Explore Hanoi's Dining Scene: Discovering Popular Eateries That Draw Crowds

One might think that a $2 cup of tea or a $3.50 bowl of pho would deter many, but plenty of Hanoi diners are willing to splurge, making these 'pricey' eateries thrive. Of course, the quality of the food at these establishments is generally excellent, though not all are outstanding. Let's take a tour and rate some of the budget-friendly and aesthetically pleasing eateries in Hanoi.

Street Vendor 'Banh Gio' on Luong Dinh Cua

Familiar, affordable, quick bites, the hot 'banh gio' typically range from $0.35 to $0.50. However, if you visit Banh Gio Xuan Thuy on Luong Dinh Cua Street, you might end up spending as much as you would for a bowl of pho.

This sidewalk eatery, boasting a traditional sign, has been a staple in this neighborhood for a long time, bustling with customers in the afternoon. It's undeniable that their 'banh gio' is tasty, with minimal grease and well-seasoned meat, but the filling is not generous, so selling them at a higher price compared to elsewhere - $0.75 each, the owner surely profits. Additionally, customers are often encouraged to add Vietnamese sausage and are charged for each piece of pickled radish, so leaving without spending less than $1.30 is rare.

Beef Pho at Pho Bo Pho Gam Cau Street

A regular bowl costs 50,000 dong and a special one goes for 75,000 dong, a price tag not every budget pho joint dares to slap on. Perhaps only Pho Gam Cau Street is bold enough to challenge diners like that.

Located just a stone's throw from Hang Giay Street, this place only operates in the morning. Calling it a 'beautifully priced' joint might be a stretch because it's expensive but worth every penny. Pho Gam Cau doesn't just excel in cleanliness from bowl to chopsticks but also in the quality of its broth and beef. Nowhere else can you savor a bowl of pho with entirely turtle meat or tender, fresh beef tendon. Moreover, if you're not a hearty eater, you'll find it hard to finish a bowl packed with meat like this.

The owner here is quite 'dictatorial'; they couldn't care less about customers' needs or feedback, only selling one type of rare beef pho, and the broth is always richer than elsewhere, catering to those with a salty palate. However, many affirm: 'Once you've had Pho Gam Cau, everywhere else tastes bland!' That's why the joint mainly serves regulars. Nonetheless, the number of regulars here is also substantial enough to keep the place packed during peak hours, from 7:30 to 8:30.

Street Cart 'Bun Rieu' on Quang Trung Street

Situated near the intersection with Hai Ba Trung Street, this sidewalk cart specializes in morning sales. Yet, a 'plain' bowl of bun rieu here costs 30,000 dong, and with extra sausage and meat, it's 50,000 dong – pricier than a fancy restaurant.

Despite that, customers keep flocking in. 'The crab paste here is plentiful and high-quality, and the broth is entirely made from crab, without the need for additional simmering with bones, so it's sweet, fragrant, and rich. The beef is also only turtle meat or tender beef. If it were cheaper, it wouldn't taste as good,' that's the secret behind the owner's 'pricey' strategy that still draws crowds.

Eel Noodles at Hang Chieu Street

Hang Chieu Street boasts a few eel noodle joints, but Binh Tay stands out among them. Their eel noodles are deemed the best in the old quarter. The noodles are golden, chewy, and fragrant with egg; the thinly sliced eel is well-cooked; the crispy fried dumplings are flavorful; while the boiled dumplings are fragrant and tender; and most importantly, the broth is pleasantly sweet.

Delicious but quite pricey compared to many places – 45,000 dong/bowl. However, Hanoians, especially those in the old quarter, rarely fuss over prices. Therefore, the joint remains popular, with customers even willing to endure the long waits.

Hot Snails at Dinh Liet Street

'As tasty and expensive as Dinh Liet snails!' is a very apt remark from many Hanoi snail enthusiasts. Indeed, not only does this place select fresh, clean, plump snails, but its dipping sauce craftsmanship is unmatched. And of course, being a top-notch eatery in the bustling old quarter, the premium price tag comes as no surprise.

The tiny shop, a few square meters in size, with customers seated on the sidewalk, cramped, and having to find parking themselves... Overall, the physical conditions are lacking, yet the prices are still steep. A bowl of incomplete snails costs 40,000 dong. Nevertheless, for over a decade, the joint has remained packed with customers crowding a corner of the street every day.

Assorted Sweet Soup at 1976 Tran Hung Dao Street

With over 30 years of history, the assorted sweet soup joint at Alley 72 Tran Hung Dao Street is one of the most famous spots in Hanoi. But when mentioning this place, the first thing people talk about isn't the delicious taste of the food but rather the 'hefty' prices. All types of sweet soup here are priced at 40,000 dong each – more than a nourishing bowl of pho, filling the stomach.

However, the assorted sweet soup at 1976 is also special, of high quality, and diverse with various toppings from unique pearls, jelly, mung beans, red beans to seasonal fruits, some types of preserves or small floating dumplings and even stir-fried green rice flakes... Thanks to that, it doesn't 'compete' with any other sweet soup joint.

Stir-fried Chicken Island Rice at Tong Duy Tan Street

Nowadays, almost every establishment on Tong Duy Tan Street has a signboard for 'Stir-fried Chicken Island Rice'. But whether it's a casual sidewalk stall or a formal restaurant with tables and chairs, they all have a similar price – 80,000 dong/portion, not including soup or pickled vegetables served on the side. If you do a quick calculation, you'll find that enjoying stir-fried chicken island rice at Tong Duy Tan can be as costly as dining at external chicken rice brands like KFC, BBQ, or Lotteria.

However, those who have tasted stir-fried chicken island rice find it addictive and unforgettable, with the aroma of freshly cooked egg fried rice blending with rich meaty gravy and tender, fatty chicken.

Duck Noodle Soup at Ly Thai To Street

At 40,000 dong/bowl – seemingly just a tad more expensive than other places, but if you try to pick up some noodles with your chopsticks, you'll find that the sidewalk stall duck noodle soup at Ly Thai To Street (near the intersection with Lo Su Street) is truly 'cutthroat'. Not even 5 pieces of duck and the broth barely seeps into anything, plus a few slices of bamboo shoots and a little fresh onion.

If you want better quality or to add some bamboo shoots, the bill for a satisfying meal at this casual sidewalk eatery can easily go up to a few hundred dong for a couple. However, the food quality here is quite decent. The duck meat is tender, perfectly boiled, the broth is clear, not too oily, the bamboo shoots are also well-prepared. Even the accompanying fried dough sticks are selected to be fresh and crunchy. Confident in its strengths, this joint has been thriving for years with its 'no-nonsense' pricing. Moreover, regular customers at this place are often willing to spend and support it regularly, not minding the 'cutthroat' prices.

According to Infonet

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour