Top 10 Foods to Eat in Hanoi, Vietnam (First Timer’s Street Food Guide)

Hanoi, Vietnam hit us with energy the second we arrived and we couldn't wait to figure out the top 10 foods to eat and share it with you!

(This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, thanks for supporting our channel!)

Before we jump into Hanoi I do need to let you know we messed up our visas! Yes, we've been to Vietnam before and I knew we needed a visa but I did have a little hiccup this time. I thought we needed to request a visit within 3 days of travel becuase we had just visited Singapore where your entry paperwork was no more than 3 days before your flight. So I applied for our Vietnam Visas too late! We did a little reasearch online and kept seeing one name and service over and over: Johnny Visa. He poped up on facebook, reddit and multiple blogs. I reached out to him and he quickly responded via whatsapp, we sent him over $105 each and withing 10 hours we had our Vietnam visas in our email, we even had one of his partners meet us at the airport for expedited immigration which was 100% worth it!

Shout out to Johnny Visa- he is legit! Its reliable, affordable and fast.

This was our first visit to the city, and right away we noticed how different it felt from Ho Chi Minh City (the only other place we’ve been in Vietnam). The weather here was way cooler, especially in January, which made walking around and eating nonstop even more enjoyable. And if you know us, you know Vietnamese food is one of our all-time favorites: it’s fresh, insanely affordable, and when you want heat, Vietnam absolutely delivers with real-deal spicy food.

Vietnam in general is busy, loud, and beautifully chaotic. We stayed in the Old Quarter, which is hands-down one of the best areas to base yourself. It’s super walkable, packed with food, and close to just about everything you’d want to see. Our hotel was Aurora Central Hotel, and it was a great find: friendly service, early check-in, luggage storage, breakfast included, and a rooftop jacuzzi that felt amazing on a cool evening after a long day of exploring.

Getting into the city was also easier than expected. We took Express Bus 86 straight from the airport to the Old Quarter. The ride took about 50 minutes, cost 35,000 VND, and you can even pay by credit card onboard. Just look for the big orange bus outside the terminal. It’s simple, cheap, and way less stressful than dealing with taxi scams or trying to find a Grab pickup spot when you’re tired from a flight.

On our first day, we always like to do something a little touristy to get our bearings, so we hopped on the hop-on hop-off bus. It’s a great way to see major sights, understand the layout of the city, and cruise through neighborhoods that are a bit too far to walk, and it's less than $20!

Once we got settled, it was time to do what we really came for: eat everything in sight.

Here are the top 10 foods to eat in Hanoi, Vietnam:

1. Bun Cha

Restaurant: Bun Cha NemSweet–savory broth, smoky grilled pork, customizable noodle bowl

This is the dish you plan your Hanoi trip around. Grilled pork swimming in a warm, sweet and savory broth, piles of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce magic. You build each bite yourself, which somehow makes it taste even better. Street-side grills, tiny plastic stools, motorbikes flying past — this is peak Hanoi energy in a bowl.

2. Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung)

Restaurant: Café Pho CoThick custard foam, bold coffee, lightly sweet

Hanoi’s most famous drink for a reason. Whipped egg yolk and condensed milk create a creamy, meringue-like topping that sits on top of strong Vietnamese coffee. It’s rich, airy, and unlike anything else. Drink it hot for a melty custard vibe or iced for a full-on dessert texture.

3. Banh Nuong (Vietnamese Sweet Bun)

Restaurant: King Roti Crispy top, chewy bread, warm chocolate filling

You smell this before you see it. Freshly baked buns with a crackly crust and soft, stretchy interior. The chocolate version tastes like a cross between Nutella and dark cocoa, tucked inside warm, slightly salty bread. Unreal for under a dollar.

4. Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crispy Crepe)

Restaurant: Ganh Hano iUltra crispy shell, savory shrimp and beef, fresh herb overload

A sizzling rice flour crepe stuffed with shrimp, beef, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in rice paper with herbs, fruit, and vegetables. Crunchy, fresh, sweet, sour, savory — every bite is a full flavor explosion. Plus, you get to roll it yourself, which makes it way more fun.

5. Pho Bo (Beef Pho)

Restaurant: Family Pho Deep beef broth, silky noodles, melt-in-your-mouth beef

When the famous spots have crazy lines, walk a little farther. This bowl delivered everything: clear yet rich broth, tender slices of beef, springy noodles, and a pile of herbs and lime to customize it. Comforting, aromatic, and shockingly affordable.

6. Banh Mi (Grilled Pork Belly Sandwich)

Restaurant: Banh MI Charred pork, warm baguette, sweet-spicy sauces

A Vietnamese baguette stuffed with smoky grilled pork, cucumbers, herbs, and layered sauces that hit sweet, savory, and spicy all at once. The bread gets warmed on the grill, giving it that fresh, toasty edge that makes a good banh mi great.

7. Salt Cream Coffee

Restaurant: (Cộng Cà Phê location serving salt coffee) Salted caramel cream, strong coffee base, dessert-like texture

Move over egg coffee. This salty-sweet cream on top of bold Vietnamese coffee tastes like melted salted caramel ice cream. Silky, rich, and dangerously drinkable.

8. Coconut Flan

Restaurant: Carmen Tuan Fuc Silky texture, caramel richness, light coconut finish

A Vietnamese twist on classic flan, with a gentle coconut flavor and a super smooth, jiggly texture. The caramel is deep and slightly bitter, balancing the sweetness perfectly. Light enough to finish, rich enough to remember.

9. Nem Ran (Hanoi Crispy Spring Rolls)

Restaurant: Literally anywhere! alyssas favorite were at Bun Cha Ngon Hanoi-style wrapper, lettuce wraps, sweet-sour dip

These are Hanoi’s signature crispy spring rolls, and they hit different from the rest of Vietnam thanks to the unique local wrapper that fries up extra light and crisp. They’re served with big pieces of lettuce and herbs so you can wrap and dunk them into a sweet and sour dipping sauce. This is Alyssa’s all-time favorite food here — she probably ate at least 50 of these in the three days we were in Hanoi.

10. Rou Choui (Banana Wine)

Restaurant: Met Slightly sweet start, strong alcohol punch, subtle banana finish

This traditional Vietnamese banana wine starts off a little sweet, then immediately hits you with a powerful, mouth-coating kick that tastes familiar but hard to place — kind of like moonshine with a smoother edge. Just when you think it’s all fire, there’s a faint banana note at the end. It’s very strong at around 30% alcohol and usually served in a small glass for a reason. Locals say it helps with digestion and sleep, and whether that’s true or not, it’s definitely a fun (and memorable) thing to try in Hanoi.

Hanoi is loud, chaotic, and absolutely packed with unforgettable food. These are just the highlights from our trip, but trust me, every street corner has something incredible waiting.

For the full experience, the street sounds, and our real-time reactions, watch the full video on our channel Here's Good Travel.