Vietnam

What to eat in Hanoi

Hanoi’s street food thrives in bustling alleys and markets, mixing Chinese‑style broth with French‑influenced pastries. The city’s cheap, aromatic dishes are a daily ritual for locals and travelers alike.

Local dishes to try

Phở

Steaming broth with rice noodles, herbs and beef; eaten for breakfast or any time at street stalls.

Bún chả

Char‑grilled pork served over rice vermicelli with fresh herbs and dipping sauce, a lunchtime favorite.

Bánh mì

Crisp baguette filled with pâté, cold cuts, pickled veggies; sold at countless stalls all day.

Chả cá Lã Vọng

Grilled turmeric fish with dill, served with noodles and peanuts, a specialty of the Old Quarter.

Bánh cuốn

Thin rice sheets stuffed with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, topped with fried shallots; common for breakfast.

Gỏi cuốn

Rice‑paper rolls with shrimp, pork, herbs and vermicelli, dipped in peanut sauce; snack or light meal.

Bia hơi

Light, slightly sweet draft beer sold on plastic stools in the Old Quarter’s Beer Street, enjoyed evenings.

Trái cây

Seasonal tropical fruit sold from carts, often sliced and served with condensed milk as a sweet treat.

Where to eat

1
Old Quarter – Ta Hien & Luong Ngoc Quyen
Street stalls and bia hơi joints serve phở, bún chả and cheap beer.
2
Dong Xuan Market
Inside the market you’ll find bánh cuốn, gỏi cuốn and fresh fruit stalls.
3
Hang Buom Street
Famous for chả cá Lã Vọng and a variety of noodle dishes.