You cannot say that you have visited Hanoi if you did not sit on a plastic stool and enjoy Hanoi street foods. That is because the soul of Hanoi is partly contained in the flavors of such dishes. Here is our recommendation for the best street foods that would make your soul enchanted. 

Pho

It is no exaggeration to say that all lists of must-try Vietnamese cuisines would be incomplete without the presence of Pho. Widely, Pho is regarded as one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular. Walking along Hanoi streets, especially in the morning, you can easily bump into a group of hungry customers slurping at a provisional Pho stand. The staple of Pho is very simple, but its taste is surprisingly scrumptious

Each bowl of Pho is made up from seasoned broth with fresh rice vermicelli, slices of chicken, pork or beef and a sprinkling of herbs. It is said that Pho was inspired by the French cuisine in the 20th century and it soon became a favorite choice for breakfast and dinner of Vietnamese people, especially Hanoians. For tasting the traditional flavor of Pho in Hanoi, we recommend you to try a bowl at Pho Gia Truyen restaurant in Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Banh Cuon

Besides Pho, Banh Cuon is another great option for a light breakfast in Hanoi. Amongst traditional dishes of Vietnam made from rice powder, Banh Cuon has an outstanding attribute in term of appearance and taste. Banh Cuon is made from very simple staples, but the way of cooking it is truly an art. The main ingredient is rice batter, which is soft and silky smooth yet rather flavorless.  What makes the rolls lip-smacking is a filling of seasoned ground pork, minced mushroom, fried onion, minced shallot and egg (if requested).

The steamed rice rolls are served with a bowl of amber dipping fish sauce called "nuoc cham". Cha Lua (Vietnamese pork sausage) is often added to the set to increase the appetite of customers. Banh Cuon Gia Truyen restaurant at 14 Hang Ga Street in the Old Quarter is the place that you should visit to enjoy the true taste of Banh Cuon.

Bun Cha

If Pho and Banh Cuon are considered the best choices for breakfast, then Bun Cha would satisfy the appetite of every pedestrian when it comes to lunchtime in Hanoi. Like Pho, Bun Cha can easily be found in literally everywhere in Hanoi, from a humble street food vendor to a big restaurant. The soul of Bun Cha is ‘Cha’, which refers to small patties of seasoned pork (which is actually a mixture of lean and fat meat), and slices of marinated fatty pork grilled by the heat of the charcoal fire.

When the pork becomes well-cooked and crunchy, they are submerged in a bowl of fish sauce to serve. Generally, one set of Bun Cha, with the exceptionally reasonable price of 2-3 USD, consists of a bowl of fish sauce, a basket of herbs and a plate of rice noodle. To increase the flavor, Bun Cha is often consumed with the mouth-watering Nem Cua Be (fried crab spring rolls) at the price of 0.5 USD per roll. So far, the best place to enjoy Bun Cha in Hanoi is Bun Cha Dac Kim at No. 1 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Banh Goi (Pillow Cake)

In a day of drizzle and cold breeze in Hanoi, nothing is comparable to a crispy plate of Banh Goi. Still, you can enjoy this delectable dish any day. Banh Goi has long been a favorite snack of Hanoians of all ages, from little kids to the elder. Likewise, any tourist who has had a bite of Banh Goi can’t help having another, and another.

No one can refuse the call of Banh Goi with its crispy yellow shell which wraps inside a mouth-watering core of minced pork, mushroom, and vermicelli. Also, depending on your taste, you can add some vegetables such as turnip and carrot. Pillow cake is often served with a basket of herbs and a small bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce, which is a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar added with garlic and some slices of green papaya. To enjoy deep-fried Banh Goi, you can go to the address of 52 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District.

Ca Phe Trung (Egg coffee)

If you want an escape from the endless hustle and bustle of Hanoi streets, then a cup of egg coffee in an almost-hidden café down a narrow lane would bring peace to your mind. With the unique combination of a little egg yolk, sugar and robusta coffee, Ca Phe Trung has a taste that you can be found nowhere else in the world.

The drink is made by mixing egg yolks with sugar, then pour the mixture into a cup of black coffee, the mixture would float to the top, creating a layer of delectable egg cream, whose taste is somewhat like vanilla. To enhance the taste, powder coffee, condensed milk, and a little butter are also added. Ca Phe Trung is often served in two versions, hot and cold, depending on the wish of the customers. Each version of the drink would bring a totally distinctive experience. The best Ca Phe Trung can be found in Café Giang at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

That concludes our list of the best Hanoi street foods, for more useful tips and travel articles, check out our Vietnam Travel Guide. Once you're ready, have a look at our Hanoi Tours to get the best offers for your excursions!