1. Trung Tự Hot Rice Cake
It’s not an exaggeration to say that hot rice cakes are a nostalgic dish, simple yet cozy, perfect for Hanoi's chilly winter days. With countless vendors selling this treat, Trung Tự Hot Rice Cake stands out as a favorite among those who have tried it.
Trung Tự’s hot rice cake is always served piping hot, soft, and chewy. The minced meat filling is enhanced with just the right amount of fat, not too dry, complemented by stir-fried wood ear mushrooms that add a delicate flavor. Together, the ingredients create a filling that’s neither too crumbly nor mushy. Paired with the rich, creamy rice cake, it’s a unique, savory experience. The homemade dipping sauce is made from simmered bone broth, perfectly balanced with a natural sweetness and a touch of sourness. Additionally, the shop’s fried onions are freshly made, making the dish even more flavorful, topped with a generous helping of crispy onions and fresh herbs. The shop also offers some delightful sweet treats, including a refreshing black bean coconut dessert. Don’t miss it if you get the chance!
Contact Information
Address: 103 B5 Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Trung Tự, Đống Đa, Hanoi
Phone: 0936 990 068
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM


2. Bánh Giò Đông Các
The Đông Các Bánh Giò shop is a small yet iconic street food establishment in Hanoi. Their bánh giò is always well-cooked, firm yet tender. The dough is soft, smooth, and served hot. A typical serving of bánh giò here costs around 32,000 VND, which is a bit more expensive compared to nearby places. However, considering the quality and the unique experience this shop offers, customers leave satisfied. Bánh Giò Đông Các is a beloved dish in Hanoi, simple but delicious, and once tried, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. The bánh giò is soft and filled with fragrant meat, accompanied by pickled vegetables and spicy chili sauce, making it an irresistible treat.
The full bánh giò meal includes grilled skewers of meat, beautifully rounded sausage slices, crispy cucumber, and flavorful pork rolls. What sets this place apart is the homemade sweet and spicy chili sauce, which elevates the flavor to another level. The bánh giò is sliced into convenient portions, drizzled with the special sauce, and you can feel the rich taste melt in your mouth. It’s truly a unique experience and offers something different from other bánh giò shops. On a chilly afternoon, enjoying a hot plate of bánh giò here is an unforgettable experience!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: 33 Đông Các, Đống Đa District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 07:00 PM


3. Thủy Xèo 166B Đội Cấn
When it comes to bánh xèo, one cannot forget Đội Cấn Street, which is renowned for its many delicious bánh xèo shops. Among the many eateries serving bánh xèo and grilled meat skewers, Thủy Xèo 166B Đội Cấn stands out with a steady stream of customers. This bánh xèo shop is run by a woman from Da Nang, and she brings the flavors of Central Vietnam to Hanoi, offering a unique taste different from other bánh xèo shops in the city.
What sets the bánh xèo at Thủy Xèo 166B Đội Cấn apart is the generous filling with fewer bean sprouts, more meat and shrimp. The bánh xèo is wrapped in rice paper, served with green mango slices, and dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce. What makes the dish even more special is the subtle scent of lemongrass. In addition to bánh xèo, the shop also offers delicious grilled meat skewers and bánh bột lọc. Overall, the food here is tasty and reflects the simplicity and charm of Vietnamese cuisine. As winter settles in Hanoi, there’s nothing better than enjoying a crispy, hot bánh xèo fresh from the pan. The best part? The place is always busy, but the service is fast, and the food stays hot, crispy, and fragrant.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 166B Đội Cấn, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Phone: 0936 990 068
Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 09:30 PM


4. Bánh Mì Chảo Cột Điện
Bánh Mì Chảo Cột Điện is a popular snack spot cherished by many generations of students in Hanoi. Over time, it has expanded into a chain with several branches in key locations across Hanoi and some other provinces. However, if you want to enjoy the best bánh mì chảo with the best service, you must visit the Nghĩa Tân location. Bánh Mì Chảo Cột Điện in Nghĩa Tân offers a two-story, clean space filled with bustling students. Though it’s not as polished as some other eateries in Hanoi, its food makes it stand out.
Most customers flock to Bánh Mì Chảo Cột Điện for its famous sizzling hot bánh mì chảo, served with eggs, sausage, mashed potatoes, pâté, meat, and a rich tomato sauce. The thick sauce ties all the ingredients in the pan together with its vibrant color and flavorful taste. Alongside the delicious bánh mì chảo, the shop also offers a variety of refreshing drinks like iced soursop, tamarind, cocoa, and soy milk. A hot bánh mì chảo paired with a cold drink makes for a perfect, nutritious lunch or snack break.
Address: 78 Chùa Láng, Đống Đa District, Hanoi
Phone: 0986 998 239
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/cot.dien.quan/
Opening hours: 08:30 AM - 10:00 PM


5. Bánh Cuốn Phượng
Bánh Cuốn Phượng is a must-visit spot for anyone who loves bánh cuốn. The restaurant has a large loyal customer base, and each portion of bánh cuốn here is priced incredibly affordably. The combination of deliciousness and low cost likely explains the restaurant's popularity. When you visit, the owner freshly prepares the bánh cuốn, ensuring it's always served hot. The bánh is soft and smooth, with a filling of wood ear mushrooms. The dipping sauce is perfectly balanced, making it a delightful accompaniment to both the bánh cuốn and fresh vegetables. After enjoying the bánh cuốn, the restaurant also offers refreshing cold tea.
Using only fresh ingredients, especially the self-made fried onions and fresh, clean vegetables, the restaurant guarantees food safety and quality. They offer traditional bánh cuốn as well as a variation with scrambled eggs, minced pork, mushrooms, and jicama. Depending on your preference, you can add Vietnamese pork sausage, sausages, or fried spring rolls to enhance the flavor. Bánh Cuốn Phượng is best enjoyed with a few slices of bright orange grilled pork sausage, fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, and a dipping sauce made with fish sauce, sugar, and a few slices of spicy chili along with fresh kumquat slices, all served on the side in a small basket. The salty fish sauce blends perfectly with the sweetness of the sugar, creating a signature taste.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 68 Hàng Cót, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Phone: 0978 065 555
Opening hours: 06:30 AM - 02:00 PM


6. Bánh Trôi Tàu Phạm Bằng
If you're a fan of bánh trôi tàu (Vietnamese sticky rice dumplings), then you must be familiar with the famous shop of artist Phạm Bằng on Hàng Giầy Street. Known for its sweet and aromatic syrup that perfectly complements each dumpling, Bánh Trôi Tàu Phạm Bằng is a popular destination for bánh trôi lovers. The shop serves two types of dumplings in every bowl: one with black sesame and the other with green bean and coconut filling, both having a distinct taste that can only be found here. Bánh trôi tàu is made with glutinous rice flour and traditionally filled with either green beans or black sesame, served in a hot, fragrant ginger syrup with shredded coconut. The dumplings are delightful thanks to their soft, smooth outer shell and chewy interior, with a creamy filling and a light, fragrant ginger syrup.
The dumplings here are made with old rice, so they’re never too dry or crumbly. Instead, they always have a soft, chewy texture. The combination of the filling and the lingering ginger scent makes Bánh Trôi Tàu Phạm Bằng irresistible to anyone who tries it.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 30 Hàng Giầy, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Phone: 0982 335 588
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bánh-Trôi-Tàu-Bác-Phạm-Bằng/100041628776107/
Opening Hours: 03:30 PM - 10:30 PM


7. Savory Fried Dumplings at 83 Vĩnh Hồ
On a cold winter day, wandering around Hanoi and stopping by savory fried dumpling shops is the perfect idea for young food enthusiasts. The round, golden-brown dumplings, filled with ground pork, glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, and a hint of pepper, are sure to tantalize your taste buds. For those in the Đống Đa area, you can easily find Savory Fried Dumplings at 83 Vĩnh Hồ to enjoy these treats.
Savory Fried Dumplings at 83 Vĩnh Hồ is conveniently located in the heart of the Vĩnh Hồ market, making it easy to find. Each dumpling is about one-third the size of an adult’s fist, with a thick, golden crust fried to crispy perfection in hot oil, while still retaining a chewy glutinous rice dough. Even when cooled, the dumplings don’t lose their texture or turn sour. The filling is generously packed, with a balance of seasoning that makes every bite flavorful. Enjoying these savory dumplings amidst the bustling market atmosphere, while chatting with friends, is one of the most charming experiences in Hanoi.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 83 Vĩnh Hồ, Đống Đa District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM


8. Oanh Oanh's Pillow Dumplings
It would be a mistake to leave Oanh Oanh's Pillow Dumplings off the list of the best eateries in Hanoi. A well-loved local spot, this small but cozy shop tucked in an alley is always packed with visitors, drawn in by the irresistible pillow dumplings served here at very affordable prices. The dough is thick and crispy on the outside, with a soft, smooth inside. The filling is perfectly seasoned, and won't leave you feeling overwhelmed. The dipping sauce here is unique—balanced with sweet and sour flavors that pair perfectly with the dumplings and fresh herbs.
The shop gets quite busy in the late afternoon, and if you plan to take some dumplings to-go, it's best to ask the owner to save some for you, as they tend to run out quickly! The staff is always bustling around, but they're cheerful, friendly, and attentive. Don't miss the chance to visit Oanh Oanh's Pillow Dumplings for a filling yet affordable treat with your friends!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 5 Ngách 50, Alley 612, Đê La Thành, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 13:30 PM - 19:00 PM


9. Lạng Sơn Banh Mi Shop
Lạng Sơn Banh Mi Shop, run by Ms. Hoàng Minh Thảo, is located in Alley 20, Hồ Tùng Mậu Street (Cầu Giấy, Hanoi), and has become a popular spot among young locals. The sandwich, rich in flavor with a hint of spice and the creamy aroma of butter, has earned fame due to Ms. Thảo's secret recipe. Each serving consists of a sandwich cut into smaller pieces, a skewer of grilled meat, and a side of pickled cucumber. The bread is lightly buttered and toasted over charcoal, while the meat is seasoned to perfection and grilled over a high flame. Once plated, a special sauce is drizzled over the sandwich, complemented by the tangy pickled cucumbers to balance the flavors.
The sandwich's unique taste is a delightful blend of savory meat, spicy sauce, crispy bread, and the refreshing tang of pickled cucumbers. This combination has made Lạng Sơn Banh Mi a favorite hangout for many young people in the area. The bold flavors and satisfying texture make this an unforgettable culinary experience, especially as people gather here in the evenings to enjoy the meal.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 14 Alley 20, Hồ Tùng Mậu Street, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi
Phone: 0932 299 636
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064100372450


10. Bao Wow Meat Sandwich
Bao is a very popular dish with many varieties, including egg bao, char siu bao, salted egg bao, curry bao, fried bao, and taro bao. However, the one that has captured the hearts of young people in Hanoi during the winter season is Bao Wow Meat Sandwich.
This Taiwanese-style bao sandwich has a simple yet addictive quality. Food lovers seeking the best Hanoi delicacies can find Bao Wow, hidden in a small alley on Dang Thai Mai Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi. The fusion of Asian (Taiwanese and Vietnamese) cuisine with European and American influences gives Bao Wow's dishes, especially the Taiwanese bao sandwich, a unique and unforgettable flavor. Unlike the traditional bao, which is fully enclosed, this 'gua bao' is similar to a Western burger but folded on one side, with the bread replaced by a fluffy, fragrant bao. The soft, slightly sweet dough is steamed fresh at the shop, so the irresistible aroma of the dish wafts through the air as you pass by. Open until midnight, Bao Wow Meat Sandwich is the perfect stop for a late-night meal. The atmosphere of Bao Wow feels like you're strolling through the backyard of a friend's home—elegant yet stylish. The pet-friendly policy, excellent service, and friendly staff explain the long weekend queues outside Bao Wow.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 31A Alley 12 Dang Thai Mai, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Phone: 0971 282 088
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://bao-wow.business.site/
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/baowowhanoi
Opening hours: 11:00 - 23:00


11. Take Eat Easy Cafe - Church Street
Take Eat Easy - Church Street was the first place in Hanoi to introduce the creative and beautiful egg waffle sandwich with ice cream, which has quickly become a favorite among young people. The egg waffle, a familiar dish in Hong Kong and Singapore under the name 'Egg Waffle' or 'Gai Dann Jay,' has made its official debut in Vietnam. These golden waffles are rich in butter and milk flavor, with an enticing fragrance, and their sweet taste has surely won over many Hanoi youngsters.
What makes the egg waffle here so special is its unique shape. At first glance, the waffles appear simple, resembling tiny eggs. This shape is created by pouring the batter into a waffle maker, leaving behind small round bumps that line up neatly like a whole tray of eggs. At Take Eat Easy - Church Street, the recipe is specially adjusted so that the waffle retains its delicious flavor without being overly sweet or greasy. You won’t find another egg waffle in Hanoi with such an irresistible crispy exterior and soft, smooth interior as those at Take Eat Easy. On a cool day, nothing beats savoring a warm, crispy egg waffle bursting with fragrance.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 18B Church Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Phone: 0986 459 960
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/cafe.TEE
Opening hours: 9:00 - 23:00


12. O Long Sandwich
O Long Sandwich is located right on the main road, opposite Ho Dak Di Lake. The café has two floors, and the second floor offers a beautiful lake view, spacious, and airy. The typical dish here is the sizzling sandwich set, which usually includes pâté, fried potatoes, eggs, and tomatoes, served with pickled cucumbers. You can choose between hard or soft-boiled eggs. What really stands out at this place is the sauce—a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it the ideal dip for the sandwich. The sauce is served generously, and you can even ask for extra if you like.
The staff at O Long Sandwich are quick and friendly. With reasonable prices and good quality, this place is worth a visit. The regular steak set is priced at 75,000 VND, while the special steak set costs 99,000 VND. If you prefer something lighter, you can opt for the special sizzling sandwich set, which is only 35,000 VND. This set comes with a full serving of hot, fragrant, and crispy ingredients, including seared pâté, large sausages, crispy fries, and runny eggs—all drenched in a rich and smooth sauce that elevates the dish to a culinary masterpiece. Be sure to stop by O Long Sandwich to experience it yourself.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 67 Ho Dak Di, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Phone: 0942 696 622
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/banhmybittet/
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00


