1. Banh Mi (Hanoi Bread)

“Banh Mi” is arguably the best street food in Hanoi Old Quarter. It is an iconic Vietnamese sandwich that perfectly blends French and Vietnamese flavors. The crispy baguette is generously filled with a variety of ingredients such as pâté, grilled pork, fried eggs, and fresh herbs, creating a delightful balance of textures and flavors. Each bite offers a unique culinary experience that visitors won’t forget.

Beyond the traditional Banh Mi, there are also exciting variations to try. Banh Mi Chao is a sizzling plate version where the filling is served on a hot pan, paired with bread for dipping. Alternatively, try the tasty Banh Mi Que, a thin, crispy baguette filled with rich pâté and spicy chili sauce-perfect for a quick snack.

Both locals and expats agree that the best banh mi in Hanoi is Banh Mi 25, famous for its diverse fillings and signature sauces. Another great choice is Banh Mi Pate Co Ha 1, which combines traditional banh mi and modern flavors. The pate is made with a family recipe, rich and flavorful, combined with innovative ingredients such as egg mayonnaise, bacon, or cheese.

Traditional Hanoi banh mi always ensures a crispy exterior, soft interior, and a generous filling (Source: Pexels)

2. Pho Bo (Beef Pho)

Pho is Vietnam’s most famous noodle soup, made with a flavorful beef or chicken broth, rice noodles, and aromatic herbs. The slow-cooked broth is rich and deeply satisfying, making it a comforting dish loved by both locals and visitors. Pho can be accompanied with soft-boiled eggs, crispy fried breadsticks (quay), and a squeeze of fresh lime, creating a rich and diverse culinary experience.

Pho, the quintessential dish of Vietnamese cuisine, is a steaming bowl of rice noodles bathed in a rich, aromatic broth (Source: Pexels)

Beyond the traditional pho soup, Hanoi offers exciting variations of this beloved dish. “Pho Tron” combines tender rice noodles, beef, fresh herbs, and a tangy-sweet sauce, creating a refreshing and flavorful experience. “Pho Cuon” features soft rice noodle sheets wrapped around beef and fresh greens, served with a savory dipping sauce. For a crispy twist, “Pho chien phong” presents deep-fried pho squares paired with a rich, braised beef sauce, a unique take on the classic dish.

Pho Cuon (fresh spring rolls with beef) and Pho Tron (mixed noodle salad), showcasing the diverse ways pho can be enjoyed beyond the traditional soup (Source: Pexels)

Head to Pho Bat Dan and Pho Thin are must-visit spots. Pho Bat Dan is famous for its intensely flavored broth, slow-simmered from beef bones for many hours, creating a sweet, deep flavor. The beef here is sliced into large pieces, tender and sweet, retaining its freshness. The restaurant has a classic feel, with a simple space, creating a familiar feeling for diners. However, there are often long lines of people waiting to enjoy it.

Pho Thin is characterized by its rich, fragrant broth, prepared according to a family recipe. The beef is stir-fried, tender and sweet, with a rich flavor, creating a difference from other pho restaurants. The restaurant only has stir-fried beef, no cooked beef. The restaurant has a small, cozy space, always bustling with customers.

This pho with its clear, sweet broth, fragrant with ginger and scallions, is a dish that visitors cannot miss (Source: Pexels)

3. Bun Cha

“Bun Cha” is a flavorful Vietnamese dish featuring grilled pork patties and caramelized pork belly, served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a tangy-sweet dipping sauce. The perfect balance of smoky, savory, and refreshing flavors makes Bun Cha an iconic dish of Hanoi’s cuisine that no visitor should miss.

Head to Bun Cha Huong Lien for a “Combo Obama” that’s as pleasing in the belly as it is to the eye. Or, sink your teeth into bun cha at Bun Cha Dac Kim, a long-standing restaurant in the heart of the Old Quarter that preserves the traditional taste of this tasty dish for generations.

Grilled pork patties served with fresh rice vermicelli, herbs, and a tangy sweet and sour dipping sauce, a perfect combination (Source: Canva)

The fragrant grilled pork in bun cha, is enticing and full of the Old Quarter's culinary essence (Source: Pexels)

4. Chao Suon (Pork Rib Porridge)

This heartwarming dish features creamy and smooth slow-cooked rice porridge infused with the rich and savory flavors of tender pork ribs that melt in your mouth. To elevate its texture and flavor, the dish is topped with crispy crullers (quay), adding a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the velvety porridge. A sprinkle of fresh green onions and a dash of white pepper completes the dish, making it the perfect comfort food, especially on chilly days

If you're craving something to feed for the soul, look no further than Chao Suon Co La, a famous late-night spot loved by locals. Other hotspots include Chao Suon Ba Loi Cong, a small but well-loved eatery known for its authentic and flavorful porridge, making it a favorite among visitors.

Pork rib porridge - A dish suitable for chilly days

5. Bun Dau Mam Tom (Vermicelli With Tofu And Shrimp Paste)

“Bun Dau Mam Tom” is a distinctive and flavorful dish in Hanoi’s culinary scene, featuring crispy fried tofu, fresh vermicelli noodles, boiled pork, and shrimp paste sauce. This dish is often served on a round tray, creating a characteristic and appealing image. The shrimp paste is specially prepared, giving the dish its bold and unforgettable taste. However, for those unfamiliar with shrimp paste, a milder alternative is sweetened fish sauce, which is just as delicious.

In addition, to enhance the richness of the dish, many eateries also add cha com (young rice nuggets), fried spring rolls, pork sausage, and characteristic vegetables such as cucumbers and perilla, creating a delicious meal.

An enticing platter of bun dau with all the ingredients, full of Hanoi's culinary character (Source: Pexels)

For an authentic Bun Dau Mam Tom experience, visit Bun Dau Hang Khay, famous for its rich and aromatic shrimp paste. Another great option is Bun Dau Mam Tom Co Hoa 25 Au Trieu, where the tofu is fried to crispy perfection, maintaining its softness inside, accompanied by soft vermicelli noodles and delicious boiled pork. In particular, the restaurant is also famous for selecting fresh ingredients daily, ensuring the traditional flavor and highest quality for each serving of bun dau.

Bun dau is served with fermented shrimp paste, which has a distinctive and unforgettable flavor (Source: Pexels)

6. Bun Oc (Snail Vermicelli)

This Hanoi vermicelli specialty is a must when visiting the capital. The broth is slow-cooked with tomatoes, shallots, and spices, creating a rich, tangy-sweet flavor. The combination of chewy snails, the refreshing acidity of tomatoes, and the fragrant fresh herbs makes this dish a must-try for food lovers.

Head to Bun Oc Ba Luong, renowned for its rich, flavorful broth with a touch of spice, earning praise from both locals and visitors. Another must-try is Bun Oc Co Them, a beloved traditional eatery cherished by Hanoi residents. Each spot brings its own unique twist to this iconic dish, ensuring a memorable culinary adventure.

Spicy and sour broth, crunchy snails, a refreshing dish (Source: Canva)

7. Bun Ngan (Goose Noodle)

“Bun Ngan” is a lesser-known yet flavorful Vietnamese noodle dish, featuring fresh rice noodles paired with tender duck meat. Regardless of the method, the meat is cooked to perfect tenderness, ensuring its natural sweetness and rich flavor, making every bite irresistible.

Head to Bun Ngan Nhan is famous for its tender, juicy duck meat with a rich flavor, accompanied by a broth simmered from duck bones, with a characteristic aroma and natural sweetness, and a cozy, quintessentially Hanoi atmosphere. Meanwhile, Bun Ngan Hang Thiec Dung Huyen is known for its rich broth with an unmistakable signature flavor, duck meat prepared according to a family recipe, offering an irresistible delicious taste, and the restaurant is always bustling with customers, a testament to the excellent quality of the dish.

Bun ngan with tender duck meat and a rich broth

8. Bun Thang (Vermicelli Thang)

“Bun Thang” is a signature dish of Northern Vietnam, featuring a harmonious blend of fresh rice noodles, Vietnamese pork sausage, thinly sliced egg crepes, shredded chicken, and an aromatic broth. The broth is carefully simmered with chicken bones and dried shrimp, creating a naturally sweet and savory flavor that offers a warm and satisfying culinary experience.

If you want to enjoy the authentic taste of traditional Bun Thang, Bun Thang Lan Lun is a must-visit. Bun Thang Lan Lun is famous for its special broth, simmered from chicken bones and dried shrimp, creating a natural, unforgettable sweetness, along with the freshest ingredients, from pork sausage, thinly sliced ​​egg, free-range chicken, to herbs. The restaurant has preserved the family recipe for many generations, bringing the traditional Bun Thang flavor, the standard taste of old Hanoi, in a space imbued with the old Hanoi style, creating a cozy and familiar feeling for diners.

A complete bowl of bun thang must have Vietnamese coriander and chili peppers on the side (Source: Pexels)

9. Cha Ca (Fishcake)

“Cha Ca” is a famous Hanoi specialty, made from fresh catfish fillets marinated with turmeric and distinctive spices, then grilled over charcoal to perfect doneness. The highlight of this dish lies in its preparation and enjoyment. After grilling, the fish is presented on a sizzling cast-iron skillet, stir-fried with dill and green onions, creating an enticing aroma. When eating, the cha ca is dipped in shrimp paste mixed with lemon and chili, served with vermicelli, herbs, and roasted peanuts, creating a rich and unforgettable flavor combination.

A pan of golden-brown fried fish cake, enticing and full of the Old Quarter's culinary essence (Source: Canva)

If you want to experience the authentic taste of Hanoi's Cha Ca, come to the two most famous addresses in the capital, where each restaurant has its own secret, creating unforgettable culinary experiences. Cha Ca La Vong is a legendary restaurant, famous for its long-standing family recipe, passed down through generations, preparing Cha Ca from fresh hemibagrus fish, meticulously marinated with spices, grilled over charcoal, retaining its natural sweetness and characteristic aroma, in a space imbued with ancient features, creating a cozy and nostalgic feeling.

Meanwhile, Cha Ca Thang Long is a restaurant loved by both locals and tourists, famous for its generous portions and authentic taste, preparing Cha Ca from fresh fish, marinated with rich spices, fried to a golden crisp, served with vermicelli, herbs and roasted peanuts, in a spacious and airy restaurant space, suitable for gatherings with friends and family.

Not only is it fragrant, delicious, and rich, but cha ca also carry many traditional cultural features of Hanoi people (Source: Canva)

10. Mien Luon (Eel Noodle Soup)

“Mien Luon” is a savory and nutritious dish made with glass noodles, crispy-fried or stir-fried eel, and a rich, aromatic broth. The highlight of this dish lies in its versatile enjoyment, with two main variations is soup-based Mien Luon and mixed Mien Luon (dry noodles). The broth is slow-cooked from eel bones and spices, creating a naturally sweet and flavorful taste that is both warming and nourishing perfect for chilly days.

For the best Mien Luon experience, don't miss the famous Mien Luon address in the Old Quarter, Mien Luon Dong Thinh, famous for its crispy fried eel, delicious, served with rich broth, simmered from eel bones and characteristic spices. The eel here is processed meticulously, retaining its natural sweetness and not fishy. The restaurant space is cozy, imbued with the old Hanoi style, creating a familiar feeling for diners.

In addition, you can visit Mien Luon Chan Cam, a restaurant loved for its soft, sweet stir-fried eel, rich in flavor, served with delicate, sweet broth. The eel here is stir-fried with fresh vegetables, creating a balance of flavors. The restaurant has a spacious and airy space, suitable for gatherings with friends and family.

Hanoi eel vermicelli is a traditional Vietnamese dish, made from eel, vermicelli, herbs and rich broth (Source: Canva)

If you’re still wondering what to do in Hanoi, just follow your nose and start eating your way through the old quarter in Hanoi, a bustling maze of street food vendors, traditional eateries, and centuries-old architecture. With the help of a good Map of Old Quarter Hanoi: Navigate the Maze Like a Local, you’ll easily uncover hidden culinary gems and cozy cafes tucked into narrow alleys. Don’t forget to cap off your food adventure at Ta Hien beer street Hanoi, where locals and travelers gather every night for cold beer, sizzling snacks, and unbeatable people-watching vibes.

For more travel tips, detailed guides on top attractions, and local food recommendations, visit Vietnam Airlines’ official website and explore our curated travel insights.