Discover the Top 6 Must-Try Crispy Shrimp Cake Spots around Hồ Tây Lake, Hanoi

When it comes to street snacks in Hanoi, what springs to mind? There are plenty of tempting treats, but perhaps none as renowned as Hồ Tây crispy shrimp cakes. If you're curious about the origins of this delectable dish or the most famous spots in Hanoi, let's explore together through this article brought to you by Mytour. 

1. Introduction to Hồ Tây Crispy Shrimp Cakes

When we talk about shrimp cakes, we're referring to a delicacy that originated from street vendors. Over time, these cakes gained popularity and started being sold in more upscale and elegant establishments. The name “Hồ Tây shrimp cakes” emerged because these street vendors used to sell them near Hồ Tây Lake, and later on, the restaurants around the lake also adopted the dish. It's worth noting that Hồ Tây Lake was a favored recreational spot for many kings during the Trần dynasty.

Since then, Hồ Tây crispy shrimp cakes have become a beloved delicacy enjoyed by many diners. Not only locals but also visitors to Hanoi eagerly anticipate savoring this dish. Crispy shrimp cakes are also a popular choice for gifts or recommendations to foreign guests visiting the capital city.

2. Check out 5 Famous and Delicious Hồ Tây Crispy Shrimp Cake Spots 

Nghĩa Tân Crispy Shrimp Cakes

• Address: A20 Nghĩa Tân, Cầu Giấy, Hanoi
• Price range: 10,000đ – 50,000đ
• Opening hours: 13:00 – 22:00

If you're a fan of Hồ Tây crispy shrimp cakes, then the ideal spot for you is Nghĩa Tân Crispy Shrimp Cake stall. Though located in an alley, it's easy to find, with a small yet impeccably clean and airy space. The stall is always bustling with customers coming and going, especially young snack enthusiasts.

Nghĩa Tân Crispy Shrimp Cake stall boasts a diverse menu featuring a plethora of enticing snacks. From crispy shrimp cakes, fried sour pork rolls, pillow cakes, dried beef salad, ear spring rolls, to tofu pudding… The shrimp cakes here are exceptionally delicious, earning high praise from diners. The batter blends smoothly with finely grated sweet potatoes, offering a slightly sweet and savory taste, complemented by fresh and firm shrimp filling. The accompanying assortment of vegetables and the sweet and tangy dipping sauce are irresistibly mouthwatering. You're sure to be satisfied right from your first bite.

Hồ Tây Crispy Shrimp Cakes

• Address: 1 Thanh Niên, Yên Phụ, Tây Hồ, Hanoi
• Price range: 80,000đ – 130,000đ
• Opening hours: 09:00 – 21:00

The Hồ Tây Crispy Shrimp Cake Stall stands out as one of the most famous spots for crispy shrimp cakes in Hanoi. The stall boasts a super chill view of Hồ Tây, with a spacious and airy atmosphere. Arriving here in the late afternoon, you'll have the chance to indulge in delicious cakes while admiring the sunset over Hồ Tây. The stall also impresses with the sight of stacked crispy shrimp cakes, which immediately arouse the appetite of hungry bellies.

The shrimp cakes here shine with their golden fried batter, each bite offering a satisfying crunch. The shrimp, while not overly large, boasts a sweet and firm texture. Paired with a bowl of sweet and tangy dipping sauce, pickled vegetables, and fresh greens, the dish is incredibly appetizing, without feeling heavy. Additionally, the stall's menu features a wide array of other delicious dishes such as soup, spring rolls, crab, clams, hotpot, porridge, rice, noodles… 

Hàng Bồ Crispy Shrimp Cake Stall

• Address: 57A Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi and 1 Đình Ngang, Hoàn Kiếm
• Price range: 25,000đ – 55,000đ
• Opening hours: 15:00 – 18:00

A decade ago, this place was just a street food cart, but now it has blossomed into a renowned eatery with a reputation that extends throughout Hanoi. Despite its small space, the eatery is always packed with customers. As it only opens from 3 PM to 6 PM, be sure to manage your time well to avoid missing out on a chance to dine here.

The Hồ Tây Crispy Shrimp Cake Stall at Hàng Bồ stands out with its unique crispy outer layer, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite. The cakes also boast a sweet, slightly chewy texture from finely ground mung beans. While the shrimp may be small, they are always fresh, tender, and marinated with rich spices. A major highlight of the stall is its dipping sauce, which features a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. Additionally, the pickled vegetables and fresh greens served alongside prevent any feelings of greasiness, ensuring you can enjoy as much as you want without feeling overwhelmed. 

Mrs. Phúc's Crispy Shrimp Cake Stall

• Address: 20G2 Vạn Phúc, Ba Đình, Hanoi
• Price range: 20,000đ – 60,000đ
• Opening hours: 09:30 – 22:00

Unlike the original Hồ Tây crispy shrimp cake stalls in Hanoi, Mrs. Phúc's crispy shrimp cakes originate from Đà Nẵng. Compared to others, the cakes here are richer in flavor, from the batter to the filling and dipping sauce. Despite its modest space, the eatery is always bustling with customers. The owner is incredibly friendly and hospitable. The setup is simple, with a prominent display cabinet filled with golden cakes. The cakes are lightly fried in advance and fried again upon order to ensure crispiness and warmth.

With just one bite of Mrs. Phúc's crispy shrimp cake, you'll experience a satisfying crunch. Each cake features two fairly large and sweet shrimp. The outer layer is uniformly crispy, while the inside remains delightfully tender. Even if left for a while, the cakes retain their inherent crispiness. The dipping sauce here receives high praise from customers for its enticing sweet and sour flavor. Additionally, the eatery provides various condiments such as lime, chili, and black pepper for customers to customize their dipping sauce according to their taste.

Hòe Nhai Crispy Shrimp Cake Stall 

• Address: 1 Lane 9 Hòe Nhai, Nguyễn Trung Trực, Ba Đình, Hanoi.
• Price range: 20,000đ – 30,000đ
• Opening hours: 14:00 – 19:00

Hòe Nhai Crispy Shrimp Cake Stall is the final destination in Mytour's toplist that we want to introduce to you. Located right at the beginning of Hòe Nhai Alley, it's easy to find. Despite being a sidewalk space, the stall always maintains cleanliness and tranquility. It's simple with a cake counter, neatly arranged plastic tables and chairs, looking modest yet bustling with customers. Apart from crispy shrimp cakes, the stall also offers some tempting snacks like dumplings, pillow cakes, mixed sweet soup, and grilled skewers.

What sets this stall apart from others in Hồ Tây is that the outer layer of the cakes is made from finely grated fresh sweet potatoes. The cakes are crispy, fragrant, with the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes, and not greasy at all. The dipping sauce here is rich and flavorful, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour, accompanied by pickled papaya and various fresh herbs. Even towards the end of the meal, the food here still tastes as delicious as the first bite.

'Heading to Hồ Tây for crispy shrimp cakes' has become a familiar saying for many diners. Hopefully, with the shared recommendations, you've found the most suitable Hồ Tây crispy shrimp cake stall for yourself. Besides crispy shrimp cakes, there are many other snack cake spots in Hanoi that you can explore further:

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