Vietnam boasts one of the most vibrant and diverse cuisines globally, and there’s no better place to experience it than in Hanoi. From the famous Pho and Banh Mi to lesser-known delights like Banh Cuon and Bun Thang, Hanoi’s street food scene offers an incredible array of flavors unique to the city.
In this article, we will highlight the 12 must-try Hanoi street foods for first-time tourists.
1. Phở Bò or Phở Gà – Beef or Chicken Noodle Soup
Pho is a renowned dish across Vietnam, considered a national treasure, but Hanoi is renowned as the ultimate destination to savor this iconic cuisine. Typically consisting of a clear broth, rice noodles, meat (often beef or chicken), and herbs, Pho is a must-try for any traveler keen on delving into Hanoi’s culinary culture. It’s often said that a trip to Hanoi wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a steaming bowl of Pho.
2. Bánh Mì – Sandwich
This one you surely know. Baguettes may have been adopted from the French, but bánh mì is as Vietnamese as it comes.
In Hanoi, bánh mì sticks to traditional ingredients, creating a deliciously crunchy delight. A classic banh mi Hanoi features grilled pork or chicken, homemade pork-liver pâté, pickles, fresh cilantro leaves, cucumber slices, and a dash of chili sauce. The blend of these flavorful ingredients makes every bite of a well-made bánh mì a truly delightful experience!
3. Bánh Xèo – Stuffed Shrimp Crepe
This popular snack is often referred to as Vietnamese crepes. Made from a thin rice batter, it’s cooked until crispy in a hot skillet, then rolled and filled with an array of ingredients like pork, shrimp, mung beans, onions, and bean sprouts.
4. Bún Chả – Rice Noodle with BBQ Pork
Just like Pho, Bun Cha is another must-try street food dish in Hanoi. Hanoi-style Bun Cha is a customizable meal consisting of rice noodles and fresh herbs, accompanied by pork patties and grilled pork served in a warm, sweet fish sauce-based broth. Many people also like to add Vietnamese fried spring rolls, called Nem, to their meal. Bun Cha gained widespread fame in Vietnam and around the world when President Obama and Anthony Bourdain shared a meal of Bun Cha together at a local restaurant during Obama’s visit to Hanoi in 2016.
5. Chả cá – Grilled Fish
Cha Ca is a specialty in Hanoi cuisine, offering a magical blend of fish (usually Lang fish or snake-head fish), vermicelli, and an abundance of herbs, including spring onions and dill. To prepare Cha Ca, the fish is marinated with spices, grilled over charcoal, and then stir-fried on a hot pan before serving.
What makes this dish truly unique is the special shrimp paste sauce, which locals adore. However, if you’re not a fan of the pungent sauce, you can opt for a lighter fish sauce or soy sauce instead.
To enjoy Cha Ca, you place all the components into a small bowl, sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top, and dive in! The freshness of the herbs, the texture of the vermicelli, and the aroma of the grilled fish create an unforgettable dining experience.
6. Bánh Cuốn – Steaming Stuffed Pancake
Banh cuon is a delicious dish made with thin sheets of steamed rice flour rolled up and filled with cooked minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and chopped shallots. After steaming, it’s topped with crispy fried shallots and fresh herbs like coriander. You eat it by dipping the rolls into a sauce flavored with ca cuong, which is made from a giant water bug. Sometimes it’s served with Vietnamese pork sausage or barbecued pork on the side.
7. Bánh Tôm – Fried Shrimp Cake
A typical Banh tom in Hanoi is made with shrimps sourced from the city’s West Lake, along with rice flour and sliced sweet potato. Unlike fish balls, where the shrimp is ground into a paste, Banh tom keeps the shrimps whole, sitting on top of crunchy fried cakes. It’s served with lettuce leaves for wrapping, dipping sauce topped with pickled green papaya and carrots, and a side of chili and lime juice. This dish is a favorite snack among Hanoians and a sought-after delicacy for visitors from outside the city.
8. Cơm Bình Dân – Signature Vietnamese Home Meal
Com binh dan is a popular style of Vietnamese home cooking, commonly enjoyed in Hanoi and other cities across Vietnam. Alongside the many noodle dishes, rice meals are also abundant. When office workers or laborers crave a satisfying meal, Com binh dan is often their go-to choice for lunch or dinner.
At Com binh dan eateries, dishes are typically displayed buffet-style in glass cabinets, ready for customers to see and order. You can choose your favorite dishes, which are then served on top of a plate of rice. Each dish is also served in separate bowls, giving everyone’s meal a touch of elegance!
9. Ốc Luộc – Boiled Fresh Water Snails
Oc luoc, despite its name, is a delicious street snack often enjoyed in Hanoi. Snails sourced from the countryside are first cleaned and soaked in leftover rice water for a few hours to remove their slime. Then, they’re cooked in a pot with lemongrass, ginger, and lime leaves. The boiled snails are served hot, accompanied by a flavorful dipping sauce made with kumquat, sliced lime leaves, lemongrass, and ginger. It’s worth noting that Vietnam is known for its vast rice paddy fields, which play a significant role in its cuisine.
10. Phở Xào Bò – Stir Fry Noodles with Beef
Pho xao bo is a mouthwatering dish featuring tender beef, soft rice noodles, and flavorful green vegetables. The beef and vegetables are stir-fried separately before being combined, then tossed with garlic and soy sauce in the final minute to ensure everything is perfectly cooked. For added flavor, it’s best served with a splash of rice vinegar or lime, some chili for heat, and a bit more soy sauce. It’s a delightful blend of savory flavors and textures that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
11. Bún Riêu Cua – Fresh Water Crab Noodle Soup
Bun rieu cua is a delightful noodle soup made with white rice noodles, pounded freshwater crabs, fried tofu, and thinly sliced beef fillet. The broth of this soup is characterized by its vibrant crimson color, achieved through a blend of tomato paste and annatto oil derived from achiote tree seeds.
In Hanoi’s streets, Bun rieu cua can be found topped with beef, snails, or fish. Each bowl is accompanied by a small basket of assorted sliced greens, such as lettuce, cilantro, or banana blossoms. Chili paste, tamarind, or kumquat are often added to the broth to enhance its spiciness and tanginess, complementing the flavorful crab and abundance of greens in this delicious dish.
12. Cà Phê Trúng – Egg Coffee
Egg Coffee is a beloved Vietnamese treat that’s truly unique and delicious. It’s a blend of strong Vietnamese coffee and creamy egg yolk, creating a rich and satisfying flavor. Just sip it with a spoon to fully enjoy its creamy texture.
To make Egg Coffee, they mix whisked egg yolk, sweetened condensed milk, and butter with strong coffee. The taste is a delightful combination of sweetness, a bit of bitterness from the coffee, and creamy richness, almost like enjoying a sweet dessert. It’s so tasty, it might just make you want to book a trip to Vietnam right away!