The best noodles in Hanoi: A guide to must-try dishes in the capital
Hanoi is a city rich in history, culture, and most importantly, diverse cuisine. Among the many delicious dishes, noodles in Hanoi hold a special place. Whether served in a steaming bowl of broth or stir-fried with fragrant spices, noodles in Hanoi are an essential part of the city’s culinary culture.
The variety of distinctive noodles in Hanoi has attracted significant attention from tourists. Let’s explore 15 places that serve the most beloved noodle dishes in Hanoi.
The best spot of noodles in Hanoi with flavorful broth
Hanoi is a paradise for noodle lovers. With a rich culinary history, the city offers a variety of noodle dishes with rich broths, fresh ingredients, and unique cooking methods. If you’re looking for the best noodle shops in Hanoi with flavorful broths, this guide will take you to the must-try options!
Pho – The iconic dish of Hanoi
Pho in Hanoi is not just a normal dish; it is a cultural symbol of the capital’s cuisine. With its delicate flavor, clear broth, and soft, smooth rice noodles, Hanoi pho has won the hearts of both local and international diners. This rich noodle soup includes simple ingredients such as rice noodles, tender beef or chicken, fresh herbs, and spices blended harmoniously to create a unique taste. What sets Hanoi Pho apart is its clear, subtly sweet broth, simmered for hours from high-quality beef or chicken bones, infused with aromatic spices.
Where to try Pho Bo in Hanoi – Beef noodle soup
- Pho Bat Dan – 49 Bat Dan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist
- Pho Thin – 13 Lo Duc Str, Hai Ba Trung Dist
- Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su – 10 Ly Quoc Su Str, Hoan Kiem Dist
- Pho bo Au Trieu – 34 Au Trieu Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho bo Khoi Hoi – 50 Hang Vai Str, Hoan Kiem Dist
Where to try Pho Ga in Hanoi – Chicken noodle soup
- Pho ga Hang Dieu – 01 Hang Dieu Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho ga Huyen Huong – 20 bao Khanh str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho ga Nguyet – 5B Phu Doan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho ga Hong – 5 Phu Doan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Bun Thang(Vermicelli noodle with assorted toppings) – A dish full of elegance
Bún Thang is one of the most refined dishes, showcasing the beauty of traditional cuisine from the ancient capital. Not only is it appealing with its delicate flavor, but this dish also requires meticulous preparation and skill, from sourcing the ingredients to the presentation. Bún Thang is made with chicken, eggs, pork, dried shiitake mushrooms, dried radish, shrimp, and various fresh herbs, creating a sweet and lightly fragrant broth.
Where to try Bun thang in Hanoi
- Bun thang Ba Duc – 48 Cau Go Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun thang Co Binh – 29 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun thang Cau Go – 32 Cau Go Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun thang Nguyen Sieu – 03 Nguyen Sieu Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
>>> Read more: Hanoi street food: Top 20 Must-Try Dishes in Hanoi for your journey!
Bun oc (Noodles with snail)
Bun oc (snail noodle soup) is a familiar noodle in Hanoi, made from simple ingredients but offering a memorable flavor. The main components of bun oc include fresh noodles, stuffed snails or spiral snails with a crunchy texture, a rich, sour, and spicy broth, along with fresh herbs such as perilla leaves, water spinach, and bean sprouts. A perfect bowl of Bun oc also includes tomatoes and fermented rice vinegar, which create the distinct, refreshing sour taste.
Where to try Bun oc in Hanoi
- Bun oc Co Them – 6 Hang Chai Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bún oc Ba Luong – 34 Cau Go Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun oc Thuy – 11 Dong Xuan Alley, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun oc Tuyet – 07 Hang Chinh Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Bun rieu cua (Crab noodle soup)
Bun rieu cua is one of the famous traditional dishes of the capital’s cuisine, featuring a rich flavor from the broth made with freshwater crabs, combined with the light sourness of fermented rice vinegar, along with essential ingredients like fresh noodles, tomatoes, shrimp paste, and scallions. Compared to the traditional version, Bun rieu Hanoi nowadays can include additional toppings such as beef, pork cartilage, fried tofu, balut (unlaid duck egg), snails, and more, catering to a variety of tastes.
Where to Try Bun rieu cua in Hanoi
- Bun rieu cua Co Hoan – 14 Hang Luoc Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Bun rieu cua Quang Trung – 31 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Bun rieu cua Hang Bun – 1 Hang Bun, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Bun rieu Co Trang – 25 Nguyen Sieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Bun doc mung (Colocasia gigantea noodle soup)
A humble yet flavorful dish, bun doc mung stands out with its clear broth, offering a light sweetness from carefully simmered bones combined with tomatoes. The colocasia gigantea (dọc mùng) is tender and crunchy, soaking up the broth, while the rich flavor of pork leg and the chewy texture of pork sausage add a perfect balance, creating a harmonious and easy-to-eat dish that is never too overwhelming.
Where to try bun doc mung
- Bụn doc mung ba Thu – 15 Hang Ga Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Bun doc mung Oanh – 30 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Bụn doc mung Ha – 18 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
>>> Join a perfect Hanoi street food tour with our friendly local guide!
Bun moc (Pork meatball noodle soup)
Bun moc is one of the traditional noodle dishes in Hanoi. The main ingredient is “mọc” – small, round pork sausage balls made from raw minced pork, cooked in a rich pork bone broth. Additionally, Hanoi Bún Mọc can be customized with wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, cinnamon-scented sausages, or spare ribs to enhance its flavor and make it even more delicious.
Where to try bun moc in Hanoi
- Bun moc Thuy – 98 Tran Nhat Duat Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun moc Bat Dan – 18 Bat Dan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun moc Hang Luoc – 57 Hang Luoc Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun moc To Hien Thanh – 20 To Hien Thanh Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Bun ngan(Muscovy duck noodle soup)
Bun ngan is one of Hanoi’s signature noodle dishes, renowned for its light, sweet, and nutritious flavor. The broth is delicately sweet, made from muscovy duck bones, while the tender and fragrant duck meat pairs perfectly with fresh or dried bamboo shoots and fresh herbs, making this dish incredibly enticing.
Where to try bun ngan in Hanoi
- Bun ngan – 115E Phung Hung str, Hoan Kiem dist, Hanoi
- Bun ngan Huyen Anh – 39B nguyen Du Str, Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi
- Bun ngan Minh Thu – 31 Ly Quoc Su Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun ngan Ben Beo – 65 Phung Hung Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun ngan Ba Thong – 56 Bat Su Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Bun ca (Fish noodle soup)
Bun ca is a signature dish of the capital, known for its light and subtle broth, crispy fried fish, and accompanying herbs. This dish beautifully blends the sweetness of the fish with a hint of tanginess from tomatoes, colocasia gigantea (or pineapple), and is enhanced by the aromatic flavors of dill, scallions, and other fresh herbs, creating a well-balanced and flavorful experience.
Where to try bun ca in Hanoi
- Bun ca – 42 Hang Dau Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun ca Sam Cay Si – 05 Trung Yen, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun ca An Vien – 46 Bat Dan Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun ca Co Phuong – 77 Duong Thanh Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
My ga tan (Herbal stewed chicken noodles)
My ga tan Hanoi is a popular street food loved by many people for its delicious and nutritious flavor. This dish is a perfect combination of tender stewed chicken, rich broth, and nourishing herbs. When served, diners can enjoy the light sweetness of the broth, the smooth texture of the noodles, and the deliciously tender and chewy chicken, creating a comforting and flavorful experience.
Where to try My ga tan in Hanoi:
- My ga tan Hang Bo – 24 hang Bo Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- My ga tan Luong Van Can – 7 Luong Van Can Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- My ga tan Nguyen Du – 52 Nguyen Du Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Bun long (Noodle soup with pork intestine)
Bun long is a humble yet beloved dish in Hanoi. It combines fresh noodles with various offals such as pork intestines, stomach, liver, and small intestines, all cooked in a sweet and light broth, creating a unique and unforgettable flavor.
Where to try bun long
- Bun long Hang chao – 14 Hang Chao Str, Dong Da Dist, Hanoi
- Bun long O Quan Chuong – 17 O Quan Chuong Gat, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun long Quan Thanh – 50 Quan Thanh Str, Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi
- Bun long Pho Hue – 112 Pho Hue Str, Hai bai Trung Dist, Hanoi
>>> Check out: Hanoi food streets: Top 18 MOST FAMOUS places to satisfy your taste buds!
Dry noodles in Hanoi served with dipping sauce or separate condiments
Unlike traditional noodle soups, Hanoi dry noodles are typically served without broth and are accompanied by a dipping sauce or separate condiments. Depending on the restaurant, the dipping sauce may be a diluted soy sauce, a sweet and sour fish sauce, or a smooth soy-based sauce.
Bun cha (Rice noodles with barbecued pork)
Bun cha in Hanoi has become an iconic dish of the capital. The dish consists of three main components: fresh noodles, grilled meat patties (chả viên) and grilled slices of pork (chả miếng), served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce and fresh herbs. The distinctive flavor of Bun cha comes from the golden-brown grilled meat, cooked over charcoal, which perfectly complements the rich dipping sauce.
Where to try bun cha
- Bun cha Dac Kim – 01 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun cha Huong Lien – 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District
- Bun cha Hang Quat – 74 Hang Quat Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun cha Sinh Tu – 63 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District
Bun dau mam tom (Noodles with fried tofu and fermented shrimp paste)
Bun dau mam tom is one of the must-try dishes for visitors to the capital. A bowl of bun dau mam tom includes noodles, crispy fried tofu, chả cốm (green sticky rice sausage), fried spring rolls, pork intestines, and pork leg. It is served with fresh herbs like cucumber, leafy greens, and perilla leaves. The soul of this dish is the fermented shrimp paste (mắm tôm), a flavorful condiment that enhances the overall taste and makes this dish truly special.
Where to try bun dau mam tom in Hanoi
- Bun dau Viet: 31 Hang Khay Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun dau Cay Da – 04 Ngo Gach Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun dau Trung Huong – 49 Phat Loc Alley, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun dau Yen – 01 Ngo Tram Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Bun oc nguoi Hanoi (Rice noodles with cold snail)
Bún ốc nguội is a signature dish of the capital, captivating visitors with its delicious flavor. This dish consists of noodles, boiled snails, and fresh herbs like perilla, Vietnamese mint, and basil, along with chili. The dipping sauce is carefully prepared to have a rich, sweet-sour, and spicy flavor, enhancing the taste of the cold snail noodles. A bowl of bun oc nguoi not only satisfies the taste buds but also provides a refreshing and relaxing feeling, especially on hot summer days.
Where to try Bun oc nguoi
- Bun oc Co Hue – 43 Nguye Sieu Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun oc nguoi Thuy – 59B Cua Nam Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun oc nguoi Go giang – 36 Luong Ngoc Quyen Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Bun oc nguoi O Quan Chuong – 01 Hang Chieu str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Pho Tron (Mixed dry noodles)
Pho Tron is a variation of the traditional Pho soup, featuring the freshness of various herbs and a special sauce. While Phở Trộn is a relatively new dish, it has quickly become a favorite due to its unique, flavorful, and refreshing taste. It is an ideal choice for those looking to switch up the usual Pho soup. Below are some popular types of Phở Trộn in Hanoi that you shouldn’t miss:
Pho ga tron – Mixed chicken noodles: This mixed noodle dish is light and refreshing, perfect for those who enjoy the natural sweetness of chicken. The soft and chewy rice noodles are tossed with a sweet and sour sauce, topped with crispy fried shallots, fresh herbs, and crunchy roasted peanuts, creating a delicious and tempting flavor.
Where to try Pho ga tron
- Pho ga tron – 26 Luong Van Can Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho tron Dung – 20 Hang Chi Alley, Hang Hom Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho tron Hanh – 65B Lan Ong Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Pho bo tron – Mixed beef noodles: This is the perfect choice for those who prefer a stronger, bolder taste. Thinly sliced beef is mixed with a special sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and fragrant fried garlic. It’s served with fresh herbs and bean sprouts, making the dish even more refreshing.
Where to try Pho bo tron
- Pho bo tron – 39B Ly Quoc Su Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho Moc – 62 Tho Nhuom Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho bo tron Huan – 75 Ham Long Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Pho xao (Stir-fried rice noodles)
Pho xao is a unique twist on the traditional Pho, and it’s a must-try when visiting Hanoi. Each plate of stir-fried Pho contains rice noodles, beef, heart and kidney, and vegetables, all stir-fried separately to ensure each ingredient is perfectly cooked—neither overdone nor undercooked. It is served with a bowl of sweet and sour fish sauce, which helps balance the dish and adds a refreshing, surprising flavor combination that delights many diners.
Where to try Pho xao
- Pho xao Thanh Beo – 11 Hang Buom Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho xao Phu My – 45 Bat Dan Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho xao Hang Thiec – 20 Hang Thiec Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
- Pho xao Thai Beo – 20 Hang Giay Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
The noodles in Hanoi truly reflect the rich culinary culture of the city. Whether you want to savor the bold flavor of Pho bo, the delicate broth of Bun thang, or the light sour taste of Bun rieu cua, these top noodle spots will satisfy your taste buds. Be sure to explore these authentic flavors when you visit Hanoi!
