Hanoi through seasons: Delicacies that magnetize diners

Join The Hanoi Times to explore the city's best culinary delights in one day, perfect for beating the discomfort of the humid weather during the seasonal transition.

As a millennial capital full of age-old historical relics, Hanoi is also celebrated for its unique and diverse cuisine. Especially during the transition from spring to summer, Hanoi cuisine becomes even more appealing with weather-appropriate dishes for diners' journey to explore the capital.

Hanoi in the early morning offers a unique sense of tranquility. The lingering fog covers the ancient rooftops, while the aroma of breakfast stalls wafts through the air like a gentle melody, awakening the senses. Hanoians are fussy about their food, so breakfast here is not just a meal, but also a delicate cultural feature.

A hot, crispy banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), a serving of fragrant bun cha (caramelized pork meatballs), or a steaming bowl of pho, each tells a story about the traditional culinary styles of the city. In March, when spring has yet to leave but the breath of summer has crept into every street, starting a new day with light dishes typical of Hanoi promises to be an unforgettable experience.

With a crunchy baguette with fat pate, char siu, pork bologna, sunny-side-up egg and cucumber, and a little bit of sauce, Hanoi’s banh mi is sure to make diners fall in love. Add a cup of soy milk or tofu pudding (tao pho) for a complete breakfast.

Bun cha, another culinary icon of Hanoi, is always irresistible. Aromatic grilled pork patties, served with sweet-and-sour fish sauce and smooth white vermicelli, create a unique taste that can’t be found elsewhere.

“I’ve eaten bun cha in many places, but the one in Hanoi still has a very distinctive, unmistakable flavor. In this season, having a bowl of bun cha in the morning is just reasonable,” said Dao Diep Huong, a 38-year-old traveler from Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, nothing is more satisfying than relaxing with a cup of coffee and allowing your soul to follow the hustle and bustle of the throng. Sidewalk coffee culture has long become a hallmark of Hanoi.

A strong cup of coffee, whether classic black or rich egg white, is the perfect accompaniment to the simple yet poetic rhythm of life in the capital.

While a Hanoi-style breakfast is a leisurely way to start the day, lunch is a hectic experience.

“If you want to have tasty meals, find a small alley”, Hanoi gourmets often say. Hanoi certainly has no shortage of good restaurants, but the trick to finding authentic Hanoi flavors is sometimes to explore the narrow alleyways where time-honored shops have been keeping the same recipe for generations.

Cha ca, a rustic yet luxurious specialty, is the perfect choice for a wonderful evening. Small pieces of marinated and grilled Asian red-tail catfish are served with herbs, rice vermicelli, roasted peanuts, and shrimp paste.

Mi ga tan is another dish worth trying. The noodle soup features chicken that is stewed with herbs such as mugwort leaves, jujube fruits, and wolfberries, creating a rich, nutritious broth.

“The first time I ate mi ga tan, it tasted quite odd. The broth smelled of herbs, the steamed chicken was firm, and the mugwort leaves were not too bitter. Overall, 10 out of 10!”, Nguyet Minh, a 16-year-old tourist.

Mi van than, a dish of Chinese origin, is also an ideal choice. The noodles are pleasantly chewy, the wonton filling is soft and appetizing, and the broth is gently sweet- all of which make for a harmonious, irresistible whole.

Last year, Hanoi was named "Asia's Best Culinary City Destination 2024" by the World Culinary Awards. The capital's cuisine has been a major draw for travelers, with numerous gourmet festivals and events making a lasting impression. Spend a day discovering Hanoi through these exquisite flavors and see for yourself!

Bun dau mam tom is one of the must-mention dishes when it comes to Hanoi cuisine. A full serving includes rice vermicelli, boiled pork, crispy fried tofu, spring rolls, and green rice pork bologna, all dipped in a bowl of viscous shrimp paste that will leave you with life memories!

Another exquisite noodle dish, bun thang, is also a choice worth considering. Soaked in a clear broth, shredded chicken, thinly sliced omelet, pork bologna, shiitake mushrooms, and spring onions together create a splendid harmony of Hanoi cuisine.

“The ingredients of bun thang are all quite common, but their combination produces a unique special flavor,” Thu Quynh (48), a longtime city dweller, said, adding, “I’ve eaten bun thang many times but I always find it delicious.”

In addition, com tam or broken rice, a specialty of southern Vietnam, has also gained a certain foothold in Hanoi. Notably, its strong flavor has been adapted to the tastes of northerners, making it an interesting option for lunch.

As the seasons change, late afternoon in Hanoi is the ideal time to relax and savor the simple yet tempting street snacks. A Trang Tien ice cream that melts on the tip of your tongue, a plate of nem chua ran (fried fermented pork rolls) accompanied by lively stories, or a bowl of smooth banh duc nong with minced pork, wood ear mushroom, dried onion, and herbs - each of them contributes to a vibrant pre-sunset.

Hanoi’s afternoon street food is not simply noshes, but also memories and emotions wrapped in each flavor. No need for a fancy restaurant, just a small roadside stall, and a few low plastic chairs… that’s enough for snackers to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hot banh duc captivates diners with a rich filling of minced pork stir-fried with wood ear mushrooms, wrapped in an outer layer of gelatinous rice flour, all served with sweet-and-sour fish sauce.

Banh goi or “pillow cake” is a fried dumpling featuring a crunchy golden crust and a fragrant filling of egg and minced pork, dipped in garlic-and-chili fish sauce. This typical nosh of Hanoi can get anyone addicted - you have been warned!

A pleasant dessert made of milk cream jelly combined with longan fruits, lychees, kiwi, or crispy roasted almonds, che khuc bach sweet soup will leave you feeling refreshed in the late spring and early summer days.

Similarly, a bowl of hot, smooth chao suon - pork rib congee served with crispy fried dough sticks, is also an option not to be overlooked for an afternoon snack.

Dining in Hanoi is a chance to indulge in the incredible cuisine and vibrant local nightlife. Each location from long-standing alleyway eateries to breezy lakeside restaurants allows diners to better understand the culinary culture here.

For a light dining experience without the need for fancy restaurants, Hanoi offers a wide range of options for dinner, from com rang (fried rice), ga tan (stewed chicken with traditional herbs served with bread), mi xao bo (stir-fried noodles with beef) and pho chien phong (fried pho with vegetable and beef). Simply head to Tong Duy Tan Street, also known as Cam Chi Alley- Hanoi's first “Culinary Culture Street” or explore the culinary hub of Ngu Xa Pearl Island and the vibrant food scene around Dong Xuan Market in the Old Quarter.