Buzz
Đắc Kim, Sinh Từ, Duy Diễm, and Hương Liên are popular choices among foreign visitors for bun cha.
The Longest Standing Bun Cha Establishments in Hanoi
For first-time visitors to the city, bun cha is a must-try alongside other traditional dishes like fish pie, pho, fried sour meatballs, or dried beef salad. Below are suggestions for longstanding Hanoi bun cha spots.
Bun Cha Đắc Kim
Also known as the number one bun cha spot on Hang Manh Street (Hoan Kiem District), this Hanoi bun cha restaurant attracts many international tourists and locals alike. Established in 1966, this bun cha brand is closely associated with its first owner, Đắc Kim. Despite its narrow seating area, the restaurant has remained popular for over 50 years, with about 5 or 6 sets of tables and chairs on each floor.
Each serving here costs 50,000-60,000 dong, including a bowl filled with meatballs, a plate of noodles, and fresh vegetables. According to many diners, the portion of noodles here is generous, providing a lasting feeling of fullness. You can even order a shared serving and spring rolls for two people.
The most distinctive feature of this dish is the meatballs, made from pork belly or armpit area, marinated deeply and grilled over charcoal. When placed in the bowl, the grilled fat blends with the dipping sauce, creating a fragrant flavor.
Bun Cha Sinh Tu
Established since the early 1900s, this traditional Hanoi bun cha spot is also a choice for diners. The name Sinh Tu originates from the old name of Nguyen Khuyen Street (Dong Da District), which is also where the first restaurant opened.
Similar to bun cha Hang Manh, the meatballs here are marinated and grilled over charcoal. Additionally, you can also order grilled meatballs wrapped in betel leaves. A traditional bun cha serving costs 40,000 dong, while a special serving with more meatballs is 50,000 dong. Although there are many restaurants opening and using the name Sinh Tu nowadays, the original address is 57A Nguyen Khuyen Street.
Bun Cha Duy Diem
Situated amidst a row of bun cha eateries along Ngoc Khanh Street (Ba Dinh district), Duy Diem restaurant stands out above the rest. Operating for over 20 years, the bun cha here features grilled pork with a distinct charcoal flavor, complemented by the aroma of dried shallots. Each serving is priced at 40,000-50,000 VND. Additionally, you can order some crab spring rolls on the side.
One of the highlights of this establishment is its spacious layout; besides the main area by the roadside, there's also a section inside the alley. The staff here are friendly and provide prompt service. However, a drawback is that the raw vegetables lack freshness, and the crab spring rolls lack the desired aroma.
Huong Lien Bun Cha
When mentioning this restaurant, most people immediately think of Bun Cha Obama, the place where the former US President famously dined. Even before experiencing a surge in customers after the visit of the US President three years ago, this place was already a familiar haunt for many locals in the capital city.
The biggest advantage of this place is its spacious and clean seating area, coupled with swift service. Maintaining an affordable price of 40,000 VND per serving, the restaurant has been able to attract a steady stream of customers. However, according to some patrons, when the restaurant gets crowded, the quality of the grilled pork and dipping sauce doesn't quite match up to its former glory. Consequently, the majority of its clientele during peak hours are foreigners.
Source: Lan Huong/ Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourJanuary 17, 2020
