in the Old Quarter. A row of stalls selling street foods like noodle soup and banh gio here are always crowded. Among them, vermicelli is probably the most favorite dish, sticking to the eating habits of Hanoians. A bowl of steaming hot vermicelli noodles with a layer of old-fashioned fried tofu will make any diner irresistible. ‘Snail vermicelli in Dong Xuan market’ has the most typical flavor in Hanoi ever.
Noodles with snails at Dong Xuan market – Photo: @_nymmm
Hang Buom Chicken Noodles (Hang Buom Chicken Pho)
Chicken vermicelli on Hang Buom street is a bit sloppy but always full of customers. The unexpected attraction for visitors is the broth. Spreading on the sidewalk, people who come to eat always have to watch out for motorbikes parked right on the roadway. While waiting for a delicious bowl of chicken vermicelli, you can enjoy special crispy bread sticks.
Hang Buom Chicken – Photo: @janephan91
Pho Bat Dan (Pho Bat Dan)
Referring to pho, people immediately think of Bat Dan Pho as the most quintessential dish of Northern cuisine. Experiencing many ups and downs of history, Bat Dan Pho still maintains its position. Up to now, we can easily see a lot of diners lined up with empty bowls in hand to be served outside the restaurant. This type of subsidized selling is still applied by crowded stores.
Pho Bat Dan – Photo: @hanoi_rider
Pho Thin Pho Lo Duc
Opened in 1979, ‘pho’ Thin prides itself on being one of the best pho brands in Hanoi. Along with Bat Ban ‘pho’, Thin ‘pho’ has contributed to the legendary Vietnamese ‘pho’ brand, praised by people not only throughout Vietnam but also around the world. The bowl of Pho Thin is always full of meat, onions and greasy broth that is irresistible even for the most demanding diners. The shop serves only one type of pho, in which beef is quickly rolled in a large pan with various spices.
Pho Thin Lo Duc – Photo: @youko_food
Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh – To Hien Thanh
In addition to cinnamon rolls and shrimp rolls, Mrs. Hoanh’s rolls here are also served with grilled pork, which is the highlight of the restaurant. The rice paper is very thin, the meat is seasoned to taste, dipped with a rich dipping sauce to create an unforgettable plate of banh cuon.
Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh – Photo: @bachuaviahe
Ba My Chicken Porridge – Ly Quoc Su (chicken porridge)
The chicken porridge made by Mrs. My on the famous Church street attracts many diners not only because of its special taste but also because of the strange way of selling goods that the owner often curses at the staff. However, don’t worry or think she’s yelling at customers because that’s just her trait and people still love her.
Ba Mi Chicken – Photo: @rey.winter.stuff
Bun Dau Mam Shrimp – 31 Hang Khay (Vietnamese shrimp paste noodles)
This unassuming eatery is located in the narrow alley 31 of the street behind Hang Khay in the heart of Hanoi’s old quarter. In this alley, there are dozens of shops selling vermicelli with shrimp paste, so it is difficult to find the best one. According to many locals and seasoned travelers, the first restaurant on the left is worth a try. A tray of bean vermicelli here includes nearly a dozen dishes such as fried tofu, rice cake, and stomach. Thinly sliced pork leg and boiled pork tongue are also added to balance out the greasy ingredients on top. This smelly dish is best enjoyed at sidewalk eateries.
Bun Dau Hang Tray – Photo: @eatwlihami
Ba Nga Skewered Meat Bread (Ba Nga Grilled Meat Bread)
Located on Quang Trung Street, ‘Ba Nga skewered meat sandwich’ is the destination to enjoy the famous delicious grilled meat sandwich of Hanoi people from all walks of life for generations. The unique feature is that the pork is chopped, marinated carefully and then crumpled into soft grilled skewers. Grilled skewers can be eaten with or without bread.
Ba Nga Skewered Meat Bread – Photo: @conanganhang
Nom 25 Ham Long (Vietnamese Salad)
Ham Long is famous for dozens of salad shops along both sides of the road. In particular, Mai Nga salad at number 25 is the oldest and most famous. The shop is different from diners because of its mild sweet and sour taste that is hard for anyone to imitate. Here you can enjoy two main types of salad: traditional beef dry salad and organ mixed dry salad. Other complementary snacks include ‘filter cake’ (Vietnamese tapioca dumplings), ‘chicken cup’ (chicken neck) and ‘roasted bird’ (roasted bird).
Nom 25 Ham Long- Photo: @2uang_
Pancakes in Nguyen Cong Tru Lane Market
Tucked away in a small alley next to Nguyen Cong Tru market, the old-fashioned banh mi shop in Nguyen Cong Tru market lane is a great spot for a light brunch. The spring rolls here are not too big and greasy. It is often eaten with minced meat and spring rolls.
Banh Gio on Nguyen Cong Tru Market- Photo: @phieulowcarb
Luc Lac Gia Trinh Donuts Lane 16A Ly Nam De (Vietnamese Donuts)
Banh beo rattle is a famous snack of Hanoians during the subsidy period. The sweet taste of boiled green beans and the crispiness of the thin crust create an irresistible attraction for anyone who has tried it at least once. In addition to banh xeo, other traditional cakes of Gia Trinh often run out very quickly, especially during Tet and special occasions. Therefore, you should come and order a week before the festival to avoid being overwhelmed.
Pancakes Luc Lac Gia Trinh Lane 16A Ly Nam De – Photo: @giatrinh.bakery
Hang Bong Roast (Hang Bong Bread Stick)
Nearly two decades, the spinning bar on Hang Bong Street still retains its flavor. Pha Lau Que hot is not only a favorite dish of Hanoians for a long time, but also a place to recall the best memories of childhood with the same taste, the same seller and a few plastic chairs as in the old days.
Filming Hang Bong – Photo: @kitchibiicon
Tea 16 Ngo Thi Nham Street
This 30-year-old tea shop is located at the intersection of Ngo Thi Nham and Le Van Huu. This is said to be the oldest shop in Hanoi selling a variety of traditional teas such as green bean tea, black bean tea, lotus seed tea and Cam sticky rice. Thanks to natural ingredients and traditional cooking methods, porridge always retains its mild sweetness. Cheap price only from 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND.
Tea 16 Ngo Thi Nham Street- Photo: @linhthuyphung
Hang Bai sticky rice (Vietnamese yellow sticky rice with fried onions)
Xoi xeo (yellow sticky rice with fried onions) of Mrs. May on Hang Bai Street has become a familiar breakfast dish on the way of Hanoians for more than 2 decades. The greasy sticky rice has a golden color and is often sprinkled with green beans and fried onions on top. All ingredients here are fresh and safe for health, which has contributed to the long-term reputation of the restaurant.
Hang Bai sticky rice – Photo: @linhbca
Trai Porridge – Tran Xuan Xoan (Mussel Porridge)
Stalls and restaurants selling mussel porridge abound in the small streets of Hanoi. However, in no other place than “pearl porridge” Tran Xuan Xoan, you can enjoy a bowl of sticky rice porridge, full of mussels. The shop has been around for over 30 years. This place has become a reliable address for delicious and affordable mussel porridge (about 30,000 VND). The restaurant also serves tofu (Vietnamese tofu), a favorite dish of Hanoians, especially in summer.
Tran Xuan Soan Porridge – Photo: @fatnbroke_review
Suon Ran Le Duan (pork ribs)
Le Duan street fried ribs is famous for a long time. The dish is not a specialty but is a favorite snack of Hanoians, made from simple ingredients. Thanks to the special way of marinating and frying, the fried ribs here can satisfy even the most demanding diners. In addition to fried ribs, you can try other delicacies such as roasted stomach, rib porridge, fried chicken.
Le Duan running track – Photo: @lehoagduong
Van Than Noodles No. 8 Nguyen Bieu (Wontridge Noodles)
Opened more than 20 years ago, the bun cha restaurant at 8 Nguyen Bieu is always busy with queues of customers waiting to be served like the subsidy period. The noodle soup here is appreciated for the way the broth is cooked and the flavor of the shrimp dumplings.
Noodles Van Than Nguyen Bieu – Photo: @phmai307
Bun rieu Trang, Nguyen Sieu (crab vermicelli)
This specialty has been loved by many Hanoians for generations. It’s light and suitable for a hearty breakfast or brunch. Although more and more sidewalk eateries are opening, this 10-year-old restaurant still dominates the position of the best vermicelli restaurant in Hanoi, where customers often have to queue at peak hours.
Bun rieu Trang Nguyen Sieu – Photo: @numb2192
Nguyen Cong Tru’s sticky rice with kohlrabi
Located in a small alley at the end of Nguyen Cong Tru Street, ‘Xoi Khuc Co Lan’ boasts an authentic Vietnamese bean sticky rice flavor. Only in this restaurant, the filling of sticky rice is pieces of pork belly that are just soft and lean enough. Lan’s sticky rice is usually sold in the alley in the morning and moved to the street in the afternoon.
Kolan sticky rice cake – Photo: @foodyhanoi
Source: https://traveland.com.vn
