Fried Tofu and Pork Knuckle Stew, Quang Trung Streetside |
Food in the North of Vietnam is suitable for eating during cold weather. Apart from famous food among oversea tourists, lunch on the street side in Hanoi is rich and mouth-watering than you think.
Vietnamese food is delicious. Popularly dishes
are Pho and Vietnamese Spring Rolls. Vietnamese coffee is also known as a
symbol of Vietnamese drinking culture. It is also important export product as
well as rice.
Western cuisines are served in Hanoi such as
French, Italian and fusion, although may not diverse like other capitals in
Southeast Asia.
Eat
Hanoi Street Food
Quang Trung Street near Vietnam Airline Head
Office
Hanoians enjoy quick lunch on road side
stalls. There are small tables and little chairs to sit. Besides of pho we
know, there are several simple dishes worth to try, such as Fried Tofu accompany with rice noodle, fresh vegetables
and sauce, Pork Knuckle Stew with rice noodle, Ramen-alike White Noodle and Duck
Vermicelli Noodle.
Prices start at 30,000 VND
Soft drink (can) 15,000 VND
Beef Pho, Pho24, Huan Kiem Lakeside |
Pork Spared Rib and Fried Veg, Tiem Com 40 Cau Go, Huan Kiem |
Tiem Com 40 Cau Go
Cau Go Street, 50m from Thang Long Puppet
Theatre
Curry shop selling Vietnamese cooked food and
pho. There are varieties of food displaying in the cabinet. I like Fried Pork
Spare Rib with sauce, Stir Fried Veg and steamed rice. It's nothing special but
tourist’s price. Waiters understand some English.
Prices start at 50,000 VND
Gecko
Luong Ngoc Quyen Street and more 4 branches
These Western restaurants focus on inexpensive
price with warm atmosphere and chic decor. They serve soup, pasta, pizza and
some dishes. It was nice to have dinner there among cold weather in North
Vietnam.
However, after second visit we’ve found pizza
with a few and low quality cheese. My friend was so disappointed. I think
affordable price policy sometime they can’t offer proper food.
Le Beaulieu
Hotel Metropole Hanoi
The legendary French restaurant in Hanoi,
dinner here is memorable and zest that does not disappoint. Foods in the menu
all are interesting. Of course, I walked back to my bed with pleasure from
3-course set menu. In particular, Norwegian Marinated Salmon with 6 condiments
is excellent.
Paris Gateaux, Hanoi |
Patisserie:
Paris Gateaux
Nguyen Khanh Toan Street
near Hilton Hotel and Opera House
Bake shop around Hanoi
Opera House district, I found it incidentally and bought some bread as supplies
to go with the night train to Dong Hoi. There are a variety of breads, cakes,
cookies and beverages. The packagings are beautiful and chic. Nice bread too.
Drink:
Illy Coffee House
Italian famous coffee
house located on fifth floor of the building on Le Thai To Street, north of the
Huan Kiem Lake. They serve Espresso, Cappuccino, Coffee Latte and Cocktail
Coffees with other ingredients such as Martini Espresso.
A cup of expensive drink
is suitable for sitting on the rooftop for a spectacular view of Huan Kiem
Lake, surrounded by bustling life. Watch the streets occupied by millions of
motorcycles and crazy sound of horns.
Opposite the building is City
View Cafe. Its 2nd-5th floor are restaurant, cafe, and beer house with a view
to Huan Kiem Lake as well.
Vietnamese Coffee Houses, Huan Kiem Lakeside |
Vietnamese Coffee Houses
On the second floor of
shop houses along the south of Huan Kiem Lake are locations of Vietnamese-style
cafes. You can sit on the balcony to enjoy view of the lake while sipping
traditional coffee.