Despite the waning craze, these 4 rice paper roll shops in Hanoi still draw crowds due to their unforgettable flavors.

Even after the hype has faded, these rice paper roll stalls in Hanoi still maintain a steady stream of regular customers, drawn to the irresistible taste.

Rice paper salad is no longer the fervently sought-after dish it once was. The peak period has passed, with every corner no longer adorned with signs advertising rice paper salad, and the preparation no longer a sensation. Hanoians, known for their discerning palate, have caused the trend-following establishments to gradually close their doors.

However, a plate of truly authentic sweet, sour, and spicy rice paper salad, prepared to perfection, continues to be embraced by diners and added to their snack menus. Currently, there are 4 shops in Hanoi still maintaining a stable, familiar customer base, regularly frequented, despite this dish no longer being in vogue.

1. Rice Paper Salad at Hang Tre

Just over a year ago, securing a seat at this establishment would have been quite a challenge. If lucky enough to squeeze in, one would still have to wait over half an hour for their order. There was a time when the entire Hang Tre street became famous solely because of this Southern delicacy.

Unlike typical mixed rice paper stalls that offer only one dish, Bé O invests in a long menu with many choices. Specifically, there are over 10 types of mixed rice paper, served in 2 styles: Saigon and Tay Ninh. Tay Ninh style offers additional shrimp crackers.

You should try the mixed rice paper with roast pork and fragrant grilled pork instead of dry beef if you're hungry. The rolled rice paper with spicy beef sauce has a crispy golden crust, tender and flavorful filling of cabbage, and meat with creamy mayonnaise sauce. Additionally, you can also enjoy simple mixed rice paper with tamarind, mixed vermicelli with pork, grilled skewered meat, and grilled rice paper. However, the grilled rice paper here is not the highlight, just try it for the experience.

3. Mixed Rice Paper at Khuong Thuong

Starting from a mixed rice paper cart in the famous souvenir shopping area at A8 Khuong Thuong (Hanoi), Hoa Mai quickly grew into a small shop in this collective housing area. However, even in its early days, the shop was praised as one of the places that accurately capture the taste of Southern-style mixed rice paper.

The price for a plate of mixed rice paper is around 10,000 Vietnamese Dong, very cheap compared to the general price level in Hanoi. The noodles are chewy and soft, soaked in tamarind sauce, with the spicy sweetness of dried beef, fragrant herbs, and the sour taste of green mango creating an unforgettable flavor.

The shop is quite hard to find for those who have never been here before because it doesn't have a specific address, just a few small chairs placed in the middle of the courtyard between two rows of collective houses. However, word of mouth spreads quickly, and almost every evening the shop is bustling with customers coming and going, regardless of the season.

In addition to mixed rice paper, there are also grilled rice paper, fried fish balls, pillow cakes, stir-fried corn with shrimp, rolled pho, cheese sticks, dried beef salad, beef balls... - common street foods in Saigon. The main customers here are students in the area.

4. Mixed Rice Paper at Hang Trong

Among the 4 shops, this one receives the least praise. However, due to its fairly nice location, situated at the intersection of Hang Trong - Bao Khanh, overlooking the lake, compared to its peak popularity, the shop hasn't seen a significant decrease in the number of customers. The most special thing about the shop is that the mixed rice paper comes with a lot of dried squid. According to one customer, if you're not used to it, it can be tough on the teeth, but once you get used to it, it's very addictive.

The rice paper here is slightly sweet but quite substantial. The downside is that the shop only serves this one dish, seating is very limited, and parking is not very convenient. However, on the bright side, the shop is close to a fairly decent fruit juice store, so you can combine a couple of tasks.

According to Ngôi Sao

***

Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour