Bun cha in Hanoi – The distinctive flavor of capital’s cuisine
Bun cha Hanoi is a traditional dish that has won the hearts of both locals and international visitors. If you’re looking for the best bun cha in Hanoi, here’s everything you need to know!
Bun cha in Hanoi is one of the signature dishes of Northern Vietnamese cuisine, famous for its delicious and enticing flavors. This dish not only attracts locals but also captivates both domestic and international visitors.
What makes bun cha in Hanoi so special?
Bun cha has a long history and is considered an iconic dish of the capital’s cuisine. This dish with its unique flavor is so famous that former U.S. President Barack Obama enjoyed it when he visited Vietnam in 2016.
The dish consists of grilled pork (both pork belly and meatballs made from minced pork), fresh rice noodles (bún), a sweet and sour dipping sauce, and fresh herbs. The pork is marinated with a mixture of garlic, fish sauce, and honey before being perfectly grilled over charcoal, imparting a smoky flavor and richness. The dipping sauce, a blend of fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and slices of green papaya, perfectly complements the dish, making it an irresistible meal.
>>> Check out: Top 20 Must-Try Hanoi street food for your journey in the capital city!
Where to eat the best bun cha in Hanoi – A Local’s Guide
If you’re looking for the best bun cha in Hanoi, this article will help you find the best spots to enjoy this flavorful dish like a local:
Best bun cha in Hanoi Old Quarter
The Hanoi Old Quarter is home to many of the best and most famous bun cha restaurants, offering the traditional flavors of Hanoi. It is ideal for tourists staying in this central area, because there is no need to travel far to enjoy it. Below is a list of delicious bun cha restaurants in the Hanoi Old Quarter that you should not miss.
Bun cha Dac Kim – An old-aged brand of bun cha in Hanoi
- Address: No.1, Hang Manh street, Hoan Kiem District
- Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per serving
As one of the oldest and most famous of bun cha in Hanoi, bun cha Dac Kim is located in the Old Quarter, specializing in traditional bun cha. The dish here features delicious grilled pork, marinated with distinctive spices, served with fresh rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a carefully crafted dipping sauce. Additionally, the restaurant also offers crispy and appetizing crab spring rolls. With its high-quality food and service, bun cha Dac Kim has been recommended in the Michelin Guide.
Bun cha Cua Dong
- Address: No.41, Cua Dong street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Price: 40,000 – 65,000 VND per serving
Opening around noon, Bun Cha 41 is a perfect choice for your lunch. A mixed serving costs 50,000 VND, which is slightly higher than other bun cha places, but it comes with a generous portion of rice vermicelli, grilled pork, and fried spring rolls. During peak hours, the restaurant often runs out of tables, so it’s recommended to arrive early to avoid long waiting times.
Bun cha 74 Hang Quat – A bun cha restaurant hidden in a small alley in the Old Quarter
- Address: No.74, Hang Quat street, Hang Gai Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per serving
After exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, if you’re looking for a mouthwatering meal, don’t miss the bun cha eatery in the alley at No.74, Hang Quat street. This place is tucked away in a narrow alley that reflects the old charm of Hanoi. When you visit this eatery, not only will you have the chance to enjoy delicious food, but you can also take photos and check in with the charming little alley.
The bun cha at Hang Quat street here carries a strong traditional flavor, with a dipping sauce that is perfectly balanced—not too strong, not too mild. The grilled pork is seasoned just right, cooked to perfection while still retaining its moisture without being dry. In particular, the meatballs here are packed with filling, and each bite is bursting with flavor, making it incredibly tempting. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a bowl of bun cha at this eatery when you visit Hanoi.
>> Would you like to enjoy bun cha along with other famous dishes in Hanoi, all in one Hanoi street food tour with a local guide?
Bun cha Binh Minh – A must-visit bun cha eatery in Hanoi
- Address: No.23 Bat Su street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: 45,000 – 60,000 VND per serving
The bun cha eatery on Bat Su Street is a well-known spot that attracts both locals and tourists. Located near Hoan Kiem Lake, a prime location that catches the attention of visitors, this eatery offers generous portions of Bun Cha, ensuring customers leave full and satisfied. The eatery is clean, spacious, and perfect for dining with family or a group of friends.
Bun cha Ta
- Address: No.21, Nguyen Huu Huan street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 08:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Price: 35,000 VND – 55,000 VND
Bun cha Ta is a famous restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter, specializing in traditional bun cha. The bun cha here is highly praised for its rich flavor, with delicious grilled meat and a finely crafted dipping sauce. The restaurant has also received a recommendation from the Michelin Guide, affirming its quality and reputation. In addition to bun cha, customers can order seafood spring rolls and other enticing side dishes. The restaurant features a cozy atmosphere, cleanness and friendly, attentive staff, ensuring a comfortable and memorable culinary experience for guests.
Bun cha at Dong Xuan Market Alley
- Address: Dong Xuan Market Alley, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Price: 35,000 – 50,000 VND per serving
Bun cha que tre Co Nga eatery opens daily from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, serving hearty portions of bun cha at around 30,000 VND. The dipping sauce is perfectly balanced in flavor, accompanied by pickled papaya and carrots.
The “Cha” (meat patties) in the bun cha are made from pork, carefully seasoned, sandwiched by bamboo sticks and then grilled over charcoal, creating a crispy golden exterior and a tender, sweet interior. The highlight of the bun cha at Dong Xuan Market Alley is the finely crafted dipping sauce, which strikes a balance between sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, making the dish even more irresistible.
Bun cha Hang Khoai
- Address: No.48, Hang Khoai street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Price: 35,000 – 55,000 VND per serving
Bun cha Hang Khoai delights customers with its delicious traditional flavors at an affordable price. A serving of bun cha, complete with grilled pork, starts from just 35,000 VND. This long-established bun cha eatery in Hanoi still retains its signature taste, with well-marinated grilled meat and a perfectly balanced dipping sauce that is warm and inviting, enhancing the dish’s appeal. It is one of the favorite bun cha spots for many locals in the capital.
>>> Explore: Hanoi food streets: Top 18 MOST FAMOUS places to satisfy your taste buds
Famous bun cha in central districts of Hanoi
Here is a list of famous bun cha eateries in central Hanoi that you shouldn’t miss. Each establishment offers its own unique flavor and style of service. Be sure to enjoy and experience this iconic dish today!
Bun cha que – One of the best places for bun cha in Hanoi
- Address: No.15C, Ba Trieu alley, Le Dai Hanh, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Price: 35,000 – 45,000 VND per serving
The bun cha restaurant at No.15C, Ba Trieu alley is one of the popular and delicious eateries in Hanoi, frequently visited by many tourists. The bun cha here is served with generous toppings, featuring flavorful grilled pork and meat patties. The noodles are soft and fragrant, perfectly paired with the grilled meat and fresh herbs. Although the restaurant is small, it is always bustling with customers. The quick and friendly service is a major plus for this bun cha spot.
Bun cha Tuyet 34
- Address: No.34, Hang Than, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Price: 35,000 – 55,000 VND per serving
As one of the oldest bun cha restaurants in Hanoi, bun cha Tuyet 34 offers a unique flavor. Using a traditional recipe, the dipping sauce is perfectly balanced with a combination of salty, sour, sweet flavors, and a hint of spice from ground pepper. Each bowl of dipping sauce comes with three types of delicious “Cha”: minced pork, whole pork patties, and “cha” wrapped in lolot leaves. The highlight is the grilled pork, marinated thoroughly in spices and grilled to a slightly charred perfection, served with the freshest herbs and vegetables.
Bun cha Huong Lien – Bun cha Obama – A must-try bun cha in Hanoi
Addresses:
- Branch 1: No.24, Le Van Huu street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Branch 2: No.14, Alley 59 Lang Ha, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per serving
Honored to have been visited by former U.S. President Barack Obama, bun cha Huong Lien has become increasingly popular, drawing food lovers from all over. The restaurant proves its exceptional Bun Cha with its rich and delicious flavor. Compared to other bun cha spots in Hanoi, bun cha Huong Lien also offers tasty varieties of spring rolls, such as crab spring rolls and seafood spring rolls. The dipping sauce is meticulously crafted, perfectly balanced in flavor, ensuring it will not disappoint you. Famous for serving Former U.S President Obama, this restaurant is a should-not-miss for food enthusiasts.
Bun cha 23 Nguyen Bieu
- Address: No.23, Nguyen Bieu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per serving
This is one of the bun cha spots in Hanoi that leaves a lasting impression on customers due to the unique flavor of the grilled meat, which is unlike any other bun cha in the city. The grilled pork here is cooked over charcoal, wrapped in banana leaves, which gives it a distinct and aromatic fragrance that’s hard to describe. Once visitors try it, they’re sure to return, as this special flavor can only be found at bun cha 23 Nguyen Bieu. If you’re staying at a hotel in Hanoi near this area, it only takes about 5-10 minutes to reach the spot and enjoy a delicious bowl of bun cha.
Bun cha Sinh Tu – Traditional Hanoi bun cha with many locations
- Address: No.452, Tran Khat Chan street, Pho Hue Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price: 60,000 – 75,000 VND per serving
Bun cha Sinh Tu is a chain of restaurants specializing in bun cha and traditional Hanoi dishes. The restaurant was established in the 1900s, with the name “Sinh Từ” derived from the French colonial era, referring to the current Nguyen Khuyen Street. Today, the bun cha Sinh Tu chain has grown to 10 locations in Hanoi:
- Branch 1: No.2, Nguyen Phong Sac, Cau Giay, Hanoi
- Branch 2: No.10, new Hoang Cau, Dong Da, Hanoi
- Branch 3: No.48, Tran Thai Tong, Cau Giay, Hanoi
- Branch 4: No.44, Dao Tan, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- Branch 5: N04, Hoang Dao Thuy, Trung Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi
- Branch 6: No.452, Tran Khat Chan, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Branch 7: No.57, Xuan La, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Branch 8: 3C-6,7,8,9 Nguyen Van Loc, Mo Lao, Ha Dong, Hanoi
- Branch 9: HH4C Linh Dam Building, Hoang Mai, Hanoi
- Branch 10: No.100, Hai Ba Trung, Cua Nam, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
In addition to bun cha, there is a variety of other dishes in the menu such as phở cuốn (Vietnamese rolled noodles), fried rice with beef, ginseng chicken stew, and more, offering plenty of options for you to choose from. The restaurant features a spacious atmosphere, making it suitable for both small groups and families.
Bun cha Duy Diem
- Address: No.140, Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: 40,000 – 50,000 VND per serving
Bun cha Duy Diem is one of the most well-known restaurants of bun cha in Hanoi. The grilled pork here is fragrant with the scent of onions and a slight charred edge, with the perfect meat thickness that food enthusiasts rave about. The restaurant’s space is spacious, with several small tables that are ideal for groups of fewer than 10 people. In addition to the delicious food, the restaurant is also known for its friendly and attentive service.
Bun cha at Yen The alley
- Address: No.17, Yen The Alley, Dong Da, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Price: 35,000 – 45,000 VND per serving
The bun cha here is highly praised by many customers. The grilled meat is marinated richly but not pre-grilled like at other restaurants. Instead, the meat is grilled freshly when the order is placed, ensuring the dish retains its delicious, fresh flavor. The grilled pork patties are charred to perfection, releasing an irresistible aroma. When eaten with the hot dipping sauce, which is infused with garlic and a spicy pepper kick, it creates a distinctive, rich flavor. Don’t miss the chance to try a bowl of bun cha here if you want to experience the authentic taste of Hanoi’s cuisine.
Bun cha Ton Duc Thang
- Address: No.44, Alley 221, Ton Duc Thang, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per serving
Although it’s a small shop located in a deep alley, bun cha Ton Duc Thang is always packed with customers eager to enjoy its delicious offerings. A serving here costs about 30,000 VND, yet it comes with a variety of side dishes such as minced pork patties, grilled spring rolls, and grilled meat. The minced pork is wrapped in lolot leaves, giving it a distinctive aroma and keeping the meat moist. However, the dipping sauce here is a bit strong in flavor; you can easily adjust it to your taste by adding a little vinegar, garlic, and chili.
Bun cha Mai Hac De
- Address: No.114, Mai Hac De, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price: 40,000 – 50,000 VND per serving
Bun cha Mai Hac De knows how to please its customers, making you crave it after just one visit. The meat is carefully seasoned, cut into small, bite-sized pieces, and grilled over a glowing charcoal fire. The standout feature is the large minced pork patties, which are grilled to a slightly charred perfection on the outside while remaining soft and tender inside, creating a mouthwatering experience that stimulates the taste buds.
Bun cha To Hieu – Delicious bun cha with skewers in Hanoi
- Address: No.102 B8 To Hieu, Nghia Tan, Cau Giay, Hanoi
- Operating hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Price: 35,000 – 45,000 VND per serving
Bun cha To Hieu is a popular bun cha spot in Hanoi, decorated in the traditional countryside style. A serving of “Bun” is presented on a bamboo tray lined with banana leaves. The large portion is generously filled with grilled pork and meat patties. The meat is a balanced mix of lean and fatty cuts, making it tender and fragrant with the distinctive aroma of grilled skewers. The unique feature of the bun cha here is the use of fresh bamboo skewers. When grilled over hot charcoal, the juices from the bamboo seep into the meat, giving the patties a sweet, fragrant, and naturally flavorful taste. Despite the busy atmosphere, the service is excellent, and you won’t be disappointed when visiting this spot.
Tips for enjoying bun cha Hanoi like a local
- Eat it hot: Grilled pork fresh off the grill is the most flavorful and aromatic.
- Pair with crab spring rolls: Some restaurants serve crab spring rolls as an addition, adding variety to your meal.
- Dip the noodles into the dipping sauce: Instead of pouring the sauce over the noodles, grab a small portion of noodles and dip it into the sauce to absorb the flavor.
- Add garlic and chili: This enhances the flavor of the dipping sauce, making it more aromatic.
- Eat with fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like lettuce, basil, and perilla balance out the richness of the grilled meat.
- Combine minced pork patties and grilled pork pieces: The minced patties are soft and juicy, while the grilled pieces are crispy and fragrant – alternating between the two allows you to fully appreciate the variety of textures and flavors.
- Enjoy for lunch: Bun cha is mainly served at lunchtime in Hanoi, and locals typically choose to have it as a midday meal. This is considered a unique aspect of Hanoi’s culinary culture, so plan your visit accordingly.
Bun cha in Hanoi is one of the signature dishes of capital, beloved by many visitors. If you have the chance to visit the capital of Vietnam, be sure to stop by one of the delicious bun cha spots in Hanoi mentioned above to enjoy this renowned and flavorful dish!
