12 Best Noodles In Hanoi: A Connoisseur’s Choice

Intro

When it comes to Hanoi’s culinary scene, noodle dishes like bun and pho are indispensable. Each dish, from the aromatic pho bo to the smoky bun cha and the zesty bun oc, presents a unique and memorable taste of the Old Quarter. If that thought triggers hunger, then let’s embark on a pho-filled tour of the best noodles in Hanoi.

Discover 12 Best Noodles In Hanoi 

Let’s set aside Western dishes at upscale eateries (The Ryder Lodge, Ding Doong Restaurant, etc.) and embrace the comforting familiarity of pho, bun, or aromatic bowls of glass noodles.

Pho

As the cradle of pho, Hanoi boasts a rich tapestry of this iconic dish, offering numerous enticing renditions. Join us as we highlight a few of the iconic pho styles that have delighted food lovers for generations.

Traditional Beef Pho

The broth’s deep, sweet flavor comes from hours of simmering beef bones.  Carefully chosen beef, typically tenderloin or brisket, is thinly sliced and either quickly blanched or thoroughly cooked to maintain its tender, sweet flavor. These rice noodles, made of simple rice flour, have the right toughness, combine with the broth and beef, and create an extremely delicious taste. Some famous beef pho restaurants in Hanoi:

1. Pho Bat Dan (49 Bat Dan)
2. Pho Ly Quoc Su (10 Ly Quoc Su)
3. Pho Thin Bo Ho (61 Dinh Tien Hoang)

Chicken Pho

Unlike beef pho, chicken pho has a lighter, more subtle flavor. Simmered from chicken bones, the broth exhibits a naturally sweet, light, and clear quality. Native chicken, which is selected for its firm texture and golden-yellow skin, is usually shredded or sliced for serving.

Some famous chicken pho restaurants: 

1. Yen Ninh Chicken Pho (20 Yen Ninh)
2. Ha Hang Hom Chicken Pho (47 Hang Hom) 
3. Nguyet Chicken Pho (5B Phu Doan)

Pho Sot Vang (Vietnamese Red Wine Beef Soup)

Phở sốt vang is a fusion dish with distinct French flavors, in which beef is simmered until tender in a deeply flavored red wine sauce. It’s typically enjoyed with either rice noodles or bread, resulting in a satisfying and warming dining experience. Popular pho sot vang restaurants:

1. Pho sot vang Hang Bot, located at 43 Hang Bot Street  
2. Pho sot vang Goc Gao, at 39C Ly Quoc Su Street

Bun

Hanoi’s culinary fame extends past pho; it’s also a wonderland of bun varieties. Each noodle dish here boasts a unique flavor, showcasing the culinary sophistication of Hanoians. Now, we will review some of the outstanding bun dishes that create the unique culinary culture of the capital.

Bun Cha (Kebab Rice Noodles)

Bun cha is a harmonious blend of fresh rice vermicelli, grilled pork, and a sweet and sour dipping sauce. The meat, infused with strong seasonings, is grilled over charcoal, yielding a charming aroma. A skillfully made dipping sauce with just the right sweet and sour taste helps balance the taste of the grilled meat and vermicelli.

Some famous bun cha restaurants in Hanoi:

1. Bun cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu Street)
2. Bun cha Dac Kim (1 Hang Manh) 

Bun Oc (Snail Noodle Soup)

Bun oc is a dish that embodies the rustic flavors of the countryside, featuring a rich, spicy, and sour broth with crunchy snails. Tomatoes and rice vinegar are used to make the broth, resulting in a characteristic, delicate sour taste. Carefully selected, the snails, frequently stuffed snails or pila occidentalis, are boiled precisely to keep them crunchy and tasty. Notable bun oc establishments:

1. Bun oc Miss Lan (26 Nguyen Khac Can Street) 
2. Bun oc Ba Luong (194 Khuong Thuong Street) 
3. Bun oc suon Miss Hue (43 Nguyen Sieu Street)

Bun Thang (Hanoi Chicken Combo Noodle Soup)

Bun thang is an elaborate and intricate noodle soup crafted with various components like pork roll, sliced fried egg, pulled chicken, dried prawns, and Vietnamese mint. Ingredients cut into thin strips are placed on top of the vermicelli, creating a colorful and eye-catching food scene. Some Renowned Bun thang Eateries:

1. Cau Go Bun thang (48 Cau Go Street) 
2. Hang Hom Bun thang (48 Hang Hom Street) 
3. Ba Duc Bun thang (48 Gia Ngu Street)

Bun Dau Mam Tom (Noodle and Tofu with Shrimp Sauce)

A simple, everyday meal, bun dau mam tom delivers a unique, intense, and lingering taste. Crispy golden fried tofu, tender rice vermicelli sheets, paired with skillfully mixed shrimp paste that strikes a balance between salty and sweet. Well-known Bun dau mam tom spots:

1. Trung Huong Bun dau mam tom (49 Phat Loc Alley) 
2. Hang Khay Bun dau mam tom (31 Hang Khay Street) 
3. Co Tuyen Bun dau (37 Ngo Gach Alley)

Bun Rieu Cua (Crab-based Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Hanoi’s bun rieu cua boasts a tasty and inviting broth. A natural sweetness comes from the broth, which is made from field crabs and tomatoes. The crab cake delivers a sweet, rich, and tender experience thanks to its composition of ground crab meat, eggs, and shiitake mushrooms. Notable crab noodle soup eateries:

1. Hang Luoc at 11 Hang Luoc
2. Nguyen Sieu at 32 Nguyen Sieu 
3. Co Thuy at 49 Luong Khanh Thien

Mien (Glass Noodle)

Beyond pho and bun, glass noodles are an essential component of Hanoi’s food culture.  Whether it’s a delicate glass noodle soup or a robust mixed noodle dish, each presents a unique and unforgettable taste. Let’s explore some of Hanoi’s distinctive glass noodle dishes.

Mien Ga (Chicken Glass Noodle Soup)

Chicken glass noodle soup is a light, nourishing dish suitable for all ages. The broth’s natural sweetness and clarity come from slow-simmered chicken bones. Chosen for its firm texture and golden skin, the free-range chicken is served shredded or cut into suitable pieces. Glass noodles, cooked until just tender, keep their delectable resilience. Renowned chicken glass noodle soup restaurants:

1. Ky Dong at 15 Ky Dong 
2. Phu Doan at 5B Phu Doan 
3. The chicken glass noodle spot in Kham Thien Market Alley

Mien Luon (Eel Glass Noodle Soup)

A signature of Hanoi cuisine, eel glass noodles offer a delightful combination of crunchy eel and a savory broth. Skillfully cooked, the eel is either crisped through frying or softened by stir-frying, preserving its inherent sweetness. Simmering eel bones creates a richly sweet broth with a subtle kick of chili and pepper. Famous eel glass noodle soup spots:

1. Chan Cam (33 Chan Cam)
2. Hang Dieu (12 Hang Dieu) 
3. Co Oanh (26, alley 13, Khuat Duy Tien)

Mien Ngan (Vietnamese Muscovy Duck Glass Noodle Soup)

Especially on colder days, muscovy duck glass noodles are a well-loved dish in Hanoi. With its delicate sweetness, tender, aromatic muscovy duck, and robust broth, this type of glass noodle soup is a delight. The muscovy duck, whether boiled or roasted, retains its natural tender sweetness, while the glass noodles are boiled just until tender, preserving their delightful chewiness. Popular duck glass noodle restaurants:

1. Nhan (33 Hang Luoc) 
2. The Old Quarter location (intersection of Luong Van Can and Hang Bo Streets)

Mien Tron (Mixed Glass Noodle) Glass noodles are the base for this flexible dish, which can include beef, chicken, shrimp, pork, and fresh vegetables. The artfully mixed sauce has a good sweet and sour taste, helping balance the tastes of the ingredients. Perfectly cooked glass noodles tossed with various components and the dressing result in an enticing meal. Some famous mixed glass noodle places:

1. Huyen Anh (14B Hang Tre)
2. Luong Van Can (Luong Van Can street)

Mi Van Than (Wonton Noodles)

A taste of China in Hanoi, wonton noodles have rooted themselves as a popular local food. Golden, springy, and delicious egg noodles combine with a clear, flavorful broth, dried shrimp, and simmered bones. The essence of the dish lies in its carefully assembled wontons, with a mixture of minced pork, vibrant shrimp, and rich mushrooms, gracefully enveloped and gently simmered. Furthermore, it includes crunchy fried wontons, aromatic barbecued pork, and vibrant green vegetables. Popular destinations for wonton noodles in Hanoi:

1. Phung Gia, located at 31 Lane 82 Pham Ngoc Thach
2. Dinh Liet, situated at 9 Dinh Liet
3. Lan My found at 6 Nguyen Bieu

Summary

So, which are the ‘best noodles in Hanoi‘? The answer depends on individual palate and preference. The capital is home to a diverse selection of tasty noodle dishes, each showcasing a singular flavor. Journey to Hanoi and explore the noodle scene firsthand to identify your most beloved bowl!