Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is renowned for its rich culinary heritage and delectable local dishes. Here are some of the best local foods to try when visiting Hanoi:
- Pho: A popular Vietnamese noodle soup made with beef or chicken broth, rice noodles, herbs, and your choice of beef (rare, well-done, or brisket).
- Bun Cha: Grilled pork served with rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce.
- Banh Mi: A crispy baguette filled with various meats (pork, chicken, tofu), pickled vegetables, cucumber, chili sauce, mayonnaise, and herbs.
- Xoi Xeo: Sticky rice cooked with mung beans, sugar, and pandan leaves, often served as a side dish or snack.
- Banh Cuon: Steamed rice rolls filled with shrimp, pork, and mushrooms, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
- Cha Ca La Vong: A traditional Hanoi dish featuring grilled fish (usually catfish) cooked in a sizzling pan with dill, turmeric, and chili sauce, served with rice noodles and herbs.
- Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls): Fresh shrimp, pork, vegetables, and rice noodles wrapped in rice paper and served with peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce, or fish sauce.
- Banh Ran: Fried dough balls coated in sugar and sesame seeds, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
- Bot Chien: A popular street food consisting of crispy rice flour pancakes fried with egg and served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, and chili peppers.
- Com Lam (Lam Rice): Grilled pork, chicken, or shrimp served on a bed of sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, often accompanied by a side of vegetables and herbs.
Some popular places to try these dishes include:
- Old Quarter: A maze of narrow streets filled with food stalls, markets, and restaurants serving traditional Hanoi cuisine.
- Dong Xuan Market: A bustling marketplace offering a variety of local snacks, street food, and souvenirs.
- Pho 10 Nguyen Huong: A famous pho stall in the Old Quarter that has been featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show “No Reservations.”