Food is at the heart of Vietnamese culture and Vietnamese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world as it mixes together a range of flavors and tastes. Here is my list of dishes you have to eat in Ha Noi for a real taste of the city and Vietnam.
1. Pho
Pho is considered as the national dish of Vietnam. It’s almost impossible to walk a block in Ha Noi without bumping into a crowd of hungry patrons slurping noodle at a Pho stand.A bowl of pho consists of a light beef or chicken broth flavored with ginger and herd, to which are added broad, flat rice noodles, spring onions and slivers of chicken or beef.
It’s cheap, tasty, and especially popular for breakfast in Hanoi.
2. Bun Cha
Pho might be Vietnam’s most famous dish but bun cha is the top choice when it comes to lunchtime in the capital.
Bun cha is thought to have originated from Hanoi, Vietnam. The dish is served with grilled fatty pork (cha) over a plate of white rice noodle (bun), a basket of herbs, bean sprouts, pickled veggies, and, once again, the ever-important sauce.
3. Banh My
Banh My, Vietnamese sandwich, has become a Phenomenon across the globe over the last few years, some even call it the best sandwich in the world. The banh mi consists of a baguette – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside – stuffed full with a variety of meat (pork, beef, chicken) and pickled vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers.
Sauces like mayonnaise, fresh cilantro or chili are also added as finishing touches to the sandwich.
In Vietnam, banh mi is typically sold at roadside stalls or push carts, making it the perfect dish for those who want something tasty and easy to eat on the go.
4. Goi Cuon
For those who have a soft spot for spring rolls, goi cuon is the dish for you.
The translucent parcels are first packed with salad greens, a slither of meat or seafood and a layer of coriander, before being neatly rolled and dunked in Vietnam’s favorite condiment — nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce)
This dish is flavourful and will be an awesome choice when you’ve been indulging in too much of the fried food in Vietnam.
5. Ca Phe Sua Da
Vietnam is renowned for its excellent coffee and Ha Noi coffee is consider the best among the best in this country.
Ca phe sua da literally translates into the three ingredients used to make this exquisite coffee drink – coffee, milk and ice.
The traditional process of making a cup of ca phe sua da involves dripping the rich and aromatic brew through a filter and into a cup containing 2 to 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.
The filtered coffee is then poured into a cup of ice for a refreshing cold brew that’s sweet but with a great caffeine kick.
Trust me, once you get into it, you’ll never want to go back.
