5 Must-Try Vietnamese Egg Noodle Dishes That Will Blow Your Mind

Ever slurped a bowl of Vietnamese egg noodles on a steamy morning? These golden wheat noodles (called mì trứng) are an underrated gem of Vietnam’s food scene.

Made with wheat flour and eggs, they can be served dry or in broth with wontons, char siu pork, and soft-boiled eggs. Unlike pho, which uses rice noodles, these chewy noodles soak up flavors beautifully.

You’ll find them in hearty soups and stir-fries from north to south - from a piping-hot bún bò Huế variation to stir-fried mì xào with shrimp.
A casual breakfast of mì trứng (egg noodles) in Hanoi or Saigon feels like chatting with old friends - warm, familiar, and full of flavor.

Let’s dive into where and how to try Vietnam’s egg noodle favorites.

Where to eat Vietnamese Egg Noodles

Vietnamese egg noodles aren’t at a single address - you go where the food is! Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the hubs.
If you fly in, land at Nội Bài (Hanoi) or Tân Sơn Nhất (HCMC) and head downtown. From there, grab a quick taxi or motorbike taxi to busy noodle streets.

In Saigon’s Chinatown (District 5), small alley cafes and markets serve wonton noodle soups and bò kho (beef stew noodles).

In Hanoi, the Old Quarter is packed with noodle vendors at dawn. Travel time in-city is just minutes; many stalls open at 6-8am and close by late afternoon (some even serve late-night bowls).
You can also hop between food markets or take local buses/motorbike tours in each city to taste different dishes.

Most popular egg noodles to try

Vietnamese Beef Noodles Mi Bo Kho

• Mi bò kho (Beef Stew Egg Noodles): A rich, spicy beef stew ladled over chewy egg noodles. Locals often enjoy it for breakfast with a side of banh mì (baguette). In Saigon, the steamy alleyway stalls of District 3 serve this up all morning - look for a crowd to know it’s good.
  Pro Tip: ask for extra broth on the side for dunking your bread.
  

Vietnamese Wonton Egg Noodle Soup Mi Hoành Thánh

• Mi hoành thánh (Wonton Egg Noodle Soup): Think wonton noodles Chinese-style - a fragrant pork or shrimp broth with dumplings and springy egg noodles. Nha Trang is famous for its mì hoành thánh and local vendors in HCMC also dish it out.
  Try a roadside stall near the market in District 5 for an authentic bowl.
  

Mi Xào Beef Stir Fried Egg Noodles in Hanoi, Vietnam

• Mi xào (Stir-Fried Egg Noodles): A dry noodle dish tossed with pork, shrimp, and veggies. It’s customizable and comes out quickly from wok to plate.
  
  Hanoi has tiny noodle houses specializing in mi xào; the Old Quarter’s stalls (like one on Hàng Bạc street) are worth seeking out.
  As a bonus, you’ll often spot locals ordering phở xào (pho-style noodles stir-fried) if you want a hybrid style.
  

Mi Ga Tần Vietnamese Herbal Chicken Noodle Soup

• Mi ga tần (Herbal Chicken Noodle Soup): In cooler climates (like Hanoi’s winter), try mì gà tần: egg noodles in a fragrant chicken-herbal broth. It’s soothing and often served with quail eggs and Chinese herbs. It's perfect for a warming lunch on a cold wintery day in Hanoi plus it is one of my favorite!
  

Mi Kho Xa Xiu or Vietnamese Dry Egg Noodles

• Mi kho xa xiu (Dry Egg Noodles with Char Siu): Egg noodles tossed in soy-based sauce topped with slices of sweet-charred barbecue pork.
  You’ll find this in Saigon; ask at a Cantonese-style eatery.
  
  Pro tip: mix in the chopped scallions and chili for extra spiciness.

Hidden spots: Don’t shy away from unmarked stalls. Tiny family-run shops often serve the best bowls but they might not have menus or websites.

For instance, a hidden Bò Kho place in District 3 was my favorite despite its plain exterior (I do not have the location saved but if you just walk around, there are tons of them). 
In Hanoi, some mì xào and mi hoành thánh stalls are just street corners - no sign, just noodle steam and the aroma of garlic! If a queue forms around locals, that’s your cue.

Practical Info

• Hours & Cost: Noodle shops typically open around 6-8am. Many close by 2-3pm after the lunch rush, though a few stay open later. There’s no admission - just pay per dish. Expect 30,000-80,000 VND per bowl (about $1 to $3) at local shops. High-end restaurants cost more; street stalls are cheapest.

• Best Time to Visit: Morning is prime time (fresher broth, shorter lines). In Hanoi’s winter (Dec-Feb), hot soups feel extra cozy. In summer, aim for dawn or early evening to avoid heat.

• Nearby Amenities: These noodle joints are often casual: plastic stools on sidewalks, tiny shopfronts with fans. They usually have a restroom (often shared nearby). Market areas have public toilets. Drink options include nước mía (sugarcane juice) or cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) to wash it down. If you’re sensitive to spice, most places serve chilies on the side. Cash is king at these eateries, and tipping isn’t expected.
  

a Street Food Stall in Hanoi, Vietnam

Noodle tasting tour!

Try a quick noodle crawl in one city (HCM):

• 8:00 AM: Grab a strong Vietnamese coffee. Head to a breakfast spot for Mi Bò Kho (a steaming beef stew noodle) in Saigon’s District 3.

• 9:30 AM: Walk to a nearby market or alley. Slurp up a dry Mi Xào (stir-fried noodles with pork/shrimp) - vendors often season it with soy and bean sprouts.

• 11:30 AM: Take a short motorbike ride to Chinatown (District 5). Enjoy Mi Hoành Thánh (wonton noodles) from a street stall - a light, fragrant soup with plump wontons and egg noodles.

• 12:30 PM: Finish with Chè (sweet dessert) or Vietnamese iced coffee at a sidewalk cafe.
  
  There are many food bike tour options in Saigon where you ride pillion and the rider takes you to various local spots. You ask them to customise the tour for Noodle places specifically if you want.

Safety & Local tips

Vietnamese street food culture is safe and friendly, but here are a few tips:

• Hygiene: Choose busy stalls (fast turnover means fresh ingredients). Don’t hesitate to pick clean, busy spots over half-empty ones.

• Behavior: Vietnamese diners often eat fast and leave; it’s fine to do the same. Use chopsticks and keep a soup spoon for the broth. Slurping is acceptable!

• Bargaining: In markets (for packaged noodles or cookbooks), bargaining is normal. For eating, prices are fixed. Just be polite - a smile and a gentle “Cám ơn” (“thank you”) go a long way.

• Health: The soups can be rich and slightly spicy. If you have dietary restrictions, ask “Không cay” (not spicy) or “Chay” (vegetarian) before ordering.

• Transport Safety: If you zip around on a motorbike to noodle spots, always wear a helmet. Cross busy streets carefully - food stalls are often on road shoulders or alleys.

FAQs

• Are Vietnamese egg noodles the same as pho noodles?
  No. Pho uses rice noodles, while egg noodles (mì trứng) are made from wheat and eggs. Think of pho as light and white, and egg noodles as golden and springy.

• What toppings come with egg noodle soups?
  Common add-ons include shrimp or pork wontons (mì hoành thánh), char siu pork slices, quail eggs, green onions, and herbs.
  For example, one guide notes that egg noodle soup often comes “topped with green onion and shallot broth, char siu pork, and boiled eggs”.

• Where can I find the best egg noodle dishes?
  Look beyond touristy restaurants. In Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Saigon’s Chinatown, local street stalls reign. Don’t be shy to ask locals or hotel staff - they’ll know the popular haunts. Online maps often show hole-in-the-wall noodle shops too.

• Is Vietnamese egg noodle soup usually spicy?
  Broth itself is typically savory (often pork or beef based). You’ll get a side of sliced chilies or chili paste to adjust heat. Some versions, like mì bò kho, are mildly peppery. If you don’t like spice, just say “bớt ớt” (less chili).

• Can vegetarians eat Vietnamese egg noodles?
  Possibly. While many bowls include meat, you can find vegetarian versions (ask for “chay” style, which substitutes tofu and mushrooms). However, the noodles themselves contain egg, so they aren’t vegan.
  Gluten-intolerant people should skip them as they’re wheat-based.

• Is it cheaper to eat noodles or banh mi?
  Generally, bowls of noodle soup run around the same price as a good bánh mì (about 30k-60k VND each). Noodles often fill you up more!