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

Pho

“Pho” has been known for long as Vietnam’s world-famous dish and has become the regular dish for Vietnamese people for breakfast, lunch and even dinner. “Pho” in Vietnam vary in two main types: “pho bo” - beef, and “pho ga” - chicken.

• Price range: 40.000 ~ 50.000 VND
• Location: Pho Gia Truyen - 49, Bat Dan street, Hanoi.

Pho Gia Truyen has been serving for more than 60 years and still kept its original way of making “pho” with their extraordinary broth. 

A note for eating at Pho Gia Truyen: Guests have to wait in line and wait for their turns to order, then they have to bring the own bowls to the table as the restaurant keeps its business back in the time of budget subsidized system.

“Pho ga” is as tasty as “pho bo” but with different ingredients and broth.

• Price range: 40.000 ~ 50.000 VND
• Location: 7 Nam Ngu Street, Hanoi

Pho Cuon

Ngu Xa street is the original place for “pho cuon”. Pho Cuon translates to noodle roll, which makes sense since each Pho Cuon is a big rice noodle rolled around beef and green herbs like cilantro and basil. For an equivalent of US $2, you will have a heaping plate with its sweet dipping sauce with a fish sauce base and flavors like sugar, vinegar, and chili.

• Price range: 45.000 ~ 50.000 VND
• Location: 19 Ngu Xa Street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi

Bun Cha

“Bun cha” is one of the distinctive dishes in the north of Vietnam. 

This dish became hugely famous earlier in the year when TV presenter Anthony Bourdain sat down for some bun cha with US President Barack Obama when they were in Hanoi. 

• Price range: 35.000 ~ 55.000 VND
• Locations: 34 Hang Than Street, Hanoi

To sit at the place where the U.S president was, look for Bun Cha Huong Lien, 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hanoi

Banh Cuon

“Banh cuon” is another type of rolled dish that is common among Vietnamese people. “Banh cuon” can be found all over the Old Quarter, usually at small family-run shops. 

• Price range: 40.000 ~ 50.000 VND
• Location: 14 Hang Ga Street, Hanoi for the best tasting and serving experience for “banh cuon”

Banh Mi

Vietnamese people love to eat “banh mi” for breakfast, especially students. “Banh mi” in Hanoi though does not as tasty as down in the south, its taste still satisfies your appetite at very affordable prices. 

• Price range: 12.000 ~ 30.000 VND
• Location: Huong Lan Bakery, 513 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Bia hoi

A few drinks would not harm. Beer in Hanoi tastes best at night on the street in the Old Quarter. While sipping a cup of beer, you can also enjoy live music playing greatest hits at bars along the street.

Check out Ta Hien Street after 09:00 PM, you’ll be surprised by the atmosphere of the whole street. 

• Price range: 15.000 ~ 20.000 VND
• Location: Ta Hien street, Hanoi

Egg coffee

Have you ever heard of egg coffee? Hanoi is the best place for a cup of hot egg coffee, especially on the cold days. Due to the shortage of milk back in the 1940s in Vietnam, whisked egg yolk was used as a replacement, since then, egg coffee became the classic drink for Vietnamese people. 

• Price range: 15.000 ~ 35.000 VND
• Location: Giang Coffee, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street

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.