Street Food in Hanoi: Best Suggestions for South African in 2025

Pho

Among the many treasures of Hanoi street food, pho stands out as the city’s most iconic dish. This flavorful noodle soup combines a rich, slow-simmered broth with flat rice noodles, tender slices of beef or chicken, and fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and scallions. Often enjoyed for breakfast but available at any time of day, pho embodies the perfect balance of savory, aromatic, and refreshing flavors. 

Street-side pho stalls are everywhere in Hanoi, each with its own secret recipe, inviting both locals and visitors to gather over steaming bowls that represent the heart of Vietnamese culinary culture.

Where to try

• Pho Gia Truyen: 49 Bat Dan street, Hanoi.
• Pho Ly Quoc Su: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi
• Pho Ga Lam: 7 Nam Ngu Street, Hanoi

Pho Cuon

Pho Cuon, or Vietnamese fresh rice noodle rolls, is a beloved specialty that reflects Hanoi’s creativity with pho. Unlike the steaming hot noodle soup, Pho Cuon features wide sheets of fresh rice noodles used to wrap fragrant herbs, slices of stir-fried beef, and crunchy vegetables. Served with a tangy dipping sauce made from fish sauce, garlic, chili, and lime, this dish offers a refreshing balance of textures and flavors. 

Originating from the Trúc Bạch area of Hanoi, Pho Cuon is often enjoyed as a light evening snack or shared among friends over casual conversations. For travelers exploring Hanoi street food, tasting Pho Cuon provides a delightful variation of the iconic pho experience.

Where to try

• Pho Cuon Huong Son: 19 Ngu Xa Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
• Pho Cuon Hung Ben: 33 Ngu Xa Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
• Pho Cuon Chinh Thang: 7 Mac Dinh Chi, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Bun Cha

Bun Cha is one of the most iconic dishes you can find on the streets of Hanoi. This flavorful meal consists of grilled pork patties and slices of marinated pork belly served in a bowl of light fish sauce broth, accompanied by a generous portion of rice noodles, fresh herbs, and crisp vegetables. 

What makes Bun Cha truly special is the balance of smoky, savory meat with the refreshing crunch of herbs like mint, basil, and lettuce. Locals usually enjoy it at small street-side stalls, often with a side of fried spring rolls. If you want to experience authentic Hanoi street food culture, sitting on a tiny plastic stool with a plate of Bun Cha in front of you is an unforgettable must.

Where to try

• Bun Cha Hang Than: 34 Hang Than Street, Hanoi
• Bun Cha Huong Lien: 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hanoi

Banh Cuon

Banh Cuon, or steamed rice rolls, is a beloved Hanoi specialty that showcases the finesse of Vietnamese cuisine. Made from thin sheets of fermented rice batter, these delicate rolls are filled with a savory mixture of minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots. Once prepared, they are topped with crispy fried shallots and served with slices of Vietnamese pork sausage (cha lua) alongside fresh herbs. 

The dish is typically enjoyed with a light fish sauce dip, enhanced by lime, chili, and garlic for balance. Banh Cuon is often eaten for breakfast, but in Hanoi’s bustling street food scene, you can find it any time of day, offering locals and visitors alike a taste of tradition wrapped in soft rice crepes.

Where to try

• Banh cuon Gia An: 26 Thai Phien, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
• Banh cuon Ba Xuan: 16 Doc Hoa Nhai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Banh Mi

Among the treasures of Hanoi’s street food, Banh Mi stands out as a perfect blend of Vietnamese creativity and French influence. This iconic sandwich is built on a crisp baguette, filled with layers of savory grilled meats, cold cuts, or even pâté, then balanced with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a dash of chili sauce. 

The contrast between the crunchy bread and the flavorful fillings makes it a quick, affordable, yet deeply satisfying meal. You can enjoy this dish from a busy street stall or a small corner shop. Banh Mi is a taste of Hanoi’s cultural fusion and culinary ingenuity.

Where to try

• Banh Mi stalls along Hanoi streets
• Banh Mi 25: 25 Hang Ca, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Banh Mi Ba Dan: 34 Lo Su, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Sticky Rice

Sticky rice, known locally as xôi, is one of the most comforting and versatile street foods you’ll find in Hanoi. Sold from small roadside stalls or mobile baskets carried by street vendors, sticky rice can be enjoyed any time of the day. 

What makes it special is its variety: you can have it topped with mung beans, fried shallots, pork floss, or even grilled chicken. Some versions are sweet, paired with coconut shreds or sesame seeds, while others are savory and filling. Simple yet satisfying, sticky rice is a true reflection of Hanoi’s street food culture.

Where to try

• Xoi Yen: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Xoi Ga Hang Hom: 42 Hang Hom, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Bia Hoi (Craft Beer)

Alongside the sizzling skewers and fragrant noodle bowls, Hanoi’s food culture also embraces a growing craft beer scene. In recent years, local breweries have been experimenting with traditional Vietnamese ingredients to create unique blends that pair perfectly with street food. 

On the other hand, craft beer is the everyday beer of Hanoi. It is light, crisp, and brewed fresh daily. Served in small glasses at bustling sidewalk joints, it’s not about complexity but about community and refreshment. Locals usually enjoy it with simple dishes like peanuts, fried tofu, or fried spring rolls, creating an atmosphere where eating and drinking are inseparable.

Popular beer streets like Ta Hien have become social hubs where both locals and travelers gather, making craft beer not just a drink but a lively part of Hanoi’s street food experience.

Where to try

• Quan Nhau Tu Do: Multiple branches across Hanoi
• Pasteur Street Brewing: 1 Ngo Trai Co, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Egg Coffee

Among Hanoi’s many street food treasures, egg coffee is a unique creation you won’t find anywhere else. This specialty drink was invented in the 1940s when milk was scarce, and Hanoians turned to whisked egg yolk as a creamy substitute. Served in a small cup, egg coffee combines strong Vietnamese coffee with a frothy, custard-like layer of whipped egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk. The result is a rich, velvety beverage that feels more like a dessert than a simple coffee. 

Today, you can find it in traditional cafés tucked away in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, often enjoyed hot in winter or cold with ice in the summer.

Where to try

• Giang Coffee: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Dinh Coffee: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Vietnam is not only about the street food but also many more great things to explore, consider traveling to Vietnam with Vietnam tour packages from South Africa.