Hanoi - A journey of taste

Founded over 1000 years ago, Hanoi - Vietnam’s capital city is rich in history, with the streets of its rambling Old Quarter dating back to the 14th century. Wandering under these tree-lined lanes will take you back in time while observing ancient houses, temples, and monuments. Besides its serene vibes, Hanoi is also famous for its diverse and world-class cuisine. If you travel to Hanoi, you will not only experience a historic tour but also a journey of taste. Get your chopsticks ready, here are five iconic dishes that you could not skip when in Hanoi.

Miến (pronounced mian)

Made from mung bean or sweet potato, miến (vermicelli) has a tasty chewy texture and a mild umami taste. Served with chicken, crab, or freshwater eel, you can enjoy a bowl of miến with broth or stir-fried. In Hanoi, you can eat most noodles with quẩy (fried breadsticks), and vermicelli is no exception. Don’t forget to dip them in the broth!

                                             

Phở (pronounced fuh)

It will be a mistake if this list excludes phở when it has already been an iconic Vietnamese dish. Even if you’ve had phở elsewhere in Vietnam, it’s worth giving the Hanoi variant a try. If the many condiments that come with your phở seem confusing at first, start with a bit of gritty chili sauce, then top with a spoonful of garlic vinegar for beef phở, or a squeeze of lime for chicken phở.

                                             

Simply fried tofu and rice noodles have never tasted so addictive! A match made in heaven, crispy golden tofu and fresh rice noodles are a perfect Hanoian lunch. Originally, bún đậu is served with mắm tôm (fermented shrimp paste), but you can also choose fish sauce as a lighter alternative. Young rice patties, fried spring rolls, and herbs complete the beautiful ensemble. 

                                             

Nowhere else does chả cá like Hanoi. Fatty catfish is marinated in spices and grilled, then stirred with lots of spring onions and dill on high heat right at the table. Eating chả cá in Hanoi is an experience in itself. The most important element of good chả cá is the marinade. Original recipes are kept secret in family-run restaurants for generations. 

                                              

Almost exclusively a lunch dish, bún chả combines chargrilled pork belly and patties with diluted vinegar fish sauce in a harmonious combination. Put your rice noodles into the fish sauce bowl, add spices and herbs, then try to get a little bit of everything in one bite. For a hearty upgrade, go ahead and order some nem (fried spring rolls) with your bún chả.