Hanoi's Top 10 Irresistible Warm Cakes for the Winter Season

Fried Banana Cake stands out as one of Vietnam's best desserts, especially popular during the chilly winter months. Originating from the countryside, this affordable treat is simple to make, using sweet types of bananas like Lady Finger or Ducasse. The bananas are mixed with coconut milk, rice flour, condensed milk, sugar, and other ingredients, then deep-fried. Despite seeming heavy, it's a hit among the youth, savored at street stalls. A visit to Lang Ha Street, a haven for foodies, offers not just this warm, crispy yet tender delight but also a variety of other interesting dishes and desserts like savory doughnuts, pillow cakes, shrimp cakes, and an array of refreshing sweet soups.

DETAILED INFO:
Address: 105 P. Lang Ha, Dong Da, Hanoi

Phone: 0907 563 333

Opening hours: 10:00 - 19:00

Price range: VND 10,000 - 20,000

For those intrigued by sweet soup balls, the Rice Ball Dessert, akin to Japan's Mochi but with a unique Vietnamese twist of melting sugar core, might catch your fancy. Known locally as floating rice balls, this dessert features glutinous rice filled with unrefined cane sugar, dubbed 'rock sugar.' The process involves wrapping brown sugar in wet glutinous rice flour, shaping them into balls, and boiling until they float to the surface, signifying they're cooked. They're typically enjoyed sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds or freshly grated coconut. Nowadays, these balls are more vibrant, thanks to natural food colorings like magenta plant, taro, etc.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: 77 Hang Dieu, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Opening hours: 17:00 - 23:30
Price range: VND 10,000 - 25,000

In Vietnam, this crispy treat is known as either bánh rán in the North or bánh cam in the South, depending on where you find yourself. The North's version, infused with jasmine essence and optionally coated in sesame seeds or drizzled with syrup, contrasts with the South's vanilla-scented variant, sometimes filled with shredded fresh coconut.

For the crispy outer layer, glutinous rice flour mixed with water is used, then coated with white sesame seeds. The filling options vary: savory ones include a mixture similar to Vietnamese bánh gối, filled with glass noodles, minced meat, herbs, and spices, often served with sweet and sour chili sauce and shredded papaya or radish. Sweet versions are filled with mung bean and jasmine essence, typically enjoyed with tea or a sprinkling of sugar. The savory Rice Cake stall at Lac Long Quan is always bustling, with the owner busily shaping and frying these delightful snacks.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: Alley 242 Lac Long Quan, Buoi Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10:00 - 19:00

Price range: VND 5,000 - 6,000

Vietnam's culinary scene is rich, with steamed rice rolls standing out as a beloved dish. Originating from Thanh Tri, a small village in Hanoi, these rolls are a must-try. Wrapped delicately, they may contain wood ear mushrooms, eggs, minced meat, catering to various tastes. Accompaniments include fresh herbs, thinly sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce.

To make steamed rice rolls, rice grains are finely ground using a stone mill or blender, then soaked in cool water for at least 4 hours to enhance the batter's texture and eliminate any unwanted smell, resulting in a smoother and glossier finish upon steaming. A steamer is lined with a thin cloth; upon boiling, vegetable oil is brushed on the cloth before spreading a spoonful of batter evenly over it. Freshly made and served hot, especially appreciated in cold weather, the dipping sauce is a simple mix of fish sauce, water, and sugar, offering a perfect balance of salty and sweet. Chili paste can be added to taste.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: B9 Alley 43 Pham Ngoc Thach, Kim Lien Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 06:00 - 15:00
Price range: VND 30,000 - 50,000

Vietnam is famous for its diverse sweet treats, but sizzling pancakes steal the show with their crispy texture, moderate sweetness, and aromatic flair. A beloved dish nationwide, sizzling pancakes vary by region in cooking style and spices, made from rice flour and coconut milk with a hint of turmeric, filled with bean sprouts, shrimp, and pork. The batter spreads on a hot skillet with plenty of oil, crisping up before being folded over.

To enjoy sizzling pancakes, slice them into bite-sized pieces, wrap in rice paper or lettuce leaves, and dip into a special sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, minced chili, and garlic. Each Vietnamese region adds its twist to the dish. In the South, the pancakes are larger, packed with more veggies and mung beans, whereas, in the North, they tend to be smaller and without mung beans. The name literally translates to 'sizzling cake,' mimicking the sound of the batter hitting the hot pan.

DETAILED INFO:
Address: 29 Ton Duc Thang, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Phone: 024 3732 3409
Opening hours: 16:00 - 22:00
Price range: VND 20,000 - 40,000

Across Hanoi, street food stalls pop up everywhere, from hidden alleys in the Old Quarter to newly paved city streets, and makeshift afternoon eateries by street vendors. That's why, in winter, visitors find it hard to resist the steaming dishes sold roadside. For many Vietnamese, steamed pork dumplings are a familiar breakfast option, available nationwide from bustling markets to street carts near schools and offices.

Steamed pork dumplings stand out as a favorite snack, wrapped fresh while the dough is still hot, resulting in a soft, delicious bite. Peeling away the banana leaf reveals a fragrant aroma, with a tender, unbroken dough casing. The filling consists of minced pork, green onions, mushrooms, and pepper, all encased in banana leaves. This simple dish embodies the elegance and refinement of Hanoi's cuisine, melting on the tongue with its soft exterior and thoroughly cooked filling, enhancing its flavor and aroma. Sometimes served with sausage, grilled pork, and cucumber, some eateries offer it with soy sauce or chili sauce.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: 16 Dao Duy Tu, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 09:00 - 19:00
Price range: VND 12,000 - 50,000

While tourists often think of sizzling pancakes and shrimp cakes at the mention of Vietnam, another famous delicacy deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture for centuries is the warm rice cake. Seen as one of Hanoi's simplest yet most traditional dishes, its serving style varies to cater to local tastes. The warm rice cake has a soft, jelly-like texture with a delicate flavor. Served hot or cold, it's typically accompanied by soy sauce and sometimes tofu. The creamy peanuts, the richness of rice flour, the sweet and spicy soy sauce, and the refreshing soft tofu blend perfectly, offering a cooling dish for hot days.

Equally delightful is enjoying a bowl of warm rice cake filled with minced meat, roasted pork paste, fried shallots, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs, known as rice cake with meat, a winter favorite. In the South, a popular variant known as peanut rice cake includes whole peanuts added during cooking, which is then cooled and cut into bite-sized pieces. It's best enjoyed with soy sauce or fermented shrimp paste.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: 103 B5 Trung Tu (Alley 46C Pham Ngoc Thach), Dong Da District, Hanoi
Phone: 0936 990 068
Opening hours: 15:00 - 19:00
Price range: VND 15,000 - 33,000

Shrimp lovers, don't miss out on the delicious shrimp-filled pancakes at West Lake, made without any flour or additives. Shrimp Pancake, a Hanoi specialty, originally sold only on Cổ Ngư Street (now Thanh Niên Street), is now available in upscale restaurants. Yet, most visitors to Hanoi eagerly seek the unique taste of West Lake Shrimp Pancakes not just for the dish itself but also for the beautiful scenery.

The dish, named after Hanoi's largest and most beautiful lake, is known for its shrimp that give it a distinct flavor. However, the West Lake Shrimp Pancake isn't just about shrimp; it's a blend of thinly sliced potatoes or sweet potatoes, rice flour, and other ingredients, with a batter made from premium flour. The shrimp, sourced from West Lake, are unique, complemented by high-quality frying oil for a crispy finish without being greasy. The sweetness of the shrimp, the crispiness of the pancake, and the tangy, spicy dipping sauce create a memorable taste. It's best enjoyed hot for maximum crispiness, without any fishy aftertaste. The accompanying sauce, a mix of sweet and sour with cucumber, green papaya, and carrot, enhances the flavor. Perfect with a cold beer.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: 545 Thuy Khue, P, Thuy Khue, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10:00 - 19:30
Price range: VND 8,000 - 20,000

Bánh Khọt, similar to Bánh Xèo but smaller and thicker, is a savory Vietnamese pancake made from rice flour, corn flour, turmeric, water, and coconut milk, cooked in special clay molds over an outdoor grill. Topped with shrimp, scallion oil, and finely chopped dried shrimp, it's fried in a cast iron Bánh Khọt pan or Aebleskiver pan for a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

These delicious mini pancakes are served with fresh greens and a small bowl of sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Fish sauce is a key accompaniment. Though often confused with Bánh Căn from Central Vietnam, Bánh Khọt is distinctively crispy and yellow from turmeric. To enjoy, wrap the pancake with raw herbs in your palm, dip it in the sauce. Available in upscale restaurants or street food carts in Vietnam.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: 15 Ngo Gach, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 15:00 - 22:00
Price Range: VND 10,000 - 35,000

The perfect treat for chilly days in Vietnam, Pillow Cake captivates with its cute pillow shape and vibrant sauce. Crafted from a perfect mix of water and rice flour for a golden, crispy shell, its filling combines glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, shredded turnip, shiitake mushrooms, minced pork, and seasonings, tucked inside a round dough wrapper folded into a semi-circle with decorative crimps.

Fried until golden and crispy, these cakes are dipped in a finely balanced sauce of garlic, chili, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, and water. Served with fresh lettuce and herbs for a crunchy, refreshing counterbalance to the richness. The crispy shell and aromatic filling offer a nostalgic flavor journey.

DETAILED INFO:

Address: 25 Le Dai Hanh, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Phone: 0834 211 297
Opening Hours: 17:00 - 22:30
Price Range: VND 20,000 - 55,000