Join us on an enticing exploration of Hanoi’s culinary landscape with a Hanoi food tour. Delve into the vibrant streets where every taste offers a window into Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage. From the aromatic pho to the irresistible bun cha, the Hanoi food tour promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of Vietnamese cuisine.
Planning to visit Vietnam? Start here:
Why Should You Join a Hanoi Food Tour?
Let’s put it simply: If you’re a food lover, there’s no better way to start your trip to Vietnam than with a thoughtfully curated Hanoi food tour led by a local guide. In fact, you’ll soon realise that Vietnamese dishes boast rich flavors and unique nuances that only a knowledgeable local foodie can unveil.
One of the main reasons to join a food tour is to experience the diverse flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. From the aromatic herbs and spices in northern dishes to the bold tastes of central Vietnamese cuisine, each region has its own unique culinary treasures waiting to be discovered. Joining a Hanoi food tour will set the bar for the rest of your trip.
Additionally, a food tour allows you to uncover hidden gems and local favorites that you might otherwise miss. With the guidance of a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll venture off the beaten path to authentic eateries, street stalls, and markets, where you can sample traditional dishes and street food delights loved by locals but often overlooked by tourists.
Furthermore, beyond just food, a food tour offers insight into Vietnam’s cultural heritage and traditions. As you explore bustling markets, converse with local vendors, and enjoy dishes passed down through generations, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the role of food in Vietnamese society and its significance in shaping community identity.
Meet Our Local Guide: Lylla from @curiousaboutvietnam
In Vietnam’s bustling capital, Hanoi, you’ll find a plethora of walking and food tours to choose from. However, we opted for a guide who offers more than just a typical tour experience.
Enter Lylla, a Vietnamese content creator renowned for her vibrant social media presence and contagious smile on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Beyond being a guide, Lylla offers both group and private street food tours in Hanoi and throughout Vietnam. With her expertise and passion for food, she promises an unforgettable culinary adventure that goes beyond the ordinary.
We asked Lylla to show us around the Old Quarter of Hanoi for a big food adventure, and she really wowed us! Here is what to expect when joining a Hanoi food tour.
Lylla’s Contacts:
- Website: curiousaboutvietnam.com
- Instagram: @curiousaboutvietnam
- TikTok: @curiousaboutvietnam
- Youtube: @curiousaboutvietnam
Hanoi Food Tour: What to Expect
Curious about what a Hanoi food tour entails? Here’s the lowdown:
Typically, a Hanoi food tour involves strolling through the city for a few hours, hopping between local eateries to sample some of the most iconic dishes.
These tours usually run for 3 to 4 hours, packing a lot of flavor into a short time frame. Be prepared to eat your way through the city and give your stomach a workout!
The number of dishes you’ll try varies depending on the tour. That’s one of the reasons why we were so thrilled with Lylla’s tour—it’s super flexible, allowing you to savor a wide range of local cuisine. Believe it or not, we managed to taste all the dishes listed in just 4 hours!
It was a lot, but trust us, the food coma afterward was totally worth it!
Hanoi Food Tour: a Detailed Guide
Each Hanoi food tour’s itinerary is different, but in this chapter we will give you a detailed description of our street food tour with Lylla, discovering Hanoi’s best spots for a delicious meal.
We started the tour bright and early and we met Lylla in a street called Hang Than, near the Old Quarter. It is about 500 metres north of Dong Xuan Market, in a busy area dotted with little shops and restaurants.
Banh Cuon
Our first stop was Bánh cuốn Bà Xuân, a breakfast place selling Banh Cuon – one of the most typical Vietnamese breakfasts. Banh Cuon is a Vietnamese dish consisting of savory pork and mushroom filling rolled in thin, steamed rice wraps.
Served with Vietnamese sausage, eggs, fried shallots, and a side of sweet and salty fish sauce for dipping, it’s a light and delicious meal perfect for sharing. Watch as the owner prepares it right in front of you for a fun and fresh dining experience.
Banh Cuon has a soft and delicate consistency, with the thin rice wraps providing a tender texture that melts in your mouth. The filling of pork and mushrooms adds a savory contrast, creating a satisfying balance of flavors and textures with each bite.
First, Lylla taught us the art of seasoning the sauce just right, then guided us through the authentic way to enjoy Banh Cuon like locals. At just 70,000 VND (less than $3 USD) for everything, we were set for an incredible day ahead.
Thit Quay (Crispy Pork Belly)
Thịt quay is a Vietnamese dish consisting of succulent, crispy-skinned roasted pork belly. The pork belly is typically marinated with a combination of spices such as garlic, five-spice powder, sugar, and soy sauce, which infuses the meat with rich flavor. After marinating, the pork belly is roasted until the skin becomes golden and crispy, while the meat remains tender and juicy.
Thịt quay is often served sliced thinly, showcasing the contrast between the crispy skin and tender meat. It is commonly enjoyed as a main dish alongside steamed rice or as part of a larger meal with other Vietnamese dishes.
We stopped at a small shop called Thịt quay, giò chả Hải Liên, and we got to try a little sample of it. It was served with pickled shallots, and we paid just 40.000 VND ($1.60 USD) for a portion.
Kem Caramel
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? The French influence is present in many Vietnamese dishes, and Kem Caramel is a great example. Kem Caramel is a Vietnamese dessert that features a creamy caramel-flavored custard, typically served chilled.
It’s made by blending eggs, sugar, and coconut milk, then steaming the mixture until it sets into a smooth, velvety texture. Once cooled, the custard is topped with a rich caramel sauce, adding a sweet and decadent finish to this classic treat.
We tried one at Caramen Dương Hoa, one of Hanoi’s best rated shops to try this dessert. A Kem Caramel costs just 8.000 VND ($0.30 USD).
Bun Cha
After a sweet break, we were introduced to a dish that would quickly steal our hearts in Hanoi: Bun Cha! A huge thanks to Lylla for guiding us to such an authentic and tasty spot.
She took us to Phở Mặn Gầm Cầu, a small street food restaurant specializing in Bun Cha. Picture this: the restaurant opens only in the morning, and Bun Cha is their sole specialty. This is what the place looks like:
Bun Cha is a classic Vietnamese dish that features grilled pork patties and/or thinly sliced pork belly, served with a flavorful dipping sauce, fresh herbs, and vermicelli noodles. At Phở Mặn Gầm Cầu, thinly sliced pork belly is grilled until crispy and golden, adding a delicious contrast in texture to the dish.
The dipping sauce, known as nuoc cham, is a harmonious blend of fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili, providing a perfect balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors.
Bun Cha is typically served with a generous portion of fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro, and Thai basil, as well as pickled vegetables like carrots and green papaya.
To enjoy Bun Cha, you need to assemble your own bowl by placing a handful of vermicelli noodles at the bottom, topping them with grilled pork patties and belly, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables. The dish is then drizzled with nuoc cham before being mixed together and savored with chopsticks and a spoon.
One portion of Bun Cha here costs 50.000 VND ($2 USD), including herbs and rice noodles.
Chè
Our Hanoi food tour continued at a quick pace, visiting Chè Yen, another dessert spot typical of Vietnam’s capital city. This spot is located in a super narrow street next to the Dong Xuan Market, and it is open since 1997.
Chè is a yummy Vietnamese dessert that can be made in many different ways. It can have beans, fruits, rice, or jelly in a sweet liquid like coconut milk or sugar water. Some chè is served hot, and some cold. People love it because it’s tasty and refreshing, with different textures and flavors. You can add things like coconut cream or sesame seeds on top to make it even better.
At Chè Yen you can pick your favourite ingredients and make up your own bowl. The one served here is cold, and it was surprisingly good. A bowl of Chè only costs 20.000 VND ($0.80 USD).
Banh Tom (Shrimp cake)
We didn’t even have to leave the narrow street to find our next stop: Bánh Tôm Cô Ầm. Here we tried Banh Tom, a traditional Vietnamese snack. In this dish, whole shrimps are coated in a batter made from rice flour and then deep-fried until crispy. It’s a popular snack or appetizer in Vietnamese cuisine.
Banh Tom costs just 26.000 VND ($1 USD) per portion. This dish is pretty interesting because you fry the shrimp with their shells still on. It might not be easy to chew and swallow because of the crunchy shells, but it tastes really good.
Bánh Giầy Giò
Bánh Giầy Giò is a savory dish typically made with glutinous rice and pork sausage, all wrapped in banana leaves.
Popular as a snack or lunch option, it’s a unique culinary experience that offers a departure from familiar flavors and textures. The soft, sticky glutinous rice contrasts with the savory pork sausage, creating a satisfying blend of flavors.
Its portability makes it a convenient choice for on-the-go eating, often enjoyed by locals as a nostalgic taste of Vietnamese cuisine. It’s also something Vietnamese kids would bring to school, as Lylla did back in the days.
Canh Bùn
Canh Bún Cua is a Vietnamese soup featuring a robust broth infused with crab meat or crab paste, seasoned with garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and aromatic spices. The soup is enriched with thick vermicelli noodles, providing a hearty base.
In addition to crab, pork sausage is often added to enhance the flavor profile of the soup. This savory sausage adds depth to the broth and complements the sweetness of the crab. Alongside the noodles and meats, Canh Bún Cua typically includes an assortment of vegetables such as tomatoes, water spinach, and bean sprouts, offering freshness and crunch.
Garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions, Canh Bún Cua is served piping hot, offering a comforting and satisfying meal experience. It’s a popular choice in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in coastal regions where seafood is abundant, and is enjoyed for its rich flavors and varied textures.
We tried ours at Gánh Canh Bún, one of the best places in Hanoi to try this specialty.
Pho
In Hanoi, Pho is a culinary institution and a beloved part of the city’s food culture. Hanoi-style Pho typically features a clear and light broth, made by simmering beef bones, charred onions, and spices like cinnamon and star anise for a subtly fragrant flavor. The broth is strained meticulously to achieve clarity, distinguishing it from other regional variations.
Thinly sliced beef or chicken is added to the broth, along with rice noodles, creating a simple yet flavorful soup. Toppings often include fresh herbs such as cilantro, green onions, and Thai basil, as well as bean sprouts and lime wedges.
During our Hanoi food tour we stopped by Pho Ganh Hang Chieu, arguably the best pho place in Hanoi. Their pho is delicious, but there’s something special about it: you can only have it from 3:30 am to 10 am.
That’s right! This restaurant is only open from 3:30 am to 10 am, as it’s a breakfast place. In Vietnam, people usually eat pho for breakfast, and Ms. Thoa (the shop owner and cook) has been serving it to workers and street vendors for a long time.
When we stopped by on our tour, the place was closed, but we could still see Ms. Thoa preparing the beef broth for the next serving. We made sure to visit on a different day druing its opening time, and we promise you, Ms. Thoa’s pho is amazing.
Trà Chanh (Lime Tea)
After so much food it was time for a refreshing drink: Tra Chanh. It’s basically a lime tea. It’s made by mixing lime juice with tea and adding sugar or honey for sweetness. Sometimes, ice is added to make it cool and refreshing, especially on hot days.
It’s a popular drink in Vietnam and is enjoyed by many people for its tangy and sweet flavor. We paid 15.000 VND ($0.60 USD) for one drink at Chè Đắng, a favourite shop among locals.
Bánh Rán (Fried Doughnut balls)
Bánh Rán are Vietnamese fried doughnut balls. They’re crispy outside, soft inside. Made from rice flour, sugar, sometimes sweet potato or mung bean paste. Fried until golden brown, they are typically enjoyed as a tasty snack or dessert. We paid 11,000 VND ($0.45 USD) for 4 balls.
Remember: Be cautious when buying Bánh Rán from street vendors, especially those who focus on tourists. Some might offer you the treat before asking for a high price.
Hanoi Food Tour Review: Our Honest Opinion
We joined the Hanoi Food Tour with Lylla on our very first morning in Vietnam, just a few hours after landing in this country. With no expectations but plenty of excitement to dive into the local cuisine and food culture, we embarked on our culinary adventure.
After spending an entire month immersed in Vietnam’s food culture, we can confidently say that the Hanoi Food Tour with Lylla at the beginning of the trip was the highlight of our gastronomic journey. It was the most comprehensive and enjoyable food experience we encountered throughout our time in Vietnam.
Beyond just the food itself, having a passionate guide like Lylla was priceless. Her genuine enthusiasm for explaining each dish and sharing the stories behind them added an extra layer of enjoyment to our tasting journey.
In our honest opinion, if you’re a food lover, a Hanoi Food Tour is an absolute must when visiting Vietnam. It’s not just about the delicious food; it’s about the immersive experience and the opportunity to discover the heart and soul of Vietnamese cuisine.
Our Favourite Dishes From the Hanoi Food Tour
Choosing a favorite dish from all the tasty treats on a food tour is tough. But after trying lots of flavors, some dishes just stand out more.
For us, the top picks are Banh Cuon, Pho Bo, and Bun Cha. Among these, Bun Cha is our favorite, hands down. We couldn’t resist going back for more, three times in fact, and sharing it with friends.
These dishes aren’t just food; they represent Vietnam’s rich flavors and traditions.
But hey, everyone’s got different tastes! What dish did you love most in Hanoi? Let us know in the comments – we’re curious to hear your favorites!
