It goes without saying that Vietnam culinary is renowned all over the globe thanks to its deliciousness and diversity. Wherever you stay from North to South, it is likely that you may immerse yourself in the world of unique Vietnamese dishes with the abundant use of traditional herbs and spice. When it comes to dinning in Hanoi capital, there is no lack of good options. Besides decent Vietnamese restaurants; Western eateries, fusion and fast food are on the ready availability. This short article can point out some locals’ recommendations regarding dining in Hanoi.
What to eat
Exploring traditional customs, visiting popular beauty spots and trying local food are crucial things sensible tourists always keep in mind when taking a trip to a new foreign land. When it comes to local cuisines in Hanoi; Cha ca La Vong, Banh Cuon, Pho, Bun Cha and Goi Cuon are undoubtedly not-to-be-missed foods.
For a start, Cha Ca La Vong is a harmonious mixture of marinated fish and fresh vegetables fried on a hot pan, eaten with rice vermicelli, peanut, and shrimp sauce. It is surly a quintessence of Vietnam Northern culinary since it features the use of the original shrimp sauce. Foreign diners may not like it at the very first time but to be honest, this sauce has turned out to be the favourite of many Westerners staying in Vietnam for a while.
On the other hand; Banh Cuon, Pho, Bun Cha and Goi Cuon are typical examples of the standard use of rice derivatives coupled with tastefully seasoning sauce. Most importantly, Pho and Goi Cuon have been listed at the 28th and 30th position respectively among world’s most delicious dishes by CNNGo. You should not leave Hanoi without trying one of them.
Where to dine
Regarding authentic Vietnamese culinary, the rule: “do not judge a book by its cover’ works very well in Hanoi. You may miss out excellent eating place due to its humble appearance but the truth is that the core and key tips to prepare and make traditional Vietnamese food have been preserved and passed down from generation to generation in small and old eateries.
Nonetheless, unless you are accompanied by Vietnamese, enjoying meals at local mini eateries poses a real challenge since the owner and waiters do not have a good command of English. Fortunately, you can visit some around the Old Quarter- the most favourite place in Hanoi. There are a number of decent traditional restaurants offering original cuisines at very inexpensive rate. Some places where you can savour real Vietnamese cuisines and contemporary Hanoi’s life are at No 14 Cha Ca Street for Cha Ca La Vong, No 49 Bat Dan for Pho and No 1 Hang Manh Street for Bun Cha.
Also, if you insist on sumptuous restaurants with crisp and white table cloth, there are plenty of options. They usually offer a wide variety of dishes in Asian, Western as well as Fusion gastronomy. Buffet Viet at No.1A, Tang Bat Ho Street, Ngoc Mai Do Restaurant on the Level 15 of Ruby Plaza at No.44 Le Ngoc Han Street, Koto Restaurant at No.59, Van Mieu Street, Da Lien Restaurant at 55A Nguyen Du or No1. Trang Tien Street at Nineteen 11 is really worth a try.