There is no way to summarise the brilliance of Vietnamese cuisine other than to say that some local dishes are… well, interesting… and yet as a whole they are all completely delicious!
With all kinds of flavorful, diverse, and vibrant dishes on offer, from hearty fragrant soups to intricate sticky rice dishes, the food in North Vietnam in particular, is a testament to the country's cultural heritage.
Here’s our round-up of 31 local dishes to try in North Vietnam, including where to find them across various provinces.
Try Local Dishes with Bong Hostel
Discover the culinary secrets of North Vietnam with Bong Hostel’s exclusive street food tour through Hanoi Old Quarter.
Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through bustling markets and hidden alleyways, introducing you to a range of these must-try local dishes.
This intimate, small-group experience allows you to explore the thousand-year-old streets and savor the local dishes we are about to mention for yourselves. From the aromatic Phở stalls to the sizzling Bánh Xèo vendors, you'll have the chance to savor authentic flavors and learn the unique stories behind each dish.
The tour includes an enthusiastic and skilled English-speaking guide who will take you to 6 stops or eateries, where you can enjoy 6-8 local dishes and drinks.
Click here to book your tour: Street food walking tour | Bong Ha Giang hostel.
Local Dishes to Try in North Vietnam
1. Phở (Pho)
Description
Phở is arguably the most famous Vietnamese dish globally. This aromatic noodle soup consists of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, typically beef (Phở Bò) or chicken (Phở Gà). The broth is simmered for hours, creating a deep, rich flavor.
Where to Try
While Hanoi is the birthplace of Phở, you can also enjoy excellent Phở in other northern provinces like Ninh Binh and Sapa. Each region may have its own twist on the classic dish.
2. Bún Chả
Description
Bún Chả features grilled pork served over a plate of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a side of dipping sauce. The smoky flavor of the pork paired with the tangy sauce makes it a firm local favorite. It’s often served with fried spring rolls.
Where to Try
Hanoi is the best place to enjoy Bún Chả, particularly in the Old Quarter. However, you can also find delicious versions in Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island.
3. Chả Cá Lã Vọng
Description
Chả Cá Lã Vọng is a unique dish of grilled fish marinated with turmeric and dill, served with vermicelli, peanuts, and a variety of herbs. This dish is typically cooked at the table, adding an interactive element to the dining experience.
Where to Try
Hanoi is famous for this dish, especially at the historic Chả Cá Lã Vọng restaurant. You can also find it in other northern cities like Cao Bang and Ninh Binh.
4. Bánh Cuốn
Description
Bánh Cuốn are delicate rice flour crepes filled with minced pork and mushrooms, garnished with fried shallots and served with a side of fish sauce. The dish is light yet flavorful, often enjoyed for breakfast.
Where to Try
Northern Vietnamese breakfast stalls—special shout out to the lady in Ha Giang who cannot speak English but always makes my late night Bánh Cuốn veggie friendly!
5. Bún Riêu
Description
Bún Riêu is a tangy and savory soup made with crab, tomatoes, and tofu, topped with fresh herbs and served with vermicelli noodles. The dish’s vibrant red color and rich taste come from the use of crab paste and tomatoes.
Where to Try
Hanoi, as well as coastal areas of Northern Vietnam like Ha Long Bay.
6. Xôi (Sticky Rice)
Description
Xôi is a versatile dish of sticky rice, often mixed with ingredients like mung beans, peanuts, and pork. Varieties include Xôi Xéo (with mung beans) and Xôi Gấc (with gac fruit). It's a common breakfast item and snack.
Where to Try
Street vendors and local markets throughout Northern Vietnam, including Sapa, Mai Chau, and Cao Bang.
7. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Description
Bánh Mì is a delicious and popular Vietnamese sandwich that has won hearts worldwide. Originating from the French colonial period, it combines a crispy baguette with a variety of savory fillings, including pâté, mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and various meats like grilled pork, chicken, or cold cuts.
Where to Try
While Bánh Mì is widely available across Vietnam, the northern provinces like Hanoi offer unique regional twists that are not to be missed.
8. Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây (West Lake Shrimp Cake)
Description
Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây is a crispy shrimp fritter made with sweet potato and shrimp, typically served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. It's a popular street food and a must-try for seafood lovers.
Where to Try
Restaurants around West Lake in Hanoi.
9. Thịt Đông (Jellied Meat)
Description
Thịt đông is a traditional winter dish made from pork, typically including pork knuckles, slow-cooked until the meat forms a gelatinous consistency. It’s usually served cold, allowing the broth to solidify, which isn’t for everyone but we reckon this is a must try local Vietnamese dish!
Where to Try
Home-cooked meals and traditional restaurants in rural areas, like during a Sapa trekking tour and night in local homestay.
10. Lẩu (Hotpot)
Description
Lẩu, or hotpot, is a favorite of our Bong Hanoi Hostel staff. It is a communal dish where diners cook various meats, seafood, and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth right at the table. It’s perfect for sharing and enjoying with friends.
Where to Try
Hotpot restaurants in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and other northern cities. P.S. if you happen to book your stay with Bong Hanoi Hostel when we’re having a Lẩu, we may even share it with you!
11. Nem Cua Bể (Crab Spring Rolls)
Description
Nem Cua Bể are crispy spring rolls filled with crab meat, vermicelli, mushrooms, and vegetables, often served with a side of fresh herbs and dipping sauce. The crab gives these rolls a distinct and delicious flavor.
Where to Try
Coastal cities like Ha Long Bay and seafood restaurants in Northern Vietnam, where the seafood is as fresh as can be.
12. Cốm (Green Rice)
Description
Cốm is young green rice, often served as a snack or used in sweet dishes. It has a unique chewy texture and slightly sweet flavor. It’s traditionally harvested in the autumn.
Where to Try
Villages around Hanoi, especially during the autumn harvest season.
13. Bánh Dày
Description
Bánh Dày are chewy rice cakes made from glutinous rice, often paired with Giò Lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage). They are a symbol of the Vietnamese New Year and other traditional celebrations.
Where to Try
Local markets and during traditional celebrations in Vietnam.
14. Cháo Lòng (Pork Offal Congee)
Description
Cháo Lòng is a savory rice porridge cooked with pork blood, liver, intestines, and other offal, seasoned with herbs and spices. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish, often enjoyed for breakfast.
Where to Try
Street vendors and casual eateries in Ha Giang and other northern provinces.
15. Canh Chua (Sour Soup)
Description
Canh Chua is a tangy soup made with tamarind, pineapple, tomatoes, and various types of fish or shrimp, often garnished with fresh herbs. It’s a refreshing dish, perfect for balancing rich and spicy foods.
Where to Try
Restaurants in Hanoi and northern coastal regions like Cat Ba Island.
16. Bún Thang
Description
Bún Thang is a complex noodle soup featuring shredded chicken, pork, egg, and various herbs, often described as a culinary masterpiece. It’s a dish that reflects the sophistication of Vietnamese cuisine.
Where to Try
Hanoi, especially in traditional Vietnamese restaurants.
17. Rươi (Ragworm Omelette)
Description
Rươi is a seasonal dish made from ragworms, mixed with eggs, dill, and other ingredients to create a uniquely-filled (for some tourists at least) flavorful omelette. It’s a unique dish that showcases local culinary creativity.
Where to Try
Hanoi, particularly in the autumn when ragworms are in season.
18. Phở Cuốn
Description
Phở Cuốn are fresh spring rolls made with uncut pho noodles, filled with beef, herbs, and vegetables, and served with a dipping sauce. It’s a lighter, refreshing take on traditional pho.
Where to Try
Restaurants in Hanoi, especially around Truc Bach Lake, and also in Ninh Binh.
19. Cháo Trai (Clam Rice Porridge)
Description
Cháo Trai is a savory porridge made with clams, rice, and flavored with ginger, fish sauce, and fresh herbs. It’s a comforting and nutritious dish, especially good for kicking any cold illnesses you may have picked up on your travels.
Where to Try
Coastal areas like Ha Long Bay and seafood restaurants in Northern Vietnam.
20. Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)
Description
Cà Phê Trứng is a unique Vietnamese coffee made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and robusta coffee, creating a creamy and rich beverage. It’s a must-try for coffee enthusiasts.
Where to Try
Many cafés in Hanoi are famous for their egg coffees, but our particular favourite can be found at Loading T Café—just be warned, it's VERY strong.
For more on Vietnamese Coffees, click here: 12+ Coffees to Try in North Vietnam.
21. Thịt Nướng Lá Mắc Mật (Grilled Meat with Mac Mat Leaves)
Description
This dish features marinated pork or beef grilled with mountain-grown mac mat leaves, imparting a unique and aromatic flavor. The leaves add a distinct fragrance and taste to the meat.
Where to Try
Traditional restaurants and street vendors in Sapa, Ninh Bing, and Cao Bang.
22. Gà Nướng Mật Ong (Honey-Grilled Chicken)
Description
Gà Nướng Mật Ong is chicken marinated in honey and spices, then grilled to mouth-watering perfection, resulting in a sweet and savory dish. It’s a popular choice for gatherings and special occasions.
Where to Try
Local eateries and restaurants in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and the northern countryside.
23. Cơm Lam (Bamboo Tube Rice)
Description
Cơm lam is sticky rice cooked inside bamboo tubes, often served with grilled meats and vegetables. The bamboo imparts a subtle, earthy flavor to the rice.
Where to Try
Ethnic minority villages in Northern Vietnam, particularly in mountainous areas like Sapa and Ha Giang.
24. Măng Đắng (Bitter Bamboo Shoots)
Description
Măng đắng are bitter bamboo shoots, often stir-fried or cooked in soups with various meats and spices. They add a unique bitterness that balances other flavors in the dish.
Where to Try
Mountainous regions and traditional markets in Northern Vietnam, including Cao Bang.
25. Bánh Gối (Vietnamese Empanadas)
Description
Bánh Gối are deep-fried pastries filled with minced pork, mushrooms, vermicelli, and vegetables, similar to empanadas. They are crispy on the outside and savory on the inside.
Where to Try
Street food vendors and markets in Hanoi and other northern provinces. While you’re chomping on your delicious Bánh Gối in the Old Quarter, why not read up on things to do in Hanoi afterwards.
26. Dưa Chua (Pickled Vegetables)
Description
Dưa Chua are pickled vegetables, commonly served as a side dish with various Vietnamese meals, adding a tangy and refreshing contrast. They’re often made from cabbage, carrots, and radishes.
Where to Try
Almost every meal in Northern Vietnam, especially in traditional households and local eateries—we enjoy them in our Bong Ha Giang Hostel most days.
27. Thịt Trâu Gác Bếp (Smoked Buffalo Meat)
Description
Thịt Trâu Gác Bếp is a specialty of the ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions, consisting of buffalo meat smoked over a kitchen fire. It’s a chewy, flavorful meat that’s often eaten as a snack or with rice.
Where to Try
Mountainous areas and ethnic minority villages in Northern Vietnam, especially in Sapa and along the Ha Giang Loop.
28. Chả Mực (Squid Cakes)
Description
Chả Mực are savory cakes made from minced squid, typically deep-fried until golden and crispy. They’re a specialty of coastal areas and a must-try for seafood lovers.
Where to Try
Coastal cities like Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island, and seafood restaurants in Hai Phong.
29. Cá Kho Tộ (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)
Description
Cá Kho Tộ is a traditional dish made by braising fish, typically catfish, in a clay pot with caramel sauce, fish sauce, and black pepper. The slow-cooking process infuses the fish with deep, rich flavors and results in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's often served with steamed rice.
Where to Try
Home-style restaurants and local eateries in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, and other northern provinces.
30. Nem Nướng (Grilled Pork Sausage)
Description
Nem Nướng consists of grilled pork sausages, seasoned with garlic, sugar, and fish sauce, served with fresh herbs, rice paper, and a dipping sauce. The combination of smoky, savory sausage and fresh, crisp herbs is the perfect balance of flavors.
Where to Try
This is a highly recommended street food item so street food stalls and casual dining spots in Hanoi are the perfect places to try them!
31. Nộm Hoa Chuối (Banana Flower Salad)
Description
This refreshing salad combines banana flower, green papaya, carrots, herbs, and a light dressing made of lime juice and fish sauce. It’s a great way to start a meal or as a side dish.
Where to Try
Local restaurants in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay.
Explore North Vietnam with Bong Hostel
Clearly there are plenty of delicious local dishes to try in North Vietnam! If you want to do so in a comprehensive way then why not reduce the fuss and book an exclusive food tour with Bong Hostel?!
And if its not food you're into---you'd rather be trekking through Sapa, cruising along the Eastern coast, or motorbiking along the Ha Giang Loop---then check out the Bong Hostel website. We're convinced we've got a tour to suit every preference!
Don't just dream it, make it happen with Bong Hostel!
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