At the Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations 2024, Hanoi proudly stands at the top as the world’s best food destination. Have you ever tasted the soul of Hanoi cuisine?
As Vietnam’s cultural heart, Hanoi has preserved its traditions for centuries. Hanoians, in turn, have masterfully infused this cultural richness into their culinary creations. The city’s iconic dishes have played a major role in bringing Vietnamese food to international fame, captivating travelers and food lovers across the globe.
Any visitor to Hanoi will be immediately charmed by the sheer diversity of its culinary scene. The only real dilemma is deciding: “What to eat today?”. With countless delectable options lining every street and alley, it’s almost impossible to try them all in just a few days. But once you taste Hanoi’s cuisine, you’ll understand its irresistible magic.
Thanks to its exceptional culinary appeal, Hanoi was crowned the world’s top food destination at the 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best. Among thousands of renowned cities, Hanoi captured travelers’ hearts. So, what makes Hanoi so special? Let Private Tour Asia take you on a journey to uncover the secrets behind Hanoi’s mouthwatering charm.
TripAdvisor Honored Hanoi Tourism
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best is an annual award from TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel platform. This prestigious accolade recognizes destinations whose hotels, restaurants, and attractions consistently receive outstanding traveler reviews over the past year.
This year, Hanoi received glowing praise from TripAdvisor for both tourism and cuisine. The website introduced Vietnam’s capital with these words:
“The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments, and colonial architecture, while embracing modern developments. Hanoi may have shed several former names, including Thang Long, or ‘ascending dragon,’ but it hasn’t forgotten its history, as seen in sites like Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison.”
Hanoi’s timeless charm and flavorful dishes together create an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking authenticity and adventure.
Hanoi: The Best Food Destination According to Travelers
Hanoi’s food scene seamlessly blends tradition and modernity. Food streets like Tong Duy Tan in Hoan Kiem District and Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa Walking Street in Ba Dinh District are vibrant hubs for local delicacies. Meanwhile, spontaneous street food stalls pop up across the city, offering irresistible treats right in the neighborhoods.
You don’t need a map to find great food in Hanoi—just follow the enticing aromas floating through the air.
Over the past year, both international media and travelers have lavishly praised Hanoi’s cuisine. TripAdvisor users highlighted must-visit eateries like:
- Bun Cha Huong Lien
- Giang Café
- Hanoi Fish Cake
- Pho Ly Quoc Su
- Banh Mi 25
- Trang Tien Ice Cream
In 2023, Hanoi’s culinary prestige soared even higher when the Michelin Guide made its debut in Vietnam. Four restaurants were awarded one Michelin star—and three of them were based right in Hanoi!
These accolades prove that Hanoi’s cuisine isn’t just beloved by locals but has captured international acclaim.
The Essence of Hanoi Cuisine
Hanoi’s culinary landscape is a melting pot of flavors, combining regional influences with local innovation. Some dishes are native to ancient Thang Long (Hanoi’s historical name), while others arrived from surrounding provinces but were adapted with a distinctive Hanoi touch.
According to culinary experts, Hanoi cuisine encapsulates both tangible elements (like ingredients, cooking methods, and presentation) and intangible elements (like etiquette, communal dining, and culinary artistry).
Hanoi’s food is renowned for its:
- Balanced flavors and nutrition
- Carefully selected ingredients
- Elegant, refined preparation
These qualities create dishes that not only satisfy the palate but also tell stories about Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
Tourists are drawn to Hanoi for precisely this reason—they seek new, authentic experiences, and Hanoi cuisine delivers with its diversity, creativity, and soulfulness.
With such unique culinary assets, Hanoi is well on its way to becoming a global tourism hotspot.
Hanoi Food Tour: A Cultural Adventure
Food tours are becoming an increasingly popular way for travelers to dive into Hanoi’s culture. These tours, ranging from a few hours to a full day, offer a curated journey through local restaurants and street food stalls, guided by experts who understand the city’s culinary pulse.
While brief, food tours allow travelers to:
- Taste a wide variety of dishes
- Visit historic landmarks
- Observe how food is prepared
- Interact with locals and fellow travelers
A Hanoi food tour is not just about eating—it’s about living the local culture.
Some must-visit spots for a perfect food tour itinerary include:
Dong Xuan Market Alley
Though only about 200 meters long, this alley has won the hearts of foodies everywhere. Vendors set up side-by-side, offering affordable dishes ranging from VND 5,000 to VND 40,000.
From hearty noodle bowls to sweet snacks, every bite is packed with authenticity.
Tong Duy Tan Street
Nicknamed the “food street of Hanoi,” Tong Duy Tan Street is famous for its chicken dishes and aromatic Chinese medicinal soups. The mouthwatering scents that fill the air are enough to tempt even the most disciplined eater.
It’s especially popular for late-night food adventures.
Ta Hien Street
If you’re exploring Hanoi’s nightlife, Ta Hien Street is a must-visit. Known for its lively beer culture, the street is packed with food stalls and buzzing with life.
It’s common to see foreign tourists sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, sipping beer and snacking on delicious street food.
Hanoi’s Famous Food Spots Recommended by Travelers
Pho Ly Quoc Su
Located at 10 Ly Quoc Su Street in Hoan Kiem District, this legendary pho restaurant has been a local favorite for decades. Using high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Pho Ly Quoc Su offers a pure, authentic flavor without relying on MSG.
Nearly 20 years of excellence have made this place a culinary landmark.
Cha Ca La Vong
One of Hanoi’s oldest culinary treasures, Cha Ca La Vong boasts over 150 years of history. The restaurant’s signature grilled fish, combined with herbs and fermented shrimp paste, creates a flavor explosion that is truly unforgettable.
It’s so iconic that Hang Son Street was officially renamed Cha Ca Street in its honor.
Egg Coffee at Giang Café
Hidden down a small alley at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Giang Café is the birthplace of egg coffee—a creative solution born during a milk shortage in the 1940s.
Today, the creamy, slightly yellow egg coffee remains a must-try. The first sip brings a sweet, foamy layer of egg cream, followed by the deep richness of robusta coffee. A truly unique Hanoi experience.
Trang Tien Ice Cream
Established in 1958, Trang Tien Ice Cream is an iconic part of Hanoi’s dessert culture. Famous for its natural flavors like coconut milk, green bean, and young sticky rice, Trang Tien offers an old-school sweetness that modern brands can’t replicate.
Foreign tourists find it both nostalgic and exotic—a simple yet profound taste of Vietnam’s friendliness and warmth.
Conclusion
Hanoi Old Quarter is a living museum, preserving centuries of Vietnamese culture. Behind the charming, old-world facade lies a culinary scene captivating taste buds worldwide.
Let Private Tour Asia take you beyond sightseeing into real Vietnamese life.
👉 Message us today to plan your tasty Hanoi adventure — where every dish tells a story!
👉 Traveling is better with a full heart and a full belly. Let’s discover Hanoi together with Private Tour Asia!
Last Updated on April 28, 2025 by Elena
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