Best Hanoi Breakfast to Try on Morning Hanoi Tours (With Map & Price)

1. Pho – Hanoi’s Morning Legend

If you are discussing the Best Breakfast in Hanoi, you cannot bypass pho – Vietnam’s culinary culture in a bowl. Just think about this: early mornings in the breakfast Hanoi Old Quarter, the city just beginning its day, and you’re sitting on a little plastic stool next to a pot of simmering, fragrant broth. So early in the morning is how you start your day if you live around here, and you should, too. 

Pho is not just a dish, it’s a daily ritual - in everything from street food stands near Hoan Kiem Lake to family-run shopfronts that have been around for decades. Whether it is succulent beef brisket or tender chicken, each bowl is an interplay of flavors: long-simmered bones, fresh herbs, silky noodles, and garnishes like green onions, chili, or a squeeze of lime to suit your bite. 

To start your day off right in Hanoi, here are some of the most iconic stops for the best place for breakfast in Hanoi.

• Pho Bat Dan – 49 Bat Dan St. (from 40,000 VND): The place is known for that deep, beefy broth and those long lines even long before dawn.
• Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su – 10 Ly Quoc Su St. (from 50,000 VND): They are famous for chicken and beef pho with extremely clear broth and serving speed.

Insider tip: Arrive early, before 8 AM, to avoid the local masses and savor pho like a local. These are holes in the wall if they should happen to have walls, that is, places that are steeped in the Hanoi tradition of eating, rooted in the culture of local food in the city, where each slurp of your steaming bowl of pho tastes like tradition.

Pho (Source: mia)

2. Banh Mi – The Vietnamese Breakfast Baguette

Longing for a breakfast that travels well and is hearty and bursting with flavor? Say ai banh mi (bunny) and we’re there – it’s that easy. This crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside baguette is a required dish for Best Breakfast in Hanoi.

Whether you are a newbie or a repeat customer, there is always a new banh mi to be found with everything from grilled pork and pate to sardines, pickled veggies, and runny omelets. And if you don’t have much time when you’re in Hanoi (or are eating Hanoi local food near Hoan Kiem Lake), this is the breakfast you can eat while you’re on the go.

Top picks for a memorable breakfast spot:

• Banh Mi Pho Co – 38 Dinh Liet (20,000-25,000 VND): A legend in the middle of the Old Quarter, ideal for the crunchy bread enthusiasts.
• Banh Mi Ba Dan – 34 Lo Su: Known for their classic pate and pork combination.
• Banh Mi Tram – Dinh Ngang: A local favorite that adds an omelet filling and hot chilli sauce to the classic.

Banh Mi (Source: chaohanoi)

3. Xoi Xeo – Sticky Rice with Mung Beans & Fried Shallots

Something savory, filling, and budget-friendly? Introducing xoi xeo – a local favourite and a worthy contender for the Best Breakfast in Hanoi. From office workers to hungry students en route to class, everyone loves this golden-hued xoi sticky rice dish, which is sweetened by mung beans as well as heaps of crispy fried shallots, in the morning.

Chewy but tender, soothing but rich, xoi xeo is proof you don’t need soup for a hearty breakfast. Covered with shredded chicken, pork sausage, egg, pate, etc, this is the choice for those looking for a quick, tasty breakfast steeped in Hanoi local food culture.

Top places to enjoy xoi xeo like a local:

• Xoi Yen – 35B Nguyen Huu Huan (15,000-50,000 VND) Possibly the most famous sticky rice in town with flavors galore.
• Xoi Chi May – Hang Bai & Ly Thuong Kiet intersection (10,000-15,000 VND): This place is full of students and often sells out by mid-morning, so go early!

Grab your share, find a seat by Hoan Kiem Lake, and watch the dawn of Hanoi in progress. For more Vietnamese sandwiches that go great with xoi, see Banh Mi Hanoi.

Xoi Xeo (Source: vinpearl)

4. Bun Thang – The Elegant 20-Ingredient Masterpiece

Should you be looking for the best place to eat breakfast in Hanoi that would epitomize culinary finesse, bun thang would be it. This elegant noodle soup harmonizes nearly 20 ingredients shredded chicken, pork rolls, scrambled egg, dried shrimp, herbs, mushrooms, and more, into a cohesive whole. It’s faint and fine and all the more satisfying for it.

What distinguishes bun thang is not so much the layering of its toppings, though, nor the crystal-clear broth brewed from chicken bones, sweetened with shrimp essence. A touch of fermented shrimp paste and a squeeze of lime? Perfection in a bowl.

Where to try bun thang:

• Bun Thang Ba Duc – 48 Cau Go (30,000-55,000 VND): Down a small alley a stone’s throw away from the breakfast Hanoi Old Quarter chaos.
• Bun Thang Thuan Ly – 33 Hang Hom (30,000-40,000 VND): An old-time favorite, with a rich broth and neat presentation.

Bun Thang (Source: vietnamfoodmap)

5. Bun Cha – Obama’s Favorite Hanoi Breakfast

If there’s one dish that got Hanoi local food to the international scene, it has to be bun cha. Yes, that dish slurped down by President Obama with Anthony Bourdain – and it still remains one of the breakfast spots that you must not miss when you are in pursuit of the Best Breakfast in Hanoi.

What makes bun cha special? That’s the genius of it: the smoky, succulent grilled pork patties and slices; the cold vermicelli noodles; the broth, sweet and sour; and a galaxy of fresh herbs. Residents dunk everything in it and relish the flavor bomb with each bite, salty, tangy, herbal, and addictive.

Here’s where you’ll find legendary servings of bun cha:

• Bun Cha Huong Lien – 24 Le Van Huu (30,000-50,000 VND): Otherwise known as the Obama Bun Cha place. Delicious and authentic, and crowded every morning.
• Bun Cha Tuyet – 34 Hang Than: Another famous breakfast Hanoi Old Quarter favorite, this one for grilled pork with crunchy edges and some aromatic dipping sauce.

Match it with a cup of egg coffee and you have the ultimate Hanoian morning. For more street-level bites like this, see our guide to Hanoi Local Food, a goldmine of genuine taste.

Bun Cha (Source: seriouseats)

6. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls

Light, savory, and gently flavored, banh cuon isn’t exactly the action hero of Hanoi mornings. The steamed rice rolls are a sort of paper-thin rice batter dough rolled up around a filling of minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, topped with crispy fried shallots, and served with slices of cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage).

And the best part? A warm dipping sauce, with fish sauce, lime, chili, and sugar, brings the whole experience together.

Where to find excellent banh cuon in Hanoi:

• Banh Cuon Phuong – 16 Dao Duy Tu (15,000-40,000 VND): Tasty batches of light rolls with even filling from close to busy street food holes.
• Banh Cuon Yen Phu – 34 Yen Phu (25,000 VND): So this place is like a local secret, for someone like me who loves to wander off the beaten path.

With banh cuon, simplicity is key and so is satiation: It’s a reminder that even the gentlest of morning meals will leave you feeling full. Want more pairings? These soft rolls are great after a crispy Banh Mi Hanoi or next to a hot bowl of crab noodle soup.

Banh Cuon (Source: vinwonders)

7.  Bun Rieu – Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup

Well, why not be bold? Luncheon is a chance to experiment, to try something new, to cook as you work, and if you’re a little too pungent afterward, who will be the wiser? Now here’s something for the adventurous food lover: bun rieu, a funky, aromatic noodle soup built from freshwater crab paste, ripe tomatoes, fried tofu, and pungent shrimp paste. This bowl is Vietnamese comfort food at its best, big on flavor, but refreshing and light thanks to its tangy tomato base.

This is the sort of dish that characterizes the Best Breakfast in Hanoi – filling, fresh, and unforgettable.

Top spots to try bun rieu:

• Bun Rieu Hang Luoc – 16 Hang Luoc (25,000-35,000 VND): Known for a crabby broth that is quite right in taste.
• Bun Rieu Hong Phuc – 22 Hong Phuc: A cozy breakfast eatery where you can slurp your blues away.

Breakfasts of crab noodle soup await in Hanoi, if you’ve never had that in your life. Pair it with a leisurely lap around scenic Hoan Kiem Lake, and you’ve got a morning that’s flavorful, charming, and gastronomically enlightening. And don’t forget the Banh Mi Hanoi hat tip for later, when you need your go-to bite on the fly.

Bun Rieu (Source: vnexpress)

8. Banh Gio – Pyramid Dumplings Wrapped in Banana Leaf

Enjoy a hot, steamy banh gio, a soft comfort pillow to kick off the day in Hanoi! These pyramid-shaped dumplings come in a banana-leaf wrapper and are stuffed with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and green onions, a shade of savory that dissolves on your palate.

The texture itself is very tender, almost creamy, and soaks up all sorts of delicious sauces, flavored with something as simple as Vietnamese sausage or chili sauce, it’s the perfect noodle. It’s no wonder this lowly dish has become a kind of underground treasure among Hanoi local foodies in search of something wholesome but not heavy in the very early hours of the day.

Where to try this unique breakfast option:

• Banh Gio Thuy Khue – 5 Thuy Khue (12,000 – 25,000 VND): The longtime favorite of generations of local people.
• Banh Gio Nguyen Cong Tru – Nguyen Cong Tru Market Alley: This is the kind of street cart meal you will boast about having eaten later.

It’s not the flashy banh mi or a steaming bowl of pho, but this banh gio is as big a part of the Best Breakfast in Hanoi as any other. It is a flavor you won’t forget for a long time, long past the point when the trip is over. Hungry for more local eats like these? See this list of handpicked Hanoi Local Food treasures to discover.

Banh Gio (Source: huyeentraanviet)

9. Egg Coffee – Hanoi’s Breakfast Drink Icon

To finish off your Best Breakfast in Hanoi, a swig of liquid, frothy sin: egg coffee! Concocted by Nguyen Van Giang in 1946, the place went on to become the Vietnamese capital’s delicious reply to the milk shortage, and now it’s also a cultural phenomenon.

Whisked from egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and potent Vietnamese coffee, it becomes a silken, creamy foam, which can be served hot or cold. Think dessert merged with espresso, in the heart of the breakfast Hanoi Old Quarter.

Where to taste the original:

• Cafe Giang – 39 Nguyen Huu Huan (40,000 VND): Home of the egg coffee and a little coffee shop full of character and history.
• Cafe Dinh – 13 Dinh Tien Hoang (30,000 VND): Hidden in the alley with a vintage atmosphere and a beautiful view of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Egg Coffee (Source: govntravel)

10. Chao Suon – Pork Rib Porridge for Cold Mornings

It’s when the Hanoi air turns crisp that nothing soothes quite like a hot bowl of chao suon. Silky rice porridge, simmered in a pork bone broth and topped with tender pieces of rib, dusted with pepper-snow, and you’ve got a breakfast place that you will want to return to.

Humble as it may seem, such a dish holds generations of culinary wisdom. Locals swear by its warmth and soothing texture as an ideal way to begin a day, especially in the winter.

Best places for this comforting bowl:

• Chao Suon Hang Bo – 32 Hang Bo (10.000-20.000 VND): A founding street food stall offering nostalgic flavors close to the Old Quarter.
• Chao Suon Ly Quoc Su – 39 Ly Quoc Su: Usually packed, but worth the wait for that thick, meaty broth.

Chao Suon (Source: vinwonders)

Conclusion

Whether you’re eating some piping hot bowl of pho, a steaming plate of bun cha, or enjoying a rich cup of egg coffee, the Best Breakfast in Hanoi goes beyond a simple meal; it’s a cultural experience. So arrive with an appetite, explore as a local, and don’t forget to sample a Banh Mi Hanoi or two as you make your way around the breakfast Hanoi Old Quarter. Are you ready to taste the authentic taste of Hanoi Local Food? Your ideal morning begins here.

FAQ 

What do people eat for breakfast in Hanoi?
For locals in Hanoi, it’s all about satisfying their tastebuds by beginning their day with steaming bowls alongside the road of pho, banh mi, xoi sticky rice, bun cha or their alternative would be to have a hot bowl of crab noodle soup, and banh cuon stuffed with minced pork & ear mushrooms. And don’t miss a silky cup of egg coffee to finish your morning! These are real Hanoi local food through and through, and major contenders on any list of the Best Breakfast in Hanoi.

What is famous food in Hanoi?
Hanoi is known for its signature dishes like pho, bun cha, banh mi, and egg coffee, all of which are entrenched in the city’s epicurean heritage. Whether strolling through the breakfast Hanoi Old Quarter or sitting down to a meal in a secret alley, the tastes of Hanoi local food are something you’re unlikely to forget. For a taste to try, you should kick things off with a classic banh mi Hanoi and work from there!