Vietnamese food is a good combination of five spices and Yin and Yang philosophy in all daily that can be seen in single dishes every day. Many vegetables and herbs are widely used in cooking to keep it good balance that is to do well for the body. It is quite low in sugar and gluten free as lots of dishes that are made from rice or rice noodles. One of the indispensable ingredients what locals call ” nuoc mam”- fish sauce- is widely used for marinating, cooking and dipping sauce instead of soya or others Food is found different in three parts of the country depending on their spices availability – sweet and vibrant in the South, royal, complicated, spicy and royal in the Centre and adjustable and saltier in the North in Hanoi. Hanoi capital or Old Quarter has been famous for many specialties for a long time that is well-known for its elegance, gourmet, stylish and taste…
Therefore, those are some of the most popular distinctive dishes that can be found in both street and decent restaurants around Hanoi Old Quarter. Here are some in the top list.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Pho Cuon Ngu Xa

Summer roll Ngu Xa (Ngu Xa Street). It is sometimes misunderstood by foreigners about the local name, it is often called ” summer roll” in the West.
This dish is served in all small local restaurants along the Ngu Xa street with four or five restaurants offering it. It is made from fresh thick rice paper that use to wrap fresh lettuces, herbs and well prepared cooked beef. A tasty dipping ” nuoc mam – fish sauce” that includes sugar, lime, fresh garlic, sugar and chilly comes along then. This is served as light meal or finger food.
All fresh, sweet, sour, salty and spicy are all in one! (Customers can choose: Hung Ben, Huong Mai all close together. Price is 7000VND/ roll).

Pho Cuon Ngu Xa

Pho Bat Dan

Rice noodle soup with beef, is a heirloom restaurant with more than one hundred years old and considered the most famous Pho in Hanoi! Only three types of rare, medium and well done beef are served, customers have to queue for the turn, pay in advance and experience “self-service” in a small and crowded space. Its specialty comes from long cooked cow bones instead of ready- made ingredients that brings clear and sweet broth. Having with lots of different green, herbs, lime and chilly according to your reference.
This is only found in number 49 Bat Dan street. (35,000VND -55,000VND / bowl).

Nem

Deep fried spring roll, is regarded as a “must” dish in all daily feast and during Lunar new year in Vietnam. It comprises a various mixture of meat, vermicelli, egg and green and wrapped with very thin dried rice paper and be fried in oily pan. All served with customized fish sauce according to your reference. This is easily seen both street and decent places around.

Bun Cha

Bun Cha 1st Hang Manh street- Apart from Pho and Nem, Bun Cha cannot be missed in the top list specialties in Hanoi- Opening since 1965, it has had its fame and quality so far. The dish comes with fresh noodles, roasted pork meatballs and caramelized belly, lots of green (sliced lettuces, coriander, bean sprouts and herbs). Besides, a good “fish sauce” – mixed of rice wine vinegar, hot or not hot chili, sugar, garlic, chili and pickled green papaya and carrot is really important. Dipping fresh rice noodles in the sauce bowl and having it will bring a very good balance of sweet, savory, spicy… (It costs around 50,000 VND or more depending on your order)

Bun Cha

Cha Ca La Vong

Cha Ca La Vong – Grilled fish at 14 Cha Ca Street. It was opened and run by Doan family and hemibagrus (one type of catfish) or snake head fish is typically used to make the dish. Cha Ca is prepared with very careful and interesting work. Fish is marinated with turmeric sauce, galangal, pepper, dill and fresh ginger and will be barbecued in charcoal or fried. This dish comes with fresh rice noodles, spring onion, peanuts and Man Tom- Local shrimp paste mixed with sugar, chilly, rice wine and lemon. An oil stove will be provided for customer to heat by themselves. Therefore, try it once before leaving this city. (Price 175,000VND per person).

Cha Ca La Vong

Banh Mi

Banh Mi 25 Hang Ca – Vietnamese sandwich, baguette was introduced in the mid-19th century by French when Vietnam under its colonization, is considered as street food or a replacement for snacks or on and off breakfasts. Banh Mi 25 is a small and cozy restaurant with friendly staffs where customers can have a seat or opposite to watch the world go by t is a bread loaf filled with roasted pork or egg, cucumber, sliced carrot or a variety of choices according to your order. (Price from 20,000VND – 40,000VND)

Banh Mi

Egg Coffee

Egg coffee – Instead of having deserts, a cup of egg coffee will be a replacement for Hanoian- Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by French in early 18th and now becomes extremely popular all over the country. Coffee shops and restaurants are available everywhere, of those egg coffee considering the specialty in this area. starting in 1950s by a local family ” Giang” who is living in number 39 Nguyen Huu Huan street– has its fame for long time. Separated egg yolk and white is needed to be careful and well prepared before pouring into ready-made hot coffee. Enjoying it by sipping or up to your pace when it is hot and guess what flavor?

Egg Coffee

Banh Tom

Banh Tom- Shrimp Cake in Ho Tay. It comprises wheat, tapioca starch, rice, turmeric flours spring onion, garlic and baking powder that will be mixed together and then sliced sweet potato and shrimps. A big spoon or a mold will be used to hold the paste and place the sweet potato threads and shrimp into the preheat pan It will float out of the mold, then drain it in the basket. Having it by dipping sauce includes sugar, lime, nuoc mam (fish sauce) and chilly and with lots of herbs. (It costs from 80,000VND – 150,000VND)

Banh Tom

Banh Cuon

Banh Cuon ba Hanh (16B Tho Xuong)- Steam rice rolls stuffed with pork and mushrooms. Trying street food in Hanoi, banh cuon has to be mentioned in the list and it is usually for breakfast. To make it, it is necessary to choose delicious rice, mill finely, and mix it with water. Place the steamer, stretch the cloth over the O-shaped ring and place it on the mouth of pot. Each time, put a small flour spoon; spread it all over the cloth to make a thin layer. After the rice roll is well done, take it out of the cloth and put it into a plate. Then, roll extra meat, shrimp, black mushroom and hash, fried mushrooms cooked with spices such as fish sauce, sprinkle pepper. It will be enjoyed with a fish sauce bowl and some slices of pork pies and a little dried onion. Should try it when it is hot. (Price 20,000VND- 40,000VND)

Lau – Hot Pots

Lau- Hot Pots. Lau is one of the most popular dishes and street food to eat in in cool months in the area.
Ingredients are cooked on the table when plunged into the hot pot of stock. Typical ingredients cooked in this hot broth are beef, chicken or pork, fish or seafood, noodles, fresh vegetables and more.
There are many different kinds of hot pots, however, chicken and seafood are the most popular here.
This is a large dish that is meant to be shared. Cuts of vegetables and meats are dipped into the common hot broth which gets more flavorful as the meal goes on.
The cooked ingredients are then dipped into a sauce, typically made with chili, garlic, lime and salt.
(Price from 200,000VND -500,000VND and 4 people can share) (Phung Hung Pho -10 Phung Hung Str, La Quan -6A Hang Luoc Str).

With the above What to eat in Hanoi sugggestion. Hopefully you and your family will enjoy your trip. Let’s us know if you need any further help.