From pho and bun thang to cha ca and shrimp cakes, here’s where to taste Hanoi’s culinary icons.
From traditional breakfast favorites to hearty dinners and delicious street snacks, Hanoi offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences. Below is a curated list of signature Hanoi dishes and the most recommended places to try them, especially for first-time visitors looking to explore the capital through its flavors.
Start your morning with pho or bun thang
Pho Thin Bo Ho, tucked in a narrow alley at 61 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, is ideally located near Hoan Kiem Lake. The clear, aromatic broth and tender beef make it a top pick for a morning bowl of traditional pho. Their best-seller is pho tai (rare beef), featuring thinly sliced beef that cooks perfectly as hot broth is ladled into the bowl.
Another favorite is Pho Khoi Hoi at 50 Hang Vai Street. Known for its premium beef cuts, the broth here is deep and savory. The gầu (brisket) is particularly well-loved for its firm, chewy texture and golden color. The restaurant earned a spot on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list in 2024.
Nearby, Pho Au Trieu by St. Joseph’s Cathedral offers a bolder take, with a richer, cloudier broth and handmade noodles. Unlike the typical clear broths, their version boasts deep umami and tender hand-cut brisket slices.
Pho Au Trieu is a favorite among locals and international visitors.
For something more nuanced, try bun thang - a Hanoi specialty made with shredded chicken, pork sausage, egg, mushrooms, and herbs in a delicate broth. Bun Thang Ba Am at Cua Nam is considered among the city’s finest. The bowl is as beautiful as it is flavorful, with ingredients arranged like a five-colored flower.
Bun Thang Tuan Minh on To Hien Thanh Street also draws crowds with a deeply fragrant broth and optional add-ons like de-boned chicken, young eggs, or chicken gizzards.
Bun thang at Ba Am is known for its visually stunning and flavorful presentation.
For lunch: Bun cha and bun oc
Bun Cha Huong Lien on Le Van Huu Street - made famous after former U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit - remains a must-visit. Other iconic spots include Bun Cha Tuyet 34 (Hang Than) and Bun Cha Dac Kim (Hang Manh).
A unique twist awaits at Bun Cha Chan on Mai Hac De Street, where the grilled pork is served in a bowl of hot bone broth with vegetables and rice noodles. The broth, flavored with scallions and herbs, balances the smoky pork perfectly. This eatery also received a Bib Gourmand nod from the Michelin Guide in 2024.
Bun cha chan is a warm, comforting variation perfect for Hanoi’s cooler days.
For a more classic take, head to Bun Cha 74 Hang Quat, just a 10-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. The pork is grilled to a light char and served with a sweet-savory dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chili.
In the heat of Hanoi, bun oc (snail noodle soup) is a refreshing choice. Bun Oc Thuy in Dong Xuan Market Alley has been serving customers for over 70 years. Their clear, sour broth is a standout, made from tomatoes, fermented rice, and seasonal sour fruits like tamarind or dracontomelon.
Bun Oc Thuy’s broth is light, sour, and delicately fragrant from fermented rice vinegar.
Nearby, Bun Oc Ba Nhung offers plump stuffed snails with a crunchy bite, while Bun Oc Co Hue on Nguyen Sieu Street is beloved for its aromatic broth and fried snail cakes. They also serve cold snail noodle soup, perfect for summer.
Snack time: Shrimp cakes and dried beef salad
Hoan Kiem Street is a hotspot for nom bo kho (dried beef salad), made with shredded green papaya, herbs, dried beef, and organ meats tossed in a tangy soy-based dressing. For variety, try versions like nom lim on Hang Bun, Pham Hong Thai, or Ham Long.
In the alleyways near Dong Xuan Market, Banh Tom Ba Am serves addictive shrimp fritters. The batter is a mix of flour, turmeric, and egg, combined with sweet potato strands and topped with a whole shrimp before frying.
Visitors can also enjoy this specialty around West Lake at popular spots near Tay Ho Temple.
Dinner: End your day with cha ca
No Hanoi culinary journey is complete without cha ca - grilled fish marinated with turmeric and spices, flash-fried at the table in cast-iron pans, and served with noodles, herbs, peanuts, and pungent shrimp paste (mam tom).
Top picks include Cha Ca Thang Long (Duong Thanh Street), the legendary Cha Ca La Vong (Cha Ca and Nguyen Truong To Streets), and Cha Ca Anh Vu (Giang Vo Street, Ba Dinh District).
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