Buzz
Phở Thìn stands out for its timeless appeal and culinary excellence.
The distinctive broth at Phở Thìn captivates customers, diverging from the commonplace pho stalls in Hanoi that often rely on excessive use of MSG, resulting in a heavy and monotonous broth. However, at Phở Thìn, the broth is remarkably special—rich, savory, with hints of ginger and lemongrass fragrance. A single taste is an unforgettable experience. Notably, when enjoying pho in Hanoi, you'll often be served with a side of delicious fried dough, enhancing the overall flavor.
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2. BÁNH CUỐN BÀ HOÀNH
One of the delightful eateries in Hanoi is Bánh Cuốn Bà Hoành. This establishment is a favorite among both tourists and locals alike. The unique twist to the traditional Bánh Cuốn in Hanoi is the thin, rolled rice sheets served hot, complemented with a side of fish sauce. The quality of fish sauce plays a crucial role in determining the excellence of this dish.
A single taste leaves an indelible memory of this exquisite flavor.
Notably, Bánh Cuốn Bà Hoành makes a lasting impression on tourists by offering a side of well-seasoned grilled meat, a rarity among Bánh Cuốn stalls. Rarely do you find a Bánh Cuốn establishment with such high-quality accompaniments. Each portion is sprinkled with crispy fried shallots, adding fragrance and enhancing the rich and captivating taste of the dish.
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3. PHỐ GẦM CẦU GRILLED OFFAL
When talking about delicious eateries in Hanoi, overlooking Phố Gầm Cầu Grilled Offal is a colossal mistake. Phố Gầm Cầu Grilled Offal is a familiar haunt for many young enthusiasts of grilled delicacies, particularly offal. The place specializes in grilled items such as heart, liver, kidney, stomach, and intestines. These dishes are meticulously prepared, marinated in the distinctive sauce of the establishment, and grilled to perfection—the enticing aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water.
Just the quality alone is tempting, isn't it?
Moreover, when indulging in grilled delights, the establishment provides a small bowl of liquid chili sauce for dipping. Eating grilled dishes on chilly winter days in Hanoi, sipping a warm cup of wine, and engaging in lively conversations with friends—what could be more delightful? Not to mention, this grilled offal spot is highly praised for its quality, excellent service, and reasonable prices.
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4. NỘM BÒ KHÔ PHỐ HOÀN KIẾM
Have you ever heard of a dish with a peculiar and unusual name like “nộm”? This is a local term, exclusive to the Northern region. Nộm here is equivalent to the salad in the Southern part of Vietnam. However, Hanoi's nộm has its own uniqueness and distinction, especially in ingredient preparation. In this establishment, dried beef is the main ingredient, adding an extra layer of flavor to this Northern specialty.
Just look at this hearty plate of dried beef nộm—it's absolutely irresistible.
The nộm here is praised for its crispiness, with a fragrant and sweet dressing. The ingredients are rich in flavor, harmonizing seamlessly, melting in your mouth. The eatery also offers other dishes like bánh buốn, providing a variety of choices. In the evening, this place is bustling with tourists and young people as it is close to Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Enjoying a meal while admiring the lake and experiencing the cool breeze—what more could you ask for?
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5. DELICIOUS RESTAURANT
Have you ever searched for a delicious eatery in Hanoi and come across the Ngon brand? A concise name, yet it encapsulates everything the restaurant aims to deliver to its customers. True to its name, the food here is incredibly delicious, reflecting the rich cultural essence of Vietnam. Ngon Restaurant is housed in a French-style ancient building located in the old quarter of Hanoi.
The atmosphere inside the eatery is cozy and spacious.
This place not only focuses on serving dishes related to Hanoi's flavors but also offers numerous cultural products, Instagrammable corners, and experiences for tourists. Coming here, you not only get to enjoy delicious food and capture beautiful photos but also explore the cultural essence of Hanoi. Ngon Restaurant is one of the oldest and most renowned restaurant brands in the capital.
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6. CHẢ CÁ LÃ VỌNG
If you're a lover of Northern cuisine, especially Hanoi, you must be familiar with the dish called chả cá lã vọng. Chả cá lã vọng is one of the specialties and most beloved dishes for every visitor to Hanoi, even the locals are captivated by this unique and enticing delicacy. Enjoying chả cá the Northern way involves immersing it in a hot, boiling pot of oil to keep it warm and prevent it from turning stale, ensuring a mouthwatering experience.
The sizzling chảo (pan) of chả cá lã vọng is truly tempting.
This dish is typically served with herbs like lettuce, vermicelli, and Northern raw vegetables, often featuring coriander. A crucial element accompanying chả cá lã vọng is shrimp paste. Dipping chả cá in shrimp paste is the epitome of Northern flavors and represents the culinary essence of Vietnam.
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7. BÚN CHẢ HÀNG QUẠT
Another delectable Hanoi eatery to discover is Bún Chả Hàng Quạt. Bún chả is a renowned dish among Hanoians, and any visitor exploring the city must try it at least once. Besides the famous Bún Chả Obama, Bún Chả Hàng Quạt is another dish that echoes through the streets of Hanoi.
The fame of Bún Chả Hàng Quạt echoes throughout the capital.
The bún chả here is praised for its delicious and balanced flavor. Despite being sold on the sidewalk, it maintains cleanliness and hygiene. There's always a long queue due to its popularity. Bún chả is served with grilled meat and well-cooked chả (pork patties), crispy and golden on the outside, tender and flavorful inside—definitely worth a try.
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8. BÚN THANG BÀ ĐỨC
Bún thang is another beloved and renowned dish in Hanoi. You will undoubtedly never forget the flavor of this dish, cherishing the memory for a long time. Sometimes, you might even become addicted, craving it every time you visit Hanoi. The bún thang at this establishment is crafted with a subtle and refined taste—sweet and rich broth, perfectly flavorful, captivating the taste buds of anyone who tries it.
Bún thang is a traditional dish of the Northern region.
Inside the bowl of bún thang, you'll find a harmonious blend of essential ingredients such as finely diced eggs, shredded chicken, mushrooms, and more. All coming together to create the delicious and renowned bún thang in Hanoi. Nowadays, there are many places offering this dish, but Bún Thang Bà Đức remains one of the best and most sought-after spots in Hanoi.
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9. BÚN NGAN NHÀN
When talking about delightful eateries in Hanoi, Bún Ngan Nhàn is a must-mention—one of the specialties and a definite must-try when visiting Hanoi. Due to its exceptional quality and fame, be prepared to spend some time waiting in line. Only after placing your order will you get a chance to savor a quality bowl of bún ngan. Additionally, a unique aspect here is bún chửi, reminiscent of bún nước at Cô Huyền's in Saigon.
Experiencing both eating bún and receiving playful teasing is truly a unique adventure.
Bún Ngan Nhàn offers a high-quality culinary experience. The bowl of bún is filled with tender, fresh, and sweet duck meat, accompanied by a flavorful broth infused with the essence of duck bones and well-seasoned spices. The bamboo shoots are meticulously cleaned to reduce any unwanted odors. In conclusion, after relishing a generous bowl of bún ngan, you'll feel that the money and time spent waiting were absolutely worthwhile.
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10. BÚN ĐẬU MẮM TÔM CÔ TUYẾN
Wrapping up our list of delightful eateries in Hanoi today is Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm Cô Tuyến. The standout feature of Cô Tuyến's bún đậu, compared to other places, lies in the crispy and evenly golden-fried tofu. The tofu here is meticulously prepared, neither too soft nor too firm, striking the perfect balance. Enjoying a piece of vermicelli, a bite of tofu dipped in the distinctive Northern-style shrimp paste is an unparalleled delight.
A plate of premium bún đậu.
Notably, at this establishment, you can request additional items such as pork intestines, boiled meat, or vegetables according to your preferences. Alternatively, you can instruct the staff to serve the desired quantity to avoid leftovers. The food here is cut into generous portions, ensuring quality, so be mindful not to order excessively and end up with uneaten portions.
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That concludes our rundown of the 10 renowned and beloved eateries in Hanoi, frequented by a plethora of delighted customers. We trust that the information, addresses, and reviews about these culinary havens will help you unravel any uncertainties and find an eatery that aligns with your preferences, budget, and culinary desires!
Posted by: Ngan Pham
Keywords: Exploring the top 10 must-try restaurants in Hanoi
