During your Hanoi travel, do not forget to explore the quintessence of Hanoi cuisine with some delicacies below:
Bun Cha – Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodle
Bun Cha is one of the most well-known dishes in the North of Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi. This dish includes grilled fatty pork and pig meatballs. It is served with a bowl of fish sauce blended with garlic, chili, sugar and lime juice. Also, a few pickled veggies are also frequently present in the bowl.
You will also receive a portion of vermicelli noodles, some sliced chili peppers, a large plate of fresh herbs and lettuce leaves to be used with your bowl of pork and sauce. Simply put everything into your bowl and enjoy! It will surely satisfy your taste buds and bring an unforgettable culinary experience in your Hanoi travel.
Some suggested places to eat Bun Cha in your Hanoi travel:
- Sinh Tu: 16 Pho Vong, Hai Ba Trung District
- Huong Lien: 24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung District
- Hang Quat: Alley 74, Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem District
La Vong grilled chopped fish – One of the best Hanoi specialties
Along with Pho, La Vong grilled chopped fish is another well-known dish that exemplifies the sophistication and complexity of Hanoi cuisine. With vermicelli noodles, toasted peanuts, and dipping sauce, it includes grilled fish that has been marinated in turmeric and mixed with sautéed onions and dills. It boasts the ideal balance of sweet, savory, sour, and umami flavors.
Normally, the eateries will serve grilled fish along with fresh dills, onions, noodles, and dipping sauce. A portable gas stove and a skillet will be given to you, then you need to fry the onions and dills before mixing them in with the grilled fish and cooking it.
Some suggested places to enjoy grilled chopped fish in Hanoi:
- Ha Thanh: 20 Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay District
- Vong Ngu: 29 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ba Dinh District
- 18 Lo Su: 1st floor, Hanoi E Central Hotel, 18 Lo Su, Hoan Kiem District
Rice noodles with fried tofu and fermented shrimp paste
This dish is called “bun dau mam tom” in Vietnamese. The rice noodles served in this dish are shaped into patties and typically chopped into bite-sized rectangular pieces. As the name suggests, it also includes deep-fried tofu which is soft and crispy. There are other toppings in this dish like sliced pork, green rice pork nuggets, fried spring rolls, chitlins, etc.
The element that brings a unique taste to bun dau mam tom is the dipping sauce or shrimp paste. It is made by combining salt with finely crushed shrimp and has a dark purple color after the fermentation process is complete. Since it tastes quite salty, people usually add a little kumquat juice, sugar and some chili.
Some suggested places to enjoy bun dau mam tom in your Hanoi travel:
- Trung Huong: 49 Phat Loc Alley, Hoan Kiem District
- Ngo Gach: 4 Ngo Gach, Hoan Kiem District
- Nghia Tan: 104 C3, Nghia Tan Street, Cau Giay District
Pho – The most renowned food for your Hanoi travel
Pho is a dish that you should try at least once in your Hanoi travel. Beef noodle soup, or Pho Bo, is how this popular dish is traditionally prepared. Rice noodles, onions, and scallions are put in a bowl with steamy beef broth cooked for a long time. It further includes a dash of cilantro and various cuts of beef.
Fresh bean sprouts, basil, mint, jalapeno slices, and a lime wedge are all included in each dish of Pho. You can season your bowl with these ingredients according to your preferences. If you wish to mix up the flavors, most Pho restaurants also have pickled garlic, fish sauce, black pepper, and hoisin sauce on the table.
Some suggested places to enjoy Pho in your Hanoi travel:
- Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem District
- Pho Ly Quoc Su: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District
- Pho Thin: 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung District
Trang Tien ice cream – A tasty sweetened frozen food for your Hanoi travel
- Address: 35 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District
Although many new local and foreign ice-cream brands have been established in Hanoi, many people still prefer Trang Tien because of its distinctive flavors and fresh, natural taste. The secret which makes this food alluring to a large number of people is the traditional making method without the use of preservatives.
Trang Tien has a variety of ice cream flavors, as well as popsicles, cone ice cream, mochi, and fresh ice cream. The ice-pop is the most popular of them all. The once-luxurious food is now quite cheap for everyone to enjoy, costing only VND 12,000 (US$0.5) for a stick.
Don’t hesitate to pack your luggage, come and discover the amazing land. For more information please visit our family website:
- For Vietnam online visa Govietnamvisa.com
- For Vietnam local tours: Govietnamtourist.com