What to eat in Hanoi, Vietnam

The 1,000-year-old capital of Vietnam is a top destination for food lovers and a hub for culinary exploration

Hanoi is singular in its identity, keeping to its tightly knit traditions while embracing change. The city is packed with the most intoxicating details from its Indochine architecture and world-class art to its passionate spirit of gastronomy.

See also: A food lover's guide to Bangkok

Chefs often rank Hanoi as a top food destination for its diverse, flavourful and healthy cuisine, which is influenced by a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and French cultural elements. While street food continues to be an important role and key source of pride in the city's food culture, fusion cuisine and a number of upscale dining establishments offering innovative experiences continues to bloom. With traditional street food, casual cafés, and upscale restaurants in every nook and corner, the food scene here is dynamic, constantly evolving and boundless. Brace yourself for a diverse culinary experience.

Get coffee with a view

Sip ca phe trung, also known as Vietnamese egg coffee, a popular style that adds a foamy custard from whisked egg and condensed milk to Robusta coffee, at one of the best rooftops with a view. Café Pho Co is a little tricky to find as it’s ensconced in a courtyard behind some clothing stores. Look for a doorway with the sign of the café on top, and walk into the narrow alley. Go all the way in to the end where it opens up to the courtyard café, order your drinks, climb all the way up the flights of stairs, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of Hoan Kiem Lake.

11 P. Hàng Gai, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 10000, Vietnam, +84 24 3928 8153

Above View at the top most floor of Cafe Phố Cổ (Photo: Lynette Ow)

Above Egg coffee (Photo: Lynette Ow)

The bread of champions

Bami Bread markets its sandwiches as "Hoi-An-style" banh mi, which is significant as many regard the best banh mi in Vietnam to be from Hoi An, where the bread baked is thinner, crisper and lighter. In fact, for first-timers, order the Hoi An Special, which consists of pate, slow-roasted pork, pickled vegetables, coriander, and a secret sauce. While the fillings are juicy and succulent, with a good tang from the pickled vegetables, the bread is the true star. It holds the sandwich together literally and flavour-wise, having been soaked in the juices of the roasted pork.

98 P. Hàng Bạc, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

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The under-rated fish dish to try

Cha ca is a popular dish in Vietnam and also a Hanoi specialty. This dish is essentially fish fried in a pan with turmeric and dill. Although there are many restaurants that serve this delicious dish, Cha Ca Thang Long is one of the few that serves the best cha ca. Cha Ca Thang Long has a simple menu, and the food is cooked directly on the table, similar to a Korean barbecue. Don't worry if you've never had this kind of experience before, the staff will show you exactly how to eat this dish. Cha Ca Thang Long has a devoted following due to its fresh ingredients and delectable sauces.

6B Đường Thành, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Above Cha ca is an iconic dish of Hanoi (Photo: Lynette Ow)

Above The Vietnamese grilled fish dish is served with rice noodles (Photo: Lynette Ow)

Don't miss this popular Hanoi dish

Bun cha (grilled pork with rice vermicelli) is another popular dish originating from Hanoi and is widely available in the capital, from elegant restaurants to simple street vendors on narrow streets. Bun cha, like pho, represents Hanoi's stunning cuisine culture and is the perfect combination of rice products, meat, vegetables, spices, and a local special dipping sauce.

There are many establishments serving bun cha but probably the most famous is what the locals call the “Bun Cha Obama” restaurant, or Bun Cha Huong Lien, made popular by one TV episode in Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown where he hosted the former US president to a meal of grilled pork. For this reason, many visitors from all over Vietnam and abroad regard Bun Cha Huong Lien as a must-visit in Hanoi.

24 Le Van Huum Pham Dinh Ho, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi, Vietnam

Above Bun Cha (grilled pork with rice noodles) is a dish that's intricately linked to Hanoi (Photo: Getty Images)

Where locals go for pho

Largely regarded by the locals as the best pho in Hanoi, Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan is always crowded. It starts selling very early in the morning—around 6am—and sell out quite quickly as well. As such, it’s advised to get there before 9am so as not to be disappointed. The shop only sells two varieties of pho: pho tai (medium rare beef pho) and pho chin (well-cooked beef pho). While the place is always crowded, both service and diners turn around quite swiftly. In terms of taste, the broth is light yet flavourful, and best to enjoy your bowl of pho with a side of banh quay (Vietnamese fried breadsticks).

49 P. Bát Đàn, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Above Queue outside Pho Bat Dan (Photo: Lynette Ow)

Above Pho noodle with a side dish of quay (Photo: Lynette Ow)

A burgeoning fine dining scene

For something different, explore what the young chefs in Hanoi are serving up in the fine dining scene. At Gia Restaurant, Vietnamese cuisine, culture and ingredients are celebrated with modern cooking techniques and playful flavours that are presented in a seasonal tasting menu. The service is impeccable and the ambience against a backdrop of Indochine décor makes the experience extra stylish.

61 P. Văn Miếu, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

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Snack on banh cuon at Banh Cuon Ba Xuan

Banh Cuon Ba Xuan is not a typical tourist spot; in fact, the place is likely packed with locals and no one speaks English here. However, with a little help from Google Translate and hand gestures pointing at the rice rolls over the pots of boiling water, you’ll be rewarded with a heaping plate of banh cuon topped with crispy fried shallots and a side of Vietnamese sauce. Banh cuon is very similar to the Chinese cheong fun or rice rolls, and makes for a great snack in between meals. They are soft, slippery, and a little chewy, which is why the topping of fried shallots go so well with it. Like most other Vietnamese dishes, banh cuon is served with fresh herbs and a dipping sauce.

Dốc Hòe Nhai, Nguyễn Trung Trực, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam

Above Bánh cuốn is made from a thin, wide sheet of fermented rice batter (Photo: Lynette Ow)

Pizzas like you've never tasted before

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind pizza experience in Hanoi, check out Pizza 4Ps. Japanese-owned and first opened in Ho Chi Minh, Pizza 4Ps is a popular pizza place that relocated to Hanoi in 2016. With several outlets throughout Hanoi, this isn’t your typical pizza joint.

The people behind Pizza 4Ps are passionate about food sourcing, quality, and sustainability. There is a distinct Japanese twist to the pizza experience while remaining true to its Italian roots and the menu extends to a good selection of pastas, salads, and craft beers as well.

pizza4ps.com

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Get award-winning chocolate as souvenir gifts

Maison Marou, founded in 2011 by two Frenchmen living in Vietnam, is a testament to the sophisticated flavours that Vietnamese cacao beans have to offer the world. Marou bars' distinct flavour and beautiful packaging have piqued the interest of the international press and foodie community. Several awards, including the Gold International Chocolate Awards, have been bestowed upon the company, putting Vietnam on the global chocolate map. Marou chocolate has remained true to its roots, producing dark chocolate using only the finest ingredients from Vietnam and make excellent souvenir gifts.

maisonmarou.com