Street Food in Hanoi, Vietnam

Top Hanoi Street Food You Must Know the Taste

10 December, 2017
Where to eat in Vietnam

Hanoi street food tour often treats you well with happy and full stomach thanks to a wide range of delicious street dishes in almost every corner. As Hanoi cuisine is diverse and rich due to seasons, this capital city has long been the promising land for the foodies worldwide. You are likely to come across many street vendors during the discovery; so, expect to taste some of the following remarkable street foods.

#1: Hanoi Pho (Phở) – The Most Popular Hanoi Street Food

“Pho” is the famous noodle soup with beef or chicken that is best sold in Hanoi – its cradle. No trip to the Vietnamese capital city will be complete without eating a bowl of Hanoi Pho. The outstanding “Pho” brands are Pho Bat Dan and Pho Thin whose selling prices are about USD$2/bowl. The nutrient, mouth-watering, and eye-catching bowl of Pho can enchant every patron from the first smell as well as first look. The fresh ingredients of beef, vegetables, herbs, onions, noodles, etc., make up the scrumptious set for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Sit on the 6-inch stool along the Hanoi Old Quarters or any street, you can expect to taste one of the best street food in Hanoi and Vietnam too. The glutinous broth, well-spiced beef or chicken, and yummy herbs convince people of the celebrated Hanoi Pho.

Pho Bo - Noodles soup with beef
Pho Bo – Noodles soup with beef

#2: Noodle with Grilled Pork (Bún Chả) – Authentic Street Food in Hanoi

The enchanting smell of the grilled pork allure the passerby on the Hanoi’s streets. Served with the awesome sauce – the soul of the dish, “Bun Cha” includes noodle, grilled pork, peanuts, vegetables, shallots, etc., for the fantastic bowl. Some gourmets love to wrap the grilled pork by lettuce leaves, dip the set into the fish sauce, and savor the whole. That is another way to eat this street food in Hanoi, besides the authentic bowl of “Bun Cha.”

Bun Cha (rice noodle with barbecued pork)
Bun Cha (rice noodle with barbecued pork)

#3: Empanada Dumpling (Bánh Gối) – Street Food for Teen in Hanoi

The name of this dumpling is due to its shape similar to the pillow. It covers the fillings of the minced pork, mushroom, quail egg, and taro vermicelli. People often eat this little cake for snacks and with vegetable as well as fish sauce. After being deep-fried, the “pillow cake” delivers the aromatic, crispy, and appetizing flavor that makes your Hanoi food tour full of sweet joy.

Empanada Dumpling in Hanoi (Bánh Gối)
Empanada Dumpling in Hanoi (Bánh Gối)

#4: Vietnamese Sandwich (Bánh Mì) – Feel The French Taste in Vietnam Street Food

The Hanoians definitely love hanging out on the local streets and gather at the street vendors to savor the Vietnamese sandwiches of grilled pork, omelet, pate, dried sausage, beefsteak, etc., with sweet herb, cucumber, and sauce. The capital city owns various excellent addresses that sell the most delicious sandwiches – the big favorites for many locals and overseas guests. It is quite normal to see large crowds at the outstanding eateries such as Banh Mi Nguyen Sinh (quite expensive yet worthy), Banh Mi Dinh Ngang, Banh Mi Beefsteak Hoa Ma, Goethe Doner Kebab, Banh Mi Pho Hue, Banh Mi Thit Xieng Nuong Quang Trung (with grilled pork), Banh Mi Beefsteak Hang Bai, Banh Mi Cha Le Dai Hanh (sandwich with sausage), and Banh Mi Chao Thai Thinh (pan-styled sandwich).

Vietnamese Sandwich in Hanoi (Bánh Mì)
Vietnamese Sandwich in Hanoi (Bánh Mì)

#5: Spring Rolls with Crabs (Nem Cua Bể) – Exotic Hanoi Street Meal

In the Hanoi style, the fried spring rolls with crabs are the local delicacy. The food is often served with rice paper, vegetables, and fish sauce. The roll itself covers the minced crab, pork, egg, mushroom, vermicelli, bean sprout, and seasonings. Often, it is made in the square shape and quite crunchy after being deep-fried. Besides having the roll wrapped in the rice paper, some patrons prefer eating this food with the rice noodles and pour fish sauce into the bowl.

Spring Rolls with Crabs (Nem Cua Bể)
Spring Rolls with Crabs (Nem Cua Bể)

#6: Cake with Shrimp (Bánh Tôm) – Elegant Street Food of Hanoians

The first bite of the Hanoi shrimp cake will make you fall in love with Hanoi Cuisine. The crispy cake with shrimp and rice flour are often consumed by dipping it into the sweet-sour fish sauce. You should taste it with some slices of carrot and papaya to enhance the joy. Particularly in the West Lake area, you see the food stalls selling “Banh Tom” which are often packed with the young patrons.

Cake with Shrimp (Bánh Tôm)
Cake with Shrimp (Bánh Tôm)

#7:  O Quan Chuong Flapjack (Bánh Rán Ô Quan Chưởng) – Food in Hanoi Old Quarter

O Quan Chuong is the well-known street of Hanoi Old Quarter, attracting the foodies for the addictive “Bánh Rán” (a kind of flapjack). The pieces with the filling of mung bean and sugar are sold very well. The hot and the crunchy food turns to be the fantastic snacks throughout the day. The little piece of cake decorated with sesame is often sold dozens and more per a purchase.

O Quan Chuong Flapjack (Bánh Rán Ô Quan Chưởng)
O Quan Chuong Flapjack (Bánh Rán Ô Quan Chưởng)

#8: Hang Trong Mixed Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Trộn Hàng Trống)

This refers to the rice paper mixed with slices of mango, quail eggs, chili, dried beef, spices, etc., to create the appetizing taste. “Banh Trang Tron” (the mixed rice paper) is the preferred snack of the local teenagers who enjoy this street food any time of the day. And, Hang Trong Street seems to be the most popular address to eat the dish over and over again. You might need to call to order in advance if coming with a big group.

Hang Trong Mixed Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Trộn Hàng Trống)
Hang Trong Mixed Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Trộn Hàng Trống)

#9: Pyramidal Rice Dumpling (Banh Giò)

Filled with minced pork, onion, mushroom, and seasonings, “Banh Gio” is the delicious meat pie that every Hanoian knows and feels proud of. The dumpling is quite popular in the local markets and streets. In particular, Nguyen Cong Tru and Luong Dinh Cua Streets own many stalls for this pie. Know that “Banh Gio” can be consumed with other ingredients like the fermented cucumber and carrot, sausage, etc.

Pyramidal Rice Dumpling (Banh Giò)
Pyramidal Rice Dumpling (Banh Giò)

Begin Your Street Food Tour in Hanoi

Hanoi is one of the best havens for food and cuisine in the world. The beautiful capital city of Vietnam has an impressive collection of the appetizing street food to amaze the visitors who want more time to eat more of the specialties. Come to know the actual tastes of the food recommended above so that your Vietnamese culinary experiences become authentic, rich, and special. Try as many dishes as possible while you are walking on the Hanoi Old Quarter as well as the local streets and markets. Each step you make in Hanoi, you will meet the inspiring eateries to order the yummy food. Sit on the plastic stool and have the happy Hanoi street food tour soon!

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