Bun cha in brief
Grilled pork patties and slices of marinated pork belly float in a bowl of warm broth made with fish sauce, sugar, vinegar and garlic, with pickled green papaya and carrot. A plate of cold vermicelli and a pile of herbs come on the side. Charcoal smoke is what gives the dish its smell, which is also how you spot a busy place.
The best places for bun cha in Hanoi
| Place | Why go | Indicative price (November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Huong Lien, 24 Le Van Huu | the "Obama" table, simple setting, crab and other spring rolls | 50,000 to 120,000 VND |
| Dac Kim, 1 Hang Manh | one of the oldest bun cha houses, big portions, central Old Quarter | 70,000 to 120,000 VND |
| Bun Cha Tuyet, 34 Hang Than | local favourite near the Old Quarter | check the menu |
| Bun Cha Ta, 21 Nguyen Huu Huan | quieter, local clientele | check the menu |
Prices vary by source and by the extras you add (spring rolls, beer, extra pork), so treat them as a range.
Bun cha Obama: what it is
The "Obama combo" is the set the restaurant serves under that name: bun cha, a crab spring roll and a drink. The table where the 2016 meal took place is kept on display. Expect a queue at 12:00; arrive at 11:00 or after 13:00.
Prices and opening hours
Count 50,000 to 120,000 VND for a full bowl, more with spring rolls and a beer (November 2026). Bun cha is cooked for lunch, so most places are busiest from 11:00 to 13:00 and some close mid-afternoon. Check the hours of the place you pick before going.
How to eat it
Put vermicelli and herbs into the broth bowl with the pork patties and slices, then dip. Add a fried spring roll for a full lunch. Add chili and garlic from the table to taste. The smell of grilling shows which places are busy.
With a guide?
To taste bun cha along with other dishes, a street food tour helps. On GetYourGuide, the "7 tastings with Train Street" tour (4.9 out of 5, 794 reviews) lists Obama bun cha among its dishes; a 7-tasting motorbike tour starts at Huong Lien (5 out of 5, 226 reviews). See also our street food guide and the best pho in Hanoi.
FAQ
Where can you eat the best bun cha in Hanoi? Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu) and Dac Kim (1 Hang Manh) are the two reference addresses; Bun Cha Tuyet and Bun Cha Ta are good local alternatives.
How much does a bun cha cost? About 50,000 to 120,000 VND for a bowl, depending on the place and the extras (November 2026).
What is Obama bun cha? The bun cha served at Huong Lien, where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate in May 2016. The set is bun cha, a spring roll and a drink.
How do you eat bun cha? Dip the vermicelli and herbs into the broth with the grilled pork, and add a spring roll and chili to taste.
What time is bun cha served? Mainly for lunch, 11:00 to 13:00.
Is there a recipe to cook it at home? Marinate pork shoulder and belly in fish sauce, sugar, shallot and garlic, grill over charcoal, and serve in a sweet-sour broth with vermicelli and herbs.
