Trying street food in Hanoi is always one of the top “Must Do” experiences for tourists visiting Vietnam.
Vietnam’s capital offers so much in this domain that even after living here for over 15 years, I still continue to discover new dishes and places.
Before sharing my recommendations, I need to add two disclaimers:
- Vietnamese food is more than just street food. While it has gained worldwide popularity thanks to figures like Anthony Bourdain, street food is only one aspect of the country’s rich gastronomy. It would be a mistake to think that trying three or four iconic street dishes would give you a full picture of Vietnamese cuisine. This is especially true considering that, for many Hanoians, some dishes are best enjoyed on the street, while others are more suited for home cooking.
I also closely follow the emergence of the Vietnamese fine dining scene, where a new generation of chefs is reinventing Vietnamese cuisine. This is definitely worth trying as well.
- This list includes places I have personally tried and enjoyed. I don’t claim that they are the very best or the number one spots in Hanoi. The city is vast, and there’s a good chance I’ve missed some great places. You should also know that even among locals, topics like the best phở are constantly debated and can spark heated discussions.
So, if you don’t see your favorite spots in this article or didn’t enjoy one of my suggestions, please let me know! I’d be happy to try or revisit some places. This article is also a work in progress—I’ll update it regularly as I make new discoveries.
1. Best Phở
This is Hanoi’s (or Vietnam’s) most iconic dish, and you’ll find plenty of options in town to enjoy it. Traditionally, this dish is eaten for breakfast or lunch, but due to high demand from both locals and tourists, many of the “famous places” are now open in the evenings as well.
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
This spot is truly iconic among Hanoians. Open for decades, it’s always part of the conversation when locals debate the best phở.
When I arrived in Vietnam over 15 years ago, my Hanoian friends introduced me to it as their favorite phở in the city.
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
You should know that they are only open in the mornings and evenings, and you’ll need to wait in line before picking up your bowl at the counter—there is no table service. This place is not a hidden gem anymore; it’s now listed in the Michelin Guide, which attracts both locals and tourists.
Opening Hours: 6 AM–10 AM, 6 PM–8:30 PM
Address: 49 P. Bát Đàn
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jQ1zQfH2CtHVY5ku6
Phở Bò Khôi Hói
If you’re concerned about the waiting lines or simply looking for an alternative to Phở Bát Đàn in the same area, Phở Bò Khôi Hói is an excellent choice.
They offer a slightly wider variety of beef cuts, and you’ll also find Phở sốt vang (beef stewed in red wine) on the menu.
Opening Hours: 6 AM–9PM
Address: 50 P. Hàng Vải
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rjozVkh1zBNHMZ768
What about Phở Lý Quốc Sư?
The renowned original branch, located near the cathedral at 10 P. Lý Quốc Sư, still attracts a large crowd (I see a line almost every time I pass by). This has become even more common since its selection into the Michelin Guide two years ago.
It’s been a very long time since I last ate there, so I don’t want to give a definitive judgment. But I should mention that multiple other establishments named Phở Lý Quốc Sư have tried to capitalize on the “brand”, and most of them have disappointed me.
2. Best Bún Chả
Before getting into my recommendations, let’s talk about these two iconic figures:
More than eight years later, I still love this photo. It captures an important moment for Hà Nội’s food scene.
But where exactly did Obama eat that day?
It was at Bún Chả Hương Liên, located at 24 P. Lê Văn Hưu. You can still see the table where he dined with Anthony Bourdain, and you can even order the “Obama Combo.”
Is it the best place to try this dish? I’m conflicted. Like many locals, I feel that the quality here isn’t quite what it used to be, though it’s still very acceptable.
Bún Chả 41 Cửa Đông
As an alternative to Bún Chả Hương Liên, Bún Chả 41 Cửa Đông is often recommended by locals. A big advantage of this place is that it’s open all day, including evenings.
What I noted eating there:
- The pork meatballs are great, and I really like that they are wrapped in leaves. The bacon is a bit less satisfying (a bit too fatty for my liking)
- The broth is sweeter compared to other bún chả places. I recommend adjusting the sauce to your liking by adding a bit of garlic vinegar
Overall, it’s a decent option for enjoying bún chả in the Old Quarter, especially if you want to experience it like the locals—eating on the sidewalk while seated on plastic chairs.
Opening Hours : 10:30 AM–9 PM
Address: 41 P. Cửa Đông
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LKqDomnG6r2Xyano8
Bun Cha Ta Hanoi
I might take a beating for mentioning this place, but I have no regrets:
Yes, Bun Cha Ta is mostly (if not exclusively) frequented by tourists, especially since being mentioned in the Michelin Guide.
Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than the “traditional” spots.
But:
- You get better seating and working air conditioning.
- The bún chả itself is good and has everything you’d expect from this dish.
- The owner is really friendly, and the service is great.
This is why I have no problem recommending this place to foreigner friends when they travel to Vietnam.
Opening Hours: 8 AM–10 PM
Address: 21 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân
Map : https://maps.app.goo.gl/FbBcWccaGThYfKZb6
Nem Cua Bể
You cannot mention Bún Chả without talking about its traditional complement: Fried Spring Rolls (Nem).
Nem Cua Bể is perhaps the place that has put the most effort into perfecting this dish. Their spring rolls are on the larger side and filled with generous amounts of quality crab meat.
For many locals, this is the main reason to visit, but don’t worry—their Bún Chả, served as a portion for two, is also good.
One important detail: don’t expect a typical street food experience when visiting Nem Cua Bể. It’s located in a modern building on Giảng Võ street, and the prices are on the higher side.
Opening Hours: 7 AM–9:30 PM
Address: 106 K1 P. Giảng Võ, Hà Nội
Map : https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDWnWnBiUAPXhMo47
Additional options
Bún chả is almost as popular as phở in Hà Nội, which means there are plenty of other famous places offering this dish throughout the city.
For example, I remember going to Bún Chả Đắc Kim more than 15 years ago (located at 1 P. Hàng Mành—not to be confused with Bún Chả 1 Hàng Mành, which is a copycat).
Unfortunately, I don’t feel confident explicitly recommending it now, as I’ve seen quite a lot of negative feedback recently, especially since it was listed in the Michelin Guide.
3. Best phở gà
I find that Vietnamese soups are too often reduced in the minds of travelers to phở bò. There are so many other great alternatives that I would even say are more interesting (see bún riêu and bánh đa cua at the end of my article).
But even before exploring those, phở gà is an excellent alternative to phở bò.
Phở Gà Nguyệt
This spot is centrally located on Phủ Doãn, just a 5-minute walk from Phở Lý Quốc Sư.
I highly recommend it because, in addition to its savory broth, you’ll find:
- Different “customization options” that allow you to choose which part of the chicken you’d like in your bowl (breast, thigh, offal, etc.).
- A clear and well-made English menu.
- The chance to try the “dry version” of phở gà: phở gà trộn.
The place can get very busy, but the owners have a clever solution. By night, they expand the restaurant by placing tables and chairs in the repair shop next door.
Opening Hours: 6:30 AM–1 PM 5 PM–1 AM
Address: 5b P. Phủ Doãn,
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ykmDULsrjKEsF9NE8
4. Best Bánh Cuốn
These steamed and rolled rice flour pancakes are a staple of Hanoi street food, traditionally enjoyed for breakfast.
Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân
One of the most iconic places in Hanoi is serving this dish is Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân, which is also open in the evenings.
I’ve been there several times and have seen the popularity of this place grow, especially after Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân was recognized by the Michelin Guide and some famous Korean chefs.
This has led to slightly slower service, but the prices have remained almost the same, and more importantly, the taste is unchanged!
Opening Hours : 6:30 AM–1:30 PM / 3:30–11:30 PM
Address: 16 P. Hoè Nhai
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dXi6qWUwdxzAySYK6
5. Best Phở Cuốn
This dish should be on everyone’s must-try list when visiting Hanoi. You should only eat it on Trúc Bạch Island, not only because it’s where it was invented but also because the area is becoming more interesting each year, with plenty of new and cool places opening up.
My two go-to spots for phở cuốn on Trúc Bạch are:
Phở Cuốn Chinh Thắng
This is where I first discovered phở cuốn. They’re no longer at their original location, but they’re still on Trúc Bạch, and the phở cuốn tastes just as good as before.
They’re credited with inventing this dish, although that’s hard to verify. In any case, by going there, you can be sure you’re getting “authentic” phở cuốn.
Opening Hours : 10 AM–9 PM
Address: 7 P. Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Trúc Bạch
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BQpNRsWy8zVDvBPM9
Phở Cuốn 31
If you prefer to stay on Ngũ Xã, Trúc Bạch’s central street, head to number 31 for another long-standing phở cuốn restaurant.
It’s hard for me to say which place serves the best phở cuốn between Phở Cuốn 31 and Phở Cuốn Chinh Thắng, as this dish remains a fairly simple one at its core.
One additional suggestion that applies to both places: don’t sleep on the phở chiên phồng that you’ll see on the menu. This dish is made by frying square pieces of phở noodles until crispy and is served with sautéed vegetables and a gravy sauce. It’s not particularly light, but it’s delicious!
Opening Hours: 9 AM–10:30 PM
Address: 31 P. Ngũ Xã, Trúc Bạch
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/x8QemCg6AL4zmctz5
6. Bánh mì
This section currently lacks specific recommendations. It’s not that I don’t like bánh mì, but:
- Bánh mì is more of a specialty from southern Vietnam.
- Honestly, I haven’t tried enough bánh mì places in Hanoi.
This doesn’t mean there aren’t great spots in Hanoi—there are plenty! I’m working on updating this section of the article.
What I can suggest for now is to avoid bánh mì places that try to overdo it by using Western-style bread (100% wheat instead of a mix of wheat and rice flour). It makes the overall sandwich too heavy. The same goes for bánh mì overloaded with too many ”creative” fillings.
Personally, my favorite style of bánh mì is bánh mì ốp la, which includes an egg!
7. Bún Riêu Cua
This soup is another staple of Hanoi’s street food culture. Bún riêu cua is made with a pork-based broth that includes tomatoes, onions, crab paste, and rice vinegar for a kick of sourness. Add rice vermicelli and various toppings, and you have a complex and flavorful dish!
Bún Riêu Cua – 41 Quang Trung
I’ll be honest—I haven’t tried many other Bún Riêu Cua places in Hanoi before adding this one to my list.
Still, I’m confident that if you want to try this dish, this is a great place to do it. The broth has just the right level of sourness you’d expect, and the toppings are generous.
Opening Hours: 7 AM–7:30 PM
Address: 41 Quang Trung
8. Best Bánh Đa Cua
This is my personal favorite Vietnamese dish. This crab noodle soup, originating from Hải Phòng, is exceptional both for its brown noodles and the variety of ingredients, which usually include beef wrapped in lolot leaves (or beef filet), fish cakes, prawns, and more. And that’s just the seafood and meat—I haven’t even mentioned the vegetables!
Secret tip: Order the “trộn” version, Bánh Đa Cua Trộn. I personally find this dry version of the dish even better!
Bánh Đa Trộn Chợ Châu Long
This popular spot was originally located inside the Châu Long Market but disappeared after the market’s renovation.
I was pleased to discover that the street food stall had only relocated to a more permanent spot just a few hundred meters from its original location.
Opening Hours: 7 AM–6 PM
Address: 121 P. Nguyễn Trường Tộ
