What to Eat in Hanoi: Our Favourite Local Foods & Where to Find Them

One thing we quickly learned in Hanoi is that food isn’t just something you eat here — it’s part of everyday life. The streets are filled with tiny stools, smoky grills, and locals gathering for meals at all hours of the day. Some of our best memories in the city weren’t at famous landmarks, but sitting on a plastic chair with a bowl of noodles in front of us, watching the chaos of Hanoi pass by.

If you’re visiting for the first time, these are the dishes we think you absolutely shouldn’t miss in Hanoi, along with the restaurants where we had some of our favourite meals.

Pho – Vietnam’s Most Famous Dish

You can’t come to Vietnam without eating pho, and honestly, Hanoi might be the best place to try it. This comforting noodle soup is made with a rich, slow-cooked broth, rice noodles, herbs, and usually beef.

Our first bowl of pho in Hanoi was early in the morning at a tiny shop packed with locals. The broth was incredibly fragrant and surprisingly light, yet full of flavour. It’s the kind of breakfast that instantly wakes you up.

Where to try it:
Pho Gia Truyen – 49 Bat Dan Street

This spot is famous for doing one thing extremely well: pho. It’s simple, busy, and very authentic.

Bun Cha – Hanoi’s Signature Dish

If there’s one dish that truly represents Hanoi, it’s bun cha. The meal includes grilled pork patties and slices of pork belly served in a sweet and tangy fish-sauce broth with rice noodles and fresh herbs.

What makes bun cha special is the smoky flavour from the charcoal grill. The smell alone can make you stop in your tracks while walking through the Old Quarter.

Where to try it:
Bún Chả Hương Liên (also known as the “Obama Bun Cha” restaurant)

This small family-run spot became internationally famous after Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate here in 2016, turning it into one of Hanoi’s most iconic food stops. ()

You can even order the same meal they had.

Banh Mi – Vietnam’s Legendary Sandwich

Vietnamese banh mi might be one of the best sandwiches in the world. It’s a mix of French and Vietnamese influence — a crispy baguette filled with meats, pickled vegetables, herbs, and chilli.

What we love about banh mi in Hanoi is that every stall does it slightly differently. Some add pâté, others focus on grilled pork or chicken.

It’s also the perfect cheap and quick street food snack when you’re exploring the city.

Where to try it:
Banh Mi 25 – 25 Hang Ca Street

A small but extremely popular spot among both locals and travellers.

Egg Coffee – Hanoi’s Most Unexpected Drink

Before visiting Hanoi, we weren’t sure how we felt about egg coffee. Coffee mixed with egg yolk sounded a little strange.

But after one sip, we understood the obsession.

The egg yolk is whipped with condensed milk to create a creamy foam that sits on top of strong Vietnamese coffee. The result tastes almost like a dessert — rich, smooth, and surprisingly addictive.

Where to try it:
Cafe Giang

This café is famous for inventing egg coffee and is still one of the most iconic places to try it in Hanoi. ()

Banh Cuon – Hanoi’s Delicate Rice Rolls

One of the more underrated dishes we discovered in Hanoi was banh cuon.

These thin steamed rice rolls are filled with minced pork and mushrooms, topped with crispy fried shallots, and served with herbs and fish sauce. They’re light, fresh, and incredibly satisfying.

Watching them being made is half the experience — vendors steam the rice batter on cloth over boiling water before carefully rolling it.

Where to try it:
Banh Cuon Ba Xuan – Old Quarter

A local favourite known for authentic Hanoi flavours.

Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon)

If you want something lighter after all the noodles and grilled meats, fresh Vietnamese spring rolls are the perfect option.

They’re packed with herbs, vermicelli noodles, shrimp or pork, and wrapped in rice paper. Dip them into peanut sauce or fish sauce and you’ve got a simple but delicious meal.

Where to try it:
Quan An Ngon

This restaurant is a great place to try a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes in one place.

Final Thoughts from Travey Club

Food in Hanoi isn’t about fancy restaurants or complicated menus. It’s about simple dishes made incredibly well, often served in places that look completely ordinary from the outside.

Some of the best meals we had were in tiny shops with plastic stools and handwritten menus. The trick is to follow the locals — if a place is packed, you’re probably in the right spot.

If you visit Hanoi with an open mind (and an empty stomach), you’ll quickly realise that the city isn’t just a destination for sightseeing — it’s one of the best food cities in Asia.

And honestly, we’d go back just for another bowl of bun cha.

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