When it comes to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi’s street food culture always inspires international visitors to dive in and experience it. Whether it’s morning, noon, or night, every time of the day is associated with a specific dish, a defining part of local life. This Hanoi Street Food Guide will help you uncover all the hidden gems during your food adventure. Get ready to fill your hungry tummy!
Table of Contents
- 1 Brief introduction to Hanoi street food culture
- 2 10 must-try dishes for a real Hanoi street food tour
- 2.1 Banh Mi – Most common Vietnamese street food
- 2.2 Pho – With authentic Hanoi flavor
- 2.3 Banh Cuon – Ideal morning street food in Hanoi
- 2.4 Bun Cha – Iconic of Hanoi street food
- 2.5 Bun Dau Mam Tom – Challenging street food with shrimp paste
- 2.6 Banh Tom – Popular snack in West Lake Hanoi
- 2.7 Banh Duc Nong – Little-known dish but worth trying
- 2.8 Ca Phe Trung – Egg Coffee that no one should miss
- 2.9 Che – Lovely dessert for Hanoi street food adventure
- 2.10 Mi Ga Tan – Perfect for dinner in Hanoi
Brief introduction to Hanoi street food culture
For a long time, restaurants in Vietnam have simply consisted of small pushcarts accompanied by low plastic stools lining the streets. Hanoi street food culture was born from this humble beginning. It’s common for visitors to see whole streets filled with tiny tables and stools. Locals may stop for a quick bite before work or sit down with friends to eat, chat, and watch the world go by. Naturally, the variety of street food in Hanoi is something you shouldn’t miss. This Hanoi Street Food Guide will reveal it all, so you’ll know exactly where to eat authentic street food in Hanoi.
Some tips for a first-time experience of Hanoi street food:
- Plan your food schedule wisely. Some dishes are traditionally eaten only at specific times. For example, “bun cha” is usually a lunchtime meal. If you can’t plan everything yourself, consider taking a food tour with a local guide.
- Be selective about the stalls. Check out reviews on Google or TripAdvisor, or simply ask locals for recommendations. When passing by a food stall, observe how they present their ingredients: Does it look clean? Is the setup professional? A place packed with local customers is always a good sign.
- Don’t be shy about asking for prices beforehand. This helps you avoid being overcharged or scammed. The best stalls clearly display their prices.
- During peak hours, don’t hesitate to share a table with locals. Smile and be open to interacting. Sometimes the owner will help arrange seating for you.
- Make use of local condiments. Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its flavorful extras: lime, garlic vinegar, fresh chilies, chili sauce, fish sauce, and more. Add a little according to your taste to bring out the full flavor of your dish.
- Learn some basic Vietnamese for ordering. Vietnamese people truly appreciate and warmly welcome international visitors who make an effort to use their language. A simple “Xin chào” (Hello), “Cảm ơn” (Thank you), or “Ngon thật” (It’s delicious) can go a long way in creating a friendly connection with locals. If you want to take it a step further, try using “Một cái này” (One of this) while pointing to the food you want to order.
10 must-try dishes for a real Hanoi street food tour
Banh Mi – Most common Vietnamese street food
No Hanoi street food adventure is complete without a bite of banh mi. Already a star on the global culinary map, this Vietnamese banh mi takes on a unique flavor in Hanoi. Imagine crispy bread filled with warm pâté, fried egg, slices of pork, and fresh herbs – it’s a mouthwatering combination you can enjoy any time of day. Banh mi stalls can be found on nearly every street corner, open from early morning till late night.
Where to try:
- Banh Mi & Thit Xien Nuong: 1 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Banh Mi 25: 25 Hang Ca, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Banh Mi Lan Ong: 8A Cha Ca, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho – With authentic Hanoi flavor
Also with pho, a Vietnam trip without tasting this meal would be a huge miss. While pho varies across regions, Hanoi’s version is iconic – light, clear broth with deep, rich flavors. Starting as early as 4 AM, street vendors serve steaming bowls of beef or chicken pho, perfect to kick off your day. The aromatic soup is sure to draw you in even before you see the bowl.
Where to try:
- Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Pho Ganh: 07 Cho Gao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Pho Bo Ho Loi: 28, 209 An Duong Vuong alley, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Pho Tu Lun: 38 Au Trieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Pho Ga Nguyet: 5B Phu Doan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Cuon – Ideal morning street food in Hanoi
Delicate and flavorful, banh cuon Vietnam is a favorite breakfast among locals. Thin sheets of steamed rice batter are filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, then served with a mild, sweet fish sauce and crispy fried shallots. Enhance your meal with extras like pork sausage, grilled pork, or even an egg roll.
Where to try:
- Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh: 66 To Hien Thanh, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Banh Cuon Ba Xuan: Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- Banh Cuon Gia Truyen: 46 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Banh Cuon Doi Can: 50 Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Bun Cha – Iconic of Hanoi street food
Bun cha is perhaps Hanoi’s most iconic street food. It may look simple – grilled pork served in a bowl of tangy-sweet fish sauce with pickled vegetables, herbs, and rice noodles – but it’s a masterpiece of balance and flavor. Don’t forget the crispy spring rolls – “nem rán” on the side!
Where to try:
- Bun Cha Ta: 21 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Tuyet Bun Cha 34: 34 Hang Than, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Bun Cha Binh Minh: 34 Hang Than, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Bun Cha Huong Lien: 24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Bun Cha Chan: 114 Mai Hac De, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Bun Dau Mam Tom – Challenging street food with shrimp paste
Ready for a challenge? Bun dau mam tom is not for the faint of heart, thanks to its signature fermented shrimp paste. This Hanoi street food is a vibrant platter of vermicelli noodles, crispy fried tofu, pork, sausage, and herbs, all meant to be dipped into that pungent, flavorful sauce. Don’t hesitate to order an extra bowl of fish sauce if you can’t eat shrimp paste. Give it a try – you might love it more than you expect!
Where to try:
- Bun Dau Goc Da: 04 Ngo Gach, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Bun Dau Cay Da: 235B Thuy Khue, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Bun Dau Pho Co: 108B4 Thanh Cong, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Banh Tom – Popular snack in West Lake Hanoi
A specialty of West Lake, banh tom (shrimp fritters) dates back to the 1930s. Fresh, sweet shrimp are fried in a golden, crispy batter made from rice flour and sweet potatoes. Wrap a piece in lettuce with herbs and dip into sweet-and-sour fish sauce – it’s an unforgettable bite.
Where to try:
- Banh Tom Ho Tay: 01 Thanh Nien, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Banh Tom Hoa Nha, 49, 50 Dang Thai Mai alley, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Banh Tom Co Am: 84 Hang Chieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Duc Nong – Little-known dish but worth trying
Less known to tourists but loved by locals, banh duc nong is perfect on chilly days. This Hanoi street food is a warm, savory rice flour porridge topped with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, tofu, and herbs, served in a fragrant broth. Simple but incredibly comforting.
Where to try:
- Banh Duc Nong Trung Tu: 103B5, 46C Pham Ngoc Thach alley, Dong Da, Hanoi
- Banh Duc Nong Ba Noi: 8 Le Ngoc Han, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Ca Phe Trung – Egg Coffee that no one should miss
Hanoi’s famous egg coffee is a must-try. Creamy, rich, and slightly sweet, it’s made by whipping egg yolk with sugar and coffee, a delicious solution from times when milk was scarce. The contrast between the strong coffee and frothy topping is simply delightful.
Where to try:
- Cafe Giang: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Cafe Dinh: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Cafe Pho Co: 11 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Che – Lovely dessert for Hanoi street food adventure
One of the most unique street foods in Hanoi that cannot be missed is che. Che refers to a wide variety of Vietnamese desserts, ranging from sweet soups to puddings and drinks. Whether hot or cold, there’s a version for every season and taste – beans, coconut milk, jelly, fruits… Get ready to discover a rainbow of flavors!
Where to try:
- Xoi Che Ba Thin: 1 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Quan Che Huyen: 14 Thuyen Quang, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Che Huong Hai: 93 Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Mi Ga Tan – Perfect for dinner in Hanoi
End your Hanoi street food tour with a hearty bowl of mi ga tan – noodles served with black chicken, medicinal herbs, mugwort, and a rich herbal broth. It’s especially popular for dinner, and locals love to dip the tender chicken in chili salt and lime for extra punch.
Where to try:
- Ga Tan Cay Si: 29 Tong Duy Tan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Ga Tan Trung Vit Lon: 31, 115 An Duong alley, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Mi Ga Tan 24: 24 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Quan Ga Tan Mai Huong: 12C Hang Cot, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Hanoi street food is a cultural treasure deeply cherished by locals. Using local ingredients and simple cooking methods, these dishes still manage to deliver incredibly rich flavors. That’s exactly why, at Chapter Dining, our chefs hold great respect for every local ingredient. Drawing inspiration from Northern Vietnam’s cuisine and street foods like banh mi and banh cuon, we bring them into the Chapter Menu with flavors that stay true to tradition, but presented creatively and innovatively for diners.
