Hanoi is famous for its amazing street food scene, perfect for food lovers seeking the best street food in Hanoi. When you stroll around the city, you'll spot many food stalls offering tasty treats. During the day, there are loads of stalls, but it gets even busier at night. As the sun sets, the streets come alive with vendors selling all sorts of delicious goodies, from grilled meats to fresh fruits and veggies.
In this lively atmosphere, you'll find lots of yummy dishes at prices you can afford. Whether you're craving a bowl of steaming pho or a crispy banh mi sandwich, Hanoi's street food has it all. So, if you're searching for the best street food in Hanoi, look no further! Here's our list of must-try dishes that will satisfy your hunger and leave you wanting more of Hanoi's tasty street food.
Here are recommendations for the best Hanoi street food:
Banh Cuon is one of the most popular dishes for breakfast in Northern Vietnam, a must-try in Hanoi street food. These Vietnamese paper rolls are typically filled with minced pork and mushrooms, though some variations include egg as well.
They're meant to be dipped in nuoc mam (fish sauce) along with fresh aromatic herbs, which are essential in Vietnamese cuisine. You can savor these delicious rolls at Banh Cuon Ba Xuan in Hoan Kiem, where you can watch the owner skillfully prepare them using a large steamer, ensuring you get the finest rolls.
Address: Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh, 66 To Hien Thanh, Hoan Kiem District.
Xoi, or Vietnamese sticky rice, is a popular street food in Hanoi and a comforting dish in Vietnam. Chefs in Hanoi turn xoi into different delicious dishes, almost like making art. At Xoi Yen, they serve a modern version with sticky rice layered with green mung bean paste and chicken fat. You can also have xoi with eggs, pork, beef, or fish. A warm bowl of xoi with some fresh Hanoi beer is perfect for a chilly day.
Address: 35b Nguyen Huu Huan Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Banh xeo and nem lui (Crispy pancakes and lemongrass pork skewers) are Hanoi street food favorites that you must try.
Banh xeo is like a mix between a crepe and a pancake, and it's absolutely delicious. In Hanoi, it's filled with prawns and bean sprouts, then served with greens, cucumber, and sour mango or papaya. Diners often use scissors to cut up the crispy banh xeo and wrap it in rice paper with other toppings.
Many places that serve banh xeo also offer nem lui, grilled pork sausages on lemongrass skewers. You can find this popular dish at street vendors in P Doi Can, Ba Dinh District, especially in the evenings.
Address: 125 Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Pho is Vietnam's most beloved street food. As you stroll through any Vietnamese city, you'll see people enjoying steaming bowls of pho with chopsticks in hand.
Vietnamese Phở Beef Noodle Soup Bowl with vegetable
Did you know? Pho originated in Hanoi, and the city is known for serving some of the best pho in the country. You'll find street shops all over Hanoi offering delicious rice noodle soup with your choice of chicken (pho ga) or beef (pho bo).
Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, corner of Chan Cam St, Hanoi, Vietnam
Bun Cha Ha Noi Vietnamese Traditional Dish
While Pho may be Hanoi's favorite dish, Bun Cha is a close second and a must-try street food. This delicious dish features grilled pork served with steamed sticky rice, fresh herbs, papaya slices, red chilies, and garlic.
Crispy, deep-fried spring rolls are also added to the mix, providing a delightful crunch. Fun fact: Former US President Barack Obama enjoyed Bun Cha during his visit to Vietnam, making it a popular street food in Hanoi.
Address: 74 Hang Quat Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Mien xao luon is a delightful dish that shines among the Best Street foods in Hanoi. In Vietnamese cuisine, eel is a unique ingredient often found in salads, and Dong Thinh at 87 P Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem District, serves it like no other.
At Dong Thinh, crispy eel is expertly mixed with stir-fried glass noodles, eggs, and bean sprouts, creating a mouthwatering combination. Alongside mien xao luon, they offer other options like mien tron (noodles tossed with eel, cucumber, and herbs) and chao luon (eel porridge). With a display case brimming with dried eel outside the shop, Dong Thinh attracts countless diners eager to savor the flavors of Hanoi street food.
Address: 87 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Banh Tom is a delicious street food specialty that you must try in Hanoi. These crispy treats are made from battered sweet potatoes and prawns, served with a side of sweet and slightly spicy fish sauce and papaya.
Originally from the Ho Tay area, near West Lake, where locally caught shrimp are abundant, banh tom can now be found in many markets throughout Hanoi. One of the best places to enjoy them is at the beginning of a narrow alley in Dong Xuan Market, the largest market in the Old Quarter. Be sure to arrive early (before 11:30 am), as the stalls tend to sell out quickly! And don't forget to wash down these crispy cakes with a refreshing glass of iced soy milk
Address: Dong Xuan Market, No. 15, Cau Dong Street, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Banh goi is another delightful street food option to try in Hanoi. Located near the famous Hanoi Train Street, you'll find a hidden gem at around 10 Ton That Thiep Street in Ba Dinh District. This street food shop offers a variety of fried treats, including banh goi, which are pillow-shaped pastries filled with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli noodles, and a quail egg.
They also serve ha cao (fried dumplings), banh pho mai (fried cheese sticks), and nem chua ran (fried fermented sausage). The shop is open only from 3 to 7 pm, so make sure to visit during those hours to indulge in these tasty snacks.
Address: 52 Pho Ly Quoc Su Nha Tho Area, Hanoi, Vietnam
Goi Cuon is a delicious finger food that stands out among the diverse street food offerings in Hanoi. Made by expertly rolling large rice noodles around beef and fresh herbs, Goi Cuon is a delicacy you won't want to miss. Enhance the flavors of this dish by dipping it in Nuoc Cham, a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and chili.
Address: 25 Ngu Xa, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Che is a versatile and beloved Vietnamese treat that comes in many delightful variations. Whether hot or cold, Che offers a wide range of sweet options, including mung beans, red beans, fruits, tapioca pearls, and even sugarcane and porridge. Visit local shops to sample the different kinds of Che and choose your favorite!
Address: 95 Hang Bac Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Exploring Hanoi's tasty street food is an amazing experience. From yummy pho to crispy banh xeo, each dish has a story to tell. Walking through Hanoi's busy streets, you'll find lots of flavors and smells that show the heart of Vietnamese food.
Several of the best street foods in Hanoi offer unforgettable moments and make you want more. Don't forget, if you want to explore Hanoi and its street food, make sure to book your flights and the best hotel in Hanoi to make your trip even more memorable! So, dive into the food stalls, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and have fun exploring the delicious street food in Hanoi!