Must-Try Hanoi Dishes: Iconic Noodles, Snacks, and Drinks

Hanoi’s food has a way of making visitors want to stay longer. Part of that appeal comes from family recipes passed down through generations—flavors that carry the culture and history of Vietnam. In the guide below, explore Hanoi’s most recognizable specialties and where to find some of the best versions around the city.

Traveling in Hanoi isn’t only about well-known landmarks. The city is equally famous for its outstanding cuisine, where humble street food sits alongside long-established traditional dishes. Many of Hanoi’s signature foods are woven into daily life for locals, while also drawing strong interest from international visitors.

1. What specialties is Hanoi known for? Famous bún noodle dishes

1.1. Hanoi bún chả

When it comes to Hanoi’s must-try foods, bún chả is impossible to ignore—an elegant dish closely associated with Tràng An (a traditional way of referring to the refined culture of Hanoi). Bún chả is commonly found in two main styles: chả chấm and chả chan.

In a classic bowl, the pork is marinated until the seasoning is absorbed, then grilled over charcoal. It’s served with rice vermicelli (bún), fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a bold sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. You can add a bit of chili and black pepper to sharpen the flavors even more.

Three bún chả spots to consider:

• Bún chả Hàng Than: 34 Hàng Than, P. Ba Đình

• Bún Chả Hàng Mành: số 1 Hàng Mành, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Bún chả Hàng Quạt: 74 Hàng Quạt, P. Hoàn Kiếm

1.2. Bún đậu mắm tôm – A simple Hanoi favorite

Alongside more refined dishes, Hanoi’s simple, everyday foods are also deeply loved—especially bún đậu mắm tôm. The original version includes pressed rice vermicelli, crispy fried tofu, and fermented shrimp paste (mắm tôm). The ingredients may be straightforward, but the flavor is surprisingly addictive.

Today, it’s often served with boiled pork, chả cốm, fried rolls, offal, and other toppings, giving diners plenty of choices. You can try bún đậu mắm tôm at:

• Bún đậu Cây Bàng: 129 Kp. Đại La

• Bún đậu mắm tôm Hương: 55 Ng. Phất Lộc, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Bún đậu Ngõ Trạm: 1B Ngõ Trạm

1.3. Hanoi bún riêu cua & bún ốc

Bún ốc (snail noodle soup) and bún riêu (crab noodle soup) are two of the capital’s most famous bún dishes. With simple ingredients prepared through careful, detailed cooking, each bowl offers a distinctive and memorable experience.

These soups stand out for their lightly sour broth, the gentle heat from chili oil, and the richness of snails and crab roe. They are also known for how well they pair with rustic vegetables such as green banana, shredded water spinach, mixed herbs, and celery.

Three recommended places for bún riêu cua and bún ốc in Hanoi:

• Bún ốc tóp mỡ Cô Lý: 18/433 Kp. Bạch Mai

• Bún riêu Quang Trung: 2F Kp. Quang Trung

• Bún riêu Nguyễn Siêu: số 32 Nguyễn Siêu, P. Hoàn Kiếm

1.4. Bún cá – A popular noodle soup in Hanoi

Bún cá originated in Hải Phòng, but it has become a specialty enjoyed by many people in Hanoi. The Hanoi-style bowl is known for crispy fried fish, small pieces of fried tofu, and chewy giò tai, served with water spinach, soft white noodles, and a deeply savory broth with a clean, tangy finish.

Three good addresses for bún cá in Hanoi:

• Bún cá Văn: 105/2 Quán Thánh, P. Ba Đình

• Bún cá Sâm Cây Si: 5 Ng. Trung Yên, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Bún cá trộn Thái Bình: 5B Cao Đạt

1.5. A great lunch in Hanoi: bún thang

If you love Hanoi cuisine, you should try bún thang at least once—a dish known as “Thăng Long đệ nhất bún.”

A proper, authentic bowl of Hanoi bún thang can require up to 20 different ingredients. It’s arranged in a striking, colorful presentation: white noodles, golden shredded chicken and thinly sliced omelet, pale pink giò lụa, green scallions and Vietnamese coriander, and dark mushrooms, all combined in a refined and visually balanced way.

One taste is enough to remember its signature character: the spicy kick of chili, the clean sweetness of the broth, and the savory depth of chicken. In winter, a steaming hot bowl is especially satisfying in Hanoi’s cold air.

Three bún thang spots to try:

• Bún thang Cầu Gỗ: số 48 Cầu Gỗ, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Bún thang Hạ Hồi: 11 Hạ Hồi, P. Cửa Nam

• Bún thang Hàng Hòm: 2 Ng. Hàng Chỉ, P. Hoàn Kiếm

1.6. Bún/miến ngan

The balanced combination of ingredients like dried bamboo shoots, scallions, lime, garlic, chili, and quality fish sauce gives bún ngan or miến ngan a bold, fragrant flavor that feels distinctly “Hà Thành.”

Although it may look simple at first glance, once you try it, the refined taste is hard to resist. While duck noodle dishes are now served in many places, to experience the original flavor, many diners still seek out long-standing, well-known addresses such as:

• Bún ngan Chùa Hà: số 3 chùa Hà

• Bún ngan Hàng Da: Ng. 36 Hàng Da

• Bún ngan Nguyễn Du: 39 Nguyễn Du

1.7. Bún dọc mùng

Bún dọc mùng is a Hanoi noodle soup made from simple ingredients: noodles, slices of pork hock, round pork meatballs, and a broth simmered from bones. The fragrant meatballs pair perfectly with the crisp bite of dọc mùng, along with the heat of chili—making it a dish many people keep coming back to.

Three flavorful bún dọc mùng places in Hanoi:

• Bún mọc Hàng Lược: số 57 – 59 Hàng Lược, phường Hoàn Kiếm

• Bún mọc dọc mùng chân gà: 45A Mai Hắc Đế

• Bún mọc sườn chua Xã Đàn: 181 Xã Đàn

2. Phở & phở cuốn – Top Hanoi dishes you should try

Hanoi phở is made with wide, white rice noodles and a fragrant broth naturally sweetened by simmered beef bones. Great phở depends on carefully selected beef, broth cooked for the right amount of time, and noodles that stay springy without breaking apart. When eating, you can add lime and chili to heighten the taste.

Phở cuốn is a distinctive Hanoi specialty created as a variation on traditional phở. Mention phở cuốn and many people immediately think of phở cuốn Ngũ Xã, a small street tucked behind Trúc Bạch Lake. The eateries there are always lively—especially in the evening, when crowds come to enjoy this dish.

If you want to experience the true flavor of Hanoi phở, consider these addresses:

• Phở Bát Đàn: 49 Bát Đàn, Hoàn Kiếm

• Phở cuốn Hưng Bền: 118 Trấn Vũ, P. Ba Đình

• Phở Thìn: 13 Lò Đúc

3. The most popular Hanoi breakfast foods

3.1. Hanoi bánh mì

Hanoi bánh mì is highly rated by food lovers for its creative twists and variety of fillings such as grilled meat, cold cuts, pork roll, and roasted pork. In particular, bánh mì Dân Tổ once made waves on social media for its generous filling—packed with eggs, Chinese sausage, and pâté.

Beyond the classic baguette sandwich, you can also try bánh mì sốt vang, which has an equally appealing flavor.

Three well-known Hanoi bánh mì addresses:

• Bánh mì Dân Tổ: at the intersection of Cao Thắng and Trần Nhật Duật

• Bánh mì sốt vang Trâm: 30 Đình Ngang

• Bánh mì Lãn Ông: 20 Kp. Chả Cá, P. Hoàn Kiếm

3.2. Xôi

Among sticky rice dishes, xôi khúc (also known as bánh khúc) stands out as one of Hanoi’s most distinctive options and a symbol of traditional food culture. Xôi khúc is round, filled with mashed mung bean and finely chopped pork, seasoned to taste.

Many visitors want to buy this Hanoi specialty as a gift, since it seems to capture the lingering aroma of glutinous rice and the countryside’s plants and herbs.

Two good places for xôi khúc:

• Xôi khúc Cô Lan: số 69B Nguyễn Công Trứ, P. Hai Bà Trưng

• Xôi khúc Quân: số 35 Cầu Gỗ, P. Hoàn Kiếm

3.3. Bánh cuốn – A classic Hanoi breakfast

If you want to enjoy warm, fragrant bánh cuốn in Hanoi, don’t miss the well-known bánh cuốn Thanh Trì. Its signature feature is how thin the steamed rice sheets are—like silk. A layer of scallion oil keeps the sheets soft and smooth, while the bright white surface stands out against the glossy brown-red of fried shallots.

Bánh cuốn Thanh Trì is often served with chả quế. The savory pork roll, delicate rice sheets, and rich dipping sauce come together in a combination that’s hard to resist. Popular places to try this suburban Hanoi specialty include:

• Bánh cuốn Bà Hoành: 66 Kp. Tô Hiến Thành

• Bánh cuốn Thanh Trì Bà Xuân: dốc Hòe Nhai, P. Ba Đình

4. Chả rươi – A humble Hanoi specialty that wins people over

Chả rươi is considered a rare Hanoi delicacy because the rươi season lasts only briefly in late autumn. To make a truly delicious rươi omelet, selecting high-quality rươi is essential.

The rươi should be fresh, plump, and green, with firm flesh that cooks into a sweet, rich taste. It’s combined with signature ingredients such as pork belly, lá lốt, duck eggs, chicken eggs, scallions, lá ủ, dill, pepper, MSG, fish sauce, and especially tangerine peel, which helps reduce any strong smell while boosting aroma.

When eating chả rươi in Hanoi, you can wrap it with fresh herbs, pair it with white noodles, and dip it into a lightly sour-and-spicy fish sauce. Two reputable addresses to consider:

• Chả rươi Hằng Béo: 244 Lò Đúc, P. Hai Bà Trưng

• Chả rươi Gia Ngư: 25 Gia Ngư, P. Hoàn Kiếm

5. Cháo – A nourishing Hanoi dinner option

If you love smooth, thick congee, don’t miss three standout cháo options in the capital—especially popular for dinner:

• Cháo sườn: On cold winter days in Hanoi, sharing a bowl of cháo sườn while chatting is a memorable experience. This simple but delicious dish includes plain congee, tender pork ribs seasoned to taste, and crispy fried dough sticks (quẩy).

• Cháo trai, cháo gà: These two congees are rustic and not complicated to make, yet they still preserve the unique character of Hanoi cuisine. Like cháo sườn, both are favorite choices for those craving comfort food in colder weather.

Three cháo addresses worth visiting:

• Cháo sườn: in the alley of Đồng Xuân Market

• Cháo trai Trần Xuân Soạn: 26 Trần Xuân Soạn

• Cháo Gia Truyền: 37 Trần Nhân Tông

6. Hanoi street snacks you’ll want to try again

6.1. Nem chua rán

Nem chua rán is one of the most popular snacks among Hanoi’s young crowd. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by richness, it’s often served with chili sauce, cucumber, jicama, or green mango.

If you’re looking for something flavorful and a bit different, try nem chua rán at nem rán Ngõ Tạm Thương.

6.2. Bánh gối

Bánh gối is a beloved Hanoi specialty. The hot, crispy fried pastry is typically served with sweet-and-sour garlic chili fish sauce, fresh herbs, and pickles.

Three quality bánh gối spots in Hanoi:

• Bánh gối Lý Quốc Sư: 52 Lý Quốc Sư

• Bánh gối Hàng Chiếu: 86C Hàng Chiếu, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Bánh gối Hoàng Tích Trí: 19 Hoàng Tích Trí, P. Kim Liên

6.3. Nộm bò khô

If you enjoy traditional Hanoi flavors, it’s hard to skip nộm bò khô. Dried beef is cut into bite-sized pieces and carefully seasoned, then combined with shredded green papaya, fresh herbs, and crunchy roasted peanuts.

A well-balanced sweet-and-sour sauce—mixed thoughtfully with ingredients like chili and garlic—ties everything together.

Three places for authentic nộm bò khô in Hanoi:

• Nộm Vân: số 16B Đường Thành

• Nộm Huế: số 21 Đặng Trần Côn

• Nộm Ông Phúc: Ngõ số 1 Nghĩa Tân, phường Nghĩa Đô

6.4. Chè – For those with a sweet tooth

Hanoi is a paradise for chè, with countless variations. It’s easy to spot a good chè shop somewhere along the street—perfect for sipping something cool and refreshing in late summer or early fall.

These places might be small, timeworn houses or simple sidewalk stalls. Each one blends ingredients differently to create its own signature flavor.

Three well-known chè addresses in Hanoi:

• Quán Diệp Phương: số 9 Bùi Thị Xuân

• Chè Gỗ: số 9 Trần Phú

• Chè Cô Thủy: 117 Đội Cấn

6.5. Hồ Tây shrimp fritters (bánh tôm Hồ Tây)

Bánh tôm Hồ Tây pairs fresh shrimp with a crispy outer coating. The shrimp are carefully selected and fried until the shell turns an eye-catching brick-red color. A typical Hanoi-style way to eat it is with fresh herbs and a dipping sauce that balances sour, spicy, salty, and sweet.

Try this dish at one of these well-known places:

• Bánh tôm Hàng Bồ: 57A Hàng Bồ, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Bánh tôm Cô Oanh: 25 Lê Đại Hành, Hà Nội

• Bánh tôm Hồ Tây: 1 Đ. Thanh Niên, P. Tây Hồ

6.6. Kem Tràng Tiền

Kem Tràng Tiền is a long-established Hanoi ice cream brand. It offers not only a classic sweet taste, but also a feeling of being carried back into childhood memories.

With consistent quality and a wide range of flavors, Kem Tràng Tiền has become a fun snack for anyone who loves ice cream and wants to experience a piece of Hanoi’s food culture. The original address is 35 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm.

6.7. Grilled pork skewers (thịt xiên nướng)

What makes thịt xiên nướng special is how simple it is. Pieces of fragrant pork belly are evenly marinated, threaded onto bamboo skewers, and grilled over glowing charcoal. Once cooked through, you get skewers that are smoky, aromatic, and extremely tempting.

In Hanoi, grilled skewers are often eaten with crispy bread and sweet-and-sour pickles.

Two recommended places for thịt xiên nướng:

• Thịt xiên nướng Quang Trung: 31 Kp. Quang Trung, P. Cửa Nam

• Xiên nướng Lý Cẩm Ký: số 5 Tạ Quang Bửu, P. Bạch Mai

6.8. Lòng rán

With clean, well-prepared intestines fried until crisp at the edges yet tender inside, plus fresh herbs, fresh noodles, and spicy fermented shrimp paste, lòng rán delivers an intense, “flavor explosion” experience.

Places known for lòng rán in Hanoi:

• Lòng rán Nhất Quán: số 23 Nguyễn Siêu, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Lòng rán 16: số 16 Hàng Gà, P. Hoàn Kiếm

• Lòng rán 27: 27/16 Hoàng Cầu

6.9. Bánh giò Đông Các

Bánh giò is a Hanoi favorite. It’s carefully wrapped in banana leaves, with a rich, satisfying pork filling inside. Just one bánh giò can keep you full for hours.

Bánh giò Đông Các, located at 33 Đông Các, is a place you shouldn’t miss if you want to try this Hanoi specialty.

7. Chả cá Lã Vọng – A famous Hanoi dish

Hanoi chả cá Lã Vọng is made with cá lăng, a nutritious fish with few bones. The fish cakes are fried until crisp, then eaten with fresh herbs and either fresh noodles or steamed white rice.

To fully enjoy chả cá Lã Vọng, you shouldn’t skip mắm tôm, an essential part of this dish. It’s a great choice for lunch or a family dinner, offering an enjoyable shared dining experience.

Three recommended chả cá Lã Vọng addresses:

• Chả Cá Vọng Ngư: số 29 Nguyễn Chí Thanh

• Chả cá Thăng Long: 6B Đường Thành

• Chả cá Lão Ngư: 171 Thái Hà

8. Bánh cốm Hanoi – A refined local gift

Bánh cốm Hanoi is popular with visitors for its light sweetness and distinctive aroma. The outer layer is made from nếp cái hoa vàng, giving it a beautiful green color and a soft, chewy texture. Inside is a filling made from fragrant durian or nourishing mung bean.

Bánh cốm isn’t only an everyday snack—it’s also a traditional treat enjoyed by many families during Tết. Paired with a cup of hot tea, it highlights the elegance and restraint often associated with Hanoi’s food culture.

Three places to buy authentic Hanoi bánh cốm:

• Bánh cốm Bảo Minh: 12 Hàng Than

• Cốm Vòng Hà Nội: 36/63 Đ. Xuân Thủy

• Bánh cốm Tươi Xào Xưa Nay: ở 60 Hàng Than

9. Top 3 specialty drinks you’ll remember in Hanoi

9.1. Egg coffee (cafe trứng)

There’s nothing quite like starting a day in Hanoi with a cup of rich, creamy egg coffee. Although the city has countless egg coffee shops, almost everyone knows Cà phê Giảng, located in ngõ 39, Nguyễn Hữu Huân, phường Hoàn Kiếm.

Here you can order a hot version for a classic Hanoi-style experience. Giảng also offers other options such as black coffee, coffee with condensed milk, iced bạc xỉu, and more.

9.2. Tây Hồ lotus tea (trà sen Tây Hồ)

Trà sen Tây Hồ is a specialty tea made by combining green tea with lotus flowers harvested from West Lake (Hồ Tây). The lotus fragrance, together with the tea’s gentle astringency and sweet aftertaste, tends to linger long after the last sip.

You can buy trà sen Tây Hồ as a gift from reputable brands such as trà sen Minh Cường or trà sen Ngọc Tỉnh Liên.

9.3. Lemon iced tea (trà chanh)

With its clean sweet-and-sour taste, trà chanh has become an ideal drink for hot summer days. It’s easy to find lively sidewalk seating where people gather to talk, relax, and enjoy a glass of lemon tea.

Few things feel better than sipping a cold trà chanh, chatting with friends, and taking in Hanoi’s refreshing city atmosphere on a hot summer afternoon.

Two familiar trà chanh spots among Hanoi’s young crowd:

• Trà chanh 1995: Số 18 ở phố Công Viên 1/6

• Trà chanh Nhà Thờ: khu vực Nhà Thờ Lớn