Hanoi Cuisine - best Vietnamese Food & Street Eats

Hanoi cuisine is a delight for the senses as I feel it’s where Vietnamese food shines brightest. In this food guide to Hanoi cuisine, you’ll find about must-try dishes, local street food and hidden eating experiences.

Hanoi is famous for pho (beef noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), cha ca La Vong (turmeric fish specialty), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and of course the legendary egg coffee (ca phe trung).
And if you add my personal favorite beer of Hanoi with food, and you get to feel utter bliss ;)

What to eat in Hanoi

• Pho (Pho Bo/Ga): Hanoi’s beef noodle soup is world-famous and I can bet you would have heard about Pho by now if you were in Vietnam for more than a couple of days!

  Seek out Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su or Pho Bat Dan near Ho Hoan Kiem for traditional bowls (open early mornings). It’s also common to find chicken pho (pho ga) stands. Walk by in the morning and you’ll see people slurping steaming hot bowls before going to work as it is a popular breakfast choice here.

  

  Bun Cha Is Grilled Marinated Pork With Spices  Obama Loved It!

• Bun Cha: Grilled marinated pork served over rice noodles with herbs and dipping sauce. The Obama-famous spot Bun Cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu) is lively, but street-side “quan” near Cua Dong run by Hoan Kiem locals serve the same smoky flavor for under 60k VND per portion.

  

  Cha Ca La Vong Is a Delicious Dish of Grilled Turmeric Fish

• Cha Ca La Vong: A Hanoi specialty of grilled turmeric fish hotpot at a stand or restaurant. Originating on Cha Ca Street, the old Cha Ca La Vong branch (14 Cha Ca St.) has waiters whipping up fish and dill at your table.

  Expect to share as it’s meant for two or more, about 250k VND per person.

  

  Banh Cuon Is Famous in Hanoi Which Is Basically Steamed Rice Rolls Filled With Minced Pork

• Banh Cuon: Steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms, topped with fried shallots. At breakfast, try Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh or Banh Cuon Gia An (midday spot). It’s light and goes well with Vietnamese ham and a green onion oil topping.

  

  Ca Phe Trung or the Vietnamese Egg Coffee

• Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung): Invented in Hanoi, this creamy coffee dessert is a must try. Warm, frothy egg yolk coffee at Cafe Giảng (39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân) or the modern Cafe Pho Co (19 Lý Quốc Sư) will show why it’s famous. It tastes like liquid tiramisu and is perfect to sip on a cool morning.

  

  Xoi Xeo or Vietnamese Sticky Rice Is a Must Try if You Ever Visit Hanoi!

• Sticky Rice (Xôi Xéo): A popular street breakfast: glutinous rice with mung bean and fried shallots, often sold from sidewalk baskets. I would say Xôi bà Thu is better than Xôi Yến” for the best sticky rice in town (Ba Thu’s old lady stall is on Thọ Xuân Street).

  

  Bun Dau Mam Tom Served in a Hanoi Local Restaurant

• Street Snacks & Desserts: Don’t miss quán ốc (snail shops) around Hoàng Hoa Thám or Cát Linh streets for fresh sea-snails (ốc luộc), or the yummy nem chua ran (fried pork roll). Early evening, try Bun Dau Mam Tom (tofu & pork with shrimp paste). For sweet treats, try chè bà chi (sweet soups), or the famous bánh giò (pyramid dumplings).

Opening Hours and pricing for restaurants

• Opening Hours & Meals: Vietnamese eat most street foods for breakfast/lunch, 7am-2pm. Many pho, bun cha and xoi stalls pop up around 6:30-7:00am and close by lunch. Dinner is mainly for restaurants and bars, but 24-hour banh mi and bánh rán (fried donuts) stalls exist. Cafes open early (6am+) and serve all day. Some famous spots close on alternate days - check Google Maps or ask your homestay/hotel reception for current hours.

• Pricing: Food in Hanoi is extremely cheap. A bowl of pho or bún cha costs ~50k VND (just over $2). Egg coffee is ~30k, street snacks 10-30k. Sit-down Western-style dinners (like at a rooftop or fusion cafe) range higher (100k+).

  

  Street Food Vendor on a Hanoi Street

FAQ about Hanoi food

• What should I eat first in Hanoi?
  Try the famous combos: morning pho, lunchtime bun cha, afternoon egg coffee, evening bun dau. If you must pick one iconic dish, Bun Cha (grilled pork noodles) or Pho Pho suon (rib pho) are top choices. These represent the classic northern flavors of Hanoi.

• Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
  Yes - tofu, mushroom, and vegetable dishes (Xoi dau phộng, Cho bún mọc chay) are common. Many restaurants list vegetarian versions of pho or bun cha using tofu. Also, Vietnam is Buddhist-majority, so vegetarian eateries exist (just ask for “ăn chay” on the menu).

• Is street food safe in Hanoi?
  Generally yes, the key is to eat at busy stalls (more turnover means fresher food) and stick to fully cooked items. Avoid anything that looks like it’s been sitting too long.

• What is the best time to eat breakfast or brunch?
  Vietnamese start early. By 6:30-7:00 AM, you’ll find plenty of xôi and pho vendors. By 9am, many brunch spots (like banh cuon shops) have opened. So ideally, have your breakfast before 10 AM for full variety.

• Is Hanoi cuisine spicy?
  Northern dishes tend to be milder than central/southern Vietnam. You may find chilies and peppers on the side to add to your taste. Don’t be afraid to ask for chili sauce or chili slices if you like heat.