Hello to Cuồng’s awesome 500 brothers! After a few days of resting and almost eating my way through every corner of Hanoi, today Cuồng is back with a list of the top 10 must-try dishes when traveling in Hanoi—so you all can discover eateries that are not only famous for their deliciousness but also for their “mouth-dropping” prices!!!
1. Châm’s Chicken Pho at 64 – 68 Yên Ninh
Normally, you and Cuồng might feel full and satisfied with a bowl of pho for 30k – 35k VND, right? But 60k for a bowl? That’s quite a shocking number, isn’t it? Yet this pho place is always packed with customers. Yes, it’s Châm’s Chicken Pho at 64 – 68 Yên Ninh! For early risers or those who love strolling the streets in the morning, this spot will feel very familiar. But Cuồng believes not everyone knows about it or has tried it, simply because we tend to go for the classic trio: delicious – nutritious – affordable. Meanwhile, this place falls into the “pricey but worth every bite” category.
From around 7 or 7:30 in the morning, the place already starts getting busy. I remember hearing before that she only sold until around 10 AM, but luckily now it’s extended until 1 or 1:30 PM. So if you’re a “lazybones” who oversleeps, you can still catch her pho for lunch. Chị Châm prepares pho right at the front. Walking past, you’ll see a huge tray of chicken meat—each piece thick and neatly cut, very eye-catching. Around her are eggs, chicken hearts, livers, gizzards, drumsticks, wings… Then there’s a basket of scallions and a massive pot of steaming broth next to it. Customers walk by, she immediately calls them in to sit, and just a few minutes later, steaming chicken pho is served right at your table. The broth is sweet and rich. Each piece of chicken is thick, tender, and there’s plenty of it. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
I don’t know what kind of chicken chị Châm uses, but the meat is fragrant, slightly chewy, and the skin is soft, rich, but not greasy at all. One thing I must say—the chicken here is never dry or stringy. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, go for the drumstick bowl—it’s even better. Another thing Cuồng finds quite charming here is the fried dough sticks (quẩy). You know how in Hanoi, pho without quẩy just isn’t pho. But unlike many places that use large, thick ones, here they serve small, cute quẩy that are easy on the eyes and easy to eat too.Besides that, the shop also offers some basic breakfast drinks like iced tea and soy milk. Finish your meal with a drink, and you’re all set for a morning full of energy. A lazy Sunday morning, a little wandering, a little self-care, and a bit of “fancy eating”—why not drop by and grab a bowl of Chị Châm’s chicken pho to nourish yourself?
2. Bà Thu’s Traditional Sticky Rice at 57 Thợ Nhuộm
When talking about traditional sticky rice in Hanoi, it’s impossible not to mention Bà Thu’s sticky rice stall at 57 Thợ Nhuộm. This place has been open for decades and is considered a legendary breakfast spot by many Hanoians. Even though it’s just a small stall tucked in an old alley, it’s always crowded with both locals and tourists alike.
Bà Thu’s sticky rice is famous for its rich, flavorful toppings and the perfectly cooked glutinous rice—soft, fragrant, and never mushy. There are many choices for toppings, from classic fried shallots and mung bean paste to more filling options like Chinese sausage, pork floss, boiled chicken, and pâté. You can mix and match depending on your appetite and preferences. Prices range from 30k to 60k VND depending on the toppings you choose.
One thing Cuồng really likes about this place is that even though it’s been around for ages, the flavor remains consistent. Bà Thu herself is still involved in the daily preparation, and you can tell how much care she puts into each portion. Her sticky rice not only fills you up but also warms your heart with that unmistakable homemade feeling.
Just imagine, on a breezy morning in Hanoi, sitting by the roadside with a warm box of sticky rice, watching the street slowly wake up—what a lovely start to the day, right?
The bowl of sticky rice looks simple, but the flavor is truly hard to find anywhere else other than at the traditional sticky rice shop of Mrs. Thu. As soon as you arrive, you can see a pot of braised pork boiling vigorously, filled with various ingredients, from braised pork, eggs, to Vietnamese pork sausage. Located at 57 Tho Nhuom Street, if you go from Hai Ba Trung Street, Quan Su to Tho Nhuom Street, the sticky rice shop is quite close to this intersection. The first thing to mention is the toppings that make a strong impression.
The large piece of braised pork is not small like in other shops, and the meat is very tender, juicy, and full of braised pork flavor. The Vietnamese pork sausage is also a big-sized piece just like the pork. You can also ask the owner to add lean meat or pork belly according to your preference, so don’t hesitate to request your favorite toppings. Cuong is someone who can eat quite a lot, but even he finds it challenging to finish a bowl of this sticky rice. It may look small in the photo, but it can make you full until noon. The fried egg is seasoned with a bit of flour and then cooked in the braised pork broth, so it has a very rich flavor.
When eating a lot of sticky rice, some people may feel a bit overwhelmed, but don’t worry because the shop always provides pickled spicy cucumbers to balance the flavors. The sticky rice is shiny, chewy, fragrant, and soaked in flavorful braised pork broth, making it extremely delicious. Waking up early in the morning to have a bowl of sticky rice is enough to keep you full for the whole day of work. A serving of sticky rice here usually costs 40k, which may seem a bit pricey, but it’s definitely worth spending money on for such a delicious and flavorful dish. Even if it’s a bit more expensive, Cuong thinks it’s worth it. However, because the shop is quite expensive, if you plan to eat there, try to wake up a bit early, or else they might run out of food.
3. Nguyên Sinh Bread
When it comes to banh mi in Hanoi, there are countless types of banh mi and ways to eat them. From banh mi that cost only 10k, then 20k, 30k…, and even more. Each type has its own flavor and distinctive characteristics. Among them, Cuong suddenly noticed a “major character” that stands out, which is the Nguyen Sinh banh mi. Not only different in each type of filling, Nguyen Sinh banh mi also impresses with its famous goose liver pate.
The Nguyen Sinh banh mi shop was opened in Hanoi in 1942, and now it’s been almost 80 years. Later, the shop also opened in Saigon and so on, these establishments have been coexisting until now. Nguyen Sinh banh mi is very different from other banh mi shops in Hanoi today. Usually, people put pate, sausages, Chinese sausages, eggs… in the filling, but at Nguyen Sinh, they use cold cuts like in foreign countries. This type of filling is more common in Saigon, not so much in Hanoi. The way of enjoying banh mi is also very special. They serve a plate with various meats such as goose liver pate, sausages, ham, pork bologna, smoked meat, and more, along with pickles and homemade sauce, ensuring quality.
The banh mi is kept separate outside, and when eating, you can tear the banh mi and eat it with the meat or sandwich any meat you like. The price for a serving is 95k, quite expensive, but delicious. The cold cuts are made according to the traditional secret recipe passed down by the first owner. And so on, the following generations have maintained it. Although the appearance may not differ much from other places, the flavor has a unique touch that only Nguyen Sinh has. The most impressive thing at Nguyen Sinh must be the goose liver pate with a distinctive flavor that cannot be found in any other place.
With a unique secret in processing and seasoning that the chef has mastered, the pate is not only delicious and flavorful but also has an irresistible aroma. Although famous for banh mi, besides banh mi, Nguyen Sinh also sells many other dishes such as beefsteak, soup, spaghetti… to serve all customer needs. Most customers come to buy banh mi to take away, and many also buy the goose liver pate separately to enjoy with other dishes.
4. Pho Bat Dan
If you’ve decided to have pho for breakfast but want to have beef pho instead of chicken pho, why not go to Bat Dan to the famous Hanoi pho spot at 49 Bat Dan, also known as Bat Dan pho. You can easily spot a crowded pho place, when you stand in front of the restaurant, park your bike on the side of the road and go in to eat, you can see many people lining up waiting for their turn.
To enjoy the sweet and fragrant taste of Bat Dan pho, everyone has to wait in line, but it’s quite fast because the restaurant always tries to serve customers as quickly as possible, so you only have to wait about 5-10 minutes to get your turn to eat. With a fairly convenient location for transportation, but that’s only for motorbikes, if you go to the Old Quarter to eat pho by car, it will be quite inconvenient because the parking for cars is quite far from the pho place. Therefore, Cuong advises you to go by motorbike for convenience.
Diners are quite excited when dining at the traditional pho restaurant 49 Bat Dan, although they have to line up, they hardly feel uncomfortable at all, and they follow the line in a polite manner, I think that is a cultural behavior that we should learn from the attitude of queuing from those Western guests. Another special feature is that this restaurant does not have waiters, all diners serve themselves. When it’s your turn, you pay and carry your pho back. Another special point is that Bat Dan pho does not use spices or MSG, but is simply cooked with bones and fish sauce only.
Over time, the restaurant is still bustling with customers and every day groups of people still stand in line waiting to enjoy the authentic pho flavor. I really like the fragrant taste of the pho broth here, completely without additives, its flavor is different from the usual 30k pho bowls. The sweetness of the simmered bone broth, the sweet aroma not overpowering is very difficult to describe and compare if you never try 2 bowls of pho, one with MSG and one without MSG. So why hesitate to treat yourself to a bowl of Bat Dan pho to know how delicious and fragrant traditional pho is. Oh, Cuong also wants to mention that the price of a bowl of pho at this Bat Dan pho restaurant is usually around 40k or more. Although it may be a bit expensive, it’s worth it.
5. Xoi Yen
Hanoians are quite sophisticated and discerning when it comes to cuisine. Therefore, it is not difficult to see images of people lining up to buy pho, rice… at a famous eatery in this land. Xoi Yen is no exception. Xoi Yen opens from 5 am to 1 am daily and is located in the center of Hanoi, on a fairly large street corner. With a spacious area spanning 3 floors, even the sidewalk is used to serve customers dining in.
Its prime location, spaciousness, and being a private house mean no rental costs. Perhaps this is one of the important factors that help the eatery thrive. With a high intensity and frequency during peak hours such as lunch and dinner, this eatery requires three alternating managers and a large staff of over 50 people, with a professional team from serving dine-in or takeout, serving tables, cooking, parking attendants, selling drinks, and issuing invoices.
Compared to its initial scale 15 years ago, this eatery has become a true ‘giant’ with the ability to operate 20/24 hours a day, a 3-fold increase in dine-in area, not to mention the large amount of takeout orders. According to the owner, Ms. Yen, the takeout orders are equivalent to dine-in customers. The staff has increased from 3 to over 50 employees, using 2 tons of sticky rice daily, 20 times more than in the early days, serving 17 dishes accompanied by 3 types of sticky rice, as well as beverages like soy milk, iced tea, and bottled drinks. With prices ranging from 23-55k per serving, Xoi Yen may seem a bit expensive compared to the average, but it is suitable for the quality and delicious taste that the dish here offers to customers.
6. Duck vermicelli on Lý Thái Tổ street.
In the afternoon, passing by the intersection of Ly Thai To and Lo Su streets, you will see a crowded sidewalk duck noodle shop. This place is highly rated by many Hanoi diners and Cuong for being delicious and “worth every penny”. The sidewalk eatery is simple with basic “furniture” like plastic chairs, chopsticks, and not even vinegar, chili sauce, or salt readily available. However, the food prices at this place are not inferior to those of more formal restaurants, with the cheapest bowl of noodles being 40,000 VND and not even filled to the brim.
The steaming hot bowl of noodles is enticing when topped with bamboo shoots, fresh onions. But when you try to pick up some with your chopsticks, you’ll only find about 4 pieces of meat, including breast, thigh, and even bone. If you’re used to “baiting”, you’ll definitely have to order a more expensive bowl. For example, if you want to enjoy thigh meat noodles or “request” some extra giblets, it will cost you 50 – 70k for a bowl, which is not surprising. That’s why many customers here have the habit of ordering a separate bowl of meat to chew on.
Despite the high prices, the shop has been crowded for years. They only sell from around 4 pm, but by 5 pm, side dishes like giblets and heart are all sold out. You might think it’s the fate, the mysterious luck of the shop, but it turns out that the people of Hanoi are not picky eaters and like to be “beautifully ripped off”. In fact, the duck noodles at this place are very delicious. The duck meat is tender, perfectly cooked, whether it’s breast or thigh, it’s not tough or dry. The clear broth is light, not greasy, and diners can feel the sweetness of the bones rather than the artificial flavor of many other places. The bamboo shoots are also skillfully prepared, very tasty. Even the accompanying fried dough sticks are selected to be delicious, crispy, and freshly made. The only downside might be felt by those who prefer salty food. That is, the shop owner slightly reduces the broth’s saltiness, perhaps to suit the majority of people’s tastes and be easier to adjust according to the customers’ preferences.
7. Bà Triệu Fried Rice
With a price of 55,000 VND per serving, those who love roasted chicken and are used to being “tempted” must visit this rice shop to test their strength. The shop is located outside the main road, near the intersection of these two main streets. Here they sell a variety of dishes such as sticky rice, pho, noodles, rice, but mainly specialize in chicken. The busiest time at the shop is during lunch because the main customers are office workers and students from schools around this area. The place is loved by diners because the food is delicious, plentiful, reasonably priced, and served quickly.
Roasted chicken fried rice is probably the most popular menu choice. Indeed, as soon as the staff brings out the plate of rice, at first glance, the delicate girls will be a bit “dizzy” and want to eat right away. But for those who love roasted chicken and are used to being “tempted,” it’s a feast for the eyes. The fried rice is golden yellow, occasionally garnished with green onions, carrots, and pickled cucumbers. But the highlight that takes up half of the plate is the large, fatty piece of roasted chicken, very “huge.” Not only does it have a large, fatty thigh, but that piece of meat spreads over the thigh, then “eats” into the thick, tender breast part. The quality of the rice at the shop is also quite good.
The fried rice is crispy, the roasted chicken meat is fragrant, rich, the skin is crispy, fatty, and will surely satisfy many diners. In addition, a serving of roasted chicken fried rice always comes with a plate of pickled cucumbers, a bowl of broth to prevent dryness, and a cup of sauce that the owner advertises as “specially prepared Russian sauce.” It’s hard to verify if it’s true, but when tasted, the food is richer thanks to this “special” sauce. Overall, at a price of 55,000 VND, roasted chicken fried rice is worth considering as delicious and affordable. Tall, strong young people sometimes have to “struggle” because of the “huge” serving of rice with roasted chicken. So regular customers here share the experience, just order a 60,000 VND plate, more rice, enough to satisfy the appetite of a petite couple.
8. Tống Duy Tân’s Island-style Roasted Chicken Rice
Called island rice to surprise your taste buds, but in reality, the rice here is just white rice stir-fried with eggs. However, during the frying process, the chef constantly stirs the rice, so the grains are separate, firm, and not greasy from excessive oil. And of course, a side dish is essential. It could be stir-fried chicken, braised shrimp, or sautéed ribs according to your preference, and this is what makes this rice dish stand out from other typical fried rice dishes.
Experimenting with the sautéed ribs, Cuong couldn’t help but be amazed because even for a single serving, the bowl of ribs was quite generous. A small bowl of ribs had up to 4 pieces, each one big and meaty, soaked in shiny brown meat juice, fragrant. Dip the meat juice into the rice, mix well, and try a piece of rib to understand why this rice dish, although not cheap, is still so popular.
The ribs are tender, combined with rich and flavorful meat juice. The rice is fluffy, with a hint of egg flavor mixed inside. All of this brings a familiar taste like homemade rice, yet it’s unique due to the chef’s skillful seasoning with a bit of salt, a bit of sweetness, a bit of spiciness from black pepper. However, the price for a serving of rice here is not easy to swallow at all. 90k per serving of rib, chicken, or shrimp – a price usually seen at fast food joints rather than a sidewalk eatery, and it can be said that these are some of the most expensive fried rice places in Hanoi. However, with a consistent taste and quality, Dao Pho Tống Duy Tân still receives love from young people. And if you happen to pass by, don’t hesitate to take the time to try this expensive but delicious fried rice dish.
9. Phở bò phố Gầm Cầu (salty pho at Gầm Cầu street)
Salty Pho at Gầm Cầu street, or also known as 34 Hàng Giấy. Sometimes, while eating pho, you hear a rumble above your head, looking up, you see a train running on the elevated railway to the main station. Sometimes, the train stops for a while, people get on and off in a hurry… It sounds like a scene from an old story, doesn’t it? But why not, it’s been a long time since I felt the peaceful feeling of eating pho while watching the train.
Salty Pho, with the owner being Mrs. Hà Méo, called Hà Méo because she had a stroke once, now her mouth is skewed to one side. The stroke only left that mark, but she is still agile, sharp, and very authoritative. Her children, the ones working in the house, no matter how scary they are, still have to listen to her nagging; all the household expenses, all the activities of the cooperative food and beverage group in her house; are all decided by her. Let’s stop here to talk about what is called the cooperative group: In the morning, Salty Pho, at noon, grilled pork with vermicelli, in the evening, grilled beef. But the “contraindication” is that every dish is addictive.
However, there is only one problem, sometimes there is only pho in the morning, no grilled pork at noon, or even no grilled beef in the evening, because Mrs. Hà Méo “doesn’t feel like selling them.” And if she doesn’t want to, both “lady bosses” – her daughter and daughter-in-law are helpless, sighing and telling customers: Today she doesn’t want to sell. She is not only the one standing in the kitchen making each bowl of pho for customers, but she also personally marinates the meat for the vermicelli dish at noon and the grilled beef dish in the evening at 10 o’clock every morning. Majestic, she sits in front of a large basin, pouring in the meat, along with a bowl of thickened water, minced lemongrass, and spices, sugar, and pepper.
Sometimes using strong hands to stir the meat from bottom to top, the meat pieces are shiny and smooth, looking delicious. Mrs. Hà Méo stands in the kitchen selling pho from 5:30 am to 12 pm, even until 12 am every day. Her menu includes rare beef pho, beef tendon pho, beef tripe pho, beef tendon and cartilage pho… Priced from 50,000 VND to 80,000 VND. But, even with those listed prices, if you are a laborer, a street vendor, she can make a bowl for 40,000 VND, then it won’t be much higher than the regular pho prices, right? But if you are a “big mouth, deep pocket” person, then a bowl of pho with lots of meat is 100k, plus 10k for fried breadsticks and 3k for iced tea.
Talking endlessly, we still haven’t talked about the main reason why Mrs. Hà Méo’s Salty Pho has made it onto Hanoi’s pho map. Because it’s special – of course. Because it’s delicious – of course. Because it’s unforgettable – of course, how can you forget when the rare beef is so delicious, each piece curls up like a pig’s ear, pink with white tendons, crispy yet tender, incredibly tasty. The cooked meat is fragrant, each piece is as good as the next, abundant in the pot, but when eaten, it melts in your mouth, rich and warm. The tendon is chewy, yet crispy, a pleasure for the taste buds. A bowl of pho, thick and chewy noodles. A bowl of pho with rare beef, with exposed tender meat.
A bowl of pho immersed in a large bowl of broth, each dip just right for a bowl of pho. Then a handful of onions, finely chopped herbs sprinkled on top. Very fragrant, the aroma of the pho broth mixed with the aroma of rare beef and herbs. Scoop it up with a spoon. Put it in your mouth, besides the salty taste, of course, deep down is the sweet taste of the well-cooked broth with bones and beef tripe, so delicious that the salty taste is never overwhelming. Not to mention the meat is tender, the tripe is tender, each piece is like one, crispy yet tender, sweet and fragrant. Anyone who dares to give Mrs. Hà Méo inferior meat, tomorrow she will be offended, she will turn her face away – then they will be in trouble. So no one dares to give her bad meat.
Also, Mrs. Hà Méo has a special trainer just to slice the rare beef, the exposed meat, each piece is thin and even, like one piece. A large bowl of pho, satisfying and filling, eating at around 10 am is like skipping lunch. Actually, if you have time, you should eat earlier than 10 am, the pho will be even better, there will be more types of meat to choose from, and if you ask for more herbs, she won’t refuse.
10. Assorted sweet soup 1976 at Trần Hưng Đạo street
The weather is scorching hot, and if you get to enjoy a cup of cool refreshing tea, it’s truly amazing, isn’t it? Tea in Hanoi is abundant, from large stores to street vendors, everywhere you go, there’s always tea available, and surely everyone has their favorite tea spot. However, if you are a food enthusiast, you cannot miss the 40-year-old tea located in a small alley near the beginning of Tran Hung Dao street. The alley where the old tea shop is located doesn’t even have a name, but if you walk slowly to number 72 Tran Hung Dao, pay attention to a fairly wide turn, then bump onto the sidewalk, look around a bit, and you will see a 5-story house with a prominent yellow sign.
No matter how scorching the weather is, stepping into the alley always feels cool, with the scent of tea lingering in the air, mixed with a very Hanoi feeling when you see the words “Old tea 1976”. This old tea shop is unique, from the outside, you can see the second-floor mezzanine, relaxed customers peering down through a small railing gap, the first floor with just a few small tables and chairs snug against the wall. Other tea shops in the Old Quarter usually have low plastic chairs, crowded and bustling, but here, no matter how many customers there are, you feel comfortable, not hesitant or rushed, and there’s no need to quickly stand up to give your seat to someone else. In the corner seat by the cashier counter, there’s an elderly lady with silver hair who often sits quietly, but when a customer arrives, she smiles, speaking in a gentle and friendly tone: “Please come in and have some tea.”
Many customers just nod and pass by, but some stay to chat with her. Cuong was curious and sat watching the lady for a while, guessing that she was the shop owner. Indeed, she is the one who gave birth to this shop that has been around for over 40 years. In the heart of Hanoi, where many famous tea brands exist such as Hang Than mango tea, Sweet Sixteen tea, Four Seasons tea… this tea shop owned by the woman from the Central region carries a long and fascinating story, with a menu of over 40 uniquely flavored dishes created by her own hands. The more you look, the more you see the lady exuding a mysterious charm. Her hair half up, a mix of silver and black strands, her style reminiscent of women from the end of the last century, with wrinkles lining her gentle face. She claims to be 80 years old this year, but no one believes it, as she still looks agile and nimble, as if she were in her 60s.
She has a beautiful name – Tran Thi Phuc Mai, born and raised in a landlord family in the coastal area of Phu Khanh in the past, now Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa. In the kitchen where Phuc Mai stands every day to cook tea, neatly tucked away in a corner, you can see it as soon as you enter the shop. For 40 years, except for a few days during Tet, she never takes a day off, and her children have grown up surrounded by the scent of green beans and red beans from her gentle kitchen. Now, she is over eighty years old, gradually passing on all her secrets to her descendants, while she sits watching over the tea shop like a living historian, witnessing many seasons pass through the small alley, generations of Hanoians who have come here to eat. And then, no one knows since when, if you mention the famous tea shops of Trang An land without mentioning “Old tea 76”, it would be a huge oversight.
It’s not by chance that the old 1976 tea is famous among a forest of similar mixed teas. Mai mixes traditional ingredients together, a layer of smooth green beans, whole red beans that melt on the tongue, a few pieces of chewy sweet potato, sweet and fragrant coconut milk on top… But if you are observant, tasting each spoonful of tea slowly and carefully, you will discover the unique touch of the creative owner.
It’s the coconut sesame pearl, a unique and delicious mouth-watering treat, crunchy and delightful, making you want to keep eating and hearing the joyful crunching sound. It’s the soft green milk rice grains, carefully selected by Mai, placed separately at the bottom. It’s the thin slices of sour starfruit that awaken the taste buds, occasionally appearing somewhere in the tea cup like a curious note that makes you finish the cup to explore every spoonful.
Not only the mixed tea, there’s also pomegranate seed dew, coconut core lotus, coconut core purple sticky rice, and a dozen unique names like pearl sago tea, coconut core pearl sago, white jelly coconut core, pearl sago é… catering to every guest’s taste. Each dish is rich and satisfying, mixed like a colorful and sweet artistic masterpiece. Many first-time customers are often surprised by the slightly higher price of a cup of tea, around 45 – 60k, three times more than other tea shops in Hanoi. But if you get to sit and chat with the friendly shop owner just once, you will understand why it’s priced that way. It’s the heart, the dedication, the essence of 40 years gathered together, the preciousness and skillfulness dedicated to the owner who has blended the culinary culture of the Central region with the North, both strange and familiar. A gentle summer evening, just a fragrant snack like that is enough to brighten up the whole day.
