Northern Vietnamese cuisine, particularly that of Hanoi, is known for its elegant balance and relatively restrained use of sugar and chili. Clear broths, fresh herbs, black pepper, scallions, and quality ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves.
Signature Specialties
- Phở Bò / Phở Gà— Vietnam’s iconic rice-noodle soup, served with beef or chicken in a clear, aromatic broth infused with spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Bún Chả— Charcoal-grilled pork patties and slices of pork belly served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, pickled green papaya, and a warm sweet-savoury dipping sauce.
- Chả Cá— Hanoi’s celebrated turmeric-marinated fish, traditionally cooked with dill and spring onions and served with rice noodles, herbs, peanuts, and fermented shrimp paste.
- Bánh Cuốn— Delicate steamed rice rolls filled with seasoned minced pork and wood-ear mushrooms, usually served with herbs, Vietnamese sausage, and dipping sauce.
- Bún Thang— An elegant Hanoi noodle soup combining shredded chicken, egg, Vietnamese pork sausage, and aromatic broth.
- Xôi Xéo— Sticky rice served with mung bean, crispy fried shallots, and fragrant chicken fat; a classic Hanoi breakfast.
- Nem Rán— Northern-style fried spring rolls traditionally filled with pork, vermicelli, mushrooms, and vegetables.
Hanoi Coffee Culture
Coffee deserves a special place in a Northern Vietnam food guide.
- Cà Phê Trứng — Egg Coffee— A Hanoi specialty made with strong Vietnamese coffee topped with a rich, creamy mixture of egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk.
- Cà Phê Phin — Vietnamese Drip Coffee— Strong coffee slowly brewed through a small metal phin filter, enjoyed black or with condensed milk.
- Cà Phê Sữa Đá— Iced Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, one of the country’s most recognizable everyday drinks.
- Bạc Xỉu— A sweeter, milk-forward coffee traditionally associated with Southern Vietnamese café culture but now widely enjoyed throughout Vietnam.
Recommended Restaurants & Cafés
Chả Cá Thăng Long — Hanoi
Specialty: Traditional Chả Cá cooked with turmeric, dill, and spring onions.
Bún Chả Ta — Hanoi
Specialty: Hanoi-style Bún Chả, spring rolls, and traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư — Hanoi
Specialty: Traditional Hanoi-style beef Phở.
Café Giảng — Hanoi
Specialty: Traditional Hanoi Egg Coffee.
Café Đinh — Hanoi
Specialty: Egg coffee in one of Hanoi’s historic traditional cafés.
Worthwhile Experiences
Street Food Walk — Hanoi
Explore the Old Quarter through its food—from Phở and Bún Chả to Bánh Cuốn, Xôi, and traditional Vietnamese coffee—finishing with an authentic Egg Coffee.
Hanoi Coffee Experience
Discover Vietnam’s distinctive coffee culture, from the traditional phin filter and famous Egg Coffee to tiny historic cafés and modern specialty coffee houses.