Food Tour in Hanoi

Great idea! A food tour in Hanoi is one of the best ways to experience the city’s culture. Here’s a guide + recommended itinerary + must-try dishes + tips. (Also happy to help you book or pick a food tour.)

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Why Do a Food Tour in Hanoi
- Street food is everywhere in Hanoi — alleys, markets, small stalls.
- You’ll get to try iconic and local-only dishes.
- Local guides can take you to hidden gems you wouldn’t find on your own.
- It’s a great way to explore the Old Quarter, local markets, and cafés.
Must-Try Dishes on Your Hanoi Food Tour

Here are some of the top foods you should include in your tour:
1. Phở – The famous Vietnamese noodle soup with a clear, flavorful broth.
- Recommended spots: Phở Bat Đàn, Phở Thìn.
2. Bún Chả – Grilled pork served with vermicelli, herbs, and dipping sauce.

- Iconic place: Bún Chả Hương Liên (the “Obama bún chả”).
3. Bánh Mì – Vietnamese baguette sandwich; Hanoi’s version can be a little different from other regions.

- Try: Bánh Mì 25 in the Old Quarter.
4. Chả Cá – Turmeric fish with dill; a specialty dish in Hanoi.
- Try at: Chả Cá Thăng Long.
5. Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) – Creamy coffee mixed with whipped egg yolk, sweet and rich.
- Classic spot: Café Giảng.
6. Xôi (Sticky Rice) – Very common; can be sweet or savory.

- Example: Xôi xéo (sticky rice + mung bean + fried shallots)
7. Nem Chua Rán – Fried fermented pork roll, crispy outside, chewy inside.

8. Bánh Giò – Soft rice dumpling wrapped in banana leaves, filled with pork and mushrooms.
9. Bánh Rán – Fried rice cake, both sweet and savory versions.
10. Tào Phớ (Tofu Pudding) – A sweet dessert, especially nice in hot weather.

11. Bánh Đúc Nóng – Warm rice cake topped with pork, mushrooms.
12. Gỏi Bò Khô (Beef Jerky Salad) – Green papaya salad with dried beef.
Sample Food Tour Itinerary (Half-Day)
Here’s what a ~3-hour walking food tour might look like:
| Time | Activity / Food Stop |
|---|---|
| Start (Morning) | Begin in the Old Quarter |
| ~8:00 AM | Phở at a local stall (e.g., Phở Bat Đàn) |
| ~9:00 AM | Walk to Xôi vendor → try xôi xéo or sticky rice variants |
| ~10:00 AM | Go to a bánh giò or bánh cuốn stall |
| Midday | Transition to lunch |
| ~11:00 AM | Bún Chả (grilled pork + noodles) |
| ~12:00 PM | Stop for a refreshing tào phớ (sweet tofu pudding) or nem chua rán as a snack |
| ~12:30 PM | Finish with egg coffee at a traditional café (e.g., Café Giảng) |
If you do an evening tour, you might focus more on savory snacks, fried foods, and perhaps a fresh seafood stall (e.g., ốc luộc, boiled snails) mentioned by local guides.
Etiquette & Tips for a Food Tour
- Be ready to walk — street food tours often go through alleys and old streets.
- Use cash: small vendors may not take cards.
- Try to point at what others are eating: many street-food stalls don’t have a menu.
- Eat relatively quickly: many street food vendors rely on high turnover.
- Ask your guide about dietary restrictions: if you don’t eat pork or have allergies, they can tailor the tour.
- Bring hand sanitizer and wipes — eating on the go.
Recommended Tour Providers
- A BITE: They run local street food tours with hidden-gem spots.
- Metta Voyage: Offers a top 5 food tour in Hanoi covering iconic Hanoi dishes.
- Vietnam Travelers: Their walking food tour includes classic Hanoi specialties.
Bonus: Local Tips from Visitors
- On Reddit, people recommended Phở Tứ Hải and Phở Gân (Thụy Khuê) for authentic pho.
- For snacks, one visitor said:
“Tào phớ, nem chua rán, che … egg coffee … bánh tôm Hồ Tây …”
- Another tip: try to hit food spots at non-peak tourist hours to avoid big crowds.
If you like, I can pick 3 highly rated food tours in Hanoi (locally run) (with prices) — do you want me to do that?
See more:
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Contact
- Hotline/ Whatsapp/Line/Viber: +84 986282217
- Email: contact@vietflametours.com
- Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/vietflametours
- Websites: https://vietflametours.com/
