Joanna James
Vietnam is a country with a vast and diverse culture that is distinctly different in each part of the land; the food is no different. The food you try in the southern region is completely different to the food you can try in the northern part; Hanoi.
Bun Cha; Grilled strips of pork bun served on noodles or steaming rice cha. This delicious dish is super popular among locals as well as tourists and it is not to be missed.
This is the perfect crispy side dish that complements your bowl of bun cha. This deep-fried golden roll is filled with chewy vermicelli noodles and sea crab. These melt in your mouth when dipped in the spicy bun cha broth but they can be enjoyed as a light snack on their own too.
Grilled and fried fish is a staple in Hanoi. The best-grilled fish dish known as Cha Ca is so good, they even named a street after it. This 130-year-old dish is a whole experience and preparing it is such fun too; you get your own hot pot along with the ingredients and you make it at your own table.
This mouthwatering dish is a popular Hanoise delicacy. Typically made with freshwater fish, you can even find varieties of this at hotels and you can even make it easily in your Hanoi apartment to rent. First, you make a light broth with the bones of your fish and lightly fry your fish until golden brown. Layer the fish on top of warm vermicelli and pour the flavourful broth over!
A thin rice sheet is wrapped into a banh cuon, which is then filled with pork mince and minced mushrooms. On top are placed fried onions and coriander. You can find this street snack from vendors near Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi.
This world-renowned dish is the national food of Vietnam and originated in Hanoi. You cannot miss trying this when you're here. It is a hearty soup commonly consumed by rice field workers in the morning. The rich broth is usually made using beef or chicken, flavoured with herbs and thin rice noodles.
When the weather gets cooler you'll see locals flocking to restaurants to eat this cultural staple. It is also known as Vietnamese hot pot; you can see locals huddled on the sidewalks around a simmering pot. You can choose what you want to add to your pot from the many vegetables and proteins on display in the front of shops.
This sandwich is one you'll proclaim your undying love to. Similar to the French baguette, the Vietnamese version is a thinner crispier version made using a combination of wheat and rice flour. It is then stuffed with a delicious pork pate, Vietnamese herbs and cured ham.
Soup for dessert sounds unappetizing but this Vietnamese sweet soup will change your opinion for good. You can choose what goes in your che and you can even get a cool glass when the weather is hotter.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
