Buzz
For a long time, Nghia Tan has been a renowned culinary hub in the capital. When you mention Nghia Tan, it's impossible not to think of humble delights like pho, snail porridge, pyramid dumplings, and pan-fried bread…
When in Hanoi, indulge in the fame-making flavors of Nghia Tan through these 8 delectable dishes
1. Pillow cake and shrimp cake
Pillow cake and shrimp cake are popular snacks cherished for their crispy texture dipped in a delightful sweet and spicy sauce. While Hanoi boasts numerous places offering these treats, Ngoc Tu stands out among the highly regarded culinary addresses.
Despite the crowded venue, the dishes consistently deliver an appealing and mouthwatering experience. The pillow cakes are perfectly fried, hot and steamy, cut into thirds, served with dipping sauce and fresh herbs. The generous filling includes finely minced meat, vermicelli, and finely chopped wood ear mushrooms.
Indulge in the top-notch quality of the shrimp cakes here, served as delightful portions with generous fillings and large succulent shrimp. Priced at 35,000 VND per serving, these pillow cakes and shrimp cakes are substantial and satisfying, making for a fulfilling meal throughout the day.
2. Pyramid Dumplings
In the vicinity of Nghia Tan, you'll find a line of vendors selling pyramid dumplings, but the most renowned is Thu Loan's pyramid dumplings - located right at the entrance of the street. Crafted from simple ingredients like rice flour, banana leaves wrapping the exterior, and pork filling, Thu Loan's pyramid dumplings follow a unique recipe, creating a soft, aromatic, and enticing delicacy that beckons repeat visits.
Despite having no flashy signage and a modest setup with a few plastic chairs, the place attracts a bustling crowd every day, filling the sidewalk to capacity. Operating only in the late afternoon, the prices are reasonable at 13,000 VND per piece, or 20,000 VND with additional pork sausage. The sizable dumplings, coupled with their quality, make them worth every penny. Always in high demand, the dumplings are served fresh and piping hot, with each one being a potential hand-burner.
3. Vermicelli with Fermented Shrimp Paste and Fried Tofu
While Nghia Tan is renowned for its myriad of delectable eateries, there are few places that prepare traditional vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste as delicately as this one. Every ingredient is processed with exceptional care, ensuring diners both peace of mind and a delightful culinary experience.
The vermicelli with tofu here is presented on a platter, customizable to each guest's preference, featuring vermicelli, Mơ village tofu, green rice pork sausage, pork, and intestines – each dish authentically delicious. Additionally, the accompanying vegetables are meticulously cleaned.
In addition to the basics, diners can choose from a variety of other dishes at affordable prices. The establishment also offers a diverse range of beverages, including iced tea, corn juice, lemonade, or corn milk, priced from 5 to 12,000 VND per cup.
Open all day at 35,000 VND per serving, which includes vermicelli and tofu, the price may seem high, but in terms of quality, it's well worth it. If you find that insufficient, you can also order a plate of assorted innards, both delicious and satisfying throughout the day.
4. Silken Tofu Sweet Soup
Silken tofu sweet soup is a must-try in the 'snack paradise' of Nghia Tan. Renowned for being both delicious and affordable, it guarantees a satisfying taste without breaking the bank.
There are countless places to enjoy silken tofu sweet soup in Nghia Tan, with rows of inviting ladies right at the market entrance. Despite the competition, each spot is packed with customers, and waiting in line during peak hours is a common sight. Although it's just silken tofu with a bit of jelly, fresh coconut, coconut water, and occasionally scents of jasmine or pomelo, every bite leaves a lasting impression.
The venue offers 3 unique varieties of silken tofu sweet soup: the comprehensive mixed tofu sweet soup, caramel silken tofu sweet soup, and mung bean sweet soup with tofu, priced between 6 to 19,000 VND per type. With such diverse choices, every visitor here leaves content and delighted, as nowhere else in the vicinity offers such creatively flavored silken tofu sweet soup.
Silken tofu sweet soup stalls around the market area typically operate from morning until around 4 pm, so if you venture beyond this time, you can ask for directions to the back gate of Nghia Tan Secondary School, where another delicious, nourishing, and affordable silken tofu sweet soup stall opens until 9 pm.
5. Snail Porridge
For your Hanoi travel, don't miss out on one of the most renowned eateries in the Nghia Tan area – the snail porridge stall in A14 Nghia Tan. The porridge here is cooked to a creamy smoothness, generously filled with an abundance of snails. What sets it apart is that the snails are directly added to the pot, unlike many places where they are kept separate from the porridge.
There's an ample amount of snails in the bowl, allowing diners to choose how many to enjoy and ensuring the bowl isn't overly crowded. Although the space is compact, accommodating only 6 or 7 tables for approximately 20 people, it's always buzzing with customers. Apart from snail porridge, the menu also includes balut eggs as an additional hearty option. A bowl of snail porridge here is priced at a wallet-friendly 15,000 VND, making it an affordable and satisfying choice.
The venue's space is relatively small, with only 6 or 7 tables that can seat around 20 people during peak hours.
6. Pan-fried Bread of Nghia Tan
A serving of Nghia Tan pan-fried bread includes a seared slice of pate, a sunny-side-up egg, mashed potatoes, and 3 – 4 grilled meat slices perfectly coated with a unique reddish-brown sauce. All of this is placed in a charming hot little cast-iron pan, emitting an enticing aroma.
The pate is soft and fragrant, and the accompanying sauce, with its captivating brown-red silky texture, is visually appealing and tantalizing with the scent of butter, the gentle acidity of tomatoes and vinegar, and the sweetness of sugar. Thanks to this special sauce, the pan-fried bread becomes soft and more flavorful. However, for those unaccustomed to tangy flavors, the sauce might be considered slightly acidic.
Additionally, Nghia Tan's pan-fried bread is served with pickled cucumbers, adding a delightful touch. The price for a full cast-iron pan of this pan-fried bread is 45,000 VND.
7. Dried Beef Ear Salad Spring Rolls
This salad stall is located near Nghia Tan market and is praised for having the most variations in Hanoi. In addition to the dried beef ear salad, there are also crispy ear spring rolls, clear tapioca dumplings, and eye-catching salad rolls.
The salad plate is always arranged generously, bathed in a delightful sweet and sour broth, accompanied by various delicacies like dried beef, ear spring rolls, crispy ear spring rolls, and dumplings. The rolls, rolled to perfection, offer a substantial and smooth tapioca outer layer with a flavorful filling. Each bite, with its crunchy ear and aromatic thính scent, is a delightful experience.
Many deem the price of around 35,000 VND as somewhat 'steep' compared to other salad stalls, but only after dining here do they realize that, considering the quality ingredients, it's a reasonable cost for a satisfying and delicious plate of salad. The option to order individual spring rolls for 7,000 VND each is also available.
8. Tung Diep's Braised Wonton Noodles
Situated in the A14 collective housing of Nghia Tan, the space is compact with neat plastic tables and chairs, always bustling with customers. Therefore, waiting for a bowl of wonton noodles here is a norm. Although the bowl may seem small at first glance, it's rich with char siu, boiled eggs, pork liver, fish balls, and more, offering a hearty meal for those with a robust appetite.
The tender meat, fragrant and peppery fish balls, and naturally sweet broth with a shrimp aroma make every bite delicious. Additionally, they offer a unique dry version of braised wonton noodles. Priced at 35,000 VND per bowl, it's a reasonable cost for a distinctive and satisfying meal. Despite the morning crowd, the service is relatively quick.
According to Tri Thuc Tre
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourApril 14, 2017
