Top 10 Street Foods Every Traveler Should Taste in Hanoi

22/09/2025

Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for being both healthy and flavorful, thanks to its abundant use of fresh herbs, greens, rice, noodles, seafood, pork, and beef. Some of the most authentic and delicious dishes can be found at street stalls, bustling markets, and humble local eateries.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through Hanoi’s top 10 must-try street food dishes, including recommended places to taste them and their typical price ranges, so you can enjoy the city’s culinary delights like a local.

10 Must-Try Street Food Dishes in Hanoi

Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, captivates visitors with its beautiful attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ho Chi Minh Complex, and the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. But to make your Hanoi trip truly memorable, don’t miss the chance to experience its incredible street food — a delicious gateway to understanding Vietnamese culture and daily life.

Hanoi’s street food delights the senses with a burst of flavors and aromas, offering some of the freshest, healthiest, and most flavorful dishes in the world. In this guide, we’ll introduce 10 highly recommended street food dishes in Hanoi, complete with locations and price ranges. Whether you prefer to explore on your own or join a guided Hanoi street food tour, this list will help you discover the city’s culinary gems efficiently and deliciously.

1. Pho – Hanoi’s Iconic Rice Noodle Soup (Beef or Chicken)

Pho is one of Vietnam’s most famous dishes and is often considered the country’s national dish. While you can find Pho throughout Vietnam, Hanoi is the ultimate place to taste this iconic noodle soup. Traditionally, Pho is made with four key ingredients: clear broth, rice noodles, meat (beef or chicken), and fresh herbs. No trip to Hanoi is complete without savoring a bowl of Pho, making it a must-try dish for any traveler seeking an authentic Hanoian culinary experience.

Chicken Pho (Pho Ga) – Recommended Restaurants

Pho Ga Ta Linh Phung – Free-Range Chicken Noodle Soup

Address: 7 Dinh Liet, Hanoi Old Quarter
Price: 50,000 – 80,000 VND per bowl
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Pho Ga Cham – Cham Chicken Noodle

Address: 63 Yen Ninh Street, Hanoi
Price: 60,000 – 100,000 VND per serving
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (or until sold out)

Pho Ga Ban

Address: 72 Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da District
Price: 40,000 VND per bowl (higher for organs or eggs)
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Beef Pho (Pho Bo) – Recommended Restaurants

Pho Thìn

Address: 13 Lo Duc Street, Hai Ba Trung District
Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per person
Opening hours: 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Pho Suong – Branch 1: 24B Trung Yen Alley, Dinh Liet Street

Price: 40,000 – 50,000 VND per bowl
Opening hours: 5:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Pho Vui

Address: 25 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District
Price: 60,000 – 85,000 VND per person
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Pho Nho

Address: 27A Huynh Thuc Khang, Dong Da District (30–40 min from Old Quarter)
Price: 33,000 VND per bowl (beef Pho), 50,000 VND per stir-fried noodles
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Pho Ly Quoc Su

Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi Old Quarter
Price: 45,000 – 60,000 VND per bowl
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Pho Gia Truyen Ban Dan

Address: 49 Bat Dan, Hanoi Old Quarter
Price: 50,000 – 70,000 VND per bowl
Opening hours: 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Rolled Pho (Pho Cuon) – Recommended Restaurant

Pho Cuon Hung Ben

Address: 33 Ngu Xa Street, Ba Dinh District
Price: 20,000 – 55,000 VND per portion
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

2. Bun Cha – Hanoi’s Famous BBQ Pork with Rice Noodles & Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Another must-try street food dish in Hanoi is Bun Cha, a flavorful and interactive meal. Hanoi-style Bun Cha features grilled pork patties and slices of barbecued pork served in a warm, sweet, and tangy fish sauce broth, accompanied by rice noodles and fresh herbs. Many diners also enjoy Nem (Vietnamese fried spring rolls) as a tasty side.

Bun Cha gained international fame when President Obama and Anthony Bourdain shared a meal at a local Hanoi restaurant in 2016, making it one of Vietnam’s most celebrated dishes.

Where to Enjoy the Best Bun Cha in Hanoi

Bun Cha Dac Kim

Address: 1 Hang Manh, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
Price: 80,000 – 120,000 VND

Bun Cha Huong Lien (Bun Cha Obama)

Address: 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
Price: 45,000 – 80,000 VND

Bun Cha Tuyet

Address: 34 Hang Than Street, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
Price: 35,000 – 50,000 VND

3. Bun Bo Nam Bo – Southern-Style Stirred Beef Noodles

Bun Bo Nam Bo, also known as stirred beef vermicelli, is a simple yet elegant Vietnamese dish that contrasts with the rich broth of Pho. Instead of a soup base, this dish features a flavorful sauce combined with fresh vegetables, bean sprouts, fried onions, and roasted peanuts.

The beef is marinated in sugar, fish sauce, pepper, and other seasonings. When ordered, it’s quickly stirred to preserve heat, tenderness, and flavor. The sauce, typically made from fish sauce, sugar, lemon, and chili, is where each restaurant showcases its unique secret recipe, giving their Bun Bo Nam Bo a distinct taste.

Where to Enjoy Bun Bo Nam Bo in Hanoi

Bun Bo Nam Bo Bach Phuong

Address: 67 Hang Dieu Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Price: 35,000 – 60,000 VND per bowl

Bun Bo Nam Bo Co Tuan

Address: 47 Tran Quoc Toan, Hoan Kiem District
Opening Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Price: 35,000 VND per bowl

Bun Bo Nam Bo – 3 Ngo Huyen Street

Address: 3 Ngo Huyen Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 40,000 VND per bowl

4. Lau – Vietnamese Hot Pot

Lau (hot pot), similar to the steamboat found in Indonesia, Singapore, or Malaysia, is a communal dining experience featuring a simmering pot of broth at the center of the table. Diners cook fresh ingredients directly in the pot, enjoying them piping hot as they are prepared.

In Vietnam, hot pot meals are especially popular during the winter or for dinner gatherings. Vietnamese cuisine offers a wide variety of hot pots, including chicken, seafood, beef, fish, or mixed combinations, each with its own distinctive flavor and ingredients that cannot be easily substituted.

Where to Enjoy the Best Lau in Hanoi

Quan Lau Thang Beo

Address: 34B Pham Hong Thai Street, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 100,000 – 200,000 VND per person

Phung Hung Pho Restaurant

Address: 10 Phung Hung Street, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND per person

Song Ha Crab Hotpot

Address: 685 Lac Long Quan Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 150,000 – 170,000 VND per person

5. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls of Hanoi

Banh Cuon is a beloved specialty of Hanoi and Northern Vietnam. These delicate steamed rice rolls are made from thin sheets of fermented rice batter, filled with seasoned ground pork and wood ear mushrooms. They are then topped with crispy fried shallots and served with a side of fresh herbs, sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, Vietnamese pork sausage (gio lua), and nuoc cham (flavored fish sauce) for a complete taste experience.

Where to Enjoy the Best Banh Cuon in Hanoi

Banh Cuon Thanh Van

Address: 12-14 Hang Ga Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 45,000 – 60,000 VND

Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh

Address: 66 To Hien Thanh Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily
Price: 30,000 – 60,000 VND

Banh Cuon Ba Xuan

Address: 16 Hoe Nhai Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 20,000 – 50,000 VND

6. Cha Ca – Hanoi’s Famous Grilled Fish

Cha Ca is a must-try specialty for anyone visiting Hanoi. This iconic dish is so popular that most travelers make it a point to taste it at least once during their trip. Cha Ca features grilled fish served with bun (vermicelli), fresh herbs like rau hung lang (basil) and thi la (dill), roasted peanuts, green onions (hanh la), and a meticulously prepared shrimp paste (mam tom).

The mam tom sauce is made by combining sugar, shrimp paste, distilled wine, hot oil, chili, and lemon juice, carefully mixed and stirred until it foams. The fish, usually Ca Lang (Hemibagrus) or Ca Qua (Channidae), is sliced into fillets, marinated in a secret blend of ingredients, and lightly pan-fried before being served, ensuring a rich and aromatic flavor.

Where to Taste the Best Cha Ca in Hanoi

Cha Ca La Vong

Address: 14 Cha Ca Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 175,000 VND

Cha Ca Thang Long

Address: 19, 21 & 23 Duong Thanh Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 150,000 VND

Cha Ca Anh Vu

Address: 120 Giang Vo Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: 130,000 VND

7. Xoi Yen – Hanoi’s Beloved Sticky Rice

Xoi Yen is a favorite spot among Hanoians for enjoying authentic sticky rice (Xôi). Xôi can be either sweet or savory, topped with a variety of ingredients such as chicken and eggs, lean pork paste, or roasted cinnamon pork ham.

Xoi Yen is particularly famous for its Xoi Xeo, a flavorful sticky rice dish served with mung beans and crispy fried shallots. This dish is commonly enjoyed as a main meal and is a popular breakfast choice in Hanoi, offering a true taste of local flavors.

Location & Details:

Address: 35 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Price: 28,000 – 50,000 VND per bowl

8. Banh Mi – Hanoi’s Iconic Vietnamese Baguette

Banh Mi is one of the most famous Vietnamese dishes known worldwide. While the word literally means “bread,” it commonly refers to the Vietnamese-style sandwich.

A crisp French baguette is sliced lengthwise and filled with a variety of tasty ingredients such as liver pâté, fried eggs, barbecued pork, pickled vegetables, cucumber slices, and a drizzle of chili sauce. This light yet flavorful sandwich is typically enjoyed as a snack or quick meal, and you can customize it with your favorite fillings.

Where to Taste the Best Banh Mi in Hanoi:

Banh Mi 25
- Address: 25 Hang Ca Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
- Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Price: 25,000 – 30,000 VND
Banh Mi Tram
- Address: 252 Cua Nam Street, Hanoi
- Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Price: 25,000 – 40,000 VND
Banh Mi Minh Nhat
- Address: 3 Hang Khay Street, Hanoi
- Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Price: 20,000 – 40,000 VND

9. Banh Tom – Hanoi’s Famous Fried Shrimp Cake at West Lake

Banh Tom (fried shrimp cake) is a quintessential Hanoi street food dish and has been recommended by CNN Travel as a must-try for visitors to the city.

The best place to taste Banh Tom is at the West Lake Shrimp Cake Restaurant, widely recognized as the birthplace of this iconic dish. Originating in the 1930s, street vendors along Thanh Nien (Youth) Road first served this simple yet flavorful cake made from fresh shrimp caught in West Lake. Over time, it has become a beloved specialty of Hanoi.

The crispy golden flour coating perfectly complements the sweet and succulent shrimp inside, creating a distinctive and irresistible flavor. The dish is served hot with fresh herbs, pickled carrots and green papaya, and accompanied by a sweet, sour, and spicy dipping sauce, making it a true treat for the senses.

Where to Try:

West Lake Shrimp Cake Restaurant
- Address: 1 Thanh Nien Street, Hanoi
- Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Price: 80,000 – 120,000 VND per person

10. Cafe Trung – Hanoi’s Iconic Egg Coffee

Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) is a unique Hanoi specialty and a must-try beverage for anyone visiting the city. When it comes to tasting egg coffee in Hanoi, Giang Cafe is the top destination, often regarded as serving the best in town.

Founded in 1946 by Mr. Nguyen Giang, Giang Cafe created this innovative drink during a milk shortage, using egg yolk as a creamy substitute. The result is a rich and velvety beverage combining the strong aroma of coffee, the silky texture of egg yolk, and the sweetness of condensed milk—a truly comforting and memorable drink.

Where to Try:

Giang Cafe
- Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hanoi Old Quarter
- Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Price: 40,000 VND per cup

We hope this guide to the top 10 street food dishes you must try in Hanoi helps make your upcoming trip even more enjoyable. Exploring Hanoi’s famous attractions and tasting its authentic street food will create unforgettable experiences and stories to share with friends and family.

If you are planning a trip to Hanoi and need travel services, Hanoi tour packages, or car rental to explore the city and its surroundings, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us via WhatsApp at +84.988451530 or email [email protected]. Our team of travel experts will provide professional support, useful advice, and personalized recommendations to make your Hanoi adventure smooth and memorable.

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Top 10 Street Foods Every Traveler Should Taste in Hanoi

10 Must-Try Street Food Dishes in Hanoi

1. Pho – Hanoi’s Iconic Rice Noodle Soup (Beef or Chicken)

Chicken Pho (Pho Ga) – Recommended Restaurants

Beef Pho (Pho Bo) – Recommended Restaurants

Rolled Pho (Pho Cuon) – Recommended Restaurant

2. Bun Cha – Hanoi’s Famous BBQ Pork with Rice Noodles & Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Where to Enjoy the Best Bun Cha in Hanoi

3. Bun Bo Nam Bo – Southern-Style Stirred Beef Noodles

Where to Enjoy Bun Bo Nam Bo in Hanoi

4. Lau – Vietnamese Hot Pot

Where to Enjoy the Best Lau in Hanoi

5. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls of Hanoi

Where to Enjoy the Best Banh Cuon in Hanoi

6. Cha Ca – Hanoi’s Famous Grilled Fish

Where to Taste the Best Cha Ca in Hanoi

7. Xoi Yen – Hanoi’s Beloved Sticky Rice

8. Banh Mi – Hanoi’s Iconic Vietnamese Baguette

9. Banh Tom – Hanoi’s Famous Fried Shrimp Cake at West Lake

10. Cafe Trung – Hanoi’s Iconic Egg Coffee

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