Hanoi travel guide
Best Street Food in Hanoi: Where & What to Eat
Hanoi is famous for pho (in its original northern style), bun cha grilled-pork noodles — the dish Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama ate together — and egg coffee, invented at Cafe Giang in the 1940s. Cha ca, turmeric-dill fish sizzled at the table, is the city’s signature restaurant dish.
Eating in Hanoi: what you need to know
Hanoi is where Vietnamese food is most itself: pho for breakfast, bun cha for lunch (Obama’s pick), and bia hoi corners at dusk. Portions are small — order widely and often.
Must-try dishes in Hanoi
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pho | The original northern-style beef noodle soup — cleaner and subtler than the southern version | Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan street | ₫50,000–70,000 |
| Bun cha | Grilled pork patties and belly in sweet-sour broth with rice noodles and herbs | Bun Cha Huong Lien (the “Obama” spot) | ₫60,000–90,000 |
| Egg coffee | Whipped egg-yolk cream over strong coffee — a Hanoi invention | Cafe Giang, down an Old Quarter alley | ₫35,000–50,000 |
The best food spots in Hanoi
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Pho Gia Truyen · Old Quarter
Cuisine: Pho · Expect to pay: ₫60,000
Must order: Pho bo tai (rare beef)
49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
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Bun Cha Huong Lien · Hai Ba Trung
Cuisine: Bun cha · Expect to pay: ₫90,000
Must order: The “Combo Obama” — bun cha, nem, beer
24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
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Cafe Giang · Old Quarter
Cuisine: Café · Expect to pay: ₫40,000
Must order: Ca phe trung (egg coffee), hot
39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Also in vietnam
best street food in Hanoi — FAQs
What food is Hanoi famous for?
Hanoi is famous for pho (in its original northern style), bun cha grilled-pork noodles — the dish Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama ate together — and egg coffee, invented at Cafe Giang in the 1940s. Cha ca, turmeric-dill fish sizzled at the table, is the city’s signature restaurant dish.
How much does street food cost in Hanoi?
Hanoi street food costs ₫30,000–70,000 per dish — about $1.20–2.80. A bowl of pho runs ₫50,000–70,000, bun cha ₫60,000–90,000, and bia hoi draft beer around ₫10,000 a glass. A full day of excellent eating can stay under ₫300,000 ($12).
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.