Hanoi Walking Food Tour: What To Eat And Where To Go
Experience the best of Hanoi’s street cuisine and culture as you stroll through the city on a walking food tour. Together with MOTOGO Tours, you can savor the delectable cuisine of Hanoi while being guided by knowledgeable locals, guaranteeing an experience you won’t soon forget.
Vietnamese Cuisine: Its Heart and Soul
Vietnamese food is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural immersion experience. With a symphony of fresh herbs, spices, and subtle flavors, each meal embodies the country’s varied landscape and storied past. A characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine is the harmony and boldness of flavors achieved by the balance of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.
Sample the very essence of Vietnamese cuisine on a walking tour of the city. Experience the local markets, the friendliness of street vendors, and the allure of Hanoi’s colonial architecture in addition to tasting the delicacies. Discover the ancient streets and bustling food stalls that make up the city’s unique vibe at each visit. This is also one of the Hanoi walking tour chosen by many tourists.
Best Walking Food Tour Routes in Hanoi
As a cultural and historical mecca, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is always bustling with activity. It gives tourists a real feel for the historic center with its maze of narrow lanes and buildings that are hundreds of years old. Anyone looking to see Hanoi on foot will find it to be the ideal path due to the vibrant atmosphere, rich traditions, and steady flow of local life.
Those interested in gastronomy tours also flock to the picturesque West Lake (Ho Tay). This region is a welcome respite from the daily life, thanks to its peaceful vibe and picturesque lakeside views. Taking a leisurely stroll around West Lake allows tourists to take in Hanoi’s local culture and the stunning scenery at their own pace.
Top 13 dishes and places not to be missed
Get to know the best of Hanoi’s culinary culture with these 13 must-eat delicacies and must-visit landmarks. This guide will show you the greatest places to eat in the city, from the most popular street foods to the best-kept secrets.
1. Egg Coffee & Sticky Rice
- Address: Lam Cafe, Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 30,000 VND
To this day, egg coffee is still served at Lam Cafe, one of Hanoi’s oldest cafes. The unusual ingredients of this cocktail include sugar, milk, strong Vietnamese coffee, and whipped egg yolk. It tastes like custard and is thick, creamy, and sweet.
2. Grilled Pork Skewers
- Address: Opposite 29 Nguyen Khac Nhu, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND
Grilled pork skewers with a smokiness that will transport you to a bygone era are a staple of Hanoian street cuisine. The dish’s outstanding flavor is the result of the perfect harmony between fragrant and savory elements.
3. Traditional Pho
- Address: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 40,000 VND
The most well-known noodle soup in Vietnam is Pho, which is made with a flavorful beef broth. Hanoian pho is known for its subtle flavor, which includes ginger and star anise. Gathered around little tables by the sidewalk, locals frequently eat it as a filling breakfast. The dish embodies the simplicity and rich culinary heritage of Hanoi.
4. Banana Cake
- Address: 1 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 10,000 VND
This area is adjacent to several prominent landmarks and located in the center of the Old Quarter. Warm and crunchy, this banana cake has a smooth, sugary filling made from ripe bananas. It is a favorite among locals for a quick snack due to its basic yet rich flavor.
5. Hot Rice Rolls
- Address: Banh Cuon Phuong, 68 Hang Cot, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 40,000 VND
Steamed to perfection, these tender rice rolls are stuffed with a flavorful combination of pork and mushrooms. Crispy fried shallots provide aroma and texture to each serve. The dish is finished with a side of fish sauce, lime, and chile, which brings out the best in the rice and contents.
6. Stuffed Rice Dumplings
- Address: Banh Gio Co Beo, 3 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho
- Average Price: 25,000 VND
A delectable combination of pork and mushrooms fill these rice dumplings, which are encased in a delicate dough made from rice flour. They are served steaming on banana leaves and have a delicate scent that goes well with their robust flavor. Because of their filling nature and cozy, welcoming vibe, they are beloved by the locals.
7. Grilled Meat Skewers
- Address: 33 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 25,000 – 40,000 VND
Smoky and somewhat sweet aromas are brought out by marinating each skewer in a mixture of spices and grilling them over an open flame. Any meat lover would be pleased with this dish because the beef is juicy on the inside and somewhat crunchy on the outside. As they sear the skewers in front of you, street vendors release a tantalizing perfume.
8. Crab Soup
- Address: 16 Hang Luoc, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 40,000 VND
Simmered crab shells provide a deep, natural sweetness to the broth that is the foundation of crab soup. To make it smooth and slightly thicker, fresh crab flesh and egg are added. Fish sauce, pepper, and a squeeze of lime are added to the soup to create a harmonious blend of salty and acidic flavors. As a finishing touch, it’s adorned with vibrant and aromatic fresh herbs such as coriander and spring onions.
9. Sticky Rice & Green Bean Pudding
- Address: 26 Gia Ngu, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
The unusual combination of sticky rice and creamy green bean pudding in this delicacy makes for a beautiful textural harmony. The green bean layer imparts a velvety richness, and the sticky rice has a subtle sweetness. This meal exemplifies Hanoi’s philosophy of using simple ingredients with plenty of flavor, making it perfect for a quick snack.
10. Fried Offal
- Address: 23 Nguyen Sieu, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 30,000 VND
The savory dish strikes a perfect balance between texture and flavor thanks to the crispy, tasty fried offal, fresh herbs, and acidic salad. For those seeking an authentic and one-of-a-kind Hanoian snack, this is a must-try.
11. Egg Cream Ice Cream
- Address: 55B Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 25,000 VND
Like eggnog, this delicacy has a thick, velvety texture because to the combination of creamy egg yolk and frothy sweet milk. Enjoyed chilled, it’s a delightful ice cream treat with a Hanoi twist.
12. Herbal Stewed Chicken
- Address: 84 Pho Hue, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 50,000 VND
The earthy, rich soup is the result of stewing tender chicken with mugwort and medicinal herbs. Aromatic, filling, and a mainstay in traditional Vietnamese cuisine, this meal is well-known for the health advantages it provides.
13. Boiled Snails & Grilled Clams
- Address: 75 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem
- Average Price: 15,000 VND
The ginger-lime dipping sauce complements the fresh snails, while the clams are cooked with pineapple to bring forth their subtle sweetness. People eat them and drink with Hanoi beer. Light and fragrant, this classic Hanoi seafood combo is perfect for sharing with friends.
Top 3 Hanoi walking food tour to try
Learn about three of the best walking food tours in Hanoi, showcasing the city’s street food and varied cuisine. Foodies and first-timers alike will adore the variety of tastes, famous landmarks, and cultural insights offered by each tour.
1. Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Step into the lively Old Quarter of Hanoi and embark on a walking culinary tour bursting with real, regional delicacies. Take a seat at Lam Cafe on Nguyen Huu Huan Street to begin your adventure. Start your day off well with their famous egg coffee and xoi com, a dish that combines sticky rice with green young rice. You will experience the authentic café culture of Hanoi in the warm ambiance and tasty delights.
Proceed to 49 Bat Dan Street, where a family-run pho stall offering authentic beef pho can be found. This meal is an absolute must-try for any traveler to Hanoi, thanks to its flavorful broth and juicy beef pieces. Once you’ve had your fill of pho, keep walking to 75 Nguyen Huu Huan Street for some fresh seafood, like as oc luoc (boiled snails) and ngao hap dua (steamed clams with pineapple). It’s a charming pit stop to spice up your culinary journey.
At 26 Gia Ngu Street, round off your culinary journey with a mouthwatering dish of xoi che com, which consists of green sticky rice, sweetened lotus seeds, and green beans. To round out your Hanoi walking food tour, this refreshing snack is both inexpensive and delicious, making it the ideal way to end the day. You won’t miss a beat when you sample the best of Hanoi’s street food culture on this tour, since all of the stops are very close together.
2. A Foodie Walking Tour of West Lake
Experience real Hanoian cuisine on the West Lake Walking Food Tour, which is both adaptable and fun. Indulge in regional specialties and see famous landmarks on this three-hour stroll along the picturesque lake, which spans about three kilometers. So that guests can pick and choose according to their budgets and tastes, each meal is available for individual purchase.
The delicate rolls packed with beef and herbs that make up pho cuon cost about $2 to $3 a dish. Now we’ll proceed on to banh phong tom Ho Tay, also known as Tay Ho Shrimp Cake, which is a crispy shrimp cake with a golden exterior and a distinctive shrimp flavor. A portion of this cake costs about $3 to $5. The delicious coconut ice cream served in its shell, kem dua, costs roughly $2 to $4 and is a great dessert option.
Along the way, you’ll come across some cultural treasures like the Tran Quoc Pagoda and beautiful lotus ponds, which are great photo ops and enrich the journey with their history. In addition to visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda, the tour also stops at “Phu Tay Ho,” a famous sacred spot where visitors and residents alike flock to seek blessings. Another enjoyable activity is paddle boating on the lake, which provides a different perspective of the landscape.
3. Autumn walking food tour in Hanoi
For first-timers visiting Hanoi who are looking to sample the finest seasonal street food without venturing too far from each stop, this walking food tour is ideal. Try kem xoi, also known as sticky rice ice cream, for as little as 289 Kim Ma. It’s a popular dessert among locals, particularly in the fall when temperatures are lower.
Walking a short distance to 50 Doi Can, you may sample the authentic street food of Hanoi, banh cuon cha que, which consists of steamed rice cakes stuffed with cinnamon sausage.For a decadent caramel dessert, a silky and sugary way to end your dinner, keep on your journey by stopping by 31 Hang Than.
After that, stroll over to 116B1 Tran Huy Lieu for a bite of “bun dau mam tom“, a traditional Hanoian dish that’s especially popular throughout the autumn, which is fermented shrimp paste with fried tofu and rice noodles. Enjoy the crisp weather with this tasty dish that offers a one-of-a-kind blend of salty, spicy, and savory flavors.
Indulge in each bite at your own leisure on this two- to three-hour walking tour. With prices ranging from 15,000 to 70,000 VND per dish, this trip offers a budget-friendly way to taste Hanoi’s tastes.
Planning Your Hanoi Walking Food Tour
Before you embark on your Hanoi walking cuisine tour, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. For a full experience, set aside two to four hours and choose trips that suit your tastes. Get ready to hit the streets and sample some local cuisine.
The optimal time to go on the tour
The months of October through April are perfect for a walking culinary tour of Hanoi because of the milder temperatures and more pleasant weather. During these months, you may enjoy roaming about town and dining al fresco without worrying about very hot or muggy weather because temperatures vary from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Between May and September, you can expect warm weather with the chance of rain. If you want to escape the heat of midday, it’s best to begin your excursion either before sunrise or after sunset. In case it suddenly starts to rain, be sure to pack an umbrella or raincoat by checking the weather prediction.
What to Wear and Bring
It is essential to dress properly and correctly for the weather when embarking on a walking food tour in Hanoi. Because you will be on your feet for a good chunk of time, dress comfortably in light, breathable material (particularly during the warmer months) and choose sturdy shoes.
Wearing a hat or sunglasses can shield your eyes from the sun, and a lightweight jacket could come in handy if the evenings grow chilly. Keep yourself hydrated by bringing a bottle of water with you on the trip. In addition, remember to bring your camera to record the event and a small bag or backpack for any personal belongings you might require.
Discover the lively culture and delectable cuisine of Hanoi on a one-of-a-kind walking food tour. An amazing experience is created when mouthwatering street cuisine, famous monuments, and local traditions come together. This walking tour of Hanoi’s central district is ideal for anybody, from foodies to first-timers.
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