Hanoi is the northern gastronomy capital of Vietnam that puts its own stamp on popular dishes such as pho.  Our contributor, Amy Dao, compiled a list of Hanoi specialties and local favorites. You will notice a variety of soups as Hanoi is colder than the hot and wet weather in the central and southern regions that people associate with in Vietnam. I hope you get to venture out of your comfort zone and try these delicacies.

1. Hanoi Tumeric Fish with Dill / Chả Cá Lã Vọng)

Restaurant:  Thănh Long Resturant (31 Dường Thành Street, Old Quarter / +84 (04) 3824 5115)

This is Amy’s favorite dish. It is especially delicious with a mixture of dill, vegetables and spiced fish.

2. Hanoi Style BBQ Pork with Rice Vermicelli / Bún Chả

Restaurants 1: 47C Mai Hac Đé Street, Hanoi

Restaurant 2:  Nem Restaurant (123 Biù Thi Xuân Street, Hanoi)

3. Hanoi Style Fried Crab Spring Rolls with Rice Vermicelli (Bún Nem Cua Bễ)

Resturant 1:  47C Mai Hac Đế Street, Hanoi

Restaurant 2: Nem Restaurant (123 Biù Thi Xuân Street, Hanoi)

4. Sticky Rice

Restaurant: Yen Sticky Rice (Xôi Yến) (35 Nguyẽn Hữu Huân Street, Hanoi)

This is comfort food and best presented in a bowl of sticky rice with pork belly and eggs or other toppings.

5. Hanoi Style Traditional Phở

Restaurant: Phở Bát Đàn (49 Bát Đàn Street, Hanoi)

6. Phở with Sauteed Beef

Restaurant:  Phở Thìn (11 Lò Đúc Street, Hanoi)

7. Crab and Beef Hot Pot

Address: 1946 RESTAURANT (292 Nghi Tàm Street, Yên Phụ Ward, Tây Ho District, Hanoi)

8. Salted Fried Chicken Feet and Wings

Address: 29 Nhà Hỏa str, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Even though it may look scary but fried chicken feet is the best food for a night of drinking. If you are brave, you will be rewarded with a gastronomic adventure.

9. Frog Hot Pot

Address: 15 Long Biên 1, Long Biên District, HN.

10.  Salted Fried Frog Legs

Address: 15 Long Biên 1, Long Biên District, HN.

11. Rolled Rice Cake / Bánh Cuốn

Address 1: 21 Lò Đúc Street, Hanoi

Address 2: Thanh Vân Restaurant (14 Hàng Gà Street, Hanoi)

12.  Rolled Phở with Beef and Vegetables / Phở Cuốn

Address: 25 Ngũ Xã str, Trúc Bạch, Hanoi

This is a really cool take on  a classic dish with pho noodles which will have a thicker texture than the traditional bánh cuốn.

13. Fried Phở with Beer and Vegetables / Phở Xào

Address 1: 11 Hang Buom str., Hoan Kiem Districh, Hanoi

Address 2: 25 Ngũ Xã str, Trúc Bạch, Hanoi

14.  Snail Vermicielli Soup / Bún Ốc

Address: 21 Quang Trung Street, Hanoi

15.  Rib Porridge / Chá0 Sườn

Address: 16 Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

16.  Taiwan Style Porridge with Ribs, Eggs and Corn

Address: 3B Phan Đình Phùng str., Ba Đình District, HN.

This dish is technically not Vietnamese but the restaurant is very popular in Hanoi for its Taiwan style porridge.

17. Bún Miến Ngang / Duck Noodle Soup

Address: Hàm Long – Ngô Quyền Coner, Hanoi

18. Steak with Mushroom Sauce

Address: El Gaucho (Argentinian Steakhouse) / 99 Xuan Dieu St., Quang An Ward, West Lake District, Ha Noi, Vietnam.

Phone: +84 (04) 3718 6991

When you want something besides Vietnamese food in Hanoi, you can’t go wrong with an Argentinian restaurant serving USDA beef.  The prices are much higher than standard Vietnamese food.

Now that you have an extensive list of delicacies to try in Hanoi, let us know your favorites.

Author:  Amy Dao and Chau Hoang

Featured Photo:  Nguyen Duong (flickr.com/photos/windo/)