Must-Try Dishes in Hanoi's Old Quarter

The highlight of egg noodle roll lies in its broth. Similar to beef pho, egg noodle roll uses unique and fragrant egg noodles. It's no wonder that if there's a place selling egg noodle roll, you can sense the lingering aroma just by being a few houses away.

The broth is exceptionally flavorful with the distinct scent of shrimp and coriander. The noodles are perfectly cooked, offering a soft and fragrant egg aroma. Plump and juicy shrimp, large and tasty fish balls, especially the generously filled pork dumplings with a hint of pepper. Additionally, it includes pork liver, boiled eggs, and cilantro. Each component contributes to creating a delicious dish.

Recommended egg noodle roll eateries in the Old Quarter:

• Egg Noodle Roll at 16 Hang Bo (intersection of Hang Bo - Hang Can), Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Phuong Beo Egg Noodle Roll: 9 Hang Chieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Phuc Kien Family's Egg Noodle Roll: 116 Tran Nhat Duat, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Egg Noodle Roll on Hang Chieu Street: 54 Hang Chieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Banh mi holds a special place in the hearts of the Old Quarter locals. Compact, easy to carry, with delightful flavors and an affordable price tag, banh mi is the preferred choice for many, suitable for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack.

Unlike the various gourmet sandwiches with different fillings and sauces nowadays, the traditional Old Quarter banh mi brings diners back to the nostalgic taste of the past. The banh mi consists of simple ingredients: butter, pate, pork, red sausage, and shredded pork skin, served with cucumbers. Depending on the eatery, a sprinkle of spices may enhance the flavor, following the style of the olden days.

The crucial element here is the authenticity of the pate. The pate is crafted with finesse, carrying the rich aroma of liver, black pepper, dried shallots, and, most importantly, a smooth and creamy texture without being dry or crumbly. The banh mi is always served hot, with a crispy crust. A single bite reveals the harmonious blend of flavors from each ingredient, creating an explosively delicious experience.

Recommended addresses for delicious pate banh mi in the Old Quarter:

• Lan Ong Banh Mi: 20 Cha Ca, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Mrs. Hien's Banh Mi: 76 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Mrs. Dan's Banh Mi: 34 Lo Su, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• People's Banh Mi: 32 Tran Nhat Duat, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

When talking about delicious dishes in the Old Quarter, one cannot overlook the famous beef pho stalls. Hanoi's Beef Pho is renowned as the soul and pride of the capital, considered the national essence of Vietnam.

A bowl of beef pho is a harmonious combination of various factors meticulously prepared. The broth is simmered for hours with bone marrow, adding dried shallots and roasted ginger for extra fragrance. Essential spices like star anise, cinnamon, and other aromatic ingredients are carefully added, each contributing to enhance the distinct flavor of the beef.

A hearty bowl of pho consists of delicate flat rice noodles, rare slices of beef that turn beautifully red, well-cooked, thick, yet tender, accompanied by green onions and shallots. The flavorful broth, with a touch of garlic vinegar and chili sauce, creates an exquisite taste. This results in a delightful dish on the Old Quarter streets full of culinary charm.

Recommended addresses for delicious beef pho in the Old Quarter:

• Bat Dan Beef Pho: 49 Bat Dan, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Khoi's Pho: 50C Hang Vai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Cuong's Pho: 23 Hang Muoi, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Together with beef pho and bun rieu, grilled pork vermicelli forms an unbeatable trio of delicious dishes that captivate every diner in the Old Quarter. Authentic Hanoi-style grilled pork vermicelli must achieve a perfect balance between grilled pork slices, minced pork cakes, and, most importantly, the flavorful dipping sauce that is sweet and tangy.

The pork slices are marinated with just the right amount of seasoning, with the best results achieved when grilled over charcoal for that additional smoky aroma. The large pork cakes are a combination of lean meat and fat, ensuring a moist and succulent texture. For a more satisfying meal, you can order additional fried spring rolls, elevating the dining experience. A delicious bowl of grilled pork vermicelli is incomplete without the well-seasoned dipping sauce – a blend of diluted fish sauce, a hint of sugar, vinegar, minced garlic, and chili. The dipping sauce, with its perfect balance of sweetness, sourness, and spice, will leave you mesmerized after just one taste.

Recommended addresses for delicious grilled pork vermicelli in the Old Quarter:

• Grilled Pork Vermicelli Hang Quat: Alley 74 Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Grilled Pork Vermicelli Hang Than: 34 Hang Than, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
• Grilled Pork Vermicelli Hoa: 17 Alley Yen The, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

When in the Old Quarter, you cannot miss the iconic savory bun thang. This dish is renowned in the capital city, but due to its complexity, only a few dare to master it. The concentration is highest in the Old Quarter. A bowl of delectable bun thang may seem simple but requires intricate preparation, demanding chefs to understand each ingredient and be meticulous in every step.

The broth is simmered from bones and must be prepared from the previous evening. A well-prepared broth exudes the fragrance of simmered chicken bones, tiny shrimps, and fragrant mushrooms, with a sweet and profound taste. The bowl of bun thang is enticing, featuring thin slices of egg, tender chicken, aromatic gio lua, and julienned daikon providing a refreshing sweetness and crispness. Don't forget the addition of scallions and cilantro. To enhance the flavor, a bit of shrimp sauce can be added while enjoying.

Recommended addresses for delicious bun thang in the Old Quarter:

• Bun thang Ba Duc: 48 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bun than – xoi: 29 Hang Hanh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bun Thang Lan Lun: 5 Hang Thiec Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

From simple ingredients like snails, tofu, bananas, and vermicelli, through skillful processing, a delicious and distinctive dish is created. To have a delicious bowl of snail noodle soup, the ingredients must first be fresh and tasty.

The boiled snail broth, combined with simmered bone broth, fragrant tomato sautéed with dried shallots to create a sweet-flavored, visually appealing orange broth. A traditional bowl of snail vermicelli soup will have simple ingredients like vermicelli and snails. The large, crunchy snails release a fragrant aroma, a sip of broth brings the flavor of snails, the slight sourness from vinegar suddenly and tomatoes, simple but leaves an unforgettable taste.

If you belong to the 'sticky rice and meat' team, you can add toppings such as: pig ears, beef, duck eggs or even a bit of fatty pork to make the bowl of vermicelli more quality. The secret to enjoying this dish is to add a little shrimp sauce and spicy roasted chili, ensuring a much more delicious taste.

Recommended addresses for snail vermicelli soup in the famous Old Quarter:

• Snail vermicelli soup Mrs. Them: 6 Hang Chai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Snail vermicelli soup Thuy: 11 Alley Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Snail vermicelli soup Mrs. Hue: 43 Nguyen Sieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

When it comes to the ancient capital, one must mention the renowned Lã Vọng Grilled Fish in Hanoi. In Hanoi, there are not many restaurants specializing in grilled fish, and among them, one must mention the place that first created this dish.

Lã Vọng Grilled Fish selects snakehead fish and catfish, ensuring firm and chewy, sweet meat. The fish is cut into the shape of a chessboard, marinated with spices, and then briefly grilled over charcoal. When eating, the grilled fish is placed in a pan and set on a small stove at the table. It is served with green onions, dill, roasted peanuts, and an indispensable bowl of shrimp paste.

The evenly golden fish is crispy on the outside but tender in the middle. The sweet, fatty taste of Lã Vọng Grilled Fish combines with the fragrant aroma of herbs and shrimp paste, creating a unique and unforgettable flavor of this Old Quarter delicacy.

Recommended address for Lã Vọng Grilled Fish in the Old Quarter:

• Address: 14 Cha Ca Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Indulge in the mesmerizing allure of Old Quarter donuts, a treat that captivates sweet enthusiasts. Each handcrafted piece boasts a perfectly round shape, with a delicately thin outer layer, glazed in a beautiful dark brown hue. The filling inside features smooth mung bean paste and finely grated coconut for a delightful texture.

The next gem on the list of famous delights in the ancient quarter that you absolutely must try is the exquisite heavenly chicken noodles. The noodle joints open quite late, making them an ideal spot for those midnight cravings.

Heavenly chicken noodles often offer two choices: tender chicken and flavorful rooster. You can enjoy the chicken separately or paired with the noodles. The highlight of this dish is the canned chicken essence, preserving the essence of sweetness inside. The chicken is tender, succulent, complemented by a sprinkle of squeezed lime – pure perfection. The broth carries the aromatic Northern herbs, a hint of bitterness from wormwood, and the sweet touch of meat and jujubes.

Recommended spots for delicious heavenly chicken noodles in the ancient quarter:

• Granny Thuy's Chicken Noodles: 42 Hang Bo Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Mai Huong's Chicken Noodles: 12 Hang Cot Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Summer is the season of sweet desserts. What could be better than a hot afternoon with a refreshing cup of cool, sweet, and fragrant black jelly dessert with a hint of jasmine. The jelly is soft and smooth, the pearls are crispy, the lotus seeds are tender, and a touch of grated coconut adds a delightful crunch.

If the cold black jelly is refreshing, then sweet rice dessert brings a warm, comforting feel, perfect for any season. Sweet rice desserts come in two types: one with yellow mung beans and the other with fragrant, sticky green rice. Whichever you choose, they are all fragrant, especially with the soft and tender texture. The flavor of the dessert, combined with the sticky rice, is a match made in heaven.

Here are some recommendations for delicious dessert spots in the ancient quarter:

• Mrs. Thin's Sweet Rice Dessert: 1 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
  
• Le Thinh – Ancient Quarter sweet rice dessert: 26 Gia Ngu Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
  
• Four Seasons Desserts: 4 Hang Can Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi