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We love Hanoi food! On our trips to Vietnam, where to eat in Hanoi is just as important as what to see in the city. The Vietnam food culture is delectable; the exotic flavors tantalize the palate and embolden visitors to venture further into the unfamiliar cuisine. Feasting on Hanoi street food is an essential experience, but dining in a classic Hanoi restaurant can be an adventure as well.
On our most recent visit to Vietnam, we were on a mission to eat the best food in Hanoi. We followed Vietnam foodie tips to top restaurants in Hanoi and took locals’ advice to seek out lesser-known eateries. To help other travelers to Vietnam, we compiled a list of the Best Hanoi Foods – and where to eat them!
Best Hanoi Food
Our culinary quest was not just about discovering the Best Restaurant in Hanoi. Before we could find the best places to eat in Hanoi, we had to deeply explore Hanoi cuisine – which meant sampling fare beyond bowls of Pho and Banh Mi sandwiches (but don’t worry, those are on our list, too!). I even took a Hanoi Cooking Class to better understand the iconic fare and learn more about the ingredients used.
Hanoi, Vietnam Food Tour
Those who want to try all of our recommended places to eat in Hanoi can create their own tour using our Hanoi Food Map at the end of the post. Want a local to lead the way? We list popular guide-led Hanoi Food Tours below as well!
What and Where To Eat in Hanoi, Vietnam
For each item we first introduce the dish, then divulge where to go in Hanoi to eat it. We include a map link for each Hanoi restaurant so that you can easily route your way to the establishment. Our Hanoi Food Blog Post contains everything you need to know about eating and drinking in city!
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Hanoi Food Guide for your trip to Vietnam!
#1 PHO
We are kicking off our list with classic Hanoi food: Pho! Vietnamese Pho is known worldwide, but many people don’t know that the iconic noodle soup dish originated in Northern Vietnam in a village near Hanoi.
Although the popularity of Pho has led to variations of the dish, the basic ingredients remain the same. Pho Bo (or Beef Pho), which is the original recipe, is a bowl of clear beef broth with flat rice noodles and thinly sliced beef garnished with green onion, white onion, Thai basil, Thai chilies and cilantro. Modifications to the soup include bean sprouts, a lime wedge, fresh mint, hoisin sauce and a dash of hot Sriracha sauce. Pho Ga (or Chicken Pho) is also now widely available.
Where To Eat Pho in Hanoi
A staple in Hanoi street food, Pho is sold in restaurants, from street-corner kiosks and by traveling vendors. A steaming bowl of Pho can be consumed for any meal – breakfast, lunch or dinner. In fact, it often appears as a choice for included breakfasts at Hanoi hotels. We slurped up oodles of noodles all over town – and can’t pick just one Hanoi Pho restaurant to recommend! Instead, we offer two recommendations for this Must-Try Food in Hanoi.
Pro Tip: The correct pronunciation of Pho is Fuh, not Foh.
Pho Thin: Hanoi Local Food
MAP. Located south of Hoan Kiem Lake, Pho Thin churns out bowl after bowl of Pho Bo. In fact, it’s the only item on the menu. Heavy on the green onions and slightly oily, the big bowl is packed with lots of meat and excellent flavor. A popular spot for lunch in Hanoi, the tables can fill up quickly…but the waitstaff will do their best to squeeze you in!
This Hanoi restaurant has a huge fan base – of both locals and visitors – which has driven the price up (it was 60k during our visit; about $2.50 USD), but we think it is worth it! For an extra 10k, order a basket of quay (Chinese-style fried breadsticks) to sop up the tasty broth.
Pro Tip: Make sure to route yourself to the correct address. Another restaurant using a similar name is located just around the corner on the main street.
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan: Best Pho in Hanoi Old Quarter
MAP. If you are wondering where to eat in the Hanoi Old Quarter, make sure Pho Gian Truyen Bat Dan is on your list. It was the first Pho we ate in Hanoi – and it still ranks as one of the very best! The family-run Hanoi Old Quarter restaurant – which has been in business for nearly 70 years – has perfected the art of Pho.
Only open for breakfast (6am -10am) and dinner (6pm – 8:30pm), they serve three variations of Pho: Tai Nam (slices of medium rare beef steak and beef flank), Tai (medium rare beef steak) and Chin (beef brisket). Patrons place their order at the small glass kiosk, wait for their soup and eat on the low plastic stools. It’s a classic Hanoi experience!
Pro Tip: Pho Gia Tryuen Bat Dan is just down the street from two sprawling Bia Hoi bars, which we talk more about at the end of the post.
#2 XOI XEO
We only learned about Xoi Xeo on our most recent Hanoi trip – and I have been craving it ever since. The simple, savory ingredients combine into something utterly satisfying. More comforting (and fattening) than a bowl of Pho, Xoi Xeo is a Must-Eat in Hanoi! While there is no shortage of Xoi – sticky rice – in Hanoi cuisine, Xoi Xeo takes the mundane to the extraordinary.
Although not easy to make, the ingredients are all common Hanoi products. The base for Xoi Xeo is glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice), turmeric, mung bean, fried shallot and a layer of semi-solid fat (yep, fat…and it makes the dish!). The hearty – yet inexpensive – meal can be topped with extras, like corn, eggs, chicken or pork.
Xoi Xeo: Where To Eat in Hanoi Old Quarter
Customarily served by Hanoi market vendors who wrap the cheerful, yellow-colored dish in old newspaper or banana leaves, Xoi Xeo is served in restaurants, too – like the incredibly popular Xoi Yen. Although it is most often consumed by locals as a filling breakfast, it is completely acceptable to eat it any time of day.
Xoi Yen
MAP. The corner Xoi Yen restaurant is one of the best places to eat Hanoi Xoi Xeo – and they are open for business from 6am until midnight. There are tables inside and out – and the food counter is likely to be swarmed by food delivery couriers awaiting their orders. The menu is quite expansive, but we recommend sticking to the basics and ordering Xoi Xeo. To take it up a notch, get it topped with pork ribs and a deep-fried boiled egg. It’s delicious!
#3 BUN CHA
Bun Cha is another noodle soup that originated in Hanoi, but this one features fatty pork – and we think it is even better than Pho. The mouthwateringly delicious dish includes both pork meatballs (made from pork shoulder) and strips of pork belly. The meat is served in a bowl with rice vermicelli and a sweet and sour fish sauce.
Common accompaniments include fresh herbs and pickled vegetables. The Hanoi must-eat soup is usually served with a side of crispy rolls, of which seafood rolls are the most popular. A similar dish in other parts of Vietnam is called Bun Thit Nuong.
Good Restaurants in Hanoi For Bun Cha
As one of the top things to eat in Vietnam, there are several places where you can get a bowl of Bun Cha. Our favored spot, Bun Cha Huong Lien, is a nondescript restaurant located south of the Old Quarter. But there are also places to eat in Hanoi Old Quarter, like friendly Bun Cha Ta.
Bun Cha Huong Lien: Hanoi, Vietnam Local Food
MAP. Bun Cha Huong Lien is one of the most famous places in Hanoi for Bun Cha. The restaurant gained worldwide attention when President Obama and the late Anthony Bourdain sat down to a meal in the classic Hanoi eatery. Many locals refer to the restaurant as Bun Cha Oh-Bah-Mah (which is always said like a chant) – and the interior is decorated with the American President’s photo. Beware, however, that many restaurants use the same image and confuse tourists into thinking their restaurant was where he ate.
Spread over several floors, the no-frills restaurant has a simple menu: Bun Cha and crispy rolls. We recommend ordering the Obama Special, which is a bowl of Bun Cha, a crispy seafood roll and a beer. Far and away, this was the best Bun Cha we ate in Vietnam!
Pro Tip: The table where Obama and Bourdain sat is encased in a glass box on the second floor.
Bun Cha Ta Restaurant Hanoi
MAP. Nearly as good at Bun Cha Huong Lien, Bun Cha Ta is one of the best restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter for a bowl of Bun Cha. Unlike the rushed and stark atmosphere of Bun Cha Huong Lien, Bun Cha Ta caters to foreigners who are trying the dish for the first time. The helpful and friendly waitstaff not only explain the dish and show visitors how to consume it, but they are also happy to chat and answer any other questions you might have.
#4 BUN BO NAM BO
Bun Bo Nam Bo – which translates to Beef Noodles in the South – is a stir-fried noodle dish. It frequently ranks as one of the top foods to try in Hanoi. The noodle-based dish is served in a bowl topped with sliced beef, fried onion, peanuts, bean sprouts and herbs. However, rather than swirling in a broth, this classic dish is served with sauce (which is thicker and more flavorful than most broths). Because of the versatility of the dish, each chef can put their own mark on it.
Hanoi Places to Eat Bun Bo Nam Bo
The best restaurant in Hanoi for Bun Bo Nam Bo is the namesake restaurant: Bun Bo Nam Bo! As one of the best places to eat in Hanoi Old Quarter, the restaurant is almost always busy – but there is usually room in the back or upstairs.
Bun Bo Nam Bo Hanoi Restaurant
MAP. The chef’s precise recipe is a secret – and it explodes with flavor. Listed on the menu as a Beef Noodle Salad, the vegetables used in Bun Bo Nam Bo Restaurant’s version of the dish include lettuce, sliced cucumber, fresh cilantro and mint leaves. The beef, which is marinated in sugar, pepper, fish sauce and seasonings, is not stir-fried until it is ordered.
Pro Tip: Before digging in, use the spoon and chopsticks to stir the ingredients and combine the flavors.
#5 CHA CA
Cha Ca is a Hanoi specialty – and there is an entire street in the Old Quarter dedicated to serving it. The Hanoi restaurant where the fish dish originated, Cha Ca La Vong, is still a family-owned shop.
The boneless catfish (specifically Hemibagrus fish) is first cooked by the chef (with turmeric and in banana leaves over coals), but then brought to the table where patrons finish cooking it themselves. As the succulent fish cooks, diners add dill and spring onions to the skillet, which makes the meal incredibly fragrant. Once the fish is ready, it is topped with roasted peanuts, rice noodle, dill, onion, coriander and mint with fish sauce. Of all the things to eat in Hanoi, we highly recommend Cha Ca – it’s absolutely divine.
Cha Ca Restaurants in Old Quarter Hanoi
While there are numerous Cha Ca eateries on Cha Ca Street – including the original – we heard that the best Vietnamese restaurant in Hanoi for Cha Ca is Cha Ca Thang Long.
Cha Ca Thang Long
MAP. At the real Cha Ca Thang Long, which is located at 6B Duong Thanh Street, there is only one dish on the menu: Cha Ca. The meal costs 120k per person, but there are set meal options that include different drinks. The waitstaff is very patient with first-timers and will show diners how to properly complete the cooking process.
#6 BANH MI: BEST STREET FOOD HANOI
The Banh Mi Sandwich is Vietnamese fast food at its finest. While it is far from fine dining, the French-inspired sandwich is no less delicious – and a quintessential Vietnamese food to eat in Hanoi. For a quick bite to eat or food-on-the-go, a Banh Mi sandwich is the best fast food to eat in Hanoi.
When the baguette was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the mid-1800s, it quickly became a staple food. However, it wasn’t until 100 years later that the well-known and loved Vietnamese-style Banh Mi sandwich gained popularity.
The key ingredient to a Banh Mi is the crispy bread, which is often cut on the top (using scissors) rather than on the side. Typical fillings include cured meats, pate, pickled vegetables, herbs and sauce. Most shops offer a choice of meat fillings and a standard vegetable accompaniment, but each Banh Mi can be made to order.
Banh Mi Hanoi Restaurants Old Quarter
There are numerous Banh Mi Hanoi Old Quarter stalls. Most vendors work from roving carts, but there are stationary kiosks, too. We ate so many Banh Mi sandwiches that it is impossible to label just one as the best in Hanoi!
Banh Mi 25: Best Street Food in Hanoi Old Quarter
MAP. Often touted as the Best Banh Mi in Hanoi, Banh Mi 25 has an English menu, an English-speaking sandwich maker and a long line. We recommend going all in and ordering the Mixed Banh Mi, which includes barbecued pork, jambon (ham) and sausage with pate, pickled vegetables, cilantro and au jus sauce. Delish!
Banh Mi 14
MAP. We stumbled onto Banh Mi 14 and we are glad we did! Offering a more inventive menu (including roasted duck and mushroom meatballs), we ate a juicy and satisfying grilled chicken sandwich.
Pro Tip: Looking for vegetarian food in Hanoi? Order the Banh Mi Chay, which is a baguette sandwich filled with tofu and vegetables.
#7 BANH XEO
Literally translating to Sizzling Pancake, Banh Xeo is fried rice flour and turmeric powder, which makes it look yellow like a fried egg. The pancake is stuffed with pork, shrimp, onions and bean sprouts. Once cooked, it is cut into strips; the strips are then wrapped in rice paper, along with lettuce and fresh herbs and sometimes even cucumber and pineapple. The roll is then dipped into a sweet and spicy peanut sauce (or sometimes a nuoc cham sauce) before being eaten.
Banh Xeo: Where To Eat in Hanoi Old Quarter
My first taste of Banh Xeo was at my Hanoi cooking class…and I was immediately hooked. During the rest of our Vietnam Trip, I sought out places to eat Banh Xeo. Not as popular as other traditional Hanoi cuisine, there are a few Banh Xeo dedicated restaurants in the Old Quarter.
Banh Xeo Zon
MAP. The busy Banh Xeo Zon Pancake shop specializes in Central Style Banh Xeo. For my meal, I ordered one of each (beef, chicken and shrimp), but guests can get all of one kind or mix-and-match. The service started off a little slow, but the waiters are helpful in showing patrons how to assemble and eat the pancakes.
Pro Tip: There are two drastically different variations of Banh Xeo: Central Style and Southern Style. The one mentioned above is typically found being served in Northern and Central Vietnam (like the kind of food we had in Da Nang).
#8 PHO CUON and CHIEN PHONG
Pho Chien Phong (Fried Pho) and Pho Cuon (Rolled Pho) are two modern variations of Pho soup that originated in the Truc Bach district, just north of the historic Old Quarter.
Rolled Pho
According to legend, a woman who lives on the small island on Truc Bach Lake had guests request bowls of Pho – but she was out of broth. Rather than turn them away, she used cooked rice noodle sheets as wraps. She filled the rolls with typical Pho ingredient – including spiced minced beef and fresh herbs. She served them with dipping sauce of fish sauce, garlic, carrots, papaya, lime sugar and chili – and the meal was a huge hit. Now, nearly every menu in Hanoi offers Pho Cuon.
Fried Pho
Visitors who agonize over the slurping required for Pho soup need to try Pho Chien Phong – or Fried Pho. The dish consists of plump, deep-fried rice noodle squares topped with a gravy-laden combination of beef, vegetables and herbs.
Fried and Rolled Pho Vietnamese Restaurant Hanoi
Even though Pho Cuon is widely available – and it’s easy to find Pho Chien Phong around the Old Quarter – we opted to go to the source for these two instant-classics.
Pho Cuon Huong Mai
MAP. Nearly every restaurant on the Truc Bach Lake Island serves Pho Cuon – and most also serve Pho Chien Phong. We went with a locals’ suggestion to eat at the highly-rated Pho Cuon Huong Mai Restaurant. There are two locations (on opposite sides of the street) and the space is both clean and air-conditioned. The rolls, which we enjoyed, come in a 10-count platter – but the reason we would go back is for the heaping serving of Pho Chien Phong.
#9 BUN CA SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS IN HANOI
Kris doesn’t especially like most seafood – so we didn’t eat too much on our Hanoi trip. However, our hotel staff highly-recommended two Hanoi restaurants that specialize in Bun Ca and fresh seafood – so we thought we would at least pass on the tips!
Bun Ca at Sam Cay Si
MAP. Bun Ca is a fried fish soup with vermicelli noodles and herbs…and the place to get it is at the Sam Cay Si food stall in Trung Yen Alley. They are only open for breakfast and lunch (they close at 5pm) – and when we passed by at lunchtime, every seat was taken!
Hai San Seafood Hanoi
MAP. The Hai San Seafood restaurant is a little corner spot that cooks fresh seafood made to order. Patrons can order seafood platters to share or individual meals. Seats fill up quickly for dinner!
#10 WESTERN FOOD HANOI
We love eating the exotic food in Vietnam, but every once in a while, we crave something different. And, that is when we seek out Western restaurants in Hanoi.
Pizza 4P’s Bao Khanh: Best Pizza Restaurant Hanoi Old Quarter
MAP. 4P’s is a Japanese-owned Vietnam pizza chain. While many people may question how it is possibly good pizza, we can assure you that it is – in fact – phenomenal pizza. They use fresh ingredients based on the farm-to-table concept, make their own in-house cheese and offer creative flavor combinations (alongside classic choices).
S’Patisserie: Hanoi Dessert
MAP. I have to admit, I don’t love most Vietnamese desserts. They are often too syrupy and sticky sweet. While I do like mung bean pastries, desserts in Vietnam – like sweet corn pudding and black sesame soup – just don’t appeal to me. That is why, when we were in Hanoi, we indulged in French-inspired pastries and cakes. S’Patisserie, on the south side of Hoan Kiem Lake, offers a delightful range of quality cakes – we recommend trying the tiramisu and cheesecake!
#11 HANOI WALKING STREET WEEKEND NIGHT MARKET
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Old Quarter Hanoi street, Hang Dao, closes to vehicular traffic for vendors to set up and sell their wares. Among the stalls selling handmade crafts and tourist trinkets are carts dishing out Hanoi Street Food.
Food Market Hanoi
In addition to the Hanoi Night Market, there are several Hanoi food markets where visitors can buy fresh produce and prepared meals. The largest Hanoi Market is Dong Xuan Market, which is located on the north side of the Old Town (and is featured in our Walking Tours of Hanoi).
Vegetarian Vietnamese Food: At first sight, it appears vegetarians don’t have many choices when it comes to meat-free meals in Hanoi. However, Buddhist monks are vegetarian, so chefs are used to adapting meals to suit their needs. Tofu is often used to replace meat. When ordering, ask for Chay options – as that indicates you want a vegetarian meal.
Hanoi Café Culture
Drinking coffee in Hanoi is almost as vital as eating the food. Coffee is one of Vietnam’s biggest industries – they export more than 1 million tons of coffee every year – and there are cafes on every street. Vietnamese-style coffee comes with sweet condensed milk – and can be served hot or over ice. The current Vietnam cafe culture is in flux, featuring a mix of traditional, hidden coffeehouses and modern coffeeshop hangouts.
Best Cafes in Hanoi
We drank a lot of coffee in Hanoi – and discovered many of the top coffeeshops in the city. It was difficult to choose just a few, so we’ve chosen a mix of classic and modern places for Hanoi coffee.
Café Ta Hien
MAP. For a classic Vietnamese coffee experience, take a seat on one of the plastic chairs in front of Café Ta Hien. Order your coffee iced with condensed milk…then sit back and watch the world go by; it’s certainly one of the best things to do in Hanoi!
Giang Cafe
MAP. Egg Coffee is a Hanoi specialty; actually, Vietnamese Egg Coffee was born in Hanoi in the 1940s when it was difficult to get milk. The traditional drink is made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and coffee; the yolks are whipped to create a cream…and it’s superb. The best place to get an Egg Coffee is from the original source: Giang Cafe.
Pro Tip: Right next door to Giang Café is another mainstay of Hanoi cafes: Nang Coffee. Hidden down a corridor, the Nang Coffee café features a shabby chic interior and garden setting.
Cong Caphe
MAP. Popular with tourists and locals, Cong Caphe is a chain cafe in Hanoi with multiple locations in the Old Quarter and through out Vietnam. The throwback coffeehouse features classic Communist memorabilia and decor throughout.
Pro Tip: Order their famous coconut iced coffee for a sweet, refreshing afternoon treat!
Highlands Coffee
MAP. Highlands Coffee is another chain coffeeshop in Vietnam – and there are more than 80 locations countrywide. The American-Vietnamese owner used the model of Starbucks to create a modern coffeeshop experience, where patrons can linger in the air-conditioning sipping expensive cups of coffee while working on laptops.
Hanoi Bar Scene
Hanoi is famous for it’s Fresh Beer, called Bia Hoi. Made daily and delivered to bars and restaurants in metal tanks, the beer is light and cheap. The well-known Bia Hoi Corner (at the intersection of Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien and Dinh Liet) has long been the place to go for a cold beer at the end of a long day of sightseeing in Hanoi. However, in recent years the Fresh Beer has been replaced by higher priced bottled beers and a slew of ‘Beer Girls’ pushing their company’s brand.
The Original Bia Hoi Corner
MAP. At these corner bars, each time patrons sit down at a table, a new table and low plastic stools are set up directly in front of it, ready for the next customer. As more customers come and more tables are put out, the streets get more and more congested…until the police come through. With little warning, waitstaff race to remove tables placed in the street in hopes of avoiding a fine. Once the police clear the area, the madness begins all over again.
Fresh Beer Bia Hoi Bars
While Bia Hoi corner is no longer a place to get cheap Fresh Beer, there are a few other corners in the city that welcome a mix of locals and foreigners for glasses of Bia Hoi.
Corner of Bat Dan and Phung Hung
MAP. There are two open-air Fresh Beer bars on the corner of Bat Dan and Phung Hung that have long been serving small glasses of cheap beer to patrons. While the price continues to increase, it’s still an exceptional Hanoi drinking experience!
Corner of Dao Duy Tu and Pho Ma May
MAP. Fresh beer flows for cheap from vendor carts and makeshift bars on Pho Ma May Street. The atmosphere, made up mostly of tourists, is lively and fun. The beer costs less than 10k and – just like the Original Bia Hoi Corner – tables and chairs are set up in the street…until the police push everyone back.
Pro Tip: Most of the vendors selling Bia Hoi offer a menu of bar snacks – like fried rolls, boiled peanuts and fried chicken feet.
Hanoi Craft Beer
Although not widely available, there are places to get craft beer in Hanoi. Western food restaurants in Hanoi often have craft beer on their menus. A few dedicated Vietnamese craft beer bars – like Standing Bar and New Gentry Beer House – are popular, too. For craft beer produced in Hanoi, visitors can head to Turtle Lake Brewing Company located on West Lake and nearby Furbrew. Ho Chi Minh City based Pasteur Street Brewing also has a taproom in Hanoi, near St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
Hanoi Restaurant Map
Walking in Vietnam is not exactly an easy task. Go in with a plan by using this Google Map for an online version of our Hanoi Restaurants Map.
More Hanoi Food Tips
Now that we have shared our insider tips of Where and What To Eat in Hanoi, we have a few more tips for your foodie trip to Vietnam!
Vietnam Food Prices
The cost of food in Vietnam is relatively very affordable, however, Hanoi food prices will depend on what you are eating.
- Staple Hanoi Old Quarter Food – like Pho and Banh Mi – can be had for as little as 25k (about $1 USD).
- Specialty Hanoi Cuisine – like Banh Xeo and Fried Pho – can cost up to 65K (about $3 USD).
- Nice Vietnamese restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter will likely cost more in the range of 125k ($5.25 USD).
- Western restaurants in Hanoi charge the most; a pizza at 4P’s costs about 250k ($10.50 USD).
Hanoi Food Tour
A Hanoi Street Food Tour is a great way to learn about the local cuisine. Visitors can use our Hanoi Guide to Eating to plot their own route – or join a local guide on a small-group tour to the best street food in the city. Read the rave reviews!
Hanoi Cooking Class
Fascinated by the food in Hanoi, I was motivated to join a cooking class to learn how to prepare the most famous Vietnamese food for myself. You can read the details of my Hanoi Cooking Class!
Start planning your trip to Vietnam! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
When you are full of the best Hanoi food, consider doing a little sightseeing. Use our 5 Self-Guided Hanoi Walking Tours to discover the top sights and plan your complete trip with our Hanoi Itinerary!
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