Top 5 Hanoi Food Snacks You Should Not Miss!
Hanoi recently was voted as “Best Food Destination for 2024” by TripAdvisor readers and that proves Northern Vietnam is renowned for its fresh ingredients and unique flavors.
As the cradle of culture and cuisine of the country, the city produces considerable delicious dishes that are closely associated with Vietnamese traditions and connect generations of Vietnamese. Let’s find out about The Top 5 Hanoi Food Snacks that you should not miss with Lua Viet Tours!
Mung Bean Cake
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.
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. Just imagine yourself being gathered with nostalgia stories cozily with your family members while having that sweet taste melt on the tip of your tongue!
More than a dessert, it’s a flavorful testament to Vietnam’s culinary heritage that obtains many health benefits. Mung beans are one of the best plant-based sources of protein, as they contain antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, vitamins, and fiber.
A set of hot tea and mung bean cakes are memorable for a family gathering
Nowadays, we rarely catch sight of it except on Lunar New Year’s Eve or big gatherings. In today’s diverse and rich confectionery market, 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.
Tao Pho (Douhua)
With a myriad of titles and often confused with normal Tofu, this dish has gradually become a favorite treat nationwide. This meal is loved by the majority of Vietnamese youth and is the second most popular rustic treat in the early 2000s.
This Tau Pho has gradually become a favorite treat nationwide.
This popular Vietnamese dish, made from soybeans and known for its soft texture, goes by different names depending on location. In Hanoi, it’s called “Tao Pho”, while Hai Phong has its term, “mixed Tau Pha”. In the Central and Southern regions, the dish is simply 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.
There are now fewer Tao Pho shops in residential areas than before.
Compared to the texture of tofu in the North and Central regions, this dish in the South has a thicker texture, served with coconut milk, hot sugar water, a little ginger, and small grains of tapioca starch as desired.
While Tao Pho serves as a hot, comfort dish for Northern people to have a quick slurp in cooler weather, it is enjoyed differently on the other side of the country. The Southerners prefer a variation that is served with ice, coconut milk, and other toppings.
Filled with varied toppings, this dish has a lot of ways to enjoy.
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Fried fermented pork roll – Nem chua ran
You can easily spot this specific food 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.
Nem Chua Ran is usually seen in the famous dish called “Bun Dau Mam Tom”
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.
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.
The original version (Nem Chua) has already made a sensation among food lovers
When visiting the Old Quarter, this food option is a good one for a reunion with your travel companion while enjoying the nostalgic atmosphere of Hanoi and relishing the tasty fried fermented pork roll.
Pho Rolls – Pho Cuon
If you are looking for a quick dish that still retains the flavor of the legendary Pho, this is definitely a valid alternative! With the same ingredients as traditional Pho, such as bean sprouts, herbs, and stir-fried beef, these Pho Rolls can be served as an appetizer or main course with a tasty dipping sauce.
Pho Cuon has everything that you can take in one bite
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.
Different restaurants try to implement their dipping sauce to attract food patrons
The clink of beer glasses along with the buzz of happy conversation and laughter complete this distinctive dish of Hanoi. Pho Cuon has everything that you can take in one bite on a summer evening with a breeze blowing on your shoulder.
Xoi Xeo
What could be better than starting your day with Xoi Xeo? This delicious Vietnamese dish 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.
This delicious Vietnamese dish consists of sticky rice topped with ground de-hulled mung bean and fried onions.
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!
It can also be served with pork floss, sausage, or braised pork upon request.
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. Click here for more information about Food Tours in Vietnam!
