Hanoi, the bustling heart of Vietnam, is a food lover's paradise brimming with vibrant street food stalls, cozy eateries, and hidden gems serving up the most authentic Vietnamese flavors. From the rich, aromatic bowls of Phở to the crisp, savory delights of Bánh Gối, Hanoi’s food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this guide will take you through the top 15 must-try Vietnamese foods and drinks that capture the essence of Hanoi’s culinary culture. Get ready to indulge in the unforgettable tastes of Vietnam! And if you’re looking for more recommendations for what to do and see in Hanoi, check out our Hanoi Travel Itinerary! Or explore beyond Hanoi with our Ninh Binh Travel Guide and Halong Bay Travel Tips!
⬇️ Watch our “Hanoi Food Tour” video for a closer look at our experience! ⬇️
If navigating a self-guided food tour through the busy streets of Hanoi sounds like daunting task, then book your own private food tour like we did!
Still looking for the perfect accommodations for your visit to Hanoi? Check out these recommendations…
⭐⭐⭐⭐ L’HÔTEL du LAC Hanoi
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solaria Hotel
⭐⭐⭐ Hanoi La Selva Hotel (where we stayed)
Or, use the map below to find the perfect stay for you!
Pho (Phở)
This traditional Vietnamese noodle dish is without a doubt the most popular Vietnamese dish around the world. It consists of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually either beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). It's known for its rich, aromatic broth made by simmering beef bones, oxtails, and various spices, including star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs, lime, and chili. Pho is often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or lunch and is the epitome of Vietnamese comfort food.
Where: Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su (10 P. Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm) or Pho Ga 26 (26 P. Lương Văn Can, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm)
Banh Mi (Bánh Mì)
Probably the second most popular Vietnamese food outside Vietnam, the Banh Mi is a sandwich that combines French and Vietnamese culinary influences. It features a crispy, airy baguette filled with savory ingredients like grilled pork, pate, or cold cuts, along with pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, chili, and a smear of mayonnaise. The contrasting textures and balance of flavors—crunchy bread, tangy pickles, and flavorful meats—make Banh Mi an iconic Vietnamese street food that should be on everyone’s “must-eat” list when visiting Hanoi.
Where: Banh Mi 25 (25 P. Hàng Cá, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm) or any one of the hundreds of Banh Mi shops peppered throughout the city!
Bun Cha (Bún Chả)
Bun Cha is a classic Vietnamese dish originating in Hanoi, featuring grilled pork served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime, garlic, and chili. The dish typically includes savory pork patties and slices of marinated pork belly, all grilled over charcoal for a smoky flavor. When eating Bun Cha, the goal is to get a little bit of everything in one bite and let the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy take you to euphoria! I was hooked after one bite and now, months later, I still crave this dish. Needless to say, Bun Cha was my favorite thing we ate in Vietnam.
Where: Bún Chả Hương Liên (24 P. Lê Văn Hưu, Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Bà Trưng)
Or Bún Chả Bình Minh - Nem Cua Bể (23 P. Bát Sứ, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm)
Nem Hai San (Nem Hải Sản)
Nem Hai San is a fried seafood spring roll that features a hearty filling of mixed seafood, often including shrimp, squid, and fish, combined with vegetables and herbs. Wrapped in rice paper, these rolls are deep-fried until golden and crispy, resulting in a crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender seafood inside. Add to it the tangy dipping sauce and it’s easy to see why Nem Hai San is a popular choice for an appetizer or snack.
Where: Bún Chả Hương Liên (24 P. Lê Văn Hưu, Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Bà Trưng) or Bun Cha Ta Hanoi (21 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm)
Goi Cuon (Gỏi Cuốn)
Goi Cuon, also known as fresh spring rolls or rice paper rolls, are light and refreshing rolls made with translucent rice paper filled with a variety of fresh ingredients. Common fillings include shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and a medley of herbs and crisp vegetables like lettuce and mint. These rolls are typically served cold and accompanied by a flavorful dipping sauce, such as hoisin or peanut sauce. Goi Cuon offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making them a popular appetizer or light meal in Vietnamese cuisine.
Where: Ky Dong Restaurant (140 P. Nguyễn Khuyến, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa) or Tung's Kitchen (2 P. Hàng Bông, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm)
Bahn Cuon (Bánh Cuốn)
Banh Cuon is a delicate breakfast dish made of thin, steamed rice flour crepes filled with a savory mixture of minced pork, mushrooms, and shallots. The soft, translucent rolls are typically served with a side of fresh herbs, crispy fried shallots, and nước chấm—a tangy dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime, garlic, and chili.
Where: Traditional Banh Cuon Nong - Pho Bo 14B Bao Khanh (14B P. Báo Khánh, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm)
Ca Phe Trung (Cà Phê Trứng)
Ca Phe Trung, or “Egg Coffee”, is a unique and creamy coffee treat that originated in Hanoi that is made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk, creating a frothy, custard-like topping over a strong, dark coffee base. The combination of the rich, velvety egg foam and bold coffee results in a decadent, dessert-like drink that's sweet, smooth, and satisfying. A couple of other coffee favorites you’ll find in throughout Vietnam are Coconut Coffee (coffee with sweetened condensed milk and coconut milk or coconut cream) and Salt Coffee (creamy mixture of condensed milk, salt, and coffee–my personal favorite)
Where: Cafe Dinh (13 P. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm) or Cafe Giang (39 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm). Đoàn Gia Cafe (for Salt Coffee – 140 P. Nguyễn Khuyến, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa)
Kem Xoi (Kem Xôi)
Kem Xoi is a distinctly Vietnamese dessert that consists of creamy coconut ice cream served over sticky rice. The sticky rice, often infused with pandan leaves for a light green color and subtle fragrance, adds a chewy texture that contrasts with the soft ice cream. It's typically garnished with roasted peanuts or shredded coconut which add an extra layer of texture, making Kem Xoi a perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and nutty flavors and soft, chewy, and crunchy textures. And if sticky rice with your ice cream is a bit too far out of your comfort zone, then order the Hoa Qua Dam… a fruit salad mixed with condensed milk or coconut milk, topped with crushed ice.
Where: Sinh tố Hoa Béo (17 P. Tố Tịch, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm)
Nem Nuong Cuon/Nha Trang
(Nem Nướng Cuốn/Nha Trang)
Nem Nuong Cuon consists of grilled pork sausage (nem nướng) wrapped in soft rice paper with fresh herbs, vermicelli noodles, and crispy vegetables served with a dipping sauce made from hoisin, peanut, or fish sauce, adding a savory and slightly sweet kick. Traditionally, Nem Nuong Cuon is served as a DIY platter allowing you to take control of how much smoky grilled pork, fresh ingredients, and the dipping sauce you get in each delicious bite!
Where: Nem Nuong Nha Trang Que Hoa (23 P. Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm)
Nom Thit Bo Kho (Nộm Thịt Bò Khô)
What: Nom Bo Kho (also called Nộm Bò Thịt Khô), is a salad made with thin slices of dried, seasoned beef (bo kho), mixed with shredded green papaya, fresh herbs, and crunchy peanuts. It’s typically dressed with a tangy and sweet fish sauce-based dressing which helps balance the smoky, savory beef with the freshness of the vegetables and the brightness of the green papaya. This unique and refreshing dish and its blend of textures and bold flavors offer a unique taste of Hanoi.
Where: Long Vi Dung - Nom Thit Bo Kho (23 P. Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm)
Pho Ga Kho (Phở Gà Khô )
Also known as "dry chicken pho," Pho Ga Kho is a noodle dish that serves the components of traditional pho separately. It features tender chicken pieces, rice noodles, and fresh herbs, but instead of being served in a broth, the noodles are tossed in a light sauce. A side of chicken broth is served separately for sipping or dipping. This dish, offering a flavorful and less soupy twist on the classic pho, quickly became a favorite of ours!
Where: Phở Hà Hàng Hòm (15 P. Hàng Hòm, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm)
Pho Cuon (Phở Cuốn)
Pho Cuon, or Pho Roll, consists of wide, uncut pho noodles rolled around slices of stir-fried beef, fresh herbs, and crispy vegetables. These soft rice paper-like rolls are typically served with a tangy dipping sauce made from fish sauce, garlic, lime, and chili. The combination of fresh greens and savory beef offers a delicious, non-soupy alternative to traditional pho, making it perfect for a light meal or snack.
Where: Cửa hàng bánh gối Lý Quốc Sư (52 P. Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm)
Banh Goi (Bánh Gối)
Banh Goi (AKA Banh Xep and Banh Quai Vac, or “pillow cake”) is a fried pastry that resembles a crescent or pillow shape, very similar to the Spanish Empanada. Made from a flaky, golden-brown dough, it is typically filled with a savory mixture of minced pork, mushrooms, glass noodles, and vegetables, seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. After being folded and sealed, the cakes are deep-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Of all the fried treats we tried in Vietnam, this was one of our favorites!
Where: Cửa hàng bánh gối Lý Quốc Sư (52 P. Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm)
Tra Da (Trà Đá)
Tra Da is a light and refreshing iced tea typically made from green or jasmine tea and served unsweetened. A variation of Tra Da is Tra Chanh, or iced lemon tea, which is made by blending green or black tea with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a touch of sugar. Additionally, there’s Tra Quat, an iced tea made by mixing kumquat juice with green or black tea and sugar. You’ll likely find a variety of other fruit teas offered throughout the city as well, but the bright citrus flavor of the kumquat in the Tra Quat added a zesty kick and was probably our favorite of the different teas we tried in Vietnam.
Where: Practically any cafe or restaurant!
Banh Ran (Bánh Rán)
Banh Ran is a popular fried pastry, typically filled with sweet mung bean paste. The exterior is made from glutinous rice flour, giving it a crispy and chewy texture. After frying, the Banh Ran is often coated with sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor. You’ll find both sweet and savory versions, but the sweet version –filled with mung bean– has a lightly sweet, nutty flavor, and is the most popular Banh Ran variety from our experience.
Where: Practically everywhere! You’ll see street vendors peddling these sweet treats all over town.
We hope that this guide has helped you navigate the vibrant food scene in Hanoi, and if it has, we hope you’ll consider following us on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel for more travel content!
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