Travel Guide: Hanoi, Vietnam- Food and Drink
Hanoi is a compact place with plenty of options to choose from when it comes to food. Although I do not eat red meat, I still feel it has been fairly ok to find alternative options, just have to spend a little more time researching as it is not as common, or as in your face, as much of the meat-heavy street food. Well, here are my recommendations for places to eat your favorite Vietnamese food. Take ‘em or leave ‘em.
Where to Eat in Hanoi
*USD Prices given are rounded to the nearest $0.50
Phở
Vegan Pho Bo
Phở, the traditional Northern Vietnamese soup you can’t pass up trying and enjoying when you are in Hanoi (hopefully, but unlikely, on a crisp, cool day). I have gathered that the pho in the north is more focused on the broth— more savory, subtle flavor. The pho in the south is focused more on the herbs added into the dish. Either way, it is a good (and cheap) meal to have when in Vietnam! *Don’t forget to order some banh quay— deep fried dough sticks to dip or soak in your pho broth and enjoy!*
Ga- Chicken pho
65 Lãn Ông street, Hoàn Kiếm District
Hours: 06:00-23:00
Price range: 35.000 - 55.000 VND ($1.50-$2.50)
Bò- Beef pho
49 Bát Dàn, Hoàn Kiếm District
Hours: 06:00-10:00, 18:00-20:30
Price range: 50,000 - 70,000 VND ($2.00-$3.00)
10 Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm District
Hours: 06:00-22:00
Price range: 50,000 - 80,000 VND ($2.00-$3.50)
Bùn Chả
*Pictured Above
Bun Cha is another famous dish from northern Vietnam. Various forms of grilled pork and sliced, pickled vegetables, served in a sweet diluted fish sauce, with a side of greens and bun noodles. Bún Chả Hương Liên (Bun Cha Obama) is, well not getting into politics here— but if you support Obama (or not), it is a good place to have Bun Cha. This is where Obama and Anthony Bourdain famously ate on their trip to Hanoi, tiny blue plastic stools in all. The actual seats and place settings where they sat and ate are on display, encased in a glass box on the second floor— pretty neat!
Bun Cha Obama
24 Lê Văn Hưu, Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Bà Trưng
Hours: 08:00-20:30
Price range: 60,000 - 90,000 VND ($2.50-$4.00)
Nem (fried spring rolls)
Bun Nem
Another staple you can find pretty much anywhere in Vietnam, with many variations in filling, meat as well as vegetarian options. Bồ Đề Quán, is my favorite. It is a small family owned restaurant that runs out of the ground floor of their house. All of the food is vegan and it is really delicious.
Not feeling just straight spring rolls and want some more excitement? Try the Bún Nem. Personally, it is my favorite! A handful of greens topped with bún noodles (the angle hair counterpart in the rice noodle family), sliced cucumbers, shredded pickled carrots and daikon, as well as cut up spring rolls. It comes with a garlicy fish sauce on the side which you pour over the whole dish. It’s hard to explain, but here is a picture to maybe help you vision it better. As for the taste, you’re going to have to go and experience it for yourself, trust me, you won’t be disappointed!!
Bo De Quan
* So sorry they just recently moved locations and I could not find the new address, will keep researching and update here if I find it.
Nem Price: 10,000 VND per roll ($0.50)
Bun Nem Price: 45,000 VND ($2.00)
Bánh Mì
Banh mi (which means bread in Vietnamese), or simply a toasted baguette sandwich where you choose what meat (or egg) you want inside. Banh Mi 25 is the famous Banh Mi stand run out of the old quarter. This little operation has any and all combinations of this classic sandwich— steak, pork, chicken, or egg, combined with everything from cheese, avocado, vegetables, sauces, and more; it’s really delicious! If you want just a typical Banh Mi, nothing too fancy, hit up one of the many many banh mi street carts.
There is also a place called Zon which is great, plus the husband and wife that own it are such sweeties! You can even enjoy your morning coffee with your sandwich— something that isn’t common here (usually it’s one or the other, as most places commonly specialize in a food or drink and that is what they have).
Banh Mi 25
25 Hàng Cá, P, Hoàn Kiếm
Hours: 07:00-21:00 (Sundays, 07:00-19:00)
Price: 10,000 - 25,000 VND ($0.65-$1.00)
Zon Banh Mi
22 Cửa Bắc, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình
Bánh cuốn
Not super educated in Banh Cuon, but it is basically made out of a wide rice noodle sheet (picture the equivalent to a double-wide lasagna noodle, but in the rice noodle family) rolled with fillings. Most commonly filled with ground pork, mushroom, and shallots, however there are some places that have vegetarian options, and other choices for stuffings.
Planning on sightseeing a little while staying or visiting Hanoi? Check out my Recommendations on where to sightsee while in Hanoi.
Now onto drinks…
Cafe Trung (Egg Coffee)
Making egg coffee in my cooking class
For some of you, I know the thought of egg and coffee together does not sound like something you want to jump at the opportunity to try, but trust me, it is very delicious.. and it is traditional to Hanoi— Perfect! You’re here, you might as well try it.
Ok, hear me out— you can find egg coffee anywhere around Hanoi, but Cafe Giang is where it originated. There are 2 locations in Hanoi and aside from egg coffee, they also have egg beer, egg rum, and the list goes on, you got to have the experience!
Cafe Giang
LOCATION: 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân (Original)
*TIP: There are many “Egg Coffee Cafes” around Cafe Giang, so don’t be fooled. Look for the small wooden Cafe Giang sign above a long hallway that leads you into the cafe. It is a bit chaotic (I bet you don’t expect much less from Hanoi at this point) but go upstairs, grab a tiny stool, hail down the waiter, and… ya I think you got it from here!
SECOND LOCATION: 106 Yên Phụ
Cafe Dừa (Coconut Coffee)
Regardless if egg coffee Is your style, or not, you need to drink coconut coffee at some point on your travels through Vietnam. It is so so good! For the most part, it is pretty standard across the board, so I don’t have a WOW recommendation for you. However, to give you a name Cộng Cà Phê is probably the most common cafe and there is probably one just around the corner from where ever you are. They also do a pretty elaborate presentation of the drink.
Bars/Places to Drink
Ta Hien (Beer Street)
Ta Hien, aka Beer Street, is just that—a street full of beer, bars, and perfect for people watching. A narrow street about 2-3 blocks long, both sides lined with bars, it is something to experience for sure. Bustling with all sorts of people, grab a beer, have a seat (again) on a little plastic stool, and enjoy the entertainment. Most, if not all, of the bars have food too. However, around 23:00 the cops pass through and “close” the street.. well attempt #1.
The bars stack up the stools and tables, or move your whole table (sometimes even with the food still set) inside. The cops walk by, thin out the crowd a little, then the stools go right back to where they were. It’s just like nothing happened. The cops will linger around a bit, walk by a few times, drive their car down the skinny street, attempt #2 lessening the crowd each time.. attempt #3 and then eventually the bars close and start sweeping up the street around midnight. That’s when you know it is time to go. Where to go next? Hit up Tom’s Bar right at the top of Ta Hien or take a quick grab to Hero Club.. and you have yourself a classic Hanoi night.
Top of Hanoi, Lotte
Lotte Top of Hanoi Bar
65 floors above the city, Lotte tower stands tall in the middle of all the mayhem. It is a really cool place to go up and see the sunset or get a good view of Hanoi’s entirety. Seeing the hustle and bustle from that far up is really something you can’t even explain.
Although the prices are expensive (comparatively to the other bars), they are more or less closerr to US prices, but you get the views of a rooftop bar.
Whatever it is you want to eat, see, or explore Hanoi is a really good city for all of that. The food options are pretty much endless, and the people watching is on another level. If you have any other food recommendations or questions, leave a comment below, would love to hear from you!