West Lake Shrimp Cakes: A Hanoi Delicacy You Can’t Miss

Located by the serene West Lake in Hanoi, Banh Tom Ho Tay (West Lake Shrimp Cake) offers a simple yet authentic dining experience, complete with humble green plastic chairs.

But the appeal isn't in the décor.

This long-standing restaurant is renowned for its signature shrimp cakes, prepared fresh every day using a secret family recipe that’s been passed down through generations.

“Our shrimp cake is unique because the recipe has been handed down from my grandmother, to my mother, and now to me,” shares Ngoc Lan Ha, the owner of Banh Tom Ho Tay, with Dinogo Travel.

“We are proud to carry forward the legacy our parents created,”

The Origins of Banh Tom

Banh Tom, or shrimp cakes, are believed to have become popular in the 1930s when small vendors began setting up shop along Thanh Nien Street, which stretches between West Lake (Tây Hồ) and Trúc Bạch Lake.

As the vendors gained popularity, the local government merged several stalls and opened a large restaurant by the waterfront.

Thus, Banh Tom Ho Tay was born. Since then, it has remained a staple on Thanh Nien Street.

“Shrimp cakes are tied to Vietnam's history of war and poverty,” says Quỳnh Anh Nguyen, a Hanoi-based photographer, in an interview with Dinogo Travel.

“Back then, we didn’t have access to luxurious foods or quality meats. I still remember looking forward to weekends, when my parents would take us to the restaurant. It felt like a real treat,” she recalls.

Today, the restaurant continues to attract groups of friends and families, who come to spend leisurely afternoons savoring crispy, flavorful shrimp cakes, refreshing bia hoi (local draft beer), and enjoying prime views of the lake.

So, what makes these shrimp cakes so special?

Though they seem time-consuming to make, Hanoi-style shrimp cakes only require a few simple ingredients: fresh shrimp or crayfish from West Lake, flour, and sweet potatoes.

Unlike the typical fish ball, where the shrimp is ground into a paste, these crispy shrimp cakes feature whole pieces of seafood, placed on top for added texture and flavor.

The dish is traditionally served with fresh lettuce leaves for wrapping, alongside chili, lime juice, and fish sauce for dipping.

“For locals, it's about the nostalgia and memories of the past. Catching the shrimp from the lake is actually quite labor-intensive,” says Nguyen.

“To catch each shrimp, people have to go out at night with a torch, manually scooping them up one by one,” she adds.

The Ultimate Bite

Today, shrimp cakes have been reinvented and elevated by many high-end, modern restaurants.

However, Banh Tom Ho Tay continues to be the go-to spot for those craving the authentic, traditional version.

“When you talk about Banh Tom in Hanoi, you can’t leave out Banh Tom Ho Tay,” says Nguyen.

“Shrimp cakes are now available all over Hanoi, but this restaurant stands out because of its rich history,” she explains.

Banh Tom Ho Tay, 1 Thanh Niên, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 24 3829 3737