What Food To Try in Hanoi and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Hanoi for 2024.
National currency: Dong, symbol — ₫ (international currency code VND).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Hanoi cafes and restaurants
$2.3
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $1.48
$21.2
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $16.94
$5.9
Combo Meal
Starting from $4.83
What to Try in Hanoi
Must-try Dishes
Bánh Mì - Vietnamese Sandwich (savory deliciousness) - A crusty baguette stuffed with a choice of meats (often pork), pickled vegetables, and herbs. Locals grab this tasty sandwich for breakfast or lunch from street vendors, ideally enjoyed while standing on the sidewalk.Phở - Vietnamese Noodle Soup (comforting warmth) - A fragrant broth made with beef or chicken, filled with rice noodles and topped with fresh herbs. It’s a typical breakfast dish; the smell wafts through the streets early in the morning, drawing people into bustling eateries.
Bún Chả - Grilled Pork with Noodles (hearty goodness) - Grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles and a side of dipping sauce. Often enjoyed for lunch, locals love to eat this dish with family, sitting on tiny plastic stools at open-air restaurants.
Chả Cá - Fish with Dill (Herbaceous delight) - Marinated fish pan-fried with dill and served with rice noodles and peanuts. Traditionally served family-style for dinner, it’s a special dish that feels both homely and festive.
Gỏi Cuốn - Fresh Spring Rolls (light yet filling) - Rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork, fresh vegetables, and vermicelli. A popular street food, you'll commonly find them at outdoor markets; by the way, they are often served with a peanut dipping sauce.
Ngọc Bảo Trứng - Quail Egg Appetizer (unexpected bite) - Simple yet rich, these boiled quail eggs are often enjoyed with salt and pepper as a snack or a meal. Surprisingly popular, they make for a unique addition to an evening out, often accompanied by beer.
Canh Măng - Bamboo Shoot Soup (seasonal freshness) - A light soup made with bamboo shoots, simmered with various meats. This dish is typically enjoyed during springtime and often found at local family dinners where seasonal ingredients shine through.
Desserts & Drinks
Cà Phê Trứng - Egg Coffee (creamy coffee creation) - A rich blend of robust Vietnamese coffee whipped with egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk, giving it a creamy, dessert-like texture. Best sipped in the morning while enjoying the vibrant street life; locals often indulge in it at small cafés tucked away in the Old Quarter.Sinh Tố - Smoothie (fruit smoothie) - A refreshing mix of blended tropical fruits, sugar, and milk, usually served chilled with crushed ice. Perfect for hot afternoons, you’ll see families enjoying these in bustling markets, and don't be surprised if they toss in a scoop of yogurt!
Bia Hơi - Fresh Beer (draft beer) - Light and refreshing, this beer is made from simple ingredients like malt and rice, with a slightly hoppy flavor. Typically enjoyed in small plastic chairs on the sidewalk during hot evenings, it's a common choice for social gatherings, especially on weekends—ideal for meeting friends after a long day.
Bánh Mì Nướng - Grilled Bread (toasted pastry) - This crispy, buttery baguette filled with a sweet layer of coconut or mung bean paste is a delightful treat. Often shared during special occasions or holidays, the texture is perfect for pairing with a cup of Vietnamese tea, taking you to a whole new level of indulgence!
Xôi Xoài - Mango Sticky Rice (sweet sticky rice) - A delicious blend of glutinous rice, fresh mango slices, and a drizzle of coconut milk, served chilled. It's especially popular during summer months, and you’ll find it sold by street vendors as a celebratory dessert for festivals—a bright and sunny delight bursting with sweet flavor!
Food and Groceries in Hanoi
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.08 |
| Bananas | $1.26 |
| Oranges | $1.74 |
| Potatoes | $1.07 |
| Apples | $3.42 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.59 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.89 |
| Imported Beer | $1.56 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $10.59 |
| Milk 1L | $1.43 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $11.14 |
| Chicken | $3.68 |
| Cigarettes | $1.48 |
| Rice | $1.03 |
| Local Cheese | $11.6 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Around 6 PM, the streets of Hanoi come alive with the distinct aroma of grilled meats. It's a scene that illustrates a common local habit: families gathering for dinner after a long day at work. Dinner typically starts around 6 or 7 PM and can go well into the evening, especially on weekends when extended family joins in.
In terms of pricing, you’ll find that meals vary substantially by district. For example, enjoying a bowl of phở at a street-side vendor in the Old Quarter may set you back around 50,000 VND, while a similar dish in a more upscale neighborhood, like Tây Hồ, could cost 100,000 VND or more. It’s essential to know that higher-end restaurants often include service charges, generally around 10% of the bill.
For payments, cash is still king in Hanoi, especially at street stalls or casual eateries. While some more upscale places accept credit cards, smaller vendors may not, so it's wise to have dong on hand. Oh, and before I forget, combining your meal with a refreshing trà đá (iced tea) adds virtually no cost to your bill, usually just a few thousand VND.
Hanoi's dining scene is an interesting mix of cultures, and tourists often underestimate the importance of dining customs. For instance, it’s common for locals to share dishes, creating a communal experience around the table. A typical mistake visitors make is ordering individual meals instead of sharing, which misses out on the true essence of local dining.
The popular dining areas, such as Hoàn Kiếm and the French Quarter, can get quite busy during meal times, especially on weekends. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider dining later in the evening, around 8 PM, when many families have finished their meals. However, if you're eyeing a specific restaurant, especially those known for their popularity, it's advisable to make a reservation—better safe than sorry!
You’ll also notice that during the rainy season, locals lean toward eating hot and comforting dishes, such as stews or bowls of hot noodle soups—perfect for the cool, damp evenings. In contrast, as the weather heats up in summer, fresh spring rolls and light dishes become favorite picks.
As you navigate the diverse culinary landscape in Hanoi, don't forget that each district has its own specialty, often tied to local traditions. The more you immerse yourself in these little idiosyncrasies, the richer your dining experience will be.
In terms of pricing, you’ll find that meals vary substantially by district. For example, enjoying a bowl of phở at a street-side vendor in the Old Quarter may set you back around 50,000 VND, while a similar dish in a more upscale neighborhood, like Tây Hồ, could cost 100,000 VND or more. It’s essential to know that higher-end restaurants often include service charges, generally around 10% of the bill.
For payments, cash is still king in Hanoi, especially at street stalls or casual eateries. While some more upscale places accept credit cards, smaller vendors may not, so it's wise to have dong on hand. Oh, and before I forget, combining your meal with a refreshing trà đá (iced tea) adds virtually no cost to your bill, usually just a few thousand VND.
Hanoi's dining scene is an interesting mix of cultures, and tourists often underestimate the importance of dining customs. For instance, it’s common for locals to share dishes, creating a communal experience around the table. A typical mistake visitors make is ordering individual meals instead of sharing, which misses out on the true essence of local dining.
The popular dining areas, such as Hoàn Kiếm and the French Quarter, can get quite busy during meal times, especially on weekends. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider dining later in the evening, around 8 PM, when many families have finished their meals. However, if you're eyeing a specific restaurant, especially those known for their popularity, it's advisable to make a reservation—better safe than sorry!
You’ll also notice that during the rainy season, locals lean toward eating hot and comforting dishes, such as stews or bowls of hot noodle soups—perfect for the cool, damp evenings. In contrast, as the weather heats up in summer, fresh spring rolls and light dishes become favorite picks.
As you navigate the diverse culinary landscape in Hanoi, don't forget that each district has its own specialty, often tied to local traditions. The more you immerse yourself in these little idiosyncrasies, the richer your dining experience will be.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
So, we decided to hop on a train and ended up in the first little eatery we found. For a plate like this👆, loaded with everything, we paid just 0.85 USD. What’s on this plate? Rice as the base, fried peanuts that add a delightful crunch, tofu — definitely an acquired taste, but I’ve grown to like it after trying it 10 times, steamed vegetables, bean sprouts, and a chunk of something resembling sausage that I skipped because last time we had something similar, it was truly awful. Plus, there's soy sauce with chili and a vegetable broth. It's incredibly tasty, healthy, and affordable, plus it keeps you full until evening😉. For 1.70–2.10 USD, all you'd get is plain rice! »