Discovering Hanoi dishes means discovering fresh ingredients, refined traditions, and secret family recipes are hallmarks of Hanoian cooking, and Hanoians don’t mess around when it comes to good food. Get your “food weapon” ready and try out Go Travel : Top 10 iconic Hanoi dishes!

Top 10 must-try Hanoi dishes for foodie travelers

Miến – Mien

Mien (vermicelli) is a wonderful chewy texture with a subtle umami flavor made from mung bean or sweet potato. A dish of mien with broth or stir-fried can be topped with chicken, crab, or freshwater eel. Most noodles in Hanoi may be eaten with quay (fried breadsticks), and vermicelli is no exception. Remember to dip them in the broth!

Miến - Mien

Miến gà – Mien ga

Phở – Pho

This one is a no-brainer. Even if you’ve had pho elsewhere in Vietnam, it’s worth giving the Hanoi variant a try. If the many condiments that come with your pho seem confusing at first, start with a bit of gritty chili sauce, then top with a spoonful of garlic vinegar for beef pho, or a squeeze of lime for chicken pho.

Phở bò - Pho bo

Phở bò – Pho bo

Nộm bò khô – Nom bo kho

Grab a plastic stool and order a plate of sweet and sour nom bo kho (beef jerky salad) for an afternoon pick-me-up. Green papaya and carrot crisp are softened with seasoned fish sauce, while pieces of beef jerky provide a quirky texture to the mix. If you’re feeling daring, request a variation with beef spleen and tripe.

Nộm bò Khô - Nom bo kho

Nộm bò Khô – Nom bo kho

Bún đậu – Bun dau

Fried tofu and noodles have never tasted better! Crispy golden tofu and fresh rice noodles are a popular Hanoian lunch combination. Traditionally, bun dau is served with mam tom (fermented shrimp paste), but you may substitute fish sauce for a lighter option. The dish is completed with young rice patties, fried spring rolls, and herbs.

Bún đậu mắm tôm Hà Nội - Bun dau mam tom Ha Noi

Bún đậu mắm tôm – Bun dau mam tom

Mì vằn thắn – Mi van than

To distinguish their mi van than (noodles with dumplings) from southern variants, Hanoi chefs season these noodles with chives, shiitake mushrooms, and pig rind. In Hanoi, your mi van than dish will arrive with a huge chunk of fried dumplings. It’s the crunch you didn’t know you needed!

Mì vằn thắn - Mi van than

Mì vằn thắn – Mi van than

Chả cá – Cha ca

Cha ca is only found in Hanoi. Fatty catfish is marinated in spices and grilled before being mixed with plenty of spring onions and dill right at the table. Cha ca in Hanoi is an adventure in and of itself. The marinade is the most significant component of excellent cha ca. For years, family-run eateries have kept original recipes hidden.

Chả cá Lã Vọng - Cha ca La Vong

Chả cá Lã Vọng – Cha ca La Vong

Bún chả – Bun cha

Bun cha is almost considered as one of the lunch Hanoi dishes that blend chargrilled pork belly and patties with diluted vinegar fish sauce to create a pleasant mixture. Place the rice noodles in a dish with the fish sauce, season with spices and herbs, and try to get a little bit of everything in one mouthful. Order some nem (fried spring rolls) with your bun cha for a hefty boost.

Bún chà - Bun cha

Bún cha – Bun cha

Cà phê trứng – Egg Coffee

Even though Egg coffee is not counted in the Hanoi dishes list, finishing your amazing supper in Hanoi with a cup of creamy egg coffee will make your tour become more memorable. The sweet egg froth on top balances out the powerful robusta, making this drink a true treat for coffee aficionados. Sitting in the shade of khaya trees, drinking a hot, fluffy ca phe trung while watching folks on motorbikes pass by – that’s a quintessential Hanoi moment.

Cà phê trứng - Egg Coffee

Cà phê trứng – Egg Coffee

Bún cá – Bun ca

Bun ca (fish noodle soup) is the ideal summer treat, with just the right mix of sweetness and sourness. Rice noodles, Vietnamese celery, and crispy fried fish are immersed in a sweet and sour broth with pineapples and tomato. This meal, which is best served with fresh herbs and pickled bamboo shoots, can be found at street booths across Hanoi.

Bún cá - Bun ca

Bún cá – Bun ca

Bún thang – Bun thang

Bun thang which has always been one of the iconic Hanoi dishes takes leftovers to a whole new level with a couple of slices of Vietnamese ham, a handful of shredded chicken, omelet strips, and spoonfuls of clear umami broth. Bun thang, an unfinished Lunar New Year meal turned beloved local breakfast, is a superb illustration of Hanoi’s age-old culinary innovation.

Bún thang - Bun thang

Bún thang – Bun thang

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