Top 10 traditional Hanoian foods to try
Hanoi is not only famous for Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, or its romantic autumn, but also celebrated as the culinary paradise of Vietnam. Whether you are sitting on a small plastic stool by the sidewalk or dining in an elegant restaurant, you will always find culture and history in every bite. Here are 10 iconic dishes you cannot miss when visiting Hanoi – flavors that are rustic yet refined, and the true soul of this thousand-year-old city.
1. Pho
No introduction needed, pho is the pride of Hanoi cuisine. The clear, savory broth simmered for hours with beef bones, the silky noodles, tender slices of beef or chicken, and a touch of lime or herbs make a bowl of pho unforgettable. Hanoi’s pho is delicate and unique, different from anywhere else in Vietnam.
📍 Suggested spot:
Pho Thin – 13 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem
Nguyet Chicken Pho - 5B Phu Doan, Hoan Kiem
Pho Bo Tuu - 8 Hang Da, Hoan Kiem
Pho Khoi - 50 Hang Vai, Hoan Kiem
2. Bun thang - Vermicelli soup with chicken & egg
Known as the dish of sophistication, bun thang features shredded chicken, thin slices of Vietnamese ham, golden omelette strips, dried shrimp, mushrooms, and more, all in a crystal-clear broth. Each bowl looks like a culinary painting, rich in color and flavor.
📍 Suggested spot:
May Tre Dan Restaurant – 153 Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem
Bun Thang Cau Go - 48 Cau Go, Hoan Kiem
Bún thang Hàng Hành - 29 Hang Hanh, Hoan Kiem
3. Cha ca La Vong - Turmeric grilled fish with dill
An unforgettable dining experience in Hanoi is Cha Ca. Fresh fish is marinated with turmeric, fermented rice, and dill, then grilled and pan-fried at your table with spring onions. Served with vermicelli, peanuts, and shrimp paste, this dish offers a sizzling, fragrant experience that captures the heart of Hanoi cuisine.
📍 Suggested spot:
Cha ca La Vong – 14 Cha Ca, Hoan Kiem
Cha ca Thang Long - 6B Duong Thanh or 19-21-2D Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem
4. Mien Luon - Eel Glass Noodles Soup
Unlike pho or rice noodles, mien has a chewy texture and a refreshing taste. You can try it with shredded chicken, crispy fried eel, or in dry-mixed style. Add some crunchy fried dough sticks dipped into the broth, and you will understand why this dish is beloved in Hanoi.
📍 Suggested spot:
Mien luon Dong Thinh – 87 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem
Mien luon - 9 Phu Doan, Hoan Kiem
5. Bun cha - Grilled pork with vermicelli
When the aroma of grilled pork fills the air, it is time for Hanoi’s lunchtime specialty: bun cha. The perfect balance of charred pork belly, tangy dipping sauce, soft rice noodles, and fresh herbs makes this dish irresistible. Add fried spring rolls for a truly hearty meal.
📍 Suggested spot:
Bun cha Hang Quat – 74 Hang Quat, Hoan Kiem
Bun cha Hang Manh - 1 Hang Manh, Hoan Kiem
Bun cha Hang Ma - 29 Hang Ma, Hoan Kiem
6. Nom bo kho - Green papaya salad with beef jerky
A favorite street snack, this salad combines shredded green papaya and carrot with a sweet-and-sour fish sauce dressing, topped with chewy strips of beef jerky. Refreshing and addictive, it is a snack loved by students and travelers alike.
📍 Suggested spot:
Van Nom - 16b Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem
Nom Co Cuc - 71 Lo Duc, Hoan Kiem
Nom Long Vi Dung – 23 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem
7. Bun dau mam tom - Tofu with vermicelli & shrimp paste
A quintessential Hanoian lunch, this dish features golden fried tofu, rice vermicelli, fried pork patties, herbs, and of course, shrimp paste – the star of the dish. If you are hesitant, you can swap it with fish sauce, but once you have tried mam tom, it is hard to resist.
📍 Suggested spot:
Bun dau Ma May – 6 Ma May, Hoan Kiem
Bun Dau Co Tuyen - 31 Hang Khay, Hoan Kiem
Bun Dau Yen - 1B Ngo Tram, Hoan Kiem
8. Mi van than - Wonton noodles
A cultural blend in a bowl, Hanoi-style wonton noodles are served with pork bone broth, shrimp dumplings, shiitake mushrooms, crispy pork rind, and a golden fried wonton. A comforting and flavorsome breakfast loved by locals.
📍 Suggested spot:
Mi van than – 116 Tran Nhat Duat, Hoan Kiem
My van than - 16 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem
My van than - 1 Le Duan, Hoan Kiem
9. Bun ca - Fish noodle soup
Perfect for a hot summer day, bun ca is both light and refreshing. The broth is tangy with pineapple and tomato, balanced with the sweetness of fish bones. Crispy golden fried fish fillets and dill add a rustic charm to this beloved dish.
📍 Suggested spot:
Bun ca Sam Cay Si – 5 Trung Yen Alley, Dinh Liet, Hoan Kiem
Ut Ha - 14 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem
An Vien - 48 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem
10. Egg Coffee
End your food journey with Hanoi’s iconic egg coffee – a rich, creamy drink made with strong Vietnamese robusta coffee and a fluffy egg yolk foam. Both traditional and innovative, egg coffee is a must-try experience that captures the creativity of Hanoian cuisine.
📍 Suggested spot:
Ca phe Giang – 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem
BlackBird Coffee - 5 Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem
All Day Coffee - 37 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem
All these iconic dishes can be found at May Tre Dan Restaurant, where our chefs recreate traditional Hanoi flavors with their own unique touch. Each recipe is carefully refined, preserving the authentic soul of Vietnamese cuisine while adding a modern twist in taste and presentation.
At May Tre Dan Restaurant, we celebrate the beauty of Hanoi’s gastronomy, simple yet refined, familiar yet full of surprises. Come and savor the true taste of Vietnam, right in the heart of the Old Quarter.