| Dish | Region | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phở (bò or gà) | North, everywhere | fragrant broth, rice noodles, beef or chicken | classic breakfast; add herbs and lime |
| Bún chả | Hanoi | grilled pork in a sweet-salty broth, vermicelli, herbs | usually served at lunch |
| Bánh cuốn | North | steamed rice crepes filled with pork and mushrooms | breakfast, with nước chấm |
| Bánh mì | Everywhere | baguette filled with meat, pâté, pickled vegetables | quick, cheap meal |
| Cơm tấm | South (Saigon) | broken rice, grilled pork, egg | popular lunch in the south |
| Bún bò Huế | Centre (Hue) | spicy beef soup, lemongrass | spicier than phở |
| Cao lầu, mì Quảng | Centre (Hoi An, Da Nang) | regional noodles, pork, herbs | try them in Hoi An and Da Nang |
| Nem rán / chả giò | Everywhere | fried rolls | dip in the sauce |
| Gỏi cuốn | South, everywhere | fresh rolls with prawn and herbs | light, not fried |
| Cà phê trứng | Hanoi | coffee with beaten egg yolk | see our egg coffee page |
Start with the north: phở, bún chả, bánh cuốn
Phở is eaten from breakfast to evening; ask for "phở bò" (beef) or "phở gà" (chicken). Bún chả is Hanoi's emblematic dish: grilled meatballs and pork in a sweet fish-sauce broth, eaten with vermicelli and herbs. Bánh cuốn is a morning dish, eaten hot with a light fish sauce.
Ordering well
- Look for places full of locals, with a single speciality on the menu.
- Ask the price before ordering on very touristy streets.
- Start with small portions and share: several dishes beat one big meal.
- Vegetarian: say "chay"; note that broths are often meat- or fish-sauce-based.
- Water and ice: prefer bottled water, and ice from established restaurants.
How to taste without mistakes
A guided food tour is the fastest way to taste several dishes with someone ordering for you: see our comparison street food in Hanoi. To learn to cook them, the cooking class in Hanoi. Overall budget: how much to plan in Hanoi.
