12 Street Foods You Can't Miss in Hanoi's Old Quarter

The entire Dinh Tien Hoang street is bustling with stalls selling dried beef salad, but none are as popular as the renowned Dried Beef Salad at 57A Dinh Tien Hoang. A plate full of delicious, balanced flavors that will leave a lasting impression. In addition to dried beef salad, the shop also offers a unique bird salad that’s worth trying. Be sure to visit and savor this dish! The price for a plate of the full salad with dried beef, regular beef, bird meat, and herbs is surprisingly affordable.

The quality of the salad here is exceptional: crunchy papaya with a perfectly balanced sweet and sour dressing, combined with fresh herbs and dried beef. It’s a local favorite, and thanks to its prime location by the Hoan Kiem Lake, the shop is always packed with both locals and tourists. Though the space is limited when it gets crowded, the vibe of sitting and people-watching while enjoying the fresh air around the lake is a quintessential Hanoi experience. Besides the dried beef salad, they also serve appealing dishes like bánh bột lọc (clear rice cakes) and bánh đa cuốn (rice noodle rolls).

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 57A Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0968 968 696

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NomHaiSinhHK/

Opening Hours: 08:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Xoi Xeo (sticky rice with mung beans) is a must-try dish when visiting Hanoi's Old Quarter. The most famous and oldest shop serving Xoi Xeo in the area is Xoi May - Vong Duc. This simple yet satisfying dish consists of sticky rice, mung beans, fried shallots, a bit of dried pork floss, and a touch of shallot oil. Despite its simplicity, it’s beloved for its comforting and flavorful taste. The rice is soft, sticky, and aromatic due to the high-quality rice used, and it’s sweet even when chewed slowly. Every morning, a line forms outside Xoi May as customers eagerly wait for their turn. Despite the crowd, the owner is incredibly quick in serving. The shop is located not far from where the owner works, at Vong Duc Street near Hang Bai Street. You can still stop by and enjoy the dish if the main shop is too busy.

Xoi May - Vong Duc offers three main variations: Xoi Xeo with dried pork floss, Xoi Lac with peanuts and dried pork, and Xoi Ngo with corn and dried pork, and these are sold out quickly every day. Some days, the owner runs out of stock in just a couple of hours! A serving of sticky rice, paired with a cup of iced tea or soy milk, is a perfect combination. Both locals and tourists love this dish at Xoi May - Vong Duc.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 31 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Opening Hours: 05:30 AM - 1:00 PM

When it comes to wonton noodles in Hanoi's Old Quarter, many people immediately think of Phuong Beo's shop at 9 Hang Chieu. A casual eatery, the shop's space may not be luxurious, but it attracts crowds despite its simple setting. A bowl of wonton noodles at Wonton Noodles Hang Chieu isn’t cheap, priced at 60,000 VND per bowl, but the shop remains popular. The dish includes the two main ingredients: egg noodles and dumplings, along with flavorful char siu pork, a boiled egg, seasonal vegetables, fresh chives, and even shrimp if you opt for a more complete bowl. The soup base is carefully simmered, clear, and has a natural sweetness.

The broth at Wonton Noodles Hang Chieu is light yet flavorful, and the bowl is packed with toppings: shrimp, dumplings, and pork. The noodles are blanched in hot water before being served, achieving the perfect balance of chewy and tender. The dumplings are stuffed with a savory shrimp and pork filling, marinated with a secret recipe that makes them incredibly aromatic. With just a gentle touch of chopsticks, the dumplings burst open to reveal a delicious filling. The broth has a natural sweetness from the bones and shrimp shells, and it’s free from the artificial taste of monosodium glutamate. In addition to wonton noodle soup, the shop also serves dry wonton noodles, wonton dumplings, banh bot loc (clear rice cake), and drinks.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 56 Hang Chieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Opening Hours: 06:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Fried Dumplings at Hang Bo are a well-known treat throughout Hanoi. Though the quality has slightly decreased in recent years, the popularity of this street food haven remains high. In addition to fried dumplings, the shop also offers stuffed pancakes, shrimp cakes, juices, and yogurt. The dumplings are small but perfectly crispy, filled with a fragrant filling, and served with a balanced dipping sauce and fresh herbs, making for a satisfying snack experience. The fried dumplings here have been famous for a long time, and when you mention fried dumplings, it’s almost automatic to think of Hang Bo.

The stuffed pancakes are also highly rated, with a generous filling of glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, ground pork, eggs, Chinese sausage, and char siu. A great tip for first-timers at Fried Dumplings at Hang Bo is to order a mixed plate of fried dumplings, stuffed pancakes, and shrimp cakes. The shop is clean, and both the owner and staff are friendly and welcoming. The best part is that the prices are student-friendly, making it a popular spot that quickly runs out of stock.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 57A Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 024 3923 1255

Opening Hours: 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Clam porridge is a popular snack in Hanoi, but not every stall serves it with the same level of deliciousness and simplicity. To ensure you get the best experience, Mytour recommends Clam Porridge at Tran Xuan Soan, located at 26 Tran Xuan Soan. On cold and rainy days, nothing beats the warmth of a bowl of this hearty, aromatic porridge. The porridge is thick and rich, with the chewy, crunchy clams adding a perfect salty touch to the smooth rice base.

According to the owner of Clam Porridge at Tran Xuan Soan, the secret to making great clam porridge is to briefly boil the clams, then stir-fry them with fried shallots, and serve them separately. The clams are added fresh to the porridge as you eat, which ensures they stay tender and flavorful. The owner is very particular about sourcing the clams, choosing only the best, fat clams, cleaned thoroughly, and brought in from the owner’s hometown. This attention to detail has kept customers coming back for years, even though the price is higher than other clam porridge stalls.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 26 Tran Xuan Soan, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

Phone: 024 3972 1112

Opening Hours: 03:00 PM - 09:00 PM

If you're a true fan of vermicelli with fried tofu and shrimp paste, you can’t miss Cô Tuyến’s Vermicelli with Fried Tofu and Shrimp Paste at 31 Alley 29, Hang Khay. The dish comes with golden fried tofu, fresh vermicelli, and shrimp paste, along with a variety of additional options like pig’s trotters, pork belly, Vietnamese meatloaf, fried spring rolls, tail meat, beef stomach, and fried sausage. The ingredients are neatly arranged in a traditional basket, with a layer of banana leaves for a clean, appealing presentation.

Even the most discerning foodies will be impressed by the quality of this dish, despite the modest size of the space at Cô Tuyến’s Vermicelli with Fried Tofu and Shrimp Paste. After the first visit, you’ll surely want to return again and again, becoming a regular at this popular spot. Though the space is small and tucked away in an alley, the restaurant attracts many customers because not only is the food delicious, but it’s also much more affordable than other vermicelli spots around Hanoi.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 31 Alley 29 Hang Khay, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0348 579 436

Opening Hours: 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Bubble yogurt is a trendy treat that has been gaining popularity among young people recently. Unlike regular yogurt, this unique version features small cylindrical tapioca pearls, soaked in rich coconut milk, sprinkled with shredded coconut and aromatic sesame seeds. The chewy pearls pair perfectly with the creamy, mildly tangy yogurt, creating an irresistible combination. Due to its increasing demand, many bubble yogurt shops have sprung up, and Hạ Long Bubble Yogurt has truly become a household name. In Hanoi, the brand has expanded with multiple locations throughout both the city center and suburbs, catering to a wide customer base.

Visitors to Hạ Long Bubble Yogurt rave about the delightful blend of yogurt and a variety of toppings available at the shop. This refreshing dessert is particularly popular during the summer, with its cool, invigorating taste. The menu is diverse, offering white yogurt, fruit-flavored yogurt, and a range of snacks. The yogurt is served in visually appealing stainless steel containers, while the coconut tapioca pearls are rich and flavorful. Whether it's summer or not, bubble yogurt from Hạ Long remains a beloved treat, especially when the heat is on!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 25 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0708 692 692

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://suachuatranchauhalong.vn/

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/SuaChuaTranChauHaLong/

Fried sour pork (Nem Chua Ran) is a beloved street food that has captured the attention of many, particularly university students. It blends the tangy taste of fermented pork with the crunch of crispy skin, a spicy kick from chili, and the aromatic punch of garlic, all highlighted by the refreshing taste of medicinal herbs. The unforgettable sensation of biting into a hot, crispy nem chua, paired with the spicy sweetness of chili sauce and the cool crunch of cucumber or jicama, is a flavor experience you won't easily forget. One of the most famous spots in Hanoi to try this delicacy is Fried Sour Pork at 36 Tam Thuong.

The best time to enjoy these crispy treats is right after they’ve been pulled from the hot oil. Although slightly pricier, the quality of the nem chua here justifies the cost. Alongside the nem, customers can also indulge in fried sweet potatoes with a crispy exterior and a soft, tender center, served with a delicious soy dipping sauce. What sets this place apart is the dryness of the nem, which isn't greasy at all—dipping it in chili sauce adds the perfect finishing touch. A visit to Tam Thuong Alley, along with friends, to enjoy this snack on a cool evening is truly a special treat. Additional sides such as mango, jicama, cucumber, or garlic butter fried potatoes make the meal even more enticing. Despite being tucked away in a narrow alley, Fried Sour Pork at 36 Tam Thuong is incredibly popular, with plastic chairs often arranged in neat rows, creating the familiar image of the shop.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 36 Tam Thuong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0924 248 888

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nemchuarantamthuong.com

Fanpage: www.facebook.com/nemchuaran36tamthuong

Opening Hours: 08:00 - 23:00

These crispy Goki dumplings are fried to a perfect golden brown, with a thin crust that melts in your mouth. The filling is a delicious mix of minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, shiitake mushrooms, and a hint of Chinese sausage. No Goki dumpling is complete without a side of dipping sauce, and these are also paired with fresh green papaya. For years, Goki Dumplings at Gốc Đa has been the go-to place for locals to indulge in this iconic Hanoi snack. The shop is named after the large, centuries-old banyan tree that towers over the space, offering shade and character. Though the shop is small and simple, it’s always clean, and you can watch the dumplings being prepared and fried right in front of you. With over 30 years of experience, the food here is just as renowned as the tree it’s named after.

The dumplings are served crispy and perfectly proportioned. The filling is cooked just right, with the flavors of the shiitake and wood ear mushrooms preserved in each bite. Alongside the dumplings is a bowl of refreshing green papaya dipping sauce and fresh herbs, making this a perfect blend of flavors. While not world-famous, these dumplings have become a beloved tradition in Hanoi, attracting food enthusiasts to both street vendors and upscale establishments. Goki Dumplings at Gốc Đa also serves other delicious options, such as fried cakes and crispy shrimp. The standout feature of these dumplings is the perfectly thin and crispy dough, complemented by a flavorful dipping sauce.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 52 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0946 656 056

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/Banhgoigocda

Opening Hours: 08:00 - 21:30

Trang Tien Ice Cream has been a beloved treat since its establishment in 1958, continuing to be a nostalgic flavor that has never been forgotten. Over the years, this ice cream brand has grown and become well-known across Vietnam, solidifying its place as one of the top ice cream brands. While the original flavors remain popular, modern tastes have led to the creation of new and exciting variations, keeping the brand fresh and relevant.

Trang Tien Ice Cream is not just for kids, but adults alike, who flock to the brand for its unique, one-of-a-kind flavors that stand out from the rest. A stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake while enjoying a stick of Trang Tien Ice Cream has become a tradition for many visitors to Hanoi. This simple pleasure has become an integral part of the local culture and lifestyle. Plus, with its affordable prices, anyone can enjoy a treat from this iconic brand.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 35 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0969 963 839

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.kemtrangtien.vn/

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/kemtrangtiensince1958/

Opening Hours: 07:30 - 23:00

When talking about the favorite desserts of young people, the sweet offerings at Che 4 Mua Hang Can are unmissable. Hanoi has countless places serving delicious che, but if you haven’t visited this spot, you’re truly missing out. Located along the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, such as the shop at 93 Hang Bac, this small but charming shop offers a variety of che that’s both refreshing and not overly sweet. The prices are very reasonable, making it an accessible treat for anyone.

What makes Che 4 Mua Hang Can particularly popular is its long-standing reputation as one of Hanoi's most beloved traditional che shops, operating for over 40 years. The place is always busy, with crowds filling the sidewalks, even spilling into the streets during peak hours. The secret to its success lies in the consistency of its traditional flavors that have remained unchanged for decades. Recently, the shop has added a few modern touches to the menu, offering dishes like che khuc bach and soursop yogurt. However, the true star dishes remain the traditional options, such as lotus seed che, green bean che, and black bean che. Simple yet expertly made, these desserts embody the classic tastes of Hanoi and have become an essential part of the city’s culinary heritage. The shop operates daily from 9 AM to 10 PM.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 4 Hang Can, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0984 583 333 & 0966 396 366

Email: [email protected]

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/che4mua.hangcan/

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 23:00

On hot days when you're feeling thirsty, nothing beats a refreshing cup of mixed fruit salad. A well-known spot for this treat is the bustling To Tich street, where numerous stalls offer their own unique take on the dish. Hoa Qua Dam Hoa Beo is especially popular, with each cup typically containing watermelon and papaya, along with seasonal fruits such as yellow melon, jackfruit, strawberries, grapes, and dragon fruit.

Mixed fruit salads are a favorite snack among many, and some vendors even add ingredients like jelly or ice cream to make the dish more exciting and appealing. Depending on the vendor, the fruit salad may be served in a bowl or a cup, but in general, the prices are quite affordable and just the right amount to fill you up. Recently, Hoa Qua Dam Hoa Beo has expanded its menu to include smoothies, juices, and yogurt parfaits, catering to diverse tastes. On those scorching summer days, we simply can't overlook this cool, nutritious, and delicious fruit treat.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: To Tich, Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Phone: 0989 110 289 & 0937 541 988

Opening Hours: 09:30 - 22:30