Hanoi's cuisine has existed for centuries, passed down from generation to generation, creating distinctive flavors. If you have the chance to visit the capital, don't miss out on the delicious dishes compiled by BDATrip in this article!
The famous Hanoi snail noodles are made from simple yet sophisticated ingredients like snails, vermicelli, tomatoes, and various herbs, accompanied by distinctive spices. This traditional dish of Hanoi captivates both locals and tourists. The dish is appealing not only for its vibrant colors but also for the rich, sweet taste of the snail broth, often chosen by Hanoi residents as a light breakfast or lunch for the family.
Popular snail noodle spots:
Hanoi Pho is one of the long-standing traditional dishes, carrying the unique flavor of the North. The most distinct difference between Hanoi Pho and Southern Pho is that Hanoi's Pho noodles are usually thicker and larger. Additionally, Hanoians often enjoy Pho with dough sticks, creating a unique flavor. Visitors to Hanoi can enjoy various types of Pho such as chicken Pho, beef Pho, or duck Pho, according to their preference.
Popular Pho spots in Hanoi:
Hanoi rolled Pho is a familiar and popular dish among Hanoi residents. This dish is made from soft, smooth Pho noodles, wrapped with meat, fresh vegetables, herbs, and bean sprouts. The sweet taste of the meat combined with the freshness of the vegetables and rich dipping sauce makes rolled Pho an ideal light meal for an afternoon snack, both delicious and not too filling.
Popular rolled Pho spots:
At first glance, you might think of Southern-style grilled meat noodles, but don't be mistaken; the flavor of Hanoi's grilled pork with vermicelli is entirely different. Each serving includes fresh vermicelli, sweet and sour dipping sauce with kohlrabi, carrots, and pickled papaya, along with fragrant grilled pork patties. The combination of the rich flavor of the meat, the fresh vegetables, and the special sauce makes this Hanoi specialty unforgettable.
Popular grilled pork with vermicelli spots:
Vermicelli with pork paste and elephant ear plant is a must-try dish when visiting Hanoi. This dish includes fresh vermicelli, tender slices of pork leg, delicious pork paste, and a rich broth made from bone. The smooth pork paste combined with the crunchy elephant ear plant and a bit of chili creates a flavor that is irresistible. Missing out on this specialty would make your trip to Hanoi less appealing.
Popular vermicelli with pork paste and elephant ear plant spots:
The main ingredient that makes up the characteristic delicious Hanoi crab noodles is fresh field crabs, finely ground, and simmered until the crab meat forms and floats on the broth's surface. Combined with ripe tomatoes, a bit of shrimp paste, fragrant green onions, fried tofu, and greasy sausage, the dish is complete when eaten with fresh vegetables and soft noodles.
Popular crab noodle spots:
Broad noodles with crab can be found in Hai Phong and many other cities, but the rustic and simple flavor of Hanoi's broad noodles with crab leaves an unforgettable impression. The chewy broad noodles blend with the rich broth, a touch of tangy vinegar, and spicy chili, creating a distinctive flavor.
Popular broad noodles with crab spots:
Khuc cake or khuc dumpling is one of Hanoi's traditional culinary delights. The cake is round in shape, with a filling of smooth mung beans combined with small cuts of pork and distinctive spices, creating an irresistible aroma. Buying khuc cake as a specialty gift from Hanoi is a great choice, as it embodies the rural flavor and the fragrance of sticky rice.
Popular khuc cake spots:
The cold weather in Hanoi is the ideal time to enjoy bread with beef stew. The crispy golden bread combined with rich beef stew, and tender beef pieces, creates a light but filling breakfast to start the day full of energy.
Popular bread with beef stew spots:
Sticky rice cake is a familiar rustic dish for Hanoi residents, easily found in snack shops or sold on the streets. The cake is carefully wrapped in thick banana leaves, bringing a sophisticated and distinctive flavor. The savory meat filling inside is just right and greasy, often eaten with sausages, grilled meat, and other side dishes. A sticky rice cake when hungry will keep you warm and full for hours.
Popular sticky rice cake spots in Dong Cac:
33 Dong Cac, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls are famous for their thin and chewy texture. The filling is made from fragrant fried onions and tender minced meat. When enjoyed, the rolls are dipped in light fish sauce and eaten with delicious sausages, creating an irresistible flavor that anyone who has tried once will remember forever. Experience Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls in Hanoi to feel the unique difference of this dish!
Popular steamed rice roll spots:
Hanoi vermicelli soup can be considered "the most meticulous" as it requires 20 ingredients to create a delicious bowl. The main ingredients include: thinly sliced fried egg, shredded chicken breast, thinly sliced pork sausage, shrimp, squid, laksa leaves, and many other ingredients, all blending to create a colorful and flavorful bowl of vermicelli. This is indeed a unique and attractive dish on the list of Hanoi's delicious foods.
Popular vermicelli soup spots:
Fermented shrimp paste with vermicelli is a typical Hanoi dish, once "causing a stir" with its rustic yet attractive ingredients. A bit of fresh vermicelli, some crispy fried tofu, boiled pork, fried pork patties, combined with shrimp paste and various herbs such as perilla, Vietnamese balm, and cilantro, all create a unique and unforgettable flavor. The rich taste of tofu, combined with the sweet and salty shrimp paste, may initially seem strong, but it gradually becomes addictive.
Popular fermented shrimp paste with vermicelli spots:
While Thanh Hoa is famous for its raw fermented pork rolls wrapped in banana leaves, Hanoi fried spring rolls captivate diners with the sweet taste of fermented pork rolls. Each golden, crispy, and delicious piece of spring roll is beautifully presented. Enjoying fried spring rolls with beer and chatting with friends has become a popular pastime among Hanoi's youth.
Popular fried spring roll spots:
Speaking of Hanoi's delicious dishes, one cannot overlook La Vong grilled fish. This specialty is made from catfish, a nutritious fish with sweet meat and few bones. The fish is fried until crispy, fragrant, and served with herbs, fresh vermicelli or rice, suitable for family lunches or dinners. Especially when eaten with shrimp paste, this dish truly reaches its peak flavor, promising to awaken your taste buds with an unforgettable taste.
Popular La Vong grilled fish spots:
Coming to Hanoi without trying the specialty of fried pig intestines is a big miss for food lovers. The cleaned intestines are fried until golden and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, served with herbs, fresh vermicelli, and dipped in sour and spicy shrimp paste, creating an unforgettable "explosion of flavors." You can also try stir-fried intestines, steamed intestines, intestine salad - all are "delicacies" worth tasting!
Popular fried pig intestine spots:
Bread is the "national delicacy" of Hanoi and Vietnam in general. Hanoi bread conquers food enthusiasts with creative variations, from grilled meat, sausage, fried pork rolls to fried fermented pork rolls, all very unique. Especially, the "Dan To" bread of Hanoi once "stormed" social media with its generous filling of eggs, sausage, and pate. With prices ranging from 20,000 VND to over 60,000 VND depending on the filling, Hanoi bread is small but provides enough energy for you to explore the city.
Popular bread spots in Hanoi:
Ragworm patties are one of Hanoi's famous specialties. The patties are made from fresh ragworms, combined with minced pork, eggs, onions, and chili, creating a distinctive flavor when eaten with well-prepared fish sauce. The soft, greasy, warm patties are especially appealing when enjoyed in the cold weather of Hanoi.
Popular ragworm patty spots:
Tofu pudding, also known as "douhua" in the South, is a familiar dish to many young and old people. However, only when enjoyed in Hanoi can you fully appreciate its distinctive and traditional flavor. Hanoi tofu pudding is uniquely transformed with ingredients like flan, grass jelly, chewy pearls, and sugar syrup, creating a fragrant, sweet, and cool dish.
Popular tofu pudding spots:
Shrimp cakes are a unique street snack in Hanoi, made from freshwater shrimp wrapped in flour and fried until crispy, creating a delicious and crunchy taste. The crispy crust, with the nutty taste of ground green beans, while the shrimp is small but fresh, sweet, and well-seasoned. Although just a street food, shrimp cakes attract many diners, especially those who love exploring Hanoi cuisine.
Suggested shrimp cake spots:
We hope the dishes shared in this article will provide you with more delightful culinary experiences when visiting Hanoi.
Some attractive culinary tourism destinations in Hanoi:
