Highlights

Vietnamese cuisine has an established reputation. A true ode to flavour and taste, the many herbs and spices that make up Vietnamese dishes set them apart from the cuisine of other Asian countries. Vietnamese gastronomy has never ceased to seduce travellers and is even becoming very popular throughout the world, who are delighted with the diversity of its dishes. And for good reason, Vietnam has no less than 500 different dishes!

Street food is no exception to the rule. As an integral part of Vietnamese culture, it is undoubtedly on the pavements that you will taste the best popular Vietnamese dishes. So, follow us through this article for a culinary journey to discover the street food in Hanoi.

Traveler's 5 favourite dishes

During my trip to Vietnam, I was lucky enough to count on my colleagues to help me discover many Vietnamese dishes. Every lunchtime, they took me to taste a typical dish of the street food in Hanoi. Here are my five favourite dishes!

Bun cha

The bun cha is one of the typical Vietnamese street-food dishes that seduced me the most during my stay in the land of the dragon. It is a dish that consists of grilled pork belly and pork dumplings served with rice noodles (bún), aromatic herbs and pickled vegetables. A real delicacy, which can be eaten quickly at lunchtime before going back to work, for example. Even former US President Barack Obama tried the bun cha during his visit to Hanoi in 2016!

Nem ran

 Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are tasty and can be eaten even without hunger! As a main course or side dish, they are often eaten at family dinners. The small egg rolls consist of pork, mushrooms, vermicelli and crab wrapped in rice paper. The recipe is simple but hits the spot every time.

The banh mi

The banh mi is the Vietnamese style sandwich, which can be eaten anywhere and at any time. If you're in a hurry, don't hesitate to order a banh mi to go and break the crust on the road! Recipes vary from vendor to vendor but they can be slices of grilled pork, meatballs, sausage or duck, slices of cucumber and fresh tomatoes and onions. Depending on your taste (and spice tolerance), a hot sauce can enhance the taste of your banh mi. What I like about this sandwich is the use of aromatic herbs such as coriander which add freshness and lightness.

Pho

Pho is almost the culinary emblem of Vietnam, as it is universally recognised. This Vietnamese soup is eaten at any time of the day, and it is not uncommon for Vietnamese to start their day with a good bowl of Pho for breakfast. This traditional dish is composed of a broth, strips of beef or chicken and seasoned with Vietnamese herbs and spices.

Banh cuon (Vietnamese ravioli)

If the hot weather makes you less hungry, you may enjoy banh cuon. Light and tasty, these soft spring rolls are made of pork and mushrooms wrapped in fermented rice sheets and dipped in the inevitable nuoc mam sauce. They are often sprinkled with fresh herbs and fried onions, and although they are usually eaten for breakfast, it is not impossible to find street restaurants serving them for lunch.