Where to eat in Hanoi

So, you’ve arrived in Hanoi for the weekend and you’re wondering what to do, where to go but more importantly, where to eat? Well, at Tonkin Voyage Travel, we’ve got you covered. Despite being a travel agency, we’re not going to advise you on where to go but rather where to eat throughout your weekend stay. We’ve curated a list based on word-of-mouth and holier-than-thou advice. Albeit, there may be a few popular tourist haunts, but we’ve also included some local institutions so don’t be surprised if you’re the only westerner. But that’s what you want on your gastronomic adventure of Hanoi, right?

Friday night drinks: You’ve just arrived and we’re going to take a stab in the dark and say you’re staying in the Old Quarter. After you’ve had a walk around and witnessed one of the busiest parts of Hanoi in all its glory, we suggest taking a food tour. Spend a few hours walking around the streets of Old Quarter and have a guide explain the food and history of some of Vietnam’s most recognisable dishes. You’ll also get a feel for the layout of the 36 unique streets which may provide some bearings for your culinary activities tomorrow.

Friday night drinks: After dinner, you can't go past the intersection of four of the Old Quarter’s main streets known as Bia Hoi Junction. Here you will plonk down on the small plastic chairs Vietnam is famed for amongst tourists and locals alike. If there’s still Bia Hoi left it’ll set you back around 6,000 VND ($0.26) otherwise a bottle of Bia Hanoi or Saigon will be around 20,000 VND-40,000 VND ($0.88-$1.76). There’s no better way to instantly immerse yourself amongst Hanoian street culture. Otherwise known as Bia Hoi Corner, it can be found at the junction of Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien and Dinh Liet.

Source: Luxury Hotels

Friday night snack: We’re not saying you’re going to be hungry after the food tour but that doesn’t mean your taste buds won’t be tempted. We recommend trying the Bahn Mi ($1.10) from a street vendor two doors down from 15 P Hang Buom. Located on the right side of a burger shop, you won't be disappointed as we have heard some calls that the Bahn Mi made here are some of Hanoi's best. 

Saturday breakfast: Rise and shine! We hope you’re not feeling too dusty. It’s time for breakfast and we’re going to move out of Old Quarter and into the Hai Ba Trung district. Now, it’s an easy walk but why not be adventurous and hop on the back of a scooter to really wake yourself up. You’ll arrive at Pho Thin which if you haven’t already guessed, is famous for their pho. Locals will queue up outside and then eat the piping hot soup at the restaurant next door. The broth has been described as exquisite and despite its ever-growing popularity, the price is kept at a friendly 50,000 VND ($2.20). Pho Thin has been described by locals as ‘an absolute must for authentic pho’.

 Source: TNH Vietnam

Saturday coffee: As you stroll back through the streets dodging scooters left, right and centre, we recommend stopping by Café Nang. Café Nang is infamous for its owner, Ms Thai, who for the past forty years has woken up at 3:00 am every morning to roast the beans. The aroma is said to spread throughout the neighbourhood only adding to the authenticity of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Service is quick and friendly and the perfect place to sample the infamous Vietnamese coffee. No doubt you’ll be perky for the next few hours. Can be found at 6 Hàng Bạc in the Old Quarter for about 20,00 VND ($0.88).

Source: ghiencaphe.com

 Saturday lunch: Fresh and flavoursome with a lot of zest we implore you to try Bun Bo Nam Bo. Quite simply, the dish is made up of grilled beef, shredded lettuce, cucumber, shallots, bean sprouts and a heap of coriander. Topped with peanuts on top of vermicelli noodles- it is just delicious. Now, the price comes at 60,000 VND ($2.65) which, believe it or not, is pretty steep for a noodle dish in Hanoi. However, upon your first taste, you’ll see why it’s worth every penny. Don’t forget to add extra chilli and wash it down with a cold beer. This is definitely a recommendation straight from the tour books as you’ll see tourists of all nationalities (and a lot of locals) come in and out of the joint.

Source: TripAdvisor 2017

Saturday afternoon coffee: You can’t go past sampling an egg coffee in Hanoi and one of the most highly regarded establishments is Giang café. Be prepared as the café might be a little hard to locate (being down an alley) however, keep an eye out for the unit number and you’ll see the signs. The creamy texture of the egg coffee has won over many a sceptical heart. If you’re feeling really brave, try the egg mixed with beer. Giang café is located on a small lane on Nguyen Huu Huan Street in the Old Quarter and an egg coffee will set you back 40,000 VND ($1.76)

  Source: Giang Café Hanoi

 Saturday afternoon drinks: Now we’re going to lead you out of the familiarity of Old Quarter and bring you to Doi Can street in Ba Dinh. Here you can expect to really eat and drink with the locals. For a pre-dinner aperitif, it doesn’t get any more authentic than the bia hoi located at 202 Doi Can. This bia hoi is run entirely by women who change the keg every few hours. You’ll be encouraged to sit back and watch a busy street go by whilst enjoying the luxury of sitting on a real wooden chair. Away from the crowds of tourists and backpackers, it's unapologetically just a place for the locals. Call yourself a big shot and pick up the tab for less than 50,000 VND ($3.00). 

Saturday dinner: After you've shared a bia hoi, walk to the intersection of 167 Doi Can and sample the quintessential Doi Can experience, Nem Lui (fried pork skewer) and Banh Xeo (fried prawn pancake). Here you’ll sit on plastic stools and witness tables of Vietnamese placing Nem Lui or Banh Xeo into rice paper, adding some lettuce, cucumber and mint, then (perfectly) rolling it before they dip it into the sweet and spicy dipping sauce. A meal between four will set you back around 200,000 VND ($8.80) with beers included. Quite frankly, if you’re looking to experience Hanoi food culture with local Vietnamese, a meal on Doi Can is the place.

Source: https://goo.gl/CdXfY5

 Saturday night drinks: If you’re looking to continue the beers on Doi Can we recommend Café 24 just a 2 minute walk away. The service is hostile but the chairs are comfortable and the beers are cheap. You face out onto the road and can watch life go by. If you’re looking for more nightlife atmosphere then it's best to head back towards Old Quarter or visit some expat haunts such as Sidewalk Bar. If you’re after a more chilled atmosphere then perhaps The Grove in Tay Ho. For something a bit different then we recommend the Binh Minh Jazz Club at No.1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District. 

Sunday breakfast: Hopefully you’ve enjoyed yourselves and perhaps even witnessed Hanoi’s famed curfew. Or perhaps you were in bed well before then. Either way, it’s time for you to try the notorious Bun Cha. Bun Cha is typically served from the early morning until 2:00 pm but you will be able to find places that have extended the hours. Bun Cha consists of a sweet broth, barbequed pork and rice noodle served with a big bowl of herbs and salad. Besides the beloved pho, it is perhaps one of Hanoi’s most established dishes. Bun Cha is typically served everywhere but if you’re still feeling a bit down about the result of the U.S election then we’ll lead you to the place where Obama tried it. Now famed from the Anthony Bourdain episode, Bun Cha Huong Lien is a traditional establishment serving the dish it does best and can be found at 24 Lê Văn Hưu, Phạm Đình Hồ, Hai Bà Trưng.

Source: News@Asiaone

Sunday lunch: What’s Vietnamese cuisine without the zesty rice paper roll? Surprisingly, these refreshing staples aren’t as easily located as one may think. Phu Cuon 31 serves 10 rice paper rolls for 50,000 VND ($2.20) and they’re absolutely delicious. Complement this with the beef salad and you’ve got a winning combination. There’s an ample amount of seating and the staff are very friendly. Can be found at 31 Ngũ Xã, Trúc Bạch, Ba Dinh.

Source: TNH Vietnam

Sunday afternoon: Assuming you’re leaving this wonderful city this evening, we have one last recommendation. Café Duy Tri is perhaps one of the most authentic Vietnamese cafes we’ve been in Hanoi to-date. They specialise in su chua which is coffee with frozen yoghurt, however they serve an array of other beverages. Climb up the narrow staircase where there are two upper levels to choose from. Your su chua will be served in a tall glass whilst you sit under photographs of Vietnam from back in the day. Upon first glance, it will be easy to see why we’ve mentioned this establishment. If you’re lucky, the balcony will be free on the top floor and you will be able to watch the world go by.