1. Fried Square Cake at Cosa Nostra Cafe
Perhaps, Cosa Nostra is the only cafe in Hanoi that serves fried square cake. To match its elegant ambiance, the fried square cake here is presented in a more sophisticated way compared to the street vendors. Made with sticky rice, mung bean filling, and pork fat, the cake is fried to a golden, crispy perfection. It's then cut into neat square pieces and arranged on a beautiful porcelain plate. The accompanying food and drinks are also served on uniquely shaped plates or bowls, resembling pieces of art.
Cosa Nostra offers a variety of dishes alongside its drink menu, but the fried square cake remains a favorite among locals and is highly praised for its delicious taste. After enjoying a simple, noisy street-side fried square cake, try this indulgent version in the elegant, classic atmosphere of Cosa Nostra!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Cosa Nostra Café & Restaurant – 24 Tong Dan, Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Phone: 0923 652 424
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/cosanostrahn


2. Fried Square Cake at Bac Hien
Fried Square Cake at Bac Hien is both cheap and delicious. Bac uses the traditional square-shaped cakes rather than the round ones like in some other places, making them quite large. Despite this, each cake costs only 20-25k. Additionally, you can pair the cake with sausages, Chinese sausage, pork roll, or fried pork.
What makes this fried square cake special is that to balance the richness, Bac Hien also serves it with a side of pickled vegetables for a refreshing flavor. With a bite of crispy, golden fried square cake, complemented by soft filling, and a dash of chili sauce or a drizzle of soy sauce, you’ll quickly fall in love with this dish and find yourself craving it from time to time.
This fried square cake shop is beloved by many, being the only place in Hanoi that offers half portions for those with smaller appetites. The shop itself is modest, with a small kitchen and a tray, but it’s clean and can comfortably serve over a dozen customers at a time.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 1B Thanh Ha, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi


3. Bac Nga - Fried Square Cake & Egg Noodles with Sausages
For those who are addicted to fried square cake, Bac Nga's Snack Shop is a fantastic choice. On a chilly day, there’s nothing better than a hot plate of fried square cake paired with some tangy-sweet pickled vegetables.
The fried square cakes here are large, with a crispy golden exterior and a soft filling inside, and they are served piping hot without being greasy. The fried square cake becomes even tastier when combined with sausages, pork rolls, or pate. A standout feature of Bac Nga's Fried Square Cake is the legendary pickled vegetables. The mix of thinly sliced carrots and cabbage has a perfect balance of sweet and sour, without being too sharp, making it the ideal accompaniment for the fried cake. Many customers even praise the pickled vegetables as the “soul” of the fried square cake, sometimes claiming it’s even more delicious than the cake itself. And the best part is, you can always ask for more of the pickled vegetables.
In addition, the shop also serves delicious mugwort eggs with a mild bitterness, as well as hearty bowls of instant noodles with eggs and sausages, all at incredibly affordable prices.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Between the A1 and A2 apartment complexes, Vinh Ho, Thinh Quang, Dong Da, Hanoi


4. Fried Chung Cake on Giang Vo Sidewalk
Located on the sidewalk of Giang Vo, a simple yet delightful breakfast spread awaits, neatly arranged in a humble street vendor's basket. From sticky rice, rice balls, bread, to Chung cakes, each dish is affordable, tasty, and clean. Over time, this street vendor has become a popular spot for students and workers in the Giang Vo area. On chilly days, nothing is better than savoring a hot, crispy Chung cake here.
The Chung cakes are fried on a silver tray until golden, then flipped to cook evenly. Once done, they are served with either chili sauce or soy sauce. There's not much in the way of toppings, nor is it overly complicated; the cake's crispy outer layer encases soft, savory green bean paste, complemented by rich, fatty slices of pork belly, making it a comforting choice for many.
The vendor's setup is very simple, with just a few small plastic chairs scattered around. The customers, mostly people on their way to work or school, stop by to grab a cake, wrapped up in simplicity, ready to go. Though the fried Chung cake isn't very large, it's just the right size to warm you up on those chilly mornings in Hanoi.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Sidewalk opposite D2 Giang Vo, Ba Dinh, Hanoi


5. Fried Chung Cake at Pham Hong Thai
One could say that the fried Chung cake and stir-fried beef with pickled mustard at 73 Pham Hong Thai offers a refreshing twist. Rather than using the smaller variety, they serve the large, traditional Chung cakes here.
The cakes are sliced thin and fried until crispy on both sides. A serving of fried Chung cake here is quite generous, often enough for two people to share. The side dish is a substantial plate of stir-fried beef with pickled mustard. The beef is tender and fragrant, and the pickled mustard is just the right level of tang to complement the crispy Chung cake. The sourness of the mustard helps cut through the oiliness of the fried cake, making you want to keep eating.
However, be aware that the stir-fried beef with mustard here can be quite spicy. If you're not a fan of chili, make sure to let the owner know in advance. As for pricing, a serving of fried Chung cake with beef and mustard is not cheap, but it can be said that it's "worth every penny." If you're looking for a new experience this winter, the Fried Chung Cake at Pham Hong Thai will surely be a treat.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 73 Pham Hong Thai, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh, Hanoi


6. Fried Chung Cake at Cau Dong
Fried Chung cake is a beloved treat during the winter season. If you stroll around the Cau Dong area, you'll easily spot a stall selling fried Chung cakes opposite the entrance of Dong Xuan Market. The cakes here are of the mini size, neatly arranged on a bright silver tray. The vendor continuously fries the cakes, flipping them evenly, and once they are golden, she places them aside to keep warm. The outer layer of the cake is crispy, while the inside is filled with hot sticky rice that's soft and fluffy, with a smooth green bean paste and a few pieces of rich, fatty pork. Together, they create an unforgettable taste.
Alongside the hot cakes are various side dishes such as fried minced pork, sausage, and pickled sausage. You can choose any combination of sides you prefer. Afterward, just drizzle a bit of soy sauce, add some pickled vegetables, and enjoy while it's still hot. The prices here are quite reasonable, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 VND depending on the side dishes. As a result, despite being a street vendor, Fried Chung Cake at Cau Dong is always bustling with customers.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 26 Cau Dong, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (opposite Dong Xuan Market)


7. Fried Chung Cake at Truong Dinh
If you're looking to try a delicious fried Chung cake, you can visit 76 Truong Dinh, Hai Ba Trung. Like the traditional scene, the cakes here are arranged neatly on a tray. These cakes have a wonderfully crispy crust, with a filling of fragrant, soft mung beans and generous portions of pork and fat. The cakes are stuffed with a rich combination of meat and green beans, offering a deliciously fatty and nutty taste. Additionally, the side dishes include a spicy chili sauce and plump sausages that are also fried on the same tray as the cakes.
The seating is very simple, with small plastic chairs arranged around the cake tray. You can enjoy the hot, crispy cakes and feel the warmth of the flame that helps to beat the cold of Hanoi's winter. If you'd like to take some home, the cakes are conveniently packed in small styrofoam boxes.
As for the price, Fried Chung Cake at Truong Dinh is quite affordable, costing around 10,000 to 15,000 VND per serving. It’s a budget-friendly, tasty, and filling option. On a chilly winter afternoon, if you feel hungry and cold, a visit here to savor the hot fried Chung cake will surely warm you up!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 76 Truong Dinh, Truong Dinh, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi


