Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam, captivates visitors not only with its ancient beauty and tree-lined streets but also with its incredibly unique street food scene. Here, traditional flavors blend with the vibrant pace of life, creating a colorful culinary tapestry that enchants anyone who sets foot here. If you are a food lover seeking authentic taste experiences, join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to explore the best street food stalls in Hanoi, where the quintessential flavors of the capital are spread in the most genuine way.
Hanoi’s street food is not just delicious dishes; it’s also a part of the culture, a way of life deeply rooted in the consciousness of its people. From vendors weaving through small alleys to bustling sidewalk eateries, each place offers a story, a unique flavor. What’s special is the freshness, lightness, and perfect balance in each dish. Hanoi’s street food chefs always prioritize fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation, and delicate seasoning, creating dishes that are not only delicious but also good for health. Let’s explore these “hidden gems” of Hanoi’s street food, where you can fully enjoy the unique and unforgettable flavors of the capital.
Top Hanoi Street Food Stalls – A Culinary Journey You Can’t Miss
1. Bánh Đúc Nóng – Warm Comfort on a Cold Hanoi Day
Bánh đúc nóng (hot bánh đúc) is a familiar snack, especially loved on cold winter days in Hanoi. This dish brings warmth from within, with soft, smooth, and fragrant bánh đúc made from rice flour and tapioca starch. The highlight of bánh đúc nóng is the savory minced pork topping, combined with crunchy wood ear mushrooms. When served, the bánh đúc is generously topped with hot, sweet and sour fish sauce, a sprinkle of fragrant fried shallots, and fresh green cilantro, creating a harmonious and irresistible flavor.
Bánh đúc nóng is not only a delicious dish but also evokes childhood memories, of afternoons after school when mothers would buy a hot bowl of bánh. Despite many variations and versions, traditional Hanoi bánh đúc nóng still holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
Recommended Bánh Đúc Nóng Spots:
- Bánh Đúc Nóng Lê Ngọc Hân: 8 Alley 8B Lê Ngọc Hân Street, Hai Bà Trưng District. This stall is famous for its smooth bánh đúc nóng, savory minced meat topping, and perfectly balanced fish sauce. Prices range from 25,000 – 30,000 VND.
- Oanh Hòe Nhai: Opposite 57 An Dương Street, Tây Hồ District. This humble sidewalk stall is highly rated by many for its traditional bánh đúc nóng flavor. Very affordable prices, from 5,000 – 25,000 VND.
- Bánh Đúc Nóng Nghĩa Tân Market: B6 Nghĩa Tân, Cầu Giấy District. Located in the famous Nghĩa Tân Market area, this bánh đúc nóng stall is a familiar destination for many locals. Prices from 10,000 – 20,000 VND.
A flavorful bowl of hot bánh đúc nóng in Hanoi, perfect for a cold winter day
2. Cháo Sườn – Rich and Familiar Flavor
Cháo sườn (rib porridge) is a popular and long-standing Hanoi street food, easily found in every corner of the capital. The đặc biệt feature of Hanoi cháo sườn is its rich flavor, different from other places. The porridge is cooked from ground rice, creating a characteristic smooth consistency, neither too thin nor too thick. Pork ribs are simmered until tender, cut into bite-sized pieces, combined with minced pork, pork floss, and crispy fried breadsticks (quẩy), creating a bowl of porridge full of flavor and nutrition.
Cháo sườn is not only a breakfast dish but also a great choice for an afternoon snack or chilly evenings. Enjoying a hot bowl of cháo sườn, with a sprinkle of ground pepper and chili powder, sipping with a glass of soy milk, you will feel the warmth spreading throughout your body.
Recommended Cháo Sườn Spots:
- Cháo sườn Hàng Bồ: 32 Hàng Bồ Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing and famous cháo sườn stall in the Old Quarter, loved by many for its traditional flavor and consistent quality.
- Cháo sườn sụn Huyền Anh: 14 Đồng Xuân Street, Đồng Xuân, Hoàn Kiếm District. Located right in Đồng Xuân Market, this cháo sườn stall is always crowded, especially in the morning. The rib cartilage porridge (cháo sườn sụn) here is simmered until tender and delicious.
- Cháo sườn số 3 Ngõ Huyện: Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm District. A small but well-known porridge stall, known for its smooth, flavorful cháo sườn and quick service.
A popular and beloved Hanoi street food dish, rib porridge (cháo sườn)
3. Phở – The Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine
Phở is not just a dish but also a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine, and Hanoi is the birthplace of this dish. It’s no surprise that phở is always at the top of the list of the most beloved Vietnamese street foods worldwide. Strolling down any street in Hanoi, you can easily spot steaming phở stalls, crowded with customers.
Hanoi phở captivates diners with its simplicity yet sophistication. Soft fresh rice noodles, thinly sliced beef or chicken, green onions, and clear broth, rich with the flavor of simmered bones. Each phở stall has its own secret to creating a unique flavor, but the common point is the elegance, lightness, and irresistible deliciousness.
Recommended Famous Phở Spots:
- Phở Thìn Lò Đúc: 13 Lò Đúc Street, Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng District. Phở Thìn is famous for its rich, flavorful broth with ginger and onion notes. Tender and sweet tái lăn (stir-fried rare beef) is a highlight. Price: around 50,000 VND per bowl.
- Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư: 10 Lý Quốc Sư Street, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm District. A famous phở brand, known to many tourists. Phở 10 has various types of phở such as tái (rare beef), chín (well-done beef), nạm (brisket), gầu (fatty brisket)… Prices from 50,000 – 77,000 VND per bowl.
- Phở Bát Đàn: 49 Bát Đàn Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing traditional phở stall, famous for its family-recipe beef phở. Clear and sweet broth, tender and delicious beef. Prices from 30,000 – 55,000 VND per bowl.
Phở Hanoi, the national dish and culinary soul of Vietnam
4. Bún Chả – Unforgettable Hanoi Flavor
Bún chả is one of the most beloved Hanoi street foods, not only by locals but also by international visitors. This dish is especially suitable to enjoy at any time of the day, from breakfast, lunch to dinner.
Bún chả is appealing with its grilled patties marinated in rich spices, grilled over charcoal, creating a fragrant aroma. There are two types of chả: chả miếng (sliced patties) and chả băm (minced patties), each offering a different flavor and experience. The dipping sauce for bún chả is prepared according to a special recipe, harmoniously sweet and sour, with a hint of garlic, chili, and crunchy pickled green papaya. Bún chả is usually served with bún lá (thin rice vermicelli) and fresh raw vegetables, creating a balanced and flavorful meal.
Recommended Famous Bún Chả Spots:
- Bún chả Hương Liên (Obama bún chả): 24 Lê Văn Hưu Street, Hai Bà Trưng District. The bún chả stall became famous after President Obama visited. Delicious grilled chả, flavorful dipping sauce. Price: 40,000 – 85,000 VND.
- Bún chả Hàng Than: 34 Hàng Than Street, Nguyễn Trung Trực, Ba Đình District. A long-standing bún chả stall on Hàng Than Street, known for its thick-sliced chả miếng, richly marinated. Price: 35,000 – 55,000 VND.
- Bún chả Đắc Kim: 1 Hàng Mành Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A family-recipe bún chả stall, famous for its round, fragrant grilled minced chả patties. Price: 50,000 – 60,000 VND.
Bún chả Hanoi, a beloved dish known for its distinctive flavor
5. Various Types of Bánh Rán – Sweet Hanoi Afternoon Treats
Bánh rán (fried glutinous rice balls) are sweet treats, ideal for an afternoon snack in Hanoi. Although the ingredients are simple, just glutinous rice flour and mung bean filling, the bánh rán at long-standing shops in Hanoi have a special appeal. Every day, thousands of bánh rán are sold, serving the enjoyment needs of locals and visitors.
The two most famous types of bánh rán are bánh rán đường (sugar-coated bánh rán) and bánh rán mật (molasses-coated bánh rán). Bánh rán đường has a crispy crust, coated with fine white sugar, and a sweet and savory mung bean filling. Bánh rán mật has a softer crust, dipped in golden brown molasses, with a fragrant aroma. In addition, you should also try other types of bánh rán such as bánh rán mặn (savory bánh rán), bánh gối (pillow-shaped bánh), bánh khoai (sweet potato bánh), bánh chuối (banana bánh)… each offering a unique and diverse flavor.
Recommended Bánh Rán Spots:
- Bánh rán cổ truyền mật đường Hàng Chiếu: 52 Hàng Chiếu Street, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing bánh rán stall, famous for its delicious molasses-coated bánh rán, with a crispy crust.
- Bánh rán mặn Lương Ngọc Quyến: 5 Lương Ngọc Quyến Street, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm District. This stall specializes in savory bánh rán with a rich filling of meat, glass noodles, and wood ear mushrooms.
- Quán Gốc Đa Lý Quốc Sư: 52 Lý Quốc Sư Street, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm District. This stall has many different types of bánh rán, from sugar-coated bánh rán, molasses-coated bánh rán to savory bánh rán, pillow-shaped bánh…
Bánh rán Hanoi, sweet treats for a delightful afternoon snack
6. Cà Phê Trứng – Unique Hanoi Egg Coffee Flavor
Cà phê trứng (egg coffee) is one of the special highlights of Hanoi’s cuisine. When visiting the capital, many people cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy this unique coffee. Unlike black coffee or iced milk coffee, egg coffee offers a completely different experience. The slight bitterness of coffee blends with the rich, sweet taste of egg yolk, creating a smooth, fragrant, and easy-to-drink beverage.
Making a delicious and authentic egg coffee is not simple. The barista must skillfully whisk the egg yolks with sugar until fluffy, then slowly pour hot coffee in, creating a fluffy egg cream layer on top. Enjoying hot egg coffee in the ancient space of Hanoi is an interesting and memorable experience.
Recommended Famous Egg Coffee Spots:
- Café Đinh: 2nd floor, 13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing egg coffee stall, located in a small alley on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, with beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake view. Price: around 30,000 VND.
- Giảng Cafe: 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân Street, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm District. Giảng Cafe is considered one of the first egg coffee stalls in Hanoi. The egg coffee here is made according to a family recipe, very special. Price: around 35,000 VND.
- Cafe Phố Cổ: 11 Hàng Gai Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A cafe with ancient, quiet space, fragrant and rich egg coffee. Price: around 40,000 VND.
Hanoi egg coffee, a unique and famous beverage
7. Bánh Mì – “Star” of Street Food
If you are looking for the best street foods in Hanoi, don’t miss bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich). Hanoi bánh mì is not just a quick snack but has become an indispensable part of the capital’s street food scene. Fresh, crispy bánh mì, with soft insides, are filled with various delicious fillings such as grilled meat, pate, eggs, Vietnamese sausage (chả lụa), raw vegetables, cucumbers, pickled vegetables… and indispensable rich and flavorful sauce.
Hanoi bánh mì is highly appreciated by many international visitors, even surpassing what they had heard about it. The harmonious combination of crispy crust, flavorful filling, and fresh raw vegetables has created a wonderful street food, suitable for all tastes.
Recommended Delicious Bánh Mì Spots:
- Bánh mì Bà Dần: 34 Lò Sũ Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing bánh mì stall, famous for its pate bánh mì and grilled pork bánh mì. Price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND.
- Bánh mì 25: 25 Hàng Cá Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A bánh mì stall loved by many tourists, with many different types of bánh mì fillings, from traditional to modern. Price: 25,000 – 40,000 VND.
- Bánh mì Phố cổ: 38 Đinh Liệt Street, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm District. A sidewalk bánh mì stall but always crowded with customers, the bánh mì here is highly rated for its quality and flavor. Price: 25,000 – 50,000 VND.
Bánh mì Hanoi, a globally loved street food
8. Bánh Cuốn – Light and Rustic Flavor
Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) is an iconic street food of Hanoi, especially popular for breakfast. Thin, soft, and delicate bánh cuốn layers are steamed hot on the stove, rolled with a filling of minced meat and fragrant wood ear mushrooms. Bánh cuốn is usually sprinkled with crispy fried shallots and served with hot, light yet flavorful fish sauce.
Bánh cuốn does not have the spiciness or richness of flavor like many other Vietnamese dishes, but it has its own appeal due to its lightness, sophistication, and distinctive rice flavor. You can add a little chili or lime to enhance the flavor of the dish. Bánh cuốn is not only a familiar breakfast dish but also a profound part of Hanoi’s culinary culture.
Recommended Delicious Bánh Cuốn Spots:
- Bánh cuốn Bà Hanh: 26B Thọ Xương Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A family-recipe bánh cuốn stall, famous for its thin steamed rice rolls, flavorful meat filling, and delicious fish sauce. Price: 25,000 – 40,000 VND.
- Bánh cuốn Thanh Vân: 12-14 Hàng Gà Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing bánh cuốn stall on Hàng Gà Street, known for its hot, soft steamed rice rolls. Price: 15,000 – 40,000 VND.
- Bánh cuốn Phượng: 16 Đào Duy Từ Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. A sidewalk bánh cuốn stall but high quality, the bánh cuốn here is thinly steamed and has a well-proportioned filling. Price: 15,000 – 40,000 VND.
Bánh cuốn Hanoi, a light and refined breakfast dish
9. Thịt Xiên Nướng – Addictive Grilled Pork Skewers
Thịt xiên nướng (grilled pork skewers) are a favorite snack of Hanoi youth and grilled food lovers. This rustic dish has a rich, fragrant flavor that is hard to resist. In the late afternoon, passing through streets, food markets, or school gates, you will easily spot thịt xiên nướng stalls with smoky steam, spreading a seductive aroma.
Thịt xiên nướng is made from bite-sized pork slices, marinated in rich spices such as lemongrass, onion, garlic, five-spice powder, honey… then skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal. When grilling, the thịt xiên is brushed with scallion oil or honey to enhance its shine and flavor. Thịt xiên nướng is usually served with bánh mì or chili sauce, an ideal snack for all ages.
Recommended Delicious Thịt Xiên Nướng Spots:
- Thịt xiên nướng Hàm Long: 18 Hàm Long Street, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm District. A famous thịt xiên nướng stall on Hàm Long Street, the thịt xiên here is richly marinated, grilled just right, not dry.
- Thịt xiên nướng Hàng Buồm: 26 Hàng Buồm Street, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm District. A humble sidewalk stall but the thịt xiên nướng here is highly rated by many for its flavor and affordable price.
Hanoi grilled pork skewers, a fragrant and irresistible snack
10. Bánh Tôm – Famous West Lake Specialty
Bánh tôm (shrimp cakes) are a characteristic street food of Hanoi, especially famous for Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây (West Lake shrimp cakes). This dish is loved by many tourists for its unique flavor and fresh ingredients. Bánh tôm originated in Hanoi, so you may find it difficult to find the standard flavor of this dish in other parts of Vietnam.
Bánh tôm is made from wheat flour, fresh shrimp (usually West Lake shrimp), eggs, and spices. The batter is skillfully mixed so that when fried, it has a crispy crust and a soft, airy inside. Shrimp are carefully selected, fresh, usually tiger shrimp or white shrimp. When eating bánh tôm, it is dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, with a little pickled green papaya and carrots, rolled with fresh raw vegetables, creating a delicious and attractive dish.
Recommended Delicious Bánh Tôm Spots:
- Bánh tôm Hồ Tây: 1 Thanh Niên Street, Yên Phụ, Tây Hồ District. The most famous bánh tôm stall in Hanoi, located right next to West Lake, with a beautiful view. The bánh tôm here is made from fresh West Lake shrimp, with a crispy crust.
- Bánh tôm Cô Ầm: Đồng Xuân alley, Hoàn Kiếm District. A bánh tôm stall located in Đồng Xuân alley, near Đồng Xuân Market, the bánh tôm here is loved by many locals.
Bánh tôm Hanoi, a famous specialty of West Lake
11. Mỳ Gà Tần – Unique and Nutritious Flavor
Mỳ gà tần (chicken stewed with Chinese herbs and noodles) is one of Hanoi’s street foods with a unique flavor and high nutritional value. This dish is often enjoyed in winter or when feeling tired and needing to replenish health. There are two main types of gà tần: gà ta tần (local chicken stew) and gà ác tần (black chicken stew), each offering different flavors and benefits.
Gà tần is prepared by stuffing chicken (usually thigh or chicken pieces) into a soft drink can or empty beer can, adding mugwort and fragrant herbs such as goji berries, jujubes, angelica sinensis… Then, the chicken can is steamed in a water bath until the chicken is tender and infused with the flavor of the herbs. Mỳ gà tần can be eaten alone or served with egg noodles, creating a complete and nutritious meal.
Recommended Delicious Mỳ Gà Tần Spots:
- Gà tần Cây Si: 29 Tống Duy Tân Street, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm District. A famous gà tần stall on Tống Duy Tân Street, the gà tần here is stewed until tender and delicious. Price from: 50,000 – 150,000 VND.
- Gà tần Mai Hương: 12 Hàng Cót Street, Hàng Mã, Hoàn Kiếm District. A long-standing gà tần stall on Hàng Cót Street, known for its gà tần with a rich flavor of Chinese medicine. Price from: 50,000 – 150,000 VND.
- Mỳ gà tần Thuỳ Liên: 24 Hàng Bồ Street, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm District. A stall specializing in mỳ gà tần, the gà tần here is prepared according to a special recipe, very attractive.
Mỳ gà tần Hanoi, a nutritious and unique dish
12. Lẩu – Gathering Around a Street Food Hot Pot
Enjoying lẩu (hot pot) is a street food experience not to be missed when visiting Hanoi. Lẩu is not just a dish but also an occasion for friends and family to gather together. Hanoi street food lẩu comes in many types such as lẩu riêu cua (crab hot pot), lẩu ếch (frog hot pot), lẩu gà (chicken hot pot), lẩu bò (beef hot pot)… each offering a distinct and unique flavor.
The common point of Hanoi street food lẩu dishes is the broth, which is carefully simmered, rich in the flavor of simmered bones and fragrant spices. When eating, you can dip into the hot pot various fresh green vegetables, meat, seafood, and other dipping items according to your preference. Enjoying hot lẩu in the cool air of Hanoi, sipping a few beers or wine, you will fully feel the fun of the capital’s street food.
Recommended Delicious Lẩu Spots:
- Nhà hàng lẩu nướng đường tàu: 298 Lê Duẩn Street, Trung Phụng, Đống Đa District. A hot pot and grill restaurant with a unique space, located right next to the train tracks, the lẩu here is diverse and delicious.
- Lẩu Vũ Phương: 167 Phùng Hưng Street, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm District. A famous lẩu stall on Phùng Hưng Street, the lẩu riêu cua here is loved by many.
Hanoi hot pot, an ideal dish for gatherings with friends
13. Bánh Khúc – Rustic Flavor in the Heart of Hanoi
Bánh khúc, xôi khúc or xôi cúc are different names for a typical cake of Northern Vietnam, and Hanoi is also one of the famous places for this dish. Bánh khúc is made from khúc leaf (cudweed), glutinous rice, ground mung bean filling, and pork. Khúc leaf brings a distinctive flavor, slightly grassy, slightly fragrant, creating a difference for bánh khúc compared to other types of cakes.
Bánh khúc is usually made most during the khúc leaf season, around February – March of the lunar calendar. In Hanoi, you can easily spot street vendors selling bánh khúc in the evening. The warm, distinctive call of “bánh khúc” has become a unique cultural feature of Hanoi. Bánh khúc is not only a delicious dish but also evokes the rustic flavor of the countryside, childhood memories.
Recommended Delicious Bánh Khúc Spots:
- Bánh khúc cô Lan: 69B Nguyễn Công Trứ Street, Hai Bà Trưng District. A famous bánh khúc stall on Nguyễn Công Trứ Street, the bánh khúc here is handmade, preserving the traditional flavor. Price: 18,000 – 30,000 VND.
Bánh khúc Hanoi, rustic flavor in the heart of the city
The journey to discover the best street food stalls in Hanoi will surely bring you unforgettable taste experiences. Not only enjoying delicious food, but you also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant pace of the capital, learn more about the unique culinary culture, and feel the friendliness and hospitality of Hanoi people. Come and discover this street food paradise for yourself!
*Article compiled and written by “Du lịch khắp thế gian” Team**Photos: Compiled from the Internet and reputable sources.*