Top 6 spots for crispy shrimp cakes in Hanoi you can't miss when visiting the capital city

Visiting Hanoi isn't just about immersing yourself in the ancient charm of a land with millennia-old history; it's also about savoring many specialties, including shrimp cakes - a dish that only Hanoi can make diners fall in love with.

Top 6 spots for crispy shrimp cakes in Hanoi you can't miss when visiting the capital city

1. West Lake Shrimp Cake Restaurant

This is considered the famous shrimp cake spot with delicious aroma at West Lake. The shrimp cakes here are pre-fried and neatly stacked next to the price, but customers never have to eat cold cakes. Because of its rare fame, the shop is never short of customers, especially foreigners.

The shrimp cake is wrapped in golden fried batter, biting into a crispy piece, the shrimp is not too big but very sweet and firm. Eating it with a bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce along with pickled vegetables is very satisfying. Eating it with more raw vegetables along with the shrimp cake will satisfy the cravings of enthusiasts of this cake.

Address: No. 1 Thanh Nien, Yen Phu, Tay Ho, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 9 AM – 9 PM.

2. Aunt Am's Shrimp Cake

For shrimp cake enthusiasts in Hanoi, Aunt Am's bakery is a must-visit spot. What sets Aunt Am's apart is the unique batter used for the cakes. Unlike other shrimp cake shops that simply fry cakes made from wheat and tapioca flour, Aunt Am's uses a special blend. The flour is finely ground and mixed with water to create a thick consistency, then blended with shredded sweet potato and a touch of corn. When fried, the cake's outer layer turns golden without becoming too dry, offering a satisfyingly crispy texture with a moist, slightly sweet interior.

Adorning the top of each cake are one or two juicy, meaty shrimp. Enjoyed alongside fragrant herbs, cucumber, pickled radish, and a tangy dipping sauce, this dish becomes even more visually appealing and flavorful.

Address: Alley Dong Xuan, Hang Chieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

3. Grandma Loc's Shrimp Cake

Despite having two branches on Nguyen Hong and Pham Ngoc Thach streets, the deliciousness of the cakes remains consistent, equally fragrant and tasty. Grandma Loc's shrimp cake is the most famous in Hanoi, featuring traditional flavors such as shrimp cake, shrimp and pork spring rolls, crispy pancakes, and lemongrass skewers. These simple snacks have enchanted generations of young Hanoians.

The shrimp cakes here are not presented in the usual attractive shrimp shape but are instead cut into small, easy-to-wrap pieces. Although the space is not spacious, the shop is always clean and tidy.

Address:

Branch 1: No. 1 Alley 26 Nguyen Hong, Dong Da, Hanoi.

Branch 2: No. 6 Alley 80 Pham Ngoc Thach, Dong Da, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM.

4. Ngan's Shrimp Cake

Ngan's Shrimp Cake offers a spacious and airy environment, suitable for gatherings large and small. The space is adorned with lush greenery, and although the tables and chairs are simple, they are neatly arranged, enhancing the spaciousness. Here, fresh shrimp, meticulously prepared and fried alongside the cakes, offer a rich, crispy, and fragrant taste sensation.

Indulging in a hot and crispy shrimp cake with fresh raw vegetables dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce will pleasantly surprise your taste buds.

Address: No. 9 Alley 50 Dang Thai Mai, Quang An, Phu Tay Ho, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 9 AM – 11 PM.

5. Phuc's Shrimp Cake

Phuc's Shrimp Cake on Le Dai Hanh Street is one of the oldest shrimp cake shops in Hanoi. The atmosphere is humble, with only plastic tables and chairs arranged by the roadside. Large shrimp, fried to perfection alongside crispy cakes, offer a delicious taste combined with the salty-spicy flavor of the dipping sauce, the sourness of carrots, and the crunchiness of pickled papaya, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. Additionally, guests can enjoy fried spring rolls, fried dumplings, wontons, balut eggs, boiled snails, and many other snacks, all of which will delight your taste buds in this space.

Address: 25 Le Dai Hanh Ward, Le Dai Hanh, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM.

6. Truc May's Shrimp Cake

Truc May's Shrimp Cake is only available for takeout, so you can order as much or as little as you like to enjoy at home, depending on the number of people dining. The shrimp cakes here are very clean, crispy but not hard, and paired with a perfectly balanced dipping sauce along with large shrimp, promising to deliver a super delicious and worthwhile shrimp cake feast for visitors.

Address: 69 Alley 50 Dang Thai Mai, Quang An, Tay Ho, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 10 PM.

As per Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide