Best Food in Hanoi Capital – 10 Dishes that Will Make You Want More!

The small capital of Vietnam is mainly well known for two things: Amazing street art and that you get some of the best hawker food in Hanoi. While the street art was everything we hoped for, it was the food of Hanoi that really blew our minds. Rarely we found such an amazing hawker and street food scene like in the delightful city of Hanoi. But let’s not waste too many words but jump directly to the thing that really counts. We proudly present to you the best hawker food in Hanoi, Vietnam.

• Bun Cha - Most Popular Street Food In The World
• "Pho Cuon" - The Culinary Characteristics Of Hanoians

1. Pho

Pho is arguably the best-known Vietnamese dish, and it comes in two main varieties: pho bo, or beef pho; and pho ga, or chicken pho.

Photo by Jael from Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi is known more for pho ga, but both types are widely available in the city, especially for breakfast and lunch.

Two of the best spots for pho in the capital are Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan) and Pho Lam Nam Ngu (7 Nam Ngu). The former is justifiably famous for its pho bo (VND40-50,000), which it has been serving for over 60 years. Lines of customers often run out the door here, while sidewalk seats are placed in front of a giant, steaming pot of broth. The latter, meanwhile, specializes in pho ga, and serves a great rendition of this northern delicacy.

Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc) south of Hoan Kiem Lake is another favorite of pho traditionalists.

2. Bun Cha

Bun cha may very well be Hanoi’s most famous dish. It can be found in southern Vietnam as well, but it just doesn’t taste the same. The best bun cha is served at 34 Hang Than, a small, very cheap eatery with plenty of flavor.

Photo by Viethavvh

This dish became hugely famous earlier in the year when TV presenter Anthony Bourdain sat down for some bun cha with US President Barack Obama when the pair were in Hanoi. If you want to eat in the same room as they did, visit Bun Cha Huong Lien at 24 Le Van Huu and get the Obama Combo, which includes bun cha, a fried seafood roll and a bottle of Hanoi beer.

Another solid bun cha can be found at Nha Hang Thanh Hop (12 Dinh Liet), just a block north of Hoan Kiem Lake. Nha Hang Thanh Hop is usually filled with tourists, but plenty of locals stop by as well, and they serve excellent renditions of pho ga and other northern specialties too.

3. Cha Ca

Photo by Brian Harries

A truly unique Hanoi dish is cha ca, or sizzling plates of fish served with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, herbs and sauce.

Try this flavorful concoction at Cha Ca La Vong (14 Cha Ca), the city’s oldest restaurant restaurant.

There is another, larger outlet of this restaurant in the Old Quarter at 21-31 Duong Thanh.

4. Bun Dau Mam Tom

Though not as well-known as its culinary cousins such as pho and bun cha, bun dau mam tom is another classic street food dish in the capital.

Photo by Viethavvh

The dish is served on a large tray and includes fried tofu, vermicelli noodles, pork, herbs to wrap the ingredients in and a bowl of pungent mam tom, or fish paste. The sauce is something of an acquired taste, but its unique flavor allows diners to enjoy a truly Hanoian dish.

There are several bun dau mam tom eateries down alley 27 on Hang Khay at the southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake. One of the best is Quan Bun Dau Viet.

5. Coffee

Vietnam is a major coffee-producing country, and a favorite pastime of Hanoians is sitting at a streetside cafe, enjoying a coffee while traffic whizzes by on the busy streets. The most famous type of coffee is the ca phe sua da, or iced milk coffee, but there are many other great varieties, and Hanoi is home to one especially unique version.

Photo by ippoppo

If you’re in need of a jolt of energy in between your street food feasting in Hanoi, satisfy your caffeine craving at Giang Cafe (39 Nguyen Huu Huan). This old cafe, located down a narrow walkway, specializes in cafe trung, or egg coffee. Though more expensive than your standard coffee in Vietnam, this delicious brew comes either hot or iced, and the combination of coffee and an egg works surprisingly well.

The Cong Caphe chain, with outlets throughout Hanoi, offers a retro-communist chic atmosphere popular with students and hip locals. These are great spots for a coffee, as many are well-placed near popular attractions.

Trieu Viet Vuong, or “coffee street,” will also meet your coffee needs, with countless cafes to choose from. D’Alice (89 Trieu Viet Vuong) and Cafe Thai (27 Trieu Viet Vuong) are recommended stops if you’re feeling indecisive.

Make a packages tour to Vietnam. You can grab some of the best street food in Hanoi there.