Bun Bo Nam Bo is a very popular dish. Ingredients include vermicelli, stir-fried beef, fried onions, bean sprouts, raw vegetables, roasted peanuts, pickled papaya, sweet and sour mixed water, suitable for eating all year round, especially on hot summer days. The origin of the name Bun Bo Nam Bo is not consistent, there are many mixed opinions.
In particular, the most common information is that the dish originated in Hanoi and not the South as its name suggests. Ms. Can, a noodle shop owner in the 1980s, is considered the first person to sell this dish in the capital. During a sale, she was asked by a customer to grill beef, instead of eating it with minced pork and pork rolls. The rest of the ingredients are still exactly the same as vermicelli. From that accidental processing, a new dish was born and called mixed beef vermicelli.
After that, mixed beef vermicelli became popular and loved by diners. Gradually, it was called Bun Bo Nam Bo because Mrs. Can’s noodle shop is located on the sidewalk of Dong Loi on Southern Street (later renamed Le Duan Street). People who have lived in Hanoi for a long time are familiar with the special name of this road, where Hanoi Railway Station is located and is the starting point for trains into the South.
This explanation is agreed by many people because of the similarity between vermicelli and Bun Bo Nam Bo. The way to eat and taste of this dish is quite suitable for the taste of Northern people with the taste of sticks, simple ingredients, and the dipping sauce is not too sweet. Later, the dish uses stir-fried beef with garlic and bean sprouts instead of grilled beef. The water secreted from the beef seeps into the vermicelli, mixed with fish sauce mixed with garlic and chili vinegar. Many rows also replace pickled papaya with chopped cucumbers and add to shredded carrots.
However, some people think that it may be that the dish originated in the South and has been reduced according to the way of eating of the Northerners or because the owner learned how to cook from the people in the interior. Bun Bo Nam Bo is almost similar to the stir-fried meat vermicelli of Western people. Usually, people use pork, but some places also use stir-fried beef, similar to Bun Bo Nam Bo. The remaining ingredients include fresh vermicelli, pickles, shredded carrots, raw vegetables, pounded peanuts… Only a little different is that Western stir-fried vermicelli is usually stir-fried beef with lemongrass and chili and with onions.
Bun Bo Nam Bo is also known as a dish “Western favorite, I love" because of its easy-to-eat, simple, rustic taste, suitable for many people. In addition to eating out, many housewives also cook this dish at home. The method is quite simple.
Chopped chili garlic; lemongrass cut hard, smashed and chopped; pounded peanuts; Prepare a little fried onion sprinkled on the finished product to make it crispy and fragrant when eating.
Wash the bean sprouts. Peel off the outer skin of the onion, slice it into small wedges and throw it out.
Papaya (or kohlrabi), peeled carrots, make cubes, then prune the flowers, add a little granulated salt and shake well for 10 minutes to reduce the water. This both helps reduce the bitter taste of latex and makes pickles crispier. After that, wash and marinate in vinegar, sugar in a 1:1 ratio and add a little salt, garlic, and chili peppers.
Raw vegetables (lettuce, basil, coriander) are washed many times under running water to be clean, drained, and finely chopped.
Bun Bo Nam Bo is also a famous dish of Hanoi that tourists should try. Below are the delicious places to eat, which are considered to have a standard taste, you can refer to come and enjoy.
The beef noodles at 79 Chua Lang Pagoda are very famous and attractive to diners. The owner has transformed the way the dish is prepared to create a distinctive feature.
Instead of using fish sauce like many other places, 79 Chua Lang Pagoda has processed the dipping sauce in a more sophisticated, sophisticated and attractive way. Beef vermicelli eaten with a special dipping sauce awakens all senses. The combination of sour, sweet and sour, tender beef, fragrant fried onions, the fleshiness of peanuts and the freshness of raw vegetables is nothing better.
Ms. Tuan’s beef noodle shop is open from 7 am to 10:30 pm every day, you will always see many customers coming to enjoy it. In the hot weather of the capital, there is nothing better than eating this delicious noodle dish.
The space of the restaurant is not too large but not too small. The tables and chairs are neat and clean, the service staff is enthusiastic and warm. Because of this, Co Tuan Bun Bo Nam Bo shop has more and more customers.
Although the restaurant is only located in the old collective area on Thanh Cong Street, it is famous for food lovers. This is also one of the addresses with the best Bun Bo Nam Bo in the capital that you should not miss.
The most attractive part of the restaurant is the dipping sauce, the taste is very delicious, just in the mouth, everyone loves it. The meat is tender, the vegetables are fresh and attractive. Just one portion of mixed vermicelli is enough to fill your hungry stomach.
Bun Bo Nam Bo shop is located in a small alley, the restaurant space is small, so you have to go early to eat or you will run out of tables.
The restaurant’s beef is only cooked when diners order to avoid leaving the taste unattractive for a long time. A meal only costs 35k(1.5 USD) but is full of toppings such as roasted peanuts, raw vegetables, fried onions… When eaten with sweet and sour fish sauce, that flavor becomes even more attractive and irresistible.
Experiencing a dish like “Bun Bo Nam Bo" is not just a culinary adventure but a gateway to understanding Vietnamese culture through its vibrant flavors and meticulous preparation. For foreign travelers, this dish encapsulates the essence of Vietnamese cuisine—fresh ingredients, bold spices, and a balance of textures that dance on the palate.
As they take their first bite of Bun Bo Nam Bo, visitors are greeted with tender slices of beef marinated in lemongrass and fish sauce, complemented by a bed of vermicelli noodles. The dish is then elevated with a medley of fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, and Vietnamese basil, adding a refreshing contrast. The final touch—a sprinkling of crushed peanuts and crispy shallots—adds depth and crunch.
Beyond the flavors, Bun Bo Nam Bo offers a glimpse into Vietnamese culinary philosophy, where each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving harmony. It’s a dish meant to be savored slowly, allowing travelers to appreciate not just the taste, but the cultural heritage and craftsmanship that goes into its creation. Ultimately, tasting Bun Bo Nam Bo is an invitation to delve deeper into Vietnamese cuisine—a journey of flavors that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.
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We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. First, North Vietnam Hanoi Tour will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city, with a half-day city tour, you will visit the most iconic attractions in Hanoi such as President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter of Hanoi. After Hanoi, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. For ending two days of Inspirational Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Tour, we will spend one night stay on a cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world. Let’s explore the Magnificent North of Vietnam with Impress Travel.
Email:northvietnamtour@impresstravel.com or contact the hotline (Whatsapp, Zalo, Viber, Skype) at +84.912 379 189 – Mr. Alex.
Day Inclusions: Private A/C transfer, English-speaking tour guide in Hanoi, lunch, entrance fee, hotel in Hanoi
Day Inclusions: Car/Mini-Van, Outstanding English speaking guide, Lunch – Vietnamese Cuisine at Tam Coc Nature Eco Lodge, All sightseeing tickets, Good bike with gears, 02 bottles of Mineral water, Services charges and government tax, Rowing boat to visit Tam Coc, One conical hat as souvenir, Demonstration of teaching to learn how to write, speak Vietnamese, and catch fish
Day Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, shuttle bus A/C transfer, English speaking tour guide on CRUISE only, entrance fee, full board, joint Cruise in Halong bay with private cabin (2 persons share 1 cabin)
What’s included in this trip :
3 STAR HOTELS & CRUISES IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination |
Room Type |
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE |
Hanoi 3-star Hotels |
Adamas Deluxe City |
ADAMAS HANOI HOTEL Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/ |
3-star Halong Bay Cruises |
Swan Cruise Deluxe |
SWAN CRUISE HALONG BAY Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/ |
4 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination |
Room Type |
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE |
Hanoi 4-star Hotels |
The light deluxe with window |
THE LIGHT HOTEL HANOI Refer: thelighthotelhanoi.com/en/ |
4-star Halong Bay Cruises |
Sealife Suite Canbin |
HUONG HAI SEALIFE CRUISE HALONG BAY Refer: www.sealifegroup.com |
5 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination |
Hotel Category |
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE |
Hanoi 5-star hotels |
Deluxe Sketch Apricot Hotel |
APRICOT HOTEL HANOI Refer: apricothotels.com/room/sketch |
5-star Halong bay Cruises |
Deluxe Room with Ocean View Margaret |
MARGARET CRUISE HALONG BAY Refer: https://margaretcruises.com |
The hotels and cruise are subject to change to similar category in case of fully booked
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
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