Top 12 Hanoi Local Foods to Try on Your Hanoi Tours (2025)

1. Pho – The National Soul in a Bowl

It wouldn’t be a list of Hanoi Local Foods if I didn’t include pho, Vietnam’s most famous noodle soup, and the popular choice among Hanoi street food lovers. It is to the 1920s that this Hanoi’s iconic treat is dated – and has grown into an internationally spread national symbol which seems to never bore with its straightforward and soul-soothing depth.

But did you know there is a never-ending point of contention among us locals? Beef pho (pho bo) and chicken pho (pho ga)! Beef pho is hearty, aromatic, and a full-bodied brodo brimming with star anise, cinnamon, and charred onion. By contrast, chicken pho has a lighter but fragrant broth that makes it great for a light breakfast or meal. (When it comes to the meat, locals are generally into beef, typically the seared rare tai lan, but don’t discount the pleasurable simplicity of a well-made pho ga. For a bowl to remember, go to:

For an unforgettable bowl, visit:

• Pho Thin – 13 Lo Duc (₫50,000-₫70,000): Known for stir-fried beef that lends smoky depth to a bowl.
• Pho Ly Quoc Su – 10 Ly Quoc Su(₫60,000-₫80,000): A staple in the life of food in Hanoi enthusiasts.

Still searching for that perfect bowl? Read our complete guide to the best pho Hanoi!

2. Bun Cha – Obama’s Pick for a Reason

Ask any Hanoian what the signature lunchtime dish of Hanoi Local Foods is, and the consistent reply is bun cha. This Vietnamese favorite combines succulent grilled patties of minced pork and pork belly slices with cold vermicelli, fresh lettuce, and a sweet-savory fish-sauce, vinegar, garlic, and chili dipping sauce.

Smoked and blistery from being grilled over open charcoal flames, bun cha is so full of flavor, it’s impossible to resist! You don’t combine it like salad, no, no! You dunk, you bite, you take it in. Throw in some fried spring rolls (nem ran) and you’ve got yourself a spread that locals swear by.

It should come as no surprise that Anthony Bourdain treated President Obama with bun cha when he visited back in 2016, a taste-of-place moment that became world news! 

Best places to dive in:

• Bun cha Huong Lien (Obama’s Choice) – 24 Le Van Huu (₫45,000-₫60,000)
• Bun cha Dac Kim – 1 Hang Manh (₫50,000-₫70,000): Famous for thick pork patties and heaping portions.

Want to follow in their footsteps? Don’t miss our guide on where to find the best bun cha in Hanoi and learn why this is a delicious must-eat Hanoi classic.

3. Banh Mi – The Vietnamese Baguette With Hanoi’s Twist

Banh mi may even have French roots, but in Hanoi, it has a character all its own: a crust that breaks crisply, a soft middle, with an explosion of flavor inside. While the Saigon version is item-heavy, banh mi in Hanoi is all about balance: a smear of pate, slices of pork or an egg, fresh cucumber, pickled veggies, cilantro, and what in the South (and on international menus) passes for optional but is mandatory, a drizzle of dipping sauce.

It’s more than just a mid-afternoon, mouthwatering treat; it’s also the ideal, grab-and-go option for anyone trekking the streets in search of some tasty grub. Whether you’re off to Hoan Kiem Lake or through the labyrinth of the Old Quarter, here’s what I always say: one can never have enough banh mi during the day.

Where should you grab your next bite?

• Banh Mi 25 – 25 Hang Ca (₫25,000-₫40,000): One of the favourites for locals and backpackers as the service is warm from them and the bakes are fresh.
• Banh Mi Pho Co – 38 Dinh Liet (₫30,000-₫50,000): Hidden gem with rich pate, crispy crust.

4. Cha Ca La Vong – The Sizzling Hanoi Fish Specialty

And here is one of the oldest and most dramatic dishes in the world of Hanoi Local Foods – Cha Ca La Vong. This has been fried up into the hearts of the eater since the days of French colonial rule, and remains as much of a classic Hanoi food experience as it ever was. 

So, what’s the secret? It’s all about the combo: the fatty catfish fillets, marinated in turmeric, sizzling on a hot pan at your table with a fragrant forest of fresh dill (a spice rarely seen elsewhere in Vietnamese cuisine). You throw in rice vermicelli, roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, and dip it in a funky yet irresistible dipping sauce of fermented shrimp paste.

This dish is not just food, it’s a show. You stir, you sizzle, you divide. It’s messy, fragrant, and unforgettable.

Where to try it:

• Cha Ca La Vong – 14 Cha Ca Street (₫120,000-₫200,000): The one that started it all. A culinary landmark.
• Cha Ca Thang Long – 21 Duong Thanh: A favorite by locals for being delicious value for money.

If you are discovering what’s behind the Hanoi food legends, look no further than its signature, iconic best bun cha in Hanoi, or banh mi Hanoi – also a must try!

5. Bun Thang – Hanoi’s Refined Chicken Noodle Soup

Light, nuanced, with over 20 perfectly balanced ingredients, Bun Thang is the haughty couture of Hanoi Local Foods. You may have encountered it in one of the banquets that are now staged during the Chinese New Year, or to honor a guest, but all these years later, it has become a beloved breakfast for those of us who understand the power of subtlety and finesse.

This noodle soup bowl contains shredded chicken, slivers of omelet, Vietnamese ham, mushrooms, shrimp floss, and fragrant herbs all floating in a clear-as-ice broth that murmurs flavor instead of yelling about it. It’s a dish that epitomizes the careful nature of traditional Hanoi food, and each spoonful is a ritual.

Top picks for this royal delight:

• Bun Thang Cau Go – 48 Cau Go (₫40,000-₫70,000): Very clean tasting, balanced broth.
• Bun Thang Ha Hoi – 11 Ha Hoi: A secret corner adored by Hanoi people.

Still contemplating what to eat in Hanoi after your bowl of the best pho Hanoi? This delicacy is one of the must-eat Hanoi.

6. Bun Oc – Snail Noodle Soup Bursting with Umami

Rouse from an early morning wake-up call in Hanoi, and you may be welcomed by the unmistakable scent of Bun Oc drifting from a street cart. This zesty, soothing noodle soup is one of the stars of breakfast for Hanoi street food aficionados.

The star ingredient? Freshwater snails stewed in a rich, slightly sour tomato-based broth that smacks you in the face with flavor like a morning breeze off Ho Tay. To give this dish depth and funk, the soup is spooned into a bowl alongside vermicelli noodles and a dollop of pungent dipping sauce, served alongside tofu, green banana slices, sweet perilla leaves, and a little chili oil.

Best of all, it’s healthy, hearty, and authentic Vietnamese Food Hanoi style.

Where to slurp this umami bomb:

• Bun oc Ba Luong – 34 Khuong Thuong (₫30,000-₫50,000) Prayer food for the early. 
• Bun oc Huyen Thu – 2F Quang Trung: Big flavours and lots of stuff.

If you’re in the midst of stuffing down banh mi Hanoi or preparing for another round of best pho Hanoi, then the snail sensation will bring yet another dimension to your Hanoi Local Foods escapade.

7. Bun Dau Mam Tom – The Pungent Street Food Champion

Feeling ready to face off against your taste buds? One of the most daring Hanoi Local Foods, Bun Dau MamTom is the street food legend that fans of Vietnamese Food Hanoi either love or hide from at first bite. This is not your average dinner. It features fermented shrimp paste, salty, funky, and unforgettable on a platter with a rainbow of deep-fried tofu, crunchy cha com (young green rice pork roll) bits, slices of tender pork belly, and sometimes crisp intestines.

All of the above gets dipped into that signature dipping sauce, one that locals like to tame with kumquat juice and chili. Mix that with fragrant herbs and a bowl of rice vermicelli, and you’ve got one of the most popular and delicious dishes in Hanoi cuisine.

Best spots for this flavor adventure:

• Bun dau Goc Da – 4 Hang Buon: Where that smell gets everywhere, and the locals live by the stuff.
• Bun dau Trung Huong – 49 Ngo Phat Loc (₫40,000-₫80,000): An alleyway cult favourite with a die-hard following.

It may not be as well-known around the world as the best pho Hanoi or banh mi Hanoi, but if you want to eat Hanoi, you can’t skip this. It is a must-eat Hanoi experience for any true food adventurer searching for genuine Hanoi local food.

8. Banh Cuon – Silky Rolls Packed with Flavor

Light yet flavorful, Banh Cuon is the silk dress of the Hanoi Local Foods menu. These delicate steamed rice rolls are stuffed with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots and drizzled with crispy fried shallots and a tangy dipping sauce.

Toss in slices of cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), and it’s a salty, savory breakfast or afternoon snack that hits all the important points. This classic Hanoi street food is light and satisfying at the same time, best served with a glass of hot soy milk or a freshly brewed green tea.

Top spots to enjoy this Vietnamese classic:

• Banh Cuon Ba Hanh – 16B Tho Xuong: Rather behind the cathedral than on the other side (and far smaller) – soft sheets, tasty filling.
• Banh Cuon Gia An – 25 Thai Phien: Clean, consistent, and a favorite among locals.

So, after trying the best bun cha in Hanoi, it’s risky to let your quest for what to eat in Hanoi stop with the banh cuon, as this is a gentle, touchingly quiet note in the city’s crazy food melody.

9. Banh Tom Ho Tay – West Lake’s Crispy Delight

Need your crunch with a side of lake breeze? Introducing Banh Tom Ho Tay, the golden, crispy gem of West Lake. They’re made of grated sweet potato and whole shrimp, ground and then deep fried until crispy and light and puffed up, to be served hot with a mound of fresh herbs, pickles, and of course a sweet-sour dipping sauce.

It is the ultimate street Vietnamese dish for anyone in search of something light, crunchy , and photogenic. This is something many locals snack on in the afternoon, often with a view of the sunset over the lake.

Top places to indulge:

• Banh Tom Ho Tay – 1 Thanh Nien (₫90,000-₫130,000): The old standby, by the waterside.
• Banh Tom Co Am – Ngo Dong Xuan: Unfamiliar but just as tasty.

It keeps me on my toes, and I am always pleasantly surprised crunching my shrimp or slurping on the best pho Hanoi broth. Hungry yet?

10. Xoi Xeo – Morning Glory in a Leaf Wrap

Good morning, it’s time to rise and shine, and no proper tour of Hanoi Local Foods would be complete without a serving of the simple but delicious Xoi Xeo – Vietnam’s golden sticky rice treasure. Rise before dawn, and witness the people already queuing on street corners for this breakfast served in banana leaves.

What’s inside? A glorious mix of buttery sticky rice, creamy mung beans, crunchy fried shallots, and savory chicken floss. It’s fragrant, filling, and soul-satisfying. This is the simplest delicacy ever!

But blink and it’s gone. Most stalls sell out by 9 AM! Catch it while it’s hot at:

Catch it while it’s hot at:

• Xoi xeo co May – 35 Ly Thuong Kiet: People from everywhere come to enjoy the golden Ruth for generations.
• Xoi xeo co Tuyet – Ngo Cu Loc: Small, hidden, and worth the hunt.

So when you reach for a banh mi Hanoi to save for later, do not overlook this leaf-wrapped gem for your morning fix. It’s an all too common answer for what to eat in Hanoi.

11. Com Lang Vong – Autumn’s Fragrant Green Rice

A whispering sensation throughout Hanoi’s old streets every autumn, something magical emerges in the markets: Com, a tender green rice that perfectly encapsulates the very essence of the season in the most poetic way imaginable.

Com Lang Vong is soft, with a nutty flavor and an underlying sweetness. It’s consumed with ripe bananas, shaped into sticky rice cakes, or enjoyed by the handful. Nostalgia-symbol and ephemeral beauty of autumn, this snack is considered a valuable treasure in traditional Hanoi food.

Best place to experience it?

• Lang Vong, Dich Vong Hau – Cau Giay: The home of com, and families still make the celestial rice by hand, in ancient ways.

It is less known internationally compared to the best pho Hanoi or best bun cha in Hanoi, but to the locals, it is soul food – a must-have bite of Hanoi’s local food history.

12. Egg Coffee – Hanoi’s Legendary Sip with Hanoi local food

And so, we’re concluding your Hanoi Local Foods tour on a sweet, creamy, and memorable note with none other than Egg Coffee! A product of food rationing in Hanoi during the 1940s, it mixes whipped egg yolks with sugar and potent Vietnamese coffee to yield a silky, foamy, and caffeinated concoction.

The result? A warm embrace in a cup. It is half dessert, half espresso, and 100 percent Hanoi. You spoon your brew into your cupped hand and sip it for the first time, bitter-sweet, creamy-milky, luscious, soothing.

Sip the real deal at:

• Cafe Giang – 39 Nguyen Huu Huan: The home of egg coffee, still owned by the family of the original creator.
• Cafe Dinh – 13 Dinh Tien Hoang: A balcony to look out over Hoan Kiem Lake and a quality-of-coffee to match.

If you’ve gotten your fill of banh cuon, banh mi Hanoi, and steaming noodle soup already, egg coffee is how to take it down a notch and ponder on the depth of comfort and seduction Vietnamese Food Hanoi has stacked into your hands.

Tips for Exploring Hanoi local food

Skip the Tourist Traps, Follow the Hanoi local food

Not all busy food stalls are equal. The best rule of thumb? Watch where the locals go. If the place is full of Vietnamese families, office workers, and students hunched over the bun cha or slurping rice noodles, it’s likely the real deal. If you avoid the places with laminated menus in six languages and aggressive touts (they’re rarely serving authentic traditional dishes), you’ll have no problem.

Need help finding the best bowls? Check out these insider favorites:

• best pho Hanoi – for 6 am broth bliss
• best bun cha in Hanoi – for smoky minced pork bliss
• Banh Mi Hanoi – for grab-and-go alchemy at any time of day

Morning vs. Evening Eats with Hanoi local food

The timing of Hanoi local food is key. The morning is optimal for delicate dishes like xoi xeo, banh cuon, and pho, the latter light but satisfying and with just enough punch to jump-start your day. Evenings? That’s when the grills come out. Snag sizzling bun cha, crispy fried spring rolls, and maybe even a cheeky late-night snack of sticky rice with mung beans and fried shallots.

Longing for something cooked until it’s crispy and with a view? Do not miss your lakeside banh tom for an afternoon snack, with the sun setting over West Lake.

How to Order Like a Pro for Hanoi local food

You don’t have to learn the lingo, but a good few words of local slang go a very long way. Most vendors in this neighborhood speak basic English. There are a lot of tourists around, but here’s a helpful phrase if you want to make adjustments:

• “It duong, it muoi nhe” – “Less sugar, less salt please.”

It is also useful when listing ingredients for which colorlessness is important, as with egg coffee or dipping sauce, which can go a little sweet. Be polite, smile, and express thanks. And Vietnamese food vendors will share their craft with you, especially when you show some interest in it.

Vegan? Allergy-Sensitive with Hanoi local food? No Problem!

Vietnamese Food Hanoi is generally meat-oriented by default meat oriented, but don’t fear, there are plenty of plant-based and allergy-friendly foods on the menu if you know where and how to look. Popular Hanoi Local Foods like banh cuon chay, bun dau, and veg pho are everywhere. Always ask about fish sauce in the dipping sauce (it’s common!) and give a final check with local staff for ingredients like peanuts or shellfish.

Conclusion

From the sizzling bun cha to the silky banh cuon to the creamy egg coffee to the golden sticky rice, Hanoi Local Foods is an adventure through time, culture, and taste. Avoid the tourist traps, follow the locals, and enjoy the Hanoi food for the soul that this travel guide provides. Whether you are consuming the finest pho Hanoi, a local banh mi Hanoi, or journeying into the smoky mystery of the best bun cha in Hanoi, the city’s real magic is all about the street-side dishes.

So why not eat boldly, eat locally, and let Hanoi’s local food speak to you about their stories? And, if you’re hungry for more, perhaps you would consider ending the list with any of the tasty Hanoi Tours and sample these culinary jewels with guides who have the scumptious corners of the city at their fingertips.

FAQ 

What food is famous in Hanoi?

Hanoi Local Foods are legendary for their depth of flavor and cultural history. Some of the most famous dishes include pho (fragrant beef or chicken noodle soup), bun cha (grilled minced pork with vermicelli noodles and herbs), banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwiches), cha ca (turmeric fish with dill), and bun thang (refined chicken noodle soup). These dishes aren’t just meals—they’re timeless expressions of traditional Hanoi food.

What to eat in Hanoi street food?

If you’re diving into Hanoi street food, don’t miss:

• Bun cha: grilled pork with rice vermicelli and tangy dipping sauce
• Banh cuon: steamed rice rolls with minced pork and fried shallots
• Xoi xeo: sticky rice with mung beans and chicken floss
• Banh tom Ho Tay: crispy shrimp cakes by the lake
• Egg coffee: a must-try creamy, bittersweet sip
  

Where did Obama and Bourdain eat in Hanoi?

President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain famously dined at Bún chả Hương Liên in Hanoi during their 2016 visit. They enjoyed bún chả—a smoky, grilled pork dish with herbs and noodles—paired with cold beer and warm conversation. Since then, the eatery at 24 Lê Văn Hưu has become a culinary landmark in the Hanoi local food scene.

What is Hanoi most known for?

Hanoi is most known for its rich history, elegant French-colonial architecture, lively Old Quarter, and of course—its incredible food! The city is a paradise for lovers of vietnamese food hanoi, with a vibrant street scene offering everything from pho and banh mi to egg coffee and sticky rice. Whether you’re on a cultural tour or a flavor quest, Hanoi offers experiences you won’t forget.