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Hanoi Cuisine: Uncover the City's Must-Try Dishes
The capital Hanoi - top of places to visit in Vietnam, with its long history and culture, is not only a city of ancient relics but also a culinary paradise that fascinates many diners.
Traditional Vietnamese flavors are clearly expressed through each dish, from hot and fragrant bowls of Pho in the early morning, and grilled Bun Cha with rich flavors, to simple street foods such as Banh Cuon and Banh Mi.
Fresh ingredients, sophisticated preparation methods, and the vibrant atmosphere of the small streets have created a unique feature for Hanoi cuisine, making domestic and foreign tourists want to enjoy it once.
Let's explore and enjoy the best dishes of Hanoi to fully experience the beauty of this city with Asia Links Travel.
Top Traditional Dishes of Hanoi
When people think of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, they recall not only the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake (some of the famous things to see in Hanoi) but also the unique cuisine.
For many years, Hanoi cuisine has been an essential aspect of both locals' and visitors' daily lives. Let's explore with Asia Links Travel the traditional dishes that have made the Hanoi cuisine brand!
Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Pho - Vietnam's national dish, is especially famous for its Hanoi version. Pho Hanoi is often chewier, the broth is clearer, and sweeter from the simmered bones. Thinly sliced beef, soft and sweet, served with green onions, herbs, bean sprouts, and a little lemon and chili.
Unlike Southern Pho, which often has many types of toppings such as beef balls, tendons, and books, Pho Hanoi is simple but rich in flavor. To enjoy a bowl of authentic Pho Hanoi, you can go to long-standing Pho restaurants such as Pho Thin, Pho Gia Truyen, Pho Bat Trang, etc.
A typical bowl of pho
Bun Cha Hanoi (Hanoi Kebab Rice Noodles )
Bun Cha is one of the most popular dishes in Hanoi cuisine. A serving of Bun Cha includes fresh noodles, fragrant grilled sausage, soft and sweet grilled meat, fresh raw vegetables, and a rich sweet, and sour dipping sauce.
What makes Bun Cha Hanoi special is the dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lemon, garlic, and chili. When eating, you will feel the wonderful blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. Bun Cha Hanoi was once voted by the New York Times as one of the best dishes in the world.
A typical dish of Vietnamese noodles with grilled pork
La Vong Grilled Fish
La Vong Grilled Fish is a dish imbued with the history and culture of Hanoi. Legend has it that this dish was created by an ancient mandarin named La Vong. Spice-marinated fresh fish is fried until golden brown and served with shrimp paste, roasted peanuts, vermicelli, and herbs.
The special thing about La Vong Grilled Fish is that it is eaten hot on a charcoal stove. To enjoy this dish on the Hanoi Tour Packages, you can go to famous restaurants such as Thang Long Grilled Fish, La Vong Gia Nguyen Grilled Fish, 14 Cha Ca Grilled Fish, etc.
A pan of La Vong fish cake
Banh Cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls)
Banh Cuon, a culinary masterpiece of Hanoi, is a breakfast dish extremely loved by locals and international visitors. Each roll is thin, soft as silk, and skillfully rolled from pureed rice flour, bringing a special feeling when enjoying.
Inside that soft crust is a fragrant minced meat filling, mixed with wood ear mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms to create a rich, unforgettable flavor. When enjoying Banh Cuon, you will feel the harmony between the greasy taste of meat, the fleshy taste of mushrooms, and the cool taste of raw vegetables.
Banh Cuon is often eaten with sweet and sour dipping sauce, mixed with a little chili to increase the spiciness. To enjoy delicious Banh Cuon, you can go to traditional restaurants in Hanoi such as Phuong Banh Cuon, Thuy Khue Banh Cuon, etc.
Vietnamese steamed rice rolls – a wonderful choice for your breakfast
Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette)
Banh Mi considered the best street food in Hanoi, is a perfect combination of French and Vietnamese cuisine. The image of crispy bread, fatty pate layer, fresh herbs, and a few slices of crispy cucumber has become an indispensable culinary symbol of the capital.
In Hanoi cuisine, Banh Mi is not only breakfast but also a popular snack anytime, anywhere. Through the skillful hands of the seller, Banh Mi Hanoi has many unique variations such as fish cake bread, liver pate bread, grilled meat bread, etc.
Each type of bread brings a unique flavor, making visitors surprised and delighted. To enjoy authentic Banh Mi Hanoi, you can visit famous Banh Mi stalls such as Thuc Banh, Hong Banh Mi, De Nhat Banh Mi, etc.
Banh Mi – The Iconic Dish of Vietnam
Sticky Rice
In Hanoi, sticky rice appears everywhere, from street vendors to luxury restaurants. There are several varieties of Hanoi sticky rice, including plain white sticky rice, green bean sticky rice, chicken sticky rice, meat sticky rice, and bright red sticky rice with gac fruit.
Each type of sticky rice has its own flavor and preparation method. Sticky rice is not only delicious but also has deep cultural significance. Sticky rice is often used during holidays, Tet, or as a gift.
To enjoy Hanoi sticky rice in Vietnam Tour Package, you can go to traditional markets such as Dong Xuan Market, and Hom Market, or famous sticky rice shops such as Xoi Yen, and Xoi Co Mai.
Vietnamese sticky rice ball – a special culinary gift from the people of Hanoi
Egg Coffee Vietnam
Egg Coffee is one of Hanoi's specialty drinks, loved by international tourists. The unique combination of strong black coffee and rich egg cream creates a flavor that is both familiar and strange. Egg Coffee is said to have been born in the 1940s when raw materials were scarce, Hanoians created this type of coffee.
To make a delicious cup of Egg Coffee Vietnam, the bartender must be very skillful in creating a smooth egg foam layer and completely beating the egg yolk. Some famous cafes serving delicious Egg Coffee in Hanoi include Giang Cafe, Dinh Cafe, etc.
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A hot cup of egg coffee
Street Food Culture in Hanoi
Hanoi is not only an ancient city with unique architecture but also a street food paradise. Coming to Hanoi, you will be attracted by the street vendors next to each other, selling all kinds of attractive dishes. From hot, fragrant bowls of pho to golden grilled skewers, or hot, carefully wrapped rice rolls, all bring unforgettable flavors.
Eating and drinking on small plastic chairs by the roadside, sipping a cold glass of Hanoi beer, you will feel the vibrant life of the people here. Don't miss the opportunity to explore Hanoi street food, where you will find the most delicious, unique, and authentic dishes on your Hanoi tour.
Where to Eat in Hanoi
Hanoi, with its rich history and culture, is not only an ancient city but also a culinary paradise with countless delicious and attractive dishes. To fully discover the flavors of Hanoi, you cannot miss famous culinary streets like Ta Hien or Tong Duy Tan.
You will enjoy popular but extremely unique street foods such as Bun Cha, Pho, Banh Mi, Banh Cuon, etc. Besides, Hanoi also has many luxury restaurants serving delicately prepared traditional dishes or modern Asian and European dishes.
To find the best restaurants in Hanoi, you can consult local people's opinions or search for information on reputable travel websites.
Hanoi’s Food Markets
No place can help you feel the diversity and richness of Hanoi cuisine more clearly than the traditional markets. The most famous of which is Dong Xuan Market, a symbol of Hanoi.
You will be overwhelmed by the bustling space, the stalls next to each other selling all kinds of fresh food, fragrant spices, and attractive pre-prepared dishes. You can easily find typical ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine such as fresh vegetables, fresh beef, fresh seafood, and especially spices such as shrimp paste, fish sauce, chili, etc.
Besides, Dong Xuan Market is also a paradise of street snacks. You can enjoy hot Banh Cuon, delicious bowls of Pho, or fragrant grilled skewers right at the stalls. Every street corner and every stall brings unique flavors that you cannot resist.
Hanoi Food Tours
One of the most interesting ways to explore Hanoi is to join a guided food tour. Not only can you enjoy the food, but you can also immerse yourself in the unique culinary culture of the Hanoi people.
Knowledgeable local guides will lead you to small streets and traditional family restaurants, where you have the opportunity to enjoy specialty dishes that are not easily found elsewhere.
Furthermore, they will share interesting stories about the origin, preparation, and cultural significance of each dish, helping you gain a deeper understanding of Hanoi cuisine. Some popular Hanoi food tours include old-town exploration tours, street food tours, high-end food tours, and themed food tours.
Hanoi Cuisine is a harmonious combination of tradition and modernity, rich flavor and sophistication. From simple street food to luxury restaurants, Hanoi is always ready to please every diner.
Take time to explore the small streets, enjoy the specialties, and feel the warmth of Hanoi people through each dish. Each dish has its own story and reflects the cultural beauty of the Hanoi people. Open your heart and experience to fully feel the flavor of Hanoi cuisine in your Vietnam tour.
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