Top 5 Affordable Yet Delicious Savory Donut Shops in Hanoi

At these savory donut shops, for just 6 to 7 thousand dong, you can buy a thin, crispy pastry filled with high-quality meat, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms. And for only 20 to 30 thousand dong, you'll have a superb treat on those cool days.

5 Must-Visit Savory Donut Shops in Hanoi You Can't Miss

1. Lac Long Quan Savory Donuts

Although tucked away in an alley, the donut shop at the beginning of Lac Long Quan Street near Buoi Street stands out as one of the most famous in Hanoi. Getting a donut here isn't just about having money; it also requires patience as you'll likely need to take a number and wait for 30 to 40 minutes, sometimes even longer, before getting your donut.

The reason for the long wait is that the donuts are made to order. Moreover, each batch of donuts needs to go through about 4 to 5 rounds of frying at different temperatures before they're done, hence the extended wait. However, the donuts here are exceptionally special; despite multiple frying rounds, they don't absorb oil or feel greasy. The crust is so crispy that if you buy it to go, you just need to leave it slightly open rather than sealing it completely, and when you get home, the crust will still be crispy as if you ate it on the spot.

But the uniqueness of the pastries here extends beyond just the frying process; from the dough to the filling, everything is exceptionally distinctive. The dough has a light pink hue, and the filling still includes vermicelli, wood ear mushrooms, and meat like everywhere else, but the meat here is sliced rather than minced. So when biting into a piece of pastry, diners can distinctly taste the meat and feel more reassured about what they're eating.

Another standout feature of Lac Long Quan's savory pastries is their large size. While savory pastries at other shops are typically cut into 3 to 4 pieces, here they are sliced into 7 or 8 pieces to make a satisfying meal. With such sizable servings, just 2 pastries are enough to fill a rice bowl, or 3 pieces fit perfectly in a small bowl.

And the bowl of pastries doesn't come with separate dipping sauce like at other shops; instead, after cutting the pastries, the shop owner will add pickled vegetables and pour a little sweet and sour sauce over them. It's a unique touch and flavor profile that sets them apart from the dozens, if not hundreds, of other savory pastry shops in the capital. Lac Long Quan's pastries are available from 10 a.m. until around 6 or 7 p.m. They close only two days a month, on the 1st and 15th. Prices here are also very reasonable, with savory pastries priced at just 7,000 VND and sweet pastries at 6,000 VND.

And of course, when it comes to delicious savory pastries in Hanoi, many people automatically think of the original Ly Quoc Su pastries as... a habit. It's understandable though; the shop has been around for years, located right in the heart of the Old Quarter, and offers pretty good quality fare. What more could you ask for?

The main attraction here, of course, is the pastries, available in both savory and sweet varieties, but the savory ones are preferred. A single savory pastry here, priced at 7,000 VND, can be sliced into 3 to 4 pieces, and just a plateful of about 5 pastries is enough to warm your belly.

When it comes to Ly Quoc Su savory pastries, the standout feature is undoubtedly the characteristic soft and chewy dough. Freshly fried, the exterior is hot and crispy, yet the dough maintains its soft, chewy texture. The filling consists of meat, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms, seasoned to perfection. Besides the savory pastries, they also offer pillow cakes and shrimp cakes, priced at 9,000 VND and 10,000 VND respectively, perfect for enjoying a complete winter pastry combo in Hanoi.

One major advantage of this establishment is its years of experience, resulting in swift service; customers only need to wait a few minutes for their orders. Apart from the timeless trio of pastries, pillow cakes, and shrimp cakes, they also sell sour sausage, sausages, and fried buns, although these are mere complements, added to please the diners.

3. Savory Donuts at Dong Xuan Market Alley

This small-scale savory donut shop only operates in the afternoon, with no seating available; it primarily caters to takeout orders. However, if you're a fan of savory donuts, you should definitely give them a try at least once. The owner showcases all their 'treasures,' including several pans, dough, filling, and freshly fried donuts right outside their home.

The shop sells both savory and sweet donuts, all of which are delicious. The standout feature of their savory donuts is the fragrant, non-acidic dough and high-quality filling. With the savory donuts, you can distinctly taste the fragrance and sweetness of the meat, with hints of pepper. The dipping sauce here is perfectly balanced, always accompanied by a bit of pickled vegetables to prevent greasiness. As for the sweet donuts, they feature smooth, fragrant mung bean filling and crispy crusts. Additionally, the shop also sells fried shrimp rolls.

Compared to many other shops, the donuts here are a bit smaller, but the price compensates for that—they're softer too, priced at around 5,000 VND each. Despite the lack of seating, they sell approximately 250–300 donuts daily. The downside of the shop perhaps lies in the absence of seating; if you wish to eat while hot, the owner will guide you to the neighboring shop for seating. Consequently, it's challenging to find a comfortable place to sit.

4. Savory Donuts at Nhà Chung Street

Situated at the intersection of Nhà Chung and Tràng Thi streets, this small but recognizable shop stands out with its bustling crowd of waiting customers. Nhà Chung savory donuts, also known as Mrs. Huyen's donuts, boast a long history in Hanoi, available all day in both savory and sweet varieties, both equally delicious.

The savory donuts here feature a hearty filling of meat, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms seasoned with pepper, wrapped in a thin, crispy crust without any residual frying oil odor. The sweet donuts are filled with just the right amount of sweet mung bean paste, ensuring a delightful treat without overwhelming sweetness. This donut shop typically fries a large quantity in advance, refrying them to crispy perfection upon customer orders, minimizing wait time.

Notably, the savory donuts here are not served with a dipping sauce in a bowl. Instead, customers hold the donut in hand and pour chili sauce directly onto it as they eat, a unique method. In addition to donuts, they also sell dumplings and sausages to cater to nearby students. Nhà Chung donuts are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., making it convenient for anytime cravings. Prices here are also very affordable, with savory donuts priced at 6,000 VND each and sweet donuts at 4,000 VND each.

5. Oanh Oanh Donuts

Located in an alley off De La Thanh Street, this shop's narrow location makes parking a bit challenging, and the shop itself is small, with only 2-3 tables squeezed in, while the rest of the space is dedicated to baking and frying. However, the shop's popularity doesn't wane, with a steady stream of dine-in customers and a bustling crowd of takeout orders.

3. Savory Delights at this Spot

Here, the main offerings are pillow cakes, savory and sweet donuts, all made and fried continuously to ensure they're piping hot. The savory donuts feature a chewy crust filled with a flavorful mixture of meat, wood ear mushrooms, and just the right amount of spicy pepper. As for the sweet donuts, they not only contain mung bean filling but also fresh coconut for an added flavor dimension.

Especially delicious is the pillow cake, generously filled with succulent meat, and even includes quail eggs and Chinese sausage for extra quality. Another noteworthy aspect of this spot is the dipping sauce and pickled vegetables provided for customers to help themselves without hesitation.

As reported by Afamily

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour