When it comes to Hanoi's food, Pho (noodle soup) and Bun cha (grilled pork with rice vermicelli) are undeniably the two most iconic dishes. Starting in Northern Vietnam in the early 20th century, Pho captivates with its aromatic broth, made from slow-simmered beef or chicken bones, fragrant spices and herbs, tender meat, and rice noodles.

Meanwhile, Bun cha offers a perfect combination of fresh vermicelli, fragrant grilled pork, fatty minced pork patties, flavorful sweet and sour dipping sauce, and an array of refreshing vegetables and herbs. More than just main courses, both Pho and Bun Cha are beloved as a wonderful morning or late-night snack, ready for any Hanoi cuisine adventure.

Ready to feel Hanoi's culinary heartbeat? This article guides you to the top Pho and Bun Cha experiences the city has to offer!

Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan

Pho Bat Dan is a true Hanoi classic over a century (Photo: mia.vn)

When searching for an authentic bowl of pho in Hanoi, look no further than Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan Street. Boasting a secret broth recipe passed down from generation to generation, this family-run pho stall draws countless locals and foreign visitors, despite a small area with a long queue and a self-service style.

Using beef bones simmered for hours and absolutely no MSG or additives, the broth at Pho Gia Truyen is naturally sweet, rich, clear, and not greasy at all. The fragrance of ginger, onions, cinnamon, and star anise does not overpower the beef, creating a perfect harmonious and unforgettable flavor for your culinary adventure.

• Address: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem
• Price: VND 40,000 - 55,000

Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su

Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - one of the most authentic beef pho in Hanoi (Photo: MICHELIN Guide)

Despite only appearing since the 2000s, Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su quickly became a local favorite thanks to its dedication to authentic pho flavors. The restaurant is renowned for its signature beef pho made from tender beef, naturally sweet and clear broth, and soft noodles.
A wide selection of beef options matches different palates, such as rare, well-done, fillet, flank, brisket, etc. Each bowl is generously topped with fragrant green onions and fresh coriander. Make sure to squeeze a slice of lime and add some fresh chili to bring your hot bowl to a new level.
Unlike the self-service style of Pho Gia Truyen, Pho Ly Quoc Su has many branches with efficient staff, guaranteeing a quicker service and a more comfortable experience.

• Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem
• Price: VND 75,000 - 150,000

Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc 

Unique stir-fried rare beef pho at Pho Thin Lo Duc (Photo: @minhanh via baonhandan)

Among the oldest Hanoi's pho brands, Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc offers a creative pho version that you can find nowhere else. Not serving a variety of beef cuts like fillet, brisket, flank,... what sets it apart from others is the distinctive stir-fried rare beef pho.
Instead of simply blanching the fresh beef in the boiling broth as in the traditional version, Pho Thin stir-fries these fresh slices with onions, garlic, and ginger before adding them to the bowl. Diners can feel the rich and fatty broth with a fat layer on top, slightly smoky but much flavorful and savory beef thanks to the spices. A generous amount of green onions will cover the finished bowl, a plus for onion lovers. While it might be a bit pricier than other pho, Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc is an impressive twist on classic pho, a must-try for any Hanoi food adventurer.

• Address: 13 Lo Duc. Hai Ba Trung
• Price: VND 70,000 - 90,000

Pho ga Nguyet

Top quality chicken pho for an affordable price at Pho ga Nguyet (Photo: Linh Pham via MICHELIN Guide Việt Nam)

Beyond beef pho, Hanoi cuisine is also renowned for chicken pho, typically Pho Ga Nguyet. Used to get a Yes from the MICHELIN Guide for Bib Gourmand (affordable and delicious eateries), Pho ga Nguyet wins the gourmets with top-quality chicken and 12-hour simmered broth from chicken bone. Not using industrial chicken, the restaurant uses local chickens with firm and chewy flesh. Diners can choose their favorite cuts like thighs, wings, or breasts, either soup or dry mix.
Every ingredient, from chicken to herbs, is used fresh daily, ensuring the highest quality for every bite. Although their traditional pho noodle soup is excellent, mixed pho with a special sauce, seasonings, crispy roasted peanuts, and a bowl of broth is absolutely a must-try.

• Address: 5B Phu Doan, Hoan Kiem
• Price: VND 40,000 - 85,000

Pho ga Cham Yen Ninh

Despite the high price, Pho ga Cham is among the top picks for chicken pho in Hanoi (Photo: @ngocdiep via vnexpress)

Known as one of the most expensive chicken soup noodles in Hanoi, Pho ga Cham has never disappointed customers with exceptional pho quality. Stepping in, you will be impressed by the neatly and hygienically displayed ingredients, from breast flesh, thigh flesh, wings, to young eggs, gizzards, livers, etc. The hot broth is simmered for 7 hours, without any MSG, fragrant from chicken bone and herbs. In addition, the rice noodles are softer thanks to being hand-cut instead of machine-cut. Prepare for a short wait if you come at 8-9 am or 12-1 pm. Otherwise, you can try at any time from 6:30 am to 2:00 pm for an early breakfast or brunch snack.

• Address: 68 Yen Ninh, Ba Dinh
• Price: VND 40,000 - 85,000

Bun cha ta

Bun cha ta - an authentic taste of Bun cha Hanoi (Photo: @Rachrachyap via tripadvisor)

A familiar spot for bun cha to all locals must be Bun cha ta on Nguyen Huu Huan Street. While their tender grilled pork and fresh rice noodles are excellent, what truly sets them apart are the thick, juicy pork patties and a savory dipping sauce made from homemade fish sauce.
Grab a bite and feel an explosion of flavors: the natural sweetness of the pork blended with the sour and spicy taste of dipping sauce, and refreshing raw vegetables harmoniously combined with the richness of pork patties. Bun cha ta also offers some mouthwatering side dishes such as crispy traditional spring rolls, seafood spring rolls, or even fried tofu with tomato sauce for vegetarians.

• Address: 21 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem
• Price: VND 60,000 - 110,000

Bun cha chan

Bun cha in “poured” version (Photo: @kimngan via Vietnamnet)

For over a decade, Bun cha chan has appealed to not only locals but also visitors thanks to its distinct bun cha version. "Chan" here means "pour", telling about a different way to enjoy the dish. Not "dip-as-you-go" as classic bun cha, the cook will pour hours-simmered pork bone broth directly into the bowl of vermicelli and grilled pork. This unique approach creates a lightly sweeter flavor overall, and the noodles are therefore softer than the traditional version.
Rest assured that perfect components remain, such as well-seasoned grilled pork, fatty patties, and even patties wrapped in blumea lanceolaria leaves. While a classic bun cha is also on the menu, make sure you try this signature "poured" version for a truly different experience.

• Address: 114 Mai Hac De, Hai Ba Trung
• Price: VND 40,000 - 60,000

Bun cha Huong Lien

The famous bun cha enjoyed by U.S President Obama (Photo: xtremefoodies)

While long-known by locals, Bun cha Huong Lien increasingly affirmed its reputation when U.S. President Obama and the late chef Anthony Bourdain came on their visit to Vietnam in 2016. Despite featuring a rustic space of a local street food stall, Bun cha Huong Lien amazes everyone with its incredible quality for the price. 

Grilled meat and meatballs are perfectly seasoned and grilled over charcoal. The dipping sauce has a great balance of sweet, sour, and spicy. Better still, the crab or seafood spring rolls are super crispy and generously filled with shrimp, crab, and other delicious seafood. Bun cha Huong Lien is quite busy and requires queuing sometimes. Although usually busy with tourists, the staff work quite efficiently, ensuring a good dining experience for you.

• Address: 24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung / 14 Lane 59 Lang Ha, Dong Da
• Price: VND 50,000 - 60,000

Bun cha Tuyet

Grilled pork in Bun cha Tuyet features a typical smoky aroma (photo: Gostay)

Bun Cha Tuyet has a simple menu with classic grilled pork and minced pork patties, along with traditional fried spring rolls. However, what makes it different is the grilled pork and the grilling style. The meat here is often charred on the edges, creating a tempting smoky aroma. Pork is usually cut into thicker slices, and pork patties are made quite plumply to ensure a slightly dry and crispy exterior but a perfectly soft and juicy interior. Sitting on plastic chairs placed along the sidewalk or indoors and savoring mouthwatering bun cha will be a great street food experience you will never forget.

• Address: 34 Hang Than, Ba Dinh
• Price: VND 50,000

Bun cha Dac Kim

Bun Cha Dac Kim has been a long-lasting establishment since 1966 (Photo: mia.vn)

As one of Hanoi's most venerable bun cha establishments, Bun Cha Dac Kim proudly maintains its traditional recipe and the most authentic flavor. Their grilled pork is a perfect balance of lean and fat, after being marinated and grilled over charcoal, features a perfectly tender, sweet, and fatty texture. The sweet and sour dipping sauce is generously added with minced garlic, chili, and crunchy slices of papaya and carrots, leaving a refreshing taste after the richness of the pork.
For a complete feast, don't miss their crab spring rolls with abundant fillings and crispy golden crust. If you want to try this iconic dish with fewer crowds, avoid the peak lunch or dinner. The restaurant is open daily from 10 am to 8:30 pm, quite ample times for your choice.

• Address: 1 Hang Manh, Hoan Kiem
• Price: VND 60,000 - 90,000