Two days in Hanoi enjoying street food

Michelin Guide’s expert on Vietnamese cuisine, Joshua Zukas, commented that Hanoi is a street food paradise. Many famous dishes originated in Hanoi and spread far and wide.

"People in the capital are picky and fastidious about food. And the old quarter is the destination for gourmets," wrote Joshua Zukas.

Not only is there delicious street food, the area around Hanoi's Old Quarter also has many temples, churches, lakes, parks and cafes. These are ideal destinations for tourists to combine in their food tour.

Day 1

Morning

Satisfy your appetite by strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the capital before heading into the Old Quarter and enjoying beef noodle soup on Au Trieu Street. This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is located next to the Cathedral.

If you have never been here before, it may be difficult for you to find the restaurant because there is no sign. "But don't worry, just go to the street next to the church and see a place that is always crowded with people eating every morning, mainly locals, especially on weekends, and you will know you have come to the right address," Michelin wrote.

Nam Dinh style pho restaurant, beef bone broth is cooked for 10 hours to create a rich flavor with the choice of rare beef and beef tendon. The restaurant is not open at noon, best to come here before 9:30.

Lunch

After breakfast, visitors can visit the church, find a cafe in the surrounding area to relax. When hunger returns, wander around the old quarter to find another typical Vietnamese dish.

Dong Thinh eel vermicelli, a 40-year-old restaurant listed as "delicious, reasonably priced" by Michelin 2024, is a suggestion. Guests can order vermicelli soup or vermicelli salad, along with other options such as soup or porridge. Crispy eel is a specialty here, suitable for replenishing energy.

The restaurant is located in the middle of the Old Quarter, so take advantage of your time after lunch to wander around. Nearby destinations include Bach Ma Temple, one of the oldest places of worship for Hanoians, and Thuoc Bac Street, where visitors can find shops selling traditional medicine that are decades old.

Dinner

Centuries ago, Cha Ca (sauteed fish with turmeric, rice noodles and greens served at the table) was commonly sold on the streets. But today, you’ll have to try this Hanoian dish in restaurants. One of the best places to try it is Cha Ca Thang Long, with three locations on Duong Thanh Street.

"The restaurant at number 6B, in a townhouse built more than a century ago, is the choice," Michelin wrote.

Reference address:

- Au Trieu beef noodle soup: 34 Au Trieu street, Hoan Kiem district
- Dong Thinh eel vermicelli: 87 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem district
- Thang Long Fish Cake: 6B Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem District

Day 2

Breakfast

"Vietnamese people eat pho every morning" is a misconception. They also eat many other foods for breakfast, including banh cuon, with or without meat. To make banh cuon, in addition to specialized steamers, it also requires the skill of the chef, Ms. Xuan at Banh Cuon Ba Xuan is an example.

After watching Ms. Xuan make the rice paper rolls, visitors will be served rice paper rolls at the table. Pick up each roll with minced meat inside, dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce, add lemon, garlic, chili and eat with herbs.

This place is adjacent to the “art corner of Hanoi”, with Bookworm bookstore, 54 Traditions Gallery Hanoi and Manzi Art Space. If you like art, spend the morning here. Manzi and Bookworm serve coffee.

Lunch

Bun Cha is a popular lunch dish and is loved by many Hanoians. Tuyet Bun Cha 34, on the Bib Gourmand list, serves generous portions with various types of pork patties, minced pork patties, spring rolls, and fresh vegetables.

The shop has only a small indoor space, and a few outdoor dining tables. This always crowded address is near Truc Bach Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Su Pagoda, all important historical sites. Spend the afternoon exploring and don’t forget to sit and drink coffee by West Lake to watch the sunset.

Dinner

Still in the West Lake and Truc Bach Lake area, visitors have dinner at Oc Di Tu. This is a Southern-style snail restaurant with snails, shrimp, clams, grilled oysters, tamarind sauce, chili salt sauce, and salted eggs. "The giant conch grilled with onions, garlic, and clams with lemongrass, chili, and pineapple sauce are must-try," said Michelin experts.

Reference address:

- Ba Xuan rice rolls: 16 Hoe Nhai slope, Ba Dinh district
- Bun Cha Tuyet: 34 Hang Than, Ba Dinh district
- Aunt Tu's Snail: 144C Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh District