Beyond Pho: 5 Essential Dishes Every Hanoi Traveler Should Taste

In 2016, former President Barack Obama famously shared a meal of bun cha with the late Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi. This iconic dish features grilled marinated pork patties and slices served in a flavorful dipping sauce alongside rice noodles and fresh herbs.

And, of course, there’s the legendary pho. A flavorful beef noodle soup served with rice noodles, it’s a must-try in Hanoi and can even be found in many countries worldwide.

But Hanoi’s food offerings extend far beyond pho, offering a wide variety of delicious options.

Here are five dishes every visitor to Hanoi should try. (And while we’ve only covered a few, be sure to check out our list of 40 other amazing Vietnamese foods for more culinary inspiration.)

Cha Ca (turmeric and dill fish dish)

Hanoians hold cha ca in such high regard that there’s an entire street in the capital dedicated to serving this beloved fish dish – Cha Ca Street.

On Cha Ca Street, amidst the bustling atmosphere and tangled electric wires above, numerous restaurants compete to offer the finest cha ca – crispy, turmeric-coated fish fried right at your table with aromatic herbs.

The most renowned restaurant on this street is Ca La Vong, one of Hanoi’s oldest dining establishments, and the first to open on Cha Ca Street over 100 years ago.

This dish has a history spanning over 130 years. It was originally created by the Doan family, who served it to soldiers during the French colonial era.

Ca La Vong, 14 Cha Ca Street, Hanoi

Banh Tom (crispy shrimp cakes)

Hanoi-style banh tom, or shrimp cakes, may seem like they take a lot of time to prepare, but they’re made with just a few key ingredients: freshwater shrimp or crayfish from West Lake, flour, and sweet potato.

Rather than grinding the shrimp into a paste like with fish balls, the shrimp is left whole and placed on top of the crispy cakes before frying.

The dish is typically served with lettuce leaves for wrapping, along with chili, lime juice, and fish sauce for dipping.

Banh tom is believed to have gained popularity in the 1930s when small vendors began setting up along Thanh Nien Street, the road that separates West Lake (Tây Hồ) and Trúc Bạch Lake.

As the street vendors gained popularity, the government eventually consolidated several stalls and opened a large restaurant along the waterfront.

Enter Banh Tom Ho Tay. This restaurant remains a staple on Thanh Nien Street, attracting families and friends for relaxed afternoons filled with crispy shrimp cakes, refreshing bia hoi (local draft beer), and stunning lakefront views.

Bun Ca (fish noodle soup)

Light and refreshing, bun ca features a combination of crispy fish cakes, dill, tomatoes, green onions, and perilla – a herb with a mint-like flavor.

A popular lunchtime dish in Hanoi, bun ca (fish noodle soup) can be found at nearly every corner.

Mark Lowerson, founder of Hanoi Street Tours, recommends a vendor just west of the Old Quarter called Van, known for its specialty bun ca.

“This place is one of the best in town,” he says to Dinogo Travel. “You can choose between two types of noodles and select either steamed or fried fish.”

Unlike in other countries where adding salt might offend the chef, Lowerson explains that in Vietnam, it’s perfectly acceptable.

“Here, you're encouraged to use the condiments provided on the table,” he explains.

“Squeeze in a bit of lime, add some vinegar, chili, and fresh herbs to achieve the perfect balance of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy,” he advises.

Bun Ca Van, 105 Quán Thánh, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 167 937 7964

Bun Rieu Cua (crab noodle soup)

Bun rieu is a vermicelli soup, either meat-based or seafood-based, known for its vibrant red color. The broth gets its hue from tomato paste and annatto oil, extracted from the seeds of the achiote tree.

Freshwater crab meat and blanched tomatoes are the key ingredients in this soup. Tamarind paste adds a tangy kick, while crispy fried tofu pieces give the dish a satisfying crunch.

Depending on the region, bun rieu may be topped with beef, pork, snails, or fish.

Vermicelli noodles float in the broth, offering a balanced, light dish. Add lime wedges, chili, and greens like banana blossoms and mint, and you’ve got a perfect meal.

Where to try it? A great spot for bun rieu is Ms. Thu’s street stall, located in Thọ Xương Alley, near St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee)

Vietnam's signature “egg coffee” – or Ca Phe Trung – features a creamy, meringue-like egg foam sitting atop a strong, rich Vietnamese coffee.

Though you can find it in various places across the city, Hanoi's modest Cafe Giang claims to be the birthplace of this unique drink.

Egg coffee comes in both hot and cold versions. The hot version is served as a thick, yellow mixture in a small glass, eaten with a spoon. It has a taste similar to coffee-flavored ice cream, more dessert than beverage.

The hot version is served in a small dish of warm water to keep its temperature. The rich coffee flavor at the bottom slowly blends with the egg foam on top, creating a thick, sweet taste that isn’t overpowering.

Cafe Giang, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi; +84 98 989 22 98