Savory fried cakes are a simple yet quintessential street food that embodies the unique charm of Hanoi's cuisine. These small, golden, crispy cakes filled with savory minced meat and a harmonious blend of salty and sweet flavors have become a beloved treat for the people of the capital. Join BDATrip as we explore the top 10 places to enjoy the best savory fried cakes in Hanoi.
Address: 196 Thai Thinh (end of Thai Ha Alley), Dong Da, Hanoi
Hours: 13:30 – 18:00
Price: 3,000 – 7,000 VND
Located at 196 Thai Thinh, this fried cake shop has become a familiar spot for those who love Hanoi street food. Known for its unique crispy crust, the shop offers both savory and sweet fried cakes with diverse and delicious fillings.
The sweet fried cakes here are delicately prepared with a smooth, sweet mung bean filling, enveloped in a crust covered with fragrant peanuts. Each cake is a perfect blend of flavors, creating a memorable culinary experience for anyone who tries them.
With affordable prices ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 VND, the savory fried cakes with a rich meat filling are equally enticing. When combined with a sweet and spicy dipping fish sauce, the savory fried cakes become exceptionally special, offering a complete and distinctive flavor.
Address: 116 D5 Tran Huy Lieu, Giang Vo, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Hours: 09:30 - 19:00
Price: 6,000 - 13,000 VND
If you are a fan of Hanoi street food, especially traditional fried cakes, Hoan's stall is a must-visit. Despite being a small sidewalk stall, it has attracted a large young customer base for nearly 20 years thanks to its unique quality and flavor.
The crispy crust, not too oily, combined with a flavorful filling of minced meat, glass noodles, and wood ear mushrooms, creates an irresistible taste. Each small cake, fried to a golden crisp, releases a delightful aroma that captivates anyone who tries it.
What makes the savory fried cakes here special is the sweet and sour dipping fish sauce with a hint of spiciness, complemented by pickled vegetables, creating a perfect flavor combination. Besides savory cakes, Hoan’s shop is also famous for its sweet fried cakes filled with smooth, sweet mung bean paste.
In addition to the main fried cakes, the stall offers a variety of other snacks such as chicken cakes, grilled chicken skewers, pork skewers, fried fermented pork rolls, and cheese sweet potato cakes, catering to diverse tastes. Each dish retains the unique essence of Hanoi street food.
Address: Alley 242 Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Hours: 14:00 – 18:00
Price: 3,000 – 7,000 VND
Exploring Hanoi's cuisine is an experience not to be missed when visiting the capital. One of the unique dishes you should try is the Vong Thi savory fried cakes, located near West Lake. With a crispy crust and a generous filling of glass noodles, minced meat, and wood ear mushrooms, these cakes offer a memorable flavor. The highlight of this dish is the special dipping sauce, a thick red-orange mixture that stands out from the traditional sweet and sour fish sauce. This will surely be a memorable culinary experience to enjoy with family and friends.
Address: Alley 135 Phuong Mai, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Hours: 15:00 – 20:00
Price: 5,000 – 15,000 VND
Phuong Mai savory fried cakes have become a cherished childhood memory for many generations of students in the capital. At just 5,000 VND each, these cakes are not only affordable but also deliver a distinctive traditional flavor. Though small, they boast a crispy crust and a delicious filling made from minced meat, glass noodles, and wood ear mushrooms, creating a quintessential Hanoi street food.
A special touch here is the combination of savory fried cakes with a sweet dessert. For less than 20,000 VND, you can enjoy a complete snack experience.
Address: Alley 126 Kim Nguu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Hours: 14:30 - 19:00
Price: 4,000 - 20,000 VND
The savory fried cakes at 126 Kim Nguu, Hai Ba Trung, are an ideal destination for those who love the distinctive flavors of Hanoi's old quarter cuisine. Known for their meticulous preparation and dedication, the cakes here boast a golden, crispy crust that captures attention at first glance.
The perfectly fried crust, neither too hard nor too soft, encases a rich filling of minced meat, glass noodles, and wood ear mushrooms, seasoned to perfection, creating a harmonious taste that delights from the first bite.
What sets 126 Kim Nguu’s savory fried cakes apart is not just the quality but also the service. The hot, crispy cakes are always served with a sweet and sour fish sauce with a touch of spiciness, enhancing the overall taste experience. Customers can enjoy the cakes with crispy pickles, adding a refreshing touch to the culinary experience.
With reasonable prices ranging from 4,000 to 20,000 VND, the stall also offers various other cakes like sweet fried cakes with smooth mung bean paste, sweet potato cakes, banana cakes, and many other snacks, each with its unique flavor, maintaining traditional taste and quality.
Address: 83 Vinh Ho, Dong Da, Hanoi
Hours: 07:00 - 20:00
Price: 5,000 – 15,000 VND
Another savory fried cake shop BDATrip recommends is the small stall located on the sidewalk of 83 Vinh Ho. Despite costing only 5,000 VND per cake, these savory fried cakes have won over diners with their exceptional quality. The large cakes, filled generously, and crispy, non-greasy crust have received much praise. The harmonious blend of ingredients and skillful preparation creates a delicious and distinctive flavor, making diners want to return for more.
Address: No. 6, Alley 11 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Hours: 13:00 - 18:00
Price: 3,000 - 8,000 VND
At Co Lam's savory fried cake shop in Alley 11 To Ngoc Van, each cake is considered a work of art. The thin, skillfully rolled crust ensures a crispy and chewy texture when fried. The highlight here is the filling, a harmonious and rich blend of fresh ingredients like minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms. All combine to create an irresistibly appealing taste from the first bite.
Beyond the quality of the cakes, Co Lam's shop emphasizes a complete culinary experience. To fully enjoy the savory fried cakes, pair them with pickled vegetables or salad. These side dishes not only enhance the cake's flavor but also provide a refreshing balance, making the meal more enjoyable.
Address: No. 5, Alley 50, Alley 612 De La Thanh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Hours: 13:30 - 19:00
Price: 4,000 - 30,000 VND
Hidden in a small alley on De La Thanh Street, Oanh Oanh's fried cake shop, though modest with only 2-3 tables, always attracts a bustling crowd. The shop's lively atmosphere is a testament to the excellent quality and unique flavor of its fried cakes.
The savory fried cakes here have a soft, chewy crust combined with a rich filling of minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, spiced with pepper for a captivating taste. The crispy crust on the outside and the flavorful filling inside make each bite an unforgettable experience.
In addition to savory cakes, the shop also delights customers with sweet fried cakes. The mung bean filling combined with fresh coconut offers a novel and delightful taste experience. The sweetness of mung beans and the rich coconut flavor create a perfect dessert, ideal for those who enjoy sweet, mild flavors.
With prices ranging from 4,000 to 30,000 VND, besides traditional cakes, Oanh Oanh's shop offers various drinks and other snacks, providing a diverse menu to satisfy different tastes.
Address: 52 Ly Quoc Su, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Hours: 08:00 – 21:30
Price: 7,000 – 14,000 VND
Famous not only for its central location but also for its long history, this shop offers diners fried cakes rich in traditional flavors, captivating every palate.
The crust made from glutinous rice flour, when eaten hot, provides a fragrant, crispy, and non-sticky texture, creating a special allure. However, due to the high number of customers and pre-fried cakes, they sometimes get cold and hard. Nevertheless, the well-seasoned filling, though small, is flavorful, offering a harmonious taste.
Besides savory fried cakes, the shop also serves various snacks like pillow cakes, fermented pork rolls, and crab spring rolls, catering to diverse tastes. The pillow cakes with a crispy crust and savory meat filling, fermented pork rolls with a distinctive sour and spicy flavor, and crab spring rolls with sweet crab meat filling are all great choices when visiting the shop.
Address: 398 Truong Dinh, Hoang Mai, Hanoi
Hours: 13:00 - 19:00
Price: 5,000 - 25,000 VND
With reasonable prices, the fried cake shop at 398 Truong Dinh has become a favorite spot for many students and diners from near and far. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of savory and sweet fried cakes, rich in flavor and quality, winning over anyone who tries them.
The shop's highlight is not only its reasonable prices but also its diverse menu. The stuffed cakes with meat, quail eggs, Chinese sausage, and glass noodles are freshly prepared on-site, offering a delightful culinary experience. Each cake is carefully made to ensure a crispy crust on the outside and a rich filling inside, making it hard for diners to resist.
Here is the list of the top 10 places to enjoy the best savory fried cakes in Hanoi that you should not miss. Each shop has its own unique flavor, promising to bring you unforgettable culinary experiences.
