“Bun thang” has long been a culinary icon in Hanoi, enticing guests with its refined flavors, elegant presentation, and painstaking preparation. “Bun thang” is more than just a wonderful food; it is also an artwork that reflects the finesse and craftsmanship of the Hanoi people. 

The story about “bun thang”

Bún thang

“Bun thang”, a traditional Hanoian meal, is unique in both its name and preparation method. Women in Hanoi used to be rather creative when it came to repurposing leftover food from the Lunar New Year to make new dishes that were inexpensive and delicious. 

“Bun thang” is made with rice vermicelli noodles, featuring a variety of other ingredients. The name “bun thang" has different explanations for its origin.  These explanations add to the intrigue of this delightful specialty.

In the Sino-Vietnamese dictionary, the term “thang" is rendered as “canh", which means “soup." This perspective emphasizes the importance of the broth, which is considered the soul of “bun thang". The broth, made with chicken bones, dried shrimp, squid, and dried radish, has a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor that distinguishes “bun thang" from other dishes.

Some believe the word “thang" is similar to “thang thuốc," which refers to traditional Chinese medicine tonics. Just as a tonic is a harmonious combination of ingredients, “bun thang" is a culinary symphony in which each element plays an important role in determining the dish’s specific flavor.

Making “bun thang” – a cooking art of Hanoi people

Rice noodles

“Bun thang”, though it sounds simple, is a dish that needs to be prepared with care. This colorful noodle soup requires at least twenty components, each of which is expertly prepared.

Picture a rainbow of vibrant, shredded ingredients above a bed of snow-white vermicelli noodles. Perfect harmony is created by the combination of soft yellow-skinned chicken, tart and sweet pickled radish, delicate fried egg ribbons, slivered pork sausage, and bright green herbs like cilantro and chives, together with shiitake mushrooms. 

The broth is a work of art in and of itself. It is a clear, strongly flavored liquid that is boiled from bones for hours until it has the ideal consistency—light but aromatic and devoid of any foam on top.

The beauty in a bowl of “bun thang”

From selecting ingredients to processing, particularly the broth-cooking step, making a classic bowl of “bun thang" requires a great deal of talent. Sea worms, shrimp, and chicken bones must all be well-simmered in the broth to provide a rich, natural sweetness that can be achieved without the use of mononatri glutamate. To keep the broth clear, you also need to regularly skim the foam. 

Presenting a bowl of “bun thang” is similar to painting a picture. The vermicelli will be positioned at the bottom of the bowl following its hot blanching. The ingredients, like pickled radish, sliced omelets, pork sausage, and shredded chicken, are placed on top of the vermicelli bowl in each corner to resemble petals of flowers, while the green of the vegetables or the brown of the mushrooms represent the pistil, filling the center of the bowl. As a result, you will be presented with a bowl of vermicelli noodles in the form of a five-colored flower with a lovely, harmonic arrangement that will please the viewer’s eyes as well as their taste sensations.

Locations to savor delicious “bun thang” in Hanoi

The vibrant environment of Hanoi’s “bun thang” restaurants, where patrons are often coming and going, has been a part of the city’s food picture. There are many places to find “bun thang”, but if you’re still looking for the best places to eat this delicious food, let’s go on a culinary adventure together!

Giang Vo Bun Thang 

Even though Giang Vo Bun Thang is not in a central location, a lot of people still visit it. With its clear, sweet broth, soft and manageable toppings, and the fiery taste of garlic and chili peppers, this diner is regarded as having kept the classic Hanoi flavor. When coming to Giang Vo Bun Thang, your taste buds will undoubtedly be treated to a flawless symphony.

Address: No.144 D2, Giang Vo Street, Giang Vo Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Lan Ong Bun Thang 

Airy and clean, with a welcoming owner, is what Lan Ong Bun Thang has to offer. The version of “bun thang” in this diner includes a transparent chicken broth that is just slightly sweet. Garlic, vinegar, and shrimp paste are some of the condiments that are typically served with real “bun thang”, giving it a unique flavor.

Address: No.16, Lan Ong Street, Hang Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hang Hom Bun Thang

Hang Hom Bun Thang is one of the most important diners in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Their “bun thang” is a delicious blend of flavors, from the carefully chosen ingredients to the creamy broth, true to Hanoi’s culinary tradition. With finely sliced eggs, delicate chicken, aromatic pork rolls, and crunchy and sweet pickled radish, each bowl is a sensory feast.

Address: No.48, Cau Go Street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hang Hanh Bun Thang 

When visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, many visitors make a familiar stop at Hang Hanh Bun Thang. Here, “bun thang" is made with carefully chosen ingredients. The result is a bowl of “bun thang” that is both striking in terms of color and appealing in terms of flavor, all thanks to the chef’s deft handling.

Address: No.29, Hang Hanh Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ba Duc Bun Thang

Ba Duc Bun Thang is a diner with a rather rustic-sounding name. Pork sausage, chicken, shiitake mushrooms, radish, omelet, green onions, and laksa leaves are all included in this bowl of “bun thang". You will have an incredible flavor experience because of the careful and exquisite presentation of every ingredient, mixed with a clear and thick broth.

Address: No.48, Cau Go Street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ngoc Tuyen Bun Thang

Hanoi’s traditional flavors may be found in the restaurant Ngoc Tuyen Bun Thang. Everything about making a bowl of vermicelli, from selecting ingredients to cooking, is done with care. More than 20 ingredients come together to produce a flavorful and harmonious dish that guests will never forget.

Address: No.58, Dao Tan Street, Cong Vi Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tuan Minh Bun Thang

Visitors and locals in Hanoi are both familiar with Tuan Minh Bun Thang. The visually appealing bowls of “bun thang” here have sweet, fragrant chicken with a hint of lemon and fish sauce for seasoning. Many people frequent this diner because a bowl of “bun thang” here is reasonably priced, making it quite affordable for students.

Address: No.3, To Hien Thanh Street, Bui Thi Xuan Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam 

Ba To Hang Be Pho & Bun Thang

The owner of Ba To Hang Be Pho & Bun Thang is adorable, gregarious, and full of energy. The “bun thang” in this diner is topped with sliced chicken, a few chopped eggs, crunchy radish slices, a few mushrooms for taste, and a fragrant, clear broth with hints of shrimp and chicken. If you’re looking for a great place to consume “bun thang”, this is definitely an address to check out.

Address: No.66, Trung Kinh Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam

To Hieu Pho & Bun Thang 

To Hieu Bun Thang is only available in the early morning, so plan to be there early if you want to savor “bun thang”. Along with many other traditional dishes, “bun thang" is the diner’s main claim to fame. Here, the vermicelli is meticulously chosen before being cooked. It is blanched in broth until very soft and fragrant, just before being added to the bowl. Diners are drawn in at first glance by the attractive decoration of every item in this dish.

Address: No.102 B8, To Hieu Street, Nghia Tan Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ha Hoi Bun Thang

Ha Hoi Bun Thang, which is situated in a quiet little lane in the heart of Hanoi, never fails to draw diners in with its rich “bun thang" flavor, which is distinctive of old Hanoi. The most remarkable component is the flavorful and aromatic sweet broth made from simmering chicken bones, which combines with the flavorful shredded chicken to create a harmonic and delectable bowl of “bun thang".

Address: No.11, Ha Hoi Street, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam 

Ba Am Bun Thang

When discussing “bun thang” in Hanoi, it is impossible to ignore Ms. Am, an artist who helped popularize this cuisine and extend its popularity across the city. “If you haven’t eaten Ms. Am’s “bun thang”, you’re not a resident of the capital," is a jocular proverb that circulates. Even after all these years, Ba Am Bun Thang’s classic flavors and essence continue to draw in customers.

Address: No.37, Cua Nam Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam 

Summary

“Bun thang" is a sophisticated and delicate meal that is essential to Hanoi cuisine. The culinary spirit of this ancient region is reflected in each bowl of “bun thang", creating a vibrant artistic picture. Experience the distinct traditional flavor of “bun thang" once and become fully immersed in Hanoi’s distinctive culinary culture.

Don’t forget to regularly follow our Facebook page and Website for more interesting information about traveling to Hanoi and to book Hanoi tours at the best prices.

All the latest breaking news & travel information on Hanoi travel. Browse The Independent's complete collection of articles and commentary on Hanoi travel: Hanoi attractions, travel news, gallery, culture, history and tips.