Top 8 Hanoi Snacks You Should Not Miss!
Enjoying Hanoi snacks, besides exploring ancient attractions, is also an experience not to be missed when coming to the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi was once honored as “Best Food Destination for 2024”, so the dishes here will not disappoint you. Let’s explore 8 must-try Hanoi snacks with Lua Viet Tours!
Banh Dau Xanh (Mung Bean Cake)
Mung bean cake is among the popular Hanoi snacks. These delightful bite-sized treats are a staple of Northern Vietnamese cuisine. Made from green bean flour, sugar, cooking oil, and grapefruit essential oil, each ingredient is packed with care to make sure they are pressed into beautiful cubes. Thereafter, it will be steamed, and often wrapped in colorful cellophane. The Mung Bean cubes offer a sweetness, perfect for a quick and satisfying snack.
Pair well with hot green tea, making the combo wonderful for both children and the elderly to enjoy at a gathering. Mung bean cake occupies a certain position as it is not just a type of amiable gift, but also a part of the oriental culture of Northern Vietnam.
Where to Find:
- Mung Bean Cake Bao Minh: 12 Hang Than, Ba Dinh District
- Rong Vang Minh Ngoc: 27 Hang Giay, Dong Xuan, Hoan Kiem District
The Mung Bean cubes offer a sweetness, perfect for a quick and satisfying Hanoi snack. (Image Source: Internet)
Tao Pho (Douhua)
This popular Hanoi snack, made from soybeans and known for its soft texture, goes by different names depending on location. With a myriad of titles and often confused with normal Tofu, this dish has gradually become a favorite treat nationwide. In the Central and Southern regions, the dish is called “Dau Hu,” which translates to “tofu”.
Like any other dish in Vietnam, it has a long tradition of craftsmanship in its craft village located in An Phu (now in Nghia Do ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi). However, with the emergence of diverse street food options, there are now fewer Tao pho shops in residential areas than before.
Where to find:
- Tao Pho Caramen: 172 Dai Tu, Hoang Mai District
- Pho De: 21 Chua Lang, Dong Da District
- Vua Tao Pho: 192 Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem District
This Tao pho has gradually become a favorite snack nationwide. (Image Source: Internet)
Pho Cuon (Pho Rolls)
If you are looking for a quick Hanoi snack that still retains the flavor of the legendary Pho, this is a valid alternative! With the same ingredients as traditional Pho, such as bean sprouts, herbs, and stir-fried beef, these Pho cuon can be served as an appetizer or main course with a tasty dipping sauce.
Another aspect of the dish is that different restaurants try to implement their dipping sauce. They have their particular combination of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and pepper, and customers who favor it tend to become regular patrons. Pho cuon has everything that you can take in one bite on a summer evening with a breeze blowing on your shoulder.
Where to find:
- Hung Ben Ngu Xa: 118 Tran Vu, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh District
- Ngu Xa – Duy Tan: 66 Duy Tan, Cau Giay District
- Vinh Phong: 40 Ngu Xa, Ba Dinh District
Pho Cuon has everything that you can take in one bite. (Image Source: Internet)
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Nem Chua Ran (Fried Fermented Pork Roll)
You can easily spot this Hanoi snack in the dish called “Bun dau mam tom”, but sometimes people aren’t very thrilled with a whole set and prefer this fried fermented pork roll to savor independently. This is typical street food when diners sit on a plastic chair and have a casual conversation with each other on the pavement. Served on a piece of banana leaf underneath, Nem chua ran is usually accompanied by potato chips and spicy sauce.
Despite the intriguing name with the word “chua” (sour), the meat is not as sour as people thought. Before coming up with the idea of frying, the original version (nem chua) has already made a sensation among food lovers. The pre-fermenting pork is used for a better texture and taste that creates a crispy outlook and tender consistency inside.
Where to find:
- Thuy Khue Fried Spring Rolls: 30 Alley 21, Lane 29 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho District
- Tam Thuong Alley Fried Spring Rolls: 36 Tam Thuong Alley, Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem District
Nem chua ran is usually accompanied by potato chips and spicy sauce. (Image Source: Internet)
Xoi Xeo (Vietnamese Sticky Rice with Mung Bean)
Nothing could be better than starting your day with Xoi Xeo. This delicious Hanoi snack consists of sticky rice topped with ground de-hulled mung bean and fried onions. It can also be served with pork floss, sausage, cha com, or braised pork upon request.
Although the serving size may be small, its quality is satisfying at any time of the day, with breakfast or lunch being the most popular choices. Pairing it with a glass of soy milk or Vietnamese ca phe sua da makes for the ultimate energy boost.
Where to find:
- Mixed Xoi Xeo: 325 Truong Dinh, Hoang Mai District
- Xoi Xeo Co May: 35 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem District
- Xoi Xeo Co Tuyet: Cu Loc Alley, Thanh Xuan District
This delicious Hanoi snack consists of sticky rice topped with ground de-hulled mung bean and fried onions. (Image Source: Internet)
Kem Trang Tien (Trang Tien Ice Scream)
Trang Tien ice cream, a brand established in 1958, is a popular place to enjoy Hanoi snacks. Trang Tien ice cream is a wonderful combination of traditional ice cream and modern ice cream. Despite the ups and downs of time, Trang Tien ice cream still retains its charming, characteristic flavor.
When you take a bite of ice cream, you will immediately feel the soft, fragrant and slightly cool taste when the ice cream melts in your mouth. It can be said that this Hanoi specialty has successfully captured the hearts of many generations, from the elderly to children, all love the mild sweetness, not too cold of Trang Tien ice cream.
Where to find: 35 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District
Trang Tien ice cream is a snack associated with many generations of Hanoians. (Image Source: Internet)
Che (Vietnamese Sweet Soup)
Vietnamese sweet soup is a well-liked and adaptable dessert that can be eaten as puddings or as cool drinks. This Hanoi snack has a wide range of ingredients, such as tapioca, fruits, beans, and seeds, and coconut milk is frequently added to enhance the flavor.
With contemporary modifications, age-old recipes have developed to offer a wide variety of flavors. Hot sweet soups are comforting on cold days, but sweet soups served over ice are a popular choice in the summer’s intense heat. Vietnamese sweet soup is a favorite among the natives and has grown to be a joyful discovery for visitors, regardless of temperature.
Where to find:
- Che Go: 9 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District
- Che Xoan: 29 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District
- Che Co Thuy: 117 Doi Can, Ba Dinh District
Vietnamese sweet soup is a snack you can eat at any time. (Image Source: Internet)
Banh Goi (Vietnamese Empanada)
When it comes to Hanoi snacks, you cannot miss the delicious banh goi here. The small, neat banh goi, the crust is not too thick, fried until golden brown and crispy, always making the team who often eats love it.
You just need to put the cake in your mouth, the crust and the filling inside will melt in your mouth. The filling has minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli, a little grated vegetables that are seasoned to taste and not greasy at all. Along with that is the sweet and sour dipping sauce, just the right amount of spicy, with papaya, carrots shaped beautifully, served with fresh vegetables, it is irresistibly delicious.
Where to find:
- Banh Goi Hien Hao: Alley 9, Hoe Nhai Ward, Nguyen Trung Truc Ward, Ba Dinh District
- Banh Goi Co Hoa: 111B3 Vinh Ho, Dong Da District
Banh goi is also known as Vietnamese empanada. (Image Source: Internet)
Those are 8 Hanoi snacks you should not miss. Northern Vietnam offers a wide variety of delicious snacks and treats waiting to be discovered. Each region has its specialties, so make sure to explore local markets and street vendors to experience the full range of flavors this culinary destination has to offer. Lua Viet Tours is here to accompany you on any journey of exploring culture and cuisine across the country!
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