Cha Ca (Turmeric Fried Fish with Dill) is one of the dishes you absolutely "must try" when visiting Hanoi. The dish features fish marinated in turmeric, fried in a hot pan with dill and green onions, and served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and roasted peanuts. The most exciting part is that many places serve it "sizzling at the table," which is both delicious and fun-perfect for travelers experiencing Vietnamese cuisine for the first time. The list below highlights the Top 10 Best Cha Ca Hanoi restaurants for you.

What is Cha Ca Hanoi? Why is it world-famous?

Cha Ca La Vong was once featured on CNN’s culinary show (Parts Unknown) and is constantly recommended as a dish to try in Hanoi. So, what makes it so attractive?

Premium Ingredients: The dish is usually made from Lang fish (Hemibagrus-a type of catfish) known for its sweet, firm meat and few bones. It is carefully marinated with galangal, fermented rice (mẻ), and turmeric to create a beautiful golden color.
A Unique Experience: Unlike ready-made dishes, diners get to fry the fish themselves in a pan of hot oil with scallions and dill right at the table. The sizzling sound and the fragrant aroma stimulate every sense.

Top 10 Best Cha Ca Restaurants in Hanoi (Latest Update)

Below is a list of the best cha ca hanoi carefully selected based on food quality, ambiance, and actual reviews from thousands of locals and international tourists.

1. Cha Ca La Vong - The Legendary "Icon" You Must Try

Cha Ca La Vong is not just a dish; it is a piece of the Old Quarter's memory, with a recorded history of over 150 years. It is this long-standing story that has made Cha Ca a culinary symbol of the Capital.

What to order: Traditional Cha Ca Set (the menu here is very simple, focusing entirely on the fish).
Where to eat: If you are short on time, choose based on your itinerary:
- Near Cha Ca Street / Want a legendary check-in: Go to Cha Ca La Vong.
- Near Hang Bong area / Want a comfortable meal with diverse Hanoi dishes: Go to May Tre Dan Restaurant.
  - Address: 153 Hang Bong Str., Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.
  - Hotline: (+84) 88 602 8558

2. Cha Ca Thang Long

If La Vong is history, then Michelin Guide - Cha Ca Thang Long is currently an excellent, safe choice thanks to a perfect balance of flavor, service, and atmosphere.

Why go: The fish pieces here are cut into thick fillets, marinated perfectly, and do not break apart when frying. The space is clean, bright, and the service is more professional than older traditional spots.
Area: Near Cua Bac Citadel / Ba Dinh District (500m from the Old Quarter).
Must try: Cha Ca (Turmeric Fish) and Crispy Fried Fish Stomach.
Tips: The restaurant has 3 branches located very close to each other on the same street (Numbers 19, 21, 31 Duong Thanh). The quality is consistent, so you can enter any number that has an available table.

Contact Info:

Address: 19-21-2D Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi | 25 Duong Thanh | Villa 6b Duong Thanh.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 21:30.

3. Cha Ca Anh Vu

A long-standing brand that has maintained stable performance over the years and is a familiar destination for gourmet office workers.

Why go: Highly rated by diners for the freshness of the fish. Notably, the Mam Tom (shrimp paste) here is mixed very skillfully; when whipped up, it is incredibly addictive.
Area: Giang Vo (Ba Dinh District).
Must try: Grilled Lang Fish.
Tips: The Giang Vo area has heavy traffic during rush hour, so you should avoid dining between 17:30 - 18:30.

Contact Info:

Address: 120 K1 Giang Vo, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 14:00 | 17:00 - 22:00.

4. Cha Ca Kinh Ky

Stands out with an airy space and pre-designed set menus that are very convenient for ordering.

Why go: Diverse menu with many side dishes. The space has an "Old Hanoi" vibe but is spacious with cool air conditioning-no worries about getting hot in summer.
Area: Multiple locations (Cua Dong, Hoa Ma...).
Must try: Cha Ca Kinh Ky Special (includes crispy fish intestines).
Tips: You should order the Combo (Set menu) to save costs rather than ordering à la carte.

Contact Info:

Address: 32A Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00.

5. Cha Ca Lao Ngu

A small, charming shop that brings a cozy, friendly feeling, not as noisy or bustling as large restaurant chains.

Why go: The Fish Porridge here is dubbed a "masterpiece," very warming and light on the stomach after enjoying the rich, oily fish. The atmosphere is gentle and very "chill."
Area: Thai Ha (Dong Da District).
Must try: Grilled Cha Ca and Fish Porridge.
Tips: The restaurant is in the Thai Ha area, a bit far from the Old Quarter, making it perfect if you want to explore the local life of Hanoians.

Contact Info:

Address: 171 Thai Ha, Dong Da, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 14:00 | 17:00 - 22:00.

6. Vua Cha Ca

This is currently the strongest developing Cha Ca restaurant chain with modern service, consistency, and prime locations across districts.

Why go: The ventilation system is excellent (helping you avoid smelling like food a big plus). Staff provide dedicated tableside grilling service, and the space is luxurious.
Area: Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da (Many branches).
Must try: Lang Fish Hotpot and Cha Ca.
Tips: Choose the Ly Thuong Kiet or Tran Hung Dao branch if you are staying in the Hoan Kiem area for easy travel.

Contact Info:

Reference Address: 26C Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00.

7. Cha Ca Hang Son | Traditional Culinary Orientation

A place that preserves the standard "Northern Rice" flavor in every piece of fish, combined with impressive Indochine architecture.

Why go: The Indochine style decor is beautiful and elegant. The fish is marinated thoroughly and boldly, pairing perfectly with rice or vermicelli.
Area: Hoan Kiem.
Must try: Grilled Lang Fish with Salt and Chili (side dish) and Traditional Cha Ca.
Tips: The Mam Tom here is mixed quite strongly; ask for extra lime and sugar to adjust it yourself if you prefer a milder taste.

Contact Info:

Address: 15 Tran Hung Dao, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00.

8. Cha Ca Gia Nguyen

The restaurant has a rich menu, making it easy to choose dishes for both the elderly and children, solving the worry of "what will the kids eat?"

Why go: Modern, clean, and airy space. They have high chairs for children and soups/porridges that are very easy for babies to eat.
Area: Tran Khat Chan.
Must try: Lang Fish Salad and Cha Ca.
Tips: The restaurant is on a main road and has car parking right at the door, which is very convenient.

Contact Info:

Address: 339 Tran Khat Chan, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00.

9. Cha Ca Ha Thanh | Avoid Crowds, Easy Taxi Access

For those who want to enjoy delicious food but are afraid of squeezing into narrow Old Quarter streets.

Why go: Extremely airy and pleasant location. The fish quality is fresh, with thick slices that are not mushy or crumbly.
Area: Nguyen Van Huyen (Cau Giay District).
Must try: Lang Fish Spring Rolls (Nem).
Tips: Very suitable to combine with your itinerary if you are visiting the Museum of Ethnology (located very close by).

Contact Info:

Address: 32 Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 21:30.

10. Cha Ca Phan | Hidden Gem - Good Food, Good Price

This is a rising name or a spot whispered among local office workers because the quality far exceeds the price.

Why go: Transparent pricing and extremely reasonable compared to the general market, while the quality still reaches 8/10. The restaurant is very crowded with Vietnamese customers-a guarantee of flavor.
Area: Dong Da.
Must try: The generous Lang Fish Set.
Tips: The shop is quite noisy at lunch due to the crowd of office workers, so going in the evening will be more relaxing.

Contact Info:

Address: 14 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Nguyen Du, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00.

If you are in the Old Quarter, check out more suggestions: What to eat in Hanoi Old Quarter?

Guide: How to eat Cha Ca for first-timers

Eating Cha Ca is an art. If you don't know how to combine the spices, the deliciousness of the dish can be reduced by half.

4 Steps to enjoy it like a true Hanoian: Cha Ca is best when it is hot on the pan, fragrant with dill and green onions. Eating in the right "rhythm" will reveal the full fatty, nutty, fragrant, and rich taste typical of Hanoi.

Step 1: When the pan of oil is boiling, immediately drop the green onions and dill in, stirring quickly with the fish so the vegetables are lightly cooked and the fish becomes hot again.
Step 2: Pick a piece of golden fish with some onions and dill that are just cooked and put it in your bowl.
Step 3: Add some vermicelli noodles (bún), a few roasted peanuts, and some fresh pickled onions.
Step 4: Drizzle a small teaspoon of Mam Tom (shrimp paste - already whipped with lemon, sugar, and chili) over the top, mix well, and enjoy while still hot.

Notes:

To have a meal that is both delicious and safe, just remember these 3 small points:

Shrimp Paste (Mam Tom): This is the "soul" of the dish. But if you can't eat it (due to the smell or allergy), just tell the staff directly: "No Mam Tom, please give me fish sauce." Sweet and sour fish sauce goes very well with Cha Ca too.
Be careful with hot oil: The fish pan is always boiled at the table; pay attention to splashing oil, especially if going with small children.
Fish bones: Lang fish has few bones and is usually filleted, but sometimes there are still small bones. Eat slowly to both feel the sweetness and ensure safety.

FAQs about Best Cha Ca Hanoi?

If it's your first time eating Cha Ca, the questions below will help you be more confident when ordering:

Is shrimp paste mandatory?

No. Most restaurants are ready to serve sweet and sour fish sauce for foreign guests or people who cannot eat shrimp paste.

Is Cha Ca spicy?

Basically, no. The spiciness depends on how much fresh chili you add to your dipping sauce.

Which restaurant is nearest to Hoan Kiem Lake/Old Quarter?

Cha Ca La Vong (Cha Ca Street), Cha Ca Thang Long (Duong Thanh Street), and Cha Ca Hang Son (Hang Manh Street) are options located right in the Old Quarter area, only a 5-10 minute walk from the lake.

What is the average price per person?

On average, a full Cha Ca meal will range from 180,000 VND to 300,000 VND/person (drinks included).

Which restaurant is good for families with small children?

Vua Cha Ca or May Tre Dan Restaurant are the best choices thanks to spacious seating and a kid-friendly menu (with porridge, soup).

If you only have 1 night in Hanoi: Prioritize Cha Ca at May Tre Dan Restaurant (easy to eat, good service) or Cha Ca La Vong (historical atmosphere experience). Book a table now: (+84) 88 602 8558

Save this best cha ca hanoi list, save your 2 favorite restaurants to your phone, open Google Maps, and go before 19:00 tonight to avoid queuing. If you can't eat shrimp paste, remember to ask for fish sauce right from the start! Bon appétit!