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When you step foot in Hanoi, you'll inevitably hear about its famous culinary delights like bun cha, duck vermicelli, grilled fish, pho, and more. In this article, Vntrip.vn shares the top 5 dishes you absolutely must try in Hanoi to fully experience the capital city.
1. Pho
Hanoi's culinary scene is renowned for its specialty dishes, and among them, none entices diners quite like Pho. Hanoi's Pho boasts an enticing flavor profile unlike any other, serving as a quintessential representation of the city's culinary identity.
The Capital's Signature Pho: A Harmony of Rice Noodles and Fragrant Broth
Crafting a bowl of pho involves combining rice noodles and savory broth, simmered from beef bones. Pho comes in various variations such as beef, chicken, catering to the preferences of individual diners.
When preparing a bowl of pho, in addition to the rice noodles and broth, the proprietor adds fresh onions, beef or chicken. Everything blends harmoniously to create a sweet, gentle flavor reminiscent of the capital city's mild-mannered nature.
2. Bun Cha
Bun Cha: A Familiar Delight of Hanoi Residents
You'll find bun cha stalls nestled in narrow alleyways throughout Hanoi. Residents of the capital often enjoy bun cha as a quick meal or as a substitute for a main course. This dish boasts the aroma of grilled meat, dried shallots, and the spicy kick of garlic and chili. The harmonious blend awakens the senses of smell and taste, making this seemingly simple dish irresistibly alluring.
Not only does bun cha offer delectable flavors, but it's also visually appealing with vibrant colors, earning its status as a 'specialty' of Hanoi. Prices for a serving of bun cha range from 25,000 to 40,000 dong.
In Hanoi, you can find numerous eateries serving bun cha, but two establishments at 1 Hang Manh Street and Le Van Huu Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) stand out as renowned dining destinations, attracting a multitude of visitors. While the eatery at 1 Hang Manh Street has a long-standing reputation, the one on Le Van Huu Street is famously visited by former US President Obama.
Exploring Hanoi's Culinary Delights: Bun Ngan
When it comes to Hanoi's cuisine, discerning diners can't overlook the delicacy of bun ngan. For many, bun ngan encapsulates the refined, rich flavors synonymous with the capital city. To achieve this flavor profile, bun ngan requires special ingredients and the skilled, meticulous hands of the chef. This delectable dish features vermicelli, duck meat, dried bamboo shoots, along with scallions, lime, garlic, chili, and fresh herbs. The broth, prepared using each proprietor's secret recipe, imparts a fragrant, savory essence to the duck meat. Though seemingly simple, this dish captivates countless diners visiting Hanoi.
You can savor this delicacy at Bun Ngan Nhan (Trung Yen Alley), Bun Ngan Ba Thong (56 Bat Su Street), Bun Ngan Ben Beo (65 Phung Hung Street)... Prices per bowl range from 30,000 to 40,000 dong.
4. Grilled Fish Cake
Hanoians often pair grilled fish cake with vermicelli, wild betel leaves, roasted peanuts, sliced shallots, dill, and a meticulously prepared shrimp paste sauce. The aroma of the grilled fish cake, combined with the rich flavors of the condiments, ensures a delicious and unforgettable meal.
You can indulge in the rich flavors of Hanoi's grilled fish cake at Cha Ca La Vong (14 Cha Ca Street and 107 Nguyen Truong To Street), Cha Ca Thang Long (19, 21, 31 Thanh Street), and Cha Ca Anh Vu (120 Giang Vo Street). Each serving ranges from 130,000 to 170,000 dong.
5. Vermicelli with Shrimp Paste Sauce
Vermicelli with shrimp paste sauce is a simple dish enjoyed by the capital's residents, often eaten for lunch. The main ingredients include vermicelli, crispy fried tofu, and shrimp paste. Additionally, for added flavor, you can enjoy it with spring rolls, thinly sliced pork belly, fresh herbs... With these humble ingredients, this dish has won over countless diners with just one taste.
Due to its simplicity and ease of consumption, you can enjoy this dish at numerous alleyways and streets throughout Hanoi. However, to experience the authentic flavor of vermicelli with shrimp paste sauce in Hanoi, diners should visit 31 Hang Khay, Bun dau mam tom Cay Bang (Dai La), or Bun dau Trung Huong (Phat Loc Alley) with prices ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 dong.
If you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi for work or tourism, you should indulge in these delicious dishes to gain a deeper understanding of the capital's refined cuisine and its people.
