What to Eat in Hanoi? TOP 10 Must-Try Delicious Dishes in Hanoi

Hanoi's cuisine is incredibly diverse and ever-changing. Hanoi is considered the 'paradise' of famous and delicious dishes. So what to eat in Hanoi that's delicious? Let's explore the most must-try Hanoi dishes with Mytour to avoid any regrets!

Delicious Noodle Dishes, Pho in Hanoi

1. Grilled Pork with Vermicelli

Bun cha is perhaps the second most famous dish in Hanoi after pho bo. This is also the traditional dish originating from the capital. The grilled pork is marinated with a mixture of fish sauce, fried shallots, minced garlic, and spices to enhance its flavor. The pork must be grilled over charcoal for the best aroma and taste. 

Image: @bachuaviahe

Bun cha is served with dipping sauce – this is also the soul of the dish that determines its success. The dipping sauce is a blend of vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, minced garlic, and ground pepper, balanced to achieve the perfect combination of sweetness and sourness. Bun cha is so delicious that former President Obama praised it extensively after eating it during his official visit to Vietnam.

Quickly check out these great bun cha restaurants: 

• Bun cha Huong Lien: 24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung District
• Bun cha Dac Kim: No. 1 Hang Manh, Hoan Kiem District
• Bun cha Hang Than: 34 Hang Than, Ba Dinh District

Mytour detailed suggestion: #10 oldest bun cha restaurants in Hanoi

2. Mixed Rice Noodles

Although not a traditional dish of Hanoians, mixed rice noodles are one of the must-try delicacies when visiting the capital. Mixed rice noodles can come in various types such as mixed beef noodles, mixed grilled meat noodles, mixed southern-style noodles, each with its own unique characteristics.

The essence of mixed rice noodles lies in the fresh and delicious ingredients, the rich and flavorful sauce, and the crunchy roasted peanuts, along with the colorful combination of various ingredients that make this dish so appealing.

Some delicious mixed rice noodle places in Hanoi you can try:

• BUMTRO - Southern-style mixed rice noodles
• Loan Beo's Mixed Duck Rice Noodles
• Duong Quang Ham's Mixed Rice Noodles
• No. 6 Phung Hung Mixed Rice Cracker

BUMTRO is offering great deals on Digiticket, check it out now!

3. Hanoi Pho

The first name on the list of delicious dishes in Hanoi is undoubtedly beef pho. Hanoi beef pho even makes it to the list of the world's best dishes. In Hanoi, you can enjoy pho at any time of the day, whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

A bowl of beef pho is a combination of many traditional spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, grilled onions, and more. A delicious bowl of pho requires a broth that is sweet from the bones, well-cooked beef, and soft but not mushy noodles. It's not too difficult to find a pho restaurant on every corner in Hanoi. However, here are some of the most famous pho places in the capital city for your reference: 

Quick view of delicious pho places:

• Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem
• Pho Thin: 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung
• Pho Suong: 24 Trung Yen Alley – 36B Mai Hac De

Mytour detailed recommendation: #10 top Hanoi pho places loved by locals

4. Crab noodle soup (Bun Rieu Cua)

Whether bun rieu is delicious or not depends 90% on the way the broth is prepared. According to Hanoi's traditional recipe, bun rieu must have a harmonious blend of sourness from tamarind, tomatoes, the sweetness of minced crab, and a hint of fragrance from fried shallots. Just seeing the pot of broth is enough to make your mouth water. 

Photo: @ngoafood_

Bun rieu cua in Hanoi is often served with fried tofu, beef, pig's blood pudding, pork ribs,... A bowl of such high-quality bun will surely satisfy your hungry stomach!

Recommended places for delicious crab noodle soup:

• Crab Noodle Soup Hang Bac: No. 11 Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem
• Crab Noodle Soup Quang Trung: No. 2F Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem
• Crab Noodle Soup Trang: 23 Nguyen Sieu, Hoan Kiem

Digi suggestion: Delicious Bun Bung recipe from Thai Binh

5. Vermicelli and chicken soup (Bun Thang)

Bun Thang is a famous dish in Hanoi that you shouldn't miss because you can only try it when you visit the capital. It might seem like a simple noodle dish, but its preparation is quite intricate. The broth must be simmered from chicken bones, shrimp, and various spices to achieve a sweet taste.

Photo: @oanhjune87

Looking at a bowl of Bun Thang in Hanoi, you'll notice a combination of various colors such as the yellow of eggs, white of pork sausage, chicken meat, and white radish, brown of shiitake mushrooms, and green of spring onions, coriander, orange of shrimp. The vermicelli in Bun Thang must also be thin. Adding a bit of shrimp paste will enhance the flavor significantly.

Quick view of recommended places for delicious Bun Thang:

• Bun Thang Hang Hanh: 29 Hang Hanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bun Thang Hang Hom: 11 Hang Hom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Bun Thang Ha Hoi: No. 11 Ha Hoi, Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi

Mytour detailed recommendation: #10 renowned Bun Thang in Hanoi

6. Bun dau mam tom

Visiting Hanoi without indulging in Bun dau mam tom would be a regrettable omission. This dish is so enticing that it appears in many other provinces and cities. Each piece of fried tofu is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside when bitten into.

Photo by @thon.foodie

Previously, Bun dau mam tom was quite simple with only vermicelli and tofu. However, nowadays, Bun dau mam tom in Hanoi has been accompanied by various side dishes such as fried shrimp paste cake, boiled pork legs, fried spring rolls, and intestines,… The fragrant shrimp paste mixed with a bit of boiling fat and lemon is extremely enticing. Don't worry if you can't eat shrimp paste; you can still enjoy it with fish sauce!

Quickly check out the delicious Bun dau mam tom spots: 

• Bun dau Hang Khay: 31 Alley 29 Hang Khay, Hoan Kiem
• Bun dau Dong Thai: No. 1 Dong Thai, Hoan Kiem
• Bun dau Phan Phu Tien: Phan Phu Tien – Cat Linh, Dong Da

Mytour's detailed suggestion: #10 most beloved pho cuon spots in Hanoi

7. Pho Cuon

Pho cuon is considered a sweetheart on scorching days in Hanoi. Rectangular pieces of pho, filled with stir-fried beef, peanuts, and fresh herbs, are then rolled up and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. In Hanoi, to enjoy pho cuon, you must visit Ngu Xa Street – where there are dozens of different pho cuon stalls, and each one is delicious!

Photo by @xiueattasty

Quickly check out the best spots for delicious pho cuon:

• Pho Cuon Huong Mai: 27 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh
• Pho Cuon Chinh Thang: 7 Mac Dinh Chi, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh
• Pho Cuon Hung Ben: 33 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh

Mytour's detailed recommendation: TOP 8 budget-friendly pho cuon spots in Hanoi

The hottest dishes in Hanoi

1. Crispy Garlic Frog in Hanoi

Although it has only appeared in recent years, the crispy garlic frog dish has caused a sensation on the Hanoi culinary map. Frogs are selected from small, lean ones with little fat. They are then marinated with spices such as five-spice powder, garlic, dried shallots, ... and then fried with fragrant garlic.

Ảnh: @mokhoet_hanoi

The frog meat is firm, chewy, and flavorful. Combined with crispy fragrant garlic, the crispy garlic frog dish is usually sold in halves or whole if you go in a group. Enjoy it with a bowl of bamboo shoot soup and a little vermicelli for a satisfying meal.

Check out these famous crispy garlic frog eateries:

• Thuy Frog: 51 Hang Luoc, Hang Ma, Hoan Kiem
• Dung Huyen Frog Restaurant: 16 Hang Thiec, Hoan Kiem
• Thanh Huong Frog Restaurant: 38 Hang Non, Hoan Kiem

Mytour detailed suggestion: The top 10 crispy garlic frog eateries in Hanoi!

2. Nhàn Frog Noodle - Ultimate bamboo shoot frog vermicelli

When it comes to the culinary street of Trung Yen, alongside the legendary Pho Suong eatery, there's also the incredibly popular Bun Nhan. The allure of this establishment is so strong that even tourists visiting Hanoi want to give it a try.

Ảnh: @khanhhuyenh2

What's noteworthy about Bun Nhan is the attitude of the owner. Perhaps because the eatery is always crowded, the owner tends to scold customers, sometimes even refusing to serve them. However, this doesn't detract from the fact that the frog bamboo shoot vermicelli here is exceptional. The frog meat is fragrant, tender, and firm, not overly chewy. The broth, I must say, is outstanding, beyond praise. Give this place a try, and you'll see that it's as delicious as rumored.

Address suggestion for Bun Nhan frog eatery: 

• 11 Alley Trung Yen, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem

3. Oval-shaped tofu noodle 

For those from the southern regions or other provinces, the oval-shaped tofu noodle dish may sound unfamiliar. However, in Hanoi, it's a beloved dish, especially on chilly days. 

Ảnh: @tastydarling_

Discover and slice the oval-shaped tofu into small pieces, then stir-fry it with fragrant shallots and garlic. The noodles are briefly boiled in boiling water and immediately removed to avoid overcooking. The highlight is the tangy and spicy broth that tantalizes the taste buds. The crispy texture of the oval-shaped tofu is incredibly satisfying. 

Recommended oval-shaped tofu noodle spots: 

• Oval-shaped tofu noodle Phuc Tan: 277 Phuc Tan, Hoan Kiem,
• Oval-shaped tofu noodle Ms. Hong: Sidewalk 18 Hang Khoai, Hoan Kiem

Tasty snacks in Hanoi 

1. Corn, Sweet Potato, and Banana Cakes

Winter in Hanoi brings an array of delicious street food delights. Among them, one cannot overlook the corn, sweet potato, and banana cakes. The preparation of these cakes is quite simple. Flatten the bananas, thinly slice the sweet potatoes, and remove the corn kernels, then mix them with rice flour before frying them in hot oil. These humble cakes cost less than 10k each but leave people endlessly enchanted. 

Ảnh: @eat.with.tiu

Recommended spots for delicious corn, sweet potato, and banana cakes: 

• Hàng Điếu Banana Cake: 1 Hàng Điếu, Hoàn Kiếm District
• Tôn Thất Thiệp Sweet Potato, Banana, and Corn Cake: C3 Tôn Thất Thiệp (Alley 34A Trần Phú), Ba Đình District

2. Savory-Sweet Fried Cakes

Alongside sweet potato or corn cakes, Hanoi boasts exceptional fried cakes that you should try at least once. There are two types of fried cakes: savory and sweet. While sweet fried cakes feature mung bean fillings, savory ones are filled with minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli.

Ảnh: @bachuaviahe

Wrapped in a layer of flour dough, these cakes are deep-fried until crispy in a pan full of oil. Savory fried cakes are often served with sweet and sour fish sauce to balance the flavors. On the other hand, sweet fried cakes are coated with a layer of honey or sugar on the outside.

Recommended spots for delicious fried cakes: 

• Võng Thị Savory Fried Cakes: Alley 242 Lạc Long Quân, Tây Hồ District
• Lý Quốc Sư Fried Cakes: 52 Lý Quốc Sư Street, Hoàn Kiếm District
• Hàng Chiếu Sweet Fried Cakes: 52 Hàng Chiếu, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm District

3. Hot Gelatinous Cakes

Hot gelatinous cakes are considered one of the most delicious dishes in Hanoi, especially during the winter. The soft and chewy texture of the cake blends perfectly with the rich and flavorful meaty fish sauce. Traditional gelatinous cakes are served with minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. A sprinkle of crispy fried shallots and fresh herbs on top adds extra flavor.

Some places also add tofu to prevent it from being too heavy. A serving of hot gelatinous cake typically costs between 15k and 20k VND and is usually enjoyed as a snack. This delicious dish is unique to the capital city, so be sure to try it at least once!

Recommended spots for hot gelatinous cakes: 

• Hot gelatinous cakes at Le Ngoc Han: 88 Le Ngoc Han, Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung
• Hot gelatinous cakes at Trung Tu: 116C2 Trung Tu, Dong Da

4. Dried beef salad

The capital's food connoisseurs cannot overlook the myriad of tempting salads with various accompanying ingredients. Previously, salads were quite simple, typically consisting of dried beef and peanuts. However, to meet the demands of diners, nowadays salad shops also include stomach, grilled spleen, dried liver, water spinach, and tendons.

All ingredients are marinated richly, combined with sweet and sour fish sauce, added with fragrant herbs and a spicy taste of chili will make diners remember it forever. Depending on the quantity of accompanying toppings, salads in Hanoi will have different prices. Some shops even have prices up to 50k but are of extremely high quality.

Recommended delicious salad shops in Hanoi: 

• Dried beef salad at Dinh Tien Hoang: 53 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District
• Old man salad: 1 Nguyen Trung Truc, Ba Dinh District
• Aunt Nga salad: 25 Ham Long, Hoan Kiem District

Other delicious dishes in Hanoi

1. Hanoi Grilled Fish Patties

You might be surprised to know that there is a street in Hanoi named after this delicious dish. That alone is enough to indicate the allure and fame of Hanoi's grilled fish patties, isn't it?

The dish originated more than 130 years ago from the Doan family living on the current Grilled Fish Patties street. To make delicious grilled fish patties, people often choose firm, large, and chewy fish. The fish meat is cleaned, marinated with galangal, and then grilled. When eating, the fish pieces are stirred in a pan with some onions, dill, and roasted peanuts. Hanoi's grilled fish patties are best enjoyed with vermicelli and shrimp paste dipping sauce.

Quickly check out the best grilled fish patty restaurants in Hanoi: 

• Thang Long Grilled Fish: 21 Thanh Street, Cua Dong 
• Anh Vu Grilled Fish: 120-k1 P. Giang Vo, Cho Dua, Dong Da
• Grilled Fish King: 269 P. Giang Vo, Cho Dua, Ba Dinh

Mytour detailed suggestion: TOP 12 Hanoi grilled fish patty restaurants

2. Rolled Cake

There's no surprise that rolled cake is on the list of must-try delicious dishes in Hanoi. Hanoi's rolled cake has a similar outer layer to the steamed rice pancake in the South. However, the filling of rolled cake consists of minced meat, wood ear mushroom, and vermicelli. Dip it in fish sauce and hot fried pork sausage.

Photo: @tastydarling_

Steamed rolled cake is always freshly made, ensuring its softness, deliciousness, and warmth. Along with the rolled cake, people often order a creamy poached egg as a side dish. Rolled cake is also a familiar breakfast dish of Hanoians. 

Quickly check out delicious rolled cake spots: 

• Ms. Xuan's Steamed Rolled Cake: 16 Hoe Nhai Slope, Ba Dinh
• Thanh Van's Steamed Rolled Cake: 12-14 Hang Ga Street, Hoan Kiem District
• Phuong's Steamed Rolled Cake: 68 Hang Cot Street, Hoan Kiem District

Explore Mytour's suggestion: TOP 10 places to find the most sought-after pork belly rolled rice paper in Hanoi

3. Xoi Khuc 

Known for its simplicity, bánh khúc has long been a beloved dish of Hanoians. A delicious xoi khuc must have sticky rice on the outside, infused with the aromatic scent of khuc leaves. It can be said that the cooking method for this dish is not as simple as other types of sticky rice, such as green bean sticky rice or peanut sticky rice… 

People have to choose glutinous rice with yellow flowers so that even when it cools down, each grain of sticky rice remains soft and chewy, not stiff. The filling inside is a combination of khuc leaves mixed with green beans, fatty meat, and peppercorns. All the ingredients blend together perfectly, making it incredibly appealing. Xoi khuc is often served with crushed peanuts or eaten with a slice of pork, ensuring exceptional quality. 

Check out these delicious xoi khuc spots: 

• Quan's Xoi Khuc: 35 Cau Go, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem
• Aunt Lan's Xoi Khuc: Nguyen Cong Tru, Hue Street, Hai Ba Trung

4. Xoi Xeo

Standing out amidst the paradise of delicious and diverse xoi dishes is xoi xeo. People prefer xoi xeo mainly because of the combination of the slightly chewy texture of green beans, along with the fragrant aroma of fried shallots and scallion oil. 

To make xoi xeo even more delicious, the cook must choose glutinous rice with yellow flower, soak it with turmeric water, and blow twice to make the rice more sticky and fragrant. Xoi xeo can be eaten plain or with meat, pate, eggs,... Whether eaten in the morning or evening, it's always a great choice. 

Ảnh: @imim.mut

Top Picks for Delicious Xoi Spots: 

• Xoi Yen: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem
• Aunt May's Xoi: 35 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem district

Hanoi's cuisine truly knows how to please food lovers with its abundance of delicious dishes for you to enjoy. Hopefully, with the notebook of Hanoi's delicious dishes that Mytour suggested above, you can easily find the most satisfactory dining spot. Don't forget to visit Mytour Blog for more useful culinary information!

You can also explore more delicious dishes in the central areas of the capital city such as:

• #12 Delicious dishes in Cau Giay most sought after by young people
• #15 Delicious dishes in the Old Quarter that you cannot miss
• #10 Delicious dishes in Ha Dong just hearing about it makes you crave
• #13 Delicious dishes in Long Bien affordable yet extremely high quality
• #10 Delicious dishes around West Lake to awaken your taste buds