Best Street Food In Hanoi: Exploring the Flavorful Delights

Global Team
09 Jun 2024 - 6 min read
Best Street Food In Hanoi

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.

The Best Hanoi Street Food

Here are recommendations for the best Hanoi street food:

1. Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Paper Rolls)

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.

Banh Cuon, Steamed Rice Paper Rolls

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.

2. Xoi (Vietnamese Sticky Rice)

Xoi, Vietnamese Sticky Rice

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

3. Banh Xeo and Nem Lui (Crispy Pancakes and Lemongrass Pork Skewers)

Banh xeo and nem lui (Crispy pancakes and lemongrass pork skewers) are Hanoi street food favorites that you must try.

Vietnamese Crispy Pancake Bánh Xèo Tôm

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

4. Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

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.

Pho, Vietnamese Noodle Soup

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

5. Bun Cha (Vietnamese Meatballs)

Bun Cha, Vietnamese Meatballs

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

6. Mien Xao Luon (Glass Noodles With Eel)

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.

Mien Xao Luon, Glass Noodles With Eel

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

7. Banh Tom (Hanoi Shrimp Cakes)

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.

Banh Tom, Hanoi Shrimp Cakes

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

8. Banh Goi (Crispy Empanadas)

Banh Goi, Crispy Empanadas

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

9. Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Fresh Rice Noodle Rolls)

Goi Cuon, Vietnamese Fresh Rice Noodle Rolls

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

10. Che (Vietnamese Dessert Drink)

Vietnamese Dessert Drink

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!

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