From satisfying noodle soups and flavorsome sticky rice to crunchy baguettes, breakfast in Hanoi will awaken your senses and leave your taste buds longing for more. Let’s embark on a culinary exploration of Hanoi’s vibrant morning cuisine.
As the dawn breaks over lively streets and fragrant food vendors, the morning cuisine of Hanoi bursts into life, offering a captivating assortment of tastes and cultural customs. During your Hanoi travel journey, it is essential not to overlook the chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy and flavors of the morning by indulging in a breakfast in Hanoi, sparking your appetite for an unforgettable beginning to the day.
1. Pho
Pho, reigning as the undisputed star, is a must-try dish for your breakfast in Hanoi. This steaming bowl presents a harmonious fusion of tastes and textures, where velvety rice noodles swim in a fragrant and aromatic broth, accompanied by tender cuts of beef or chicken.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Pho Thin: No. 13, Lo Duc Street, Hai Ba Trung District
- Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su: No. 10, Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District
2. Xoi (Sticky rice) – Among the most popular foods for breakfast in Hanoi
Vietnamese sticky rice, an affordable and unassuming dish, showcases impeccably cooked glutinous rice that possesses a wonderfully sticky and subtly chewy texture, offering a distinct and enjoyable experience.
What sets xoi apart is the wide range of delectable toppings and flavors that accompany it. From simple yet flavorful combinations like xoi xeo with mung bean paste and fried shallots to more extravagant options like xoi ga with shredded chicken and Vietnamese sausage, the possibilities are endless.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Xoi Yen: No. 35B, Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Xoi Suon Cay: No. 628, Truong Chinh Street, Dong Da District
3. Banh cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls)
Vietnamese steamed rice rolls offer a delectable and nourishing way to begin your day. Its light and savory nature make it an ideal choice. Banh cuon is traditionally filled with a savory combination of seasoned ground pork, minced mushrooms, and fragrant herbs, resulting in a delightful fusion of tastes. To complement the dish, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and dipping sauce are served alongside.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Banh Cuon Phuong: No. 16, Dao Duy Tu Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Banh Cuon Ba Xuan: No. 15, Hoe Nhai Street, Ba Dinh District
4. Banh mi (Vietnamese bread)
The fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary influences harmoniously converges in Vietnamese bread, resulting in a tantalizing masterpiece. Whether it’s the savory grilled pork or succulent chicken, the tangy crispness of pickled carrots and daikon or the aromatic freshness of cilantro and cucumber slices, every mouth-watering bite showcases a perfect blend of flavors in banh mi.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Banh Mi Pho Co: No. 38, Dinh Liet Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Banh Mi Ba Dan: No. 34, Lo Su Street, Hoan Kiem District
5. What to eat for breakfast in Hanoi? Chao (Vietnamese porridge)
Chao, renowned for its soothing simplicity, is a flexible dish created by gently simmering rice grains in a rich broth until they achieve a creamy and smooth consistency. Whether enjoyed plain or enhanced with toppings like shredded chicken or ground pork, chao serves as a gentle canvas that allows a multitude of flavors to take center stage and shine.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Chao Suon Hang Bo: No. 32, Hang Bo Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Chao Suon Ly Quoc Su: No. 39, Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District
6. Bun cha (Vietnamese vermicelli with grilled pork)
Bun cha, a beloved dish for breakfast in Hanoi, celebrates the enticing combination of grilled pork and vermicelli noodles. At the heart of the dish lies succulent and tender grilled pork, marinated in a delicate blend of spices, such as lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce. Each bite reveals a delightful balance of savory and slightly sweet notes, showcasing the mastery of Vietnamese grilling techniques.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Bun Cha Huong Lien: No. 24, Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District
- Bun Tuyet: No. 34, Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District
7. Bun oc (Vietnamese vermicelli with snails)
Bun oc features vermicelli noodles served with a delectable broth and tender snails. The snails are carefully prepared, cleaned, and cooked to perfection, resulting in tender and succulent morsels. Their natural flavors are enhanced by the flavorful broth, typically made from a combination of pork or chicken bones, tomatoes, and a medley of herbs and spices.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Bun Oc Giang: No. 36, Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun Oc Co Them: No. 6, Hang Chai Street, Hoan Kiem District
8. Banh gio (Vietnamese pyramidal rice dumpling) – A must-try food for breakfast in Hanoi
Banh gio is made by carefully crafting a mixture of glutinous rice and regular rice into a soft and malleable dough. The dough is then filled with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and fragrant herbs. This filling creates a delightful blend of textures and tastes, with the tender and moist rice exterior giving way to the savory and aromatic filling.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Banh Gio Thuy Khue: No. 5, Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho District
- Banh Gio Dong Cac: No. 33, Dong Cac Street, Dong Da District
9. Bun thang (Vietnamese vermicelli with chicken soup)
An authentic bowl of bun thang typically encompasses around 20 ingredients, including vermicelli noodles, a broth made from chicken bones and squid, salted dried shrimp floss, shredded chicken, Vietnamese ham, pickled beets, sliced fried eggs, shiitake mushrooms, and more. To enhance the flavors, bun thang is traditionally enjoyed with fermented shrimp sauce, resulting in an exquisite dining experience.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Bun Thang Ba Duc: No. 48, Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun Thang Hang Hanh: No. 29, Hang Hanh Street, Hoan Kiem District
10. Banh bao (Steamed buns)
Banh bao features a delicate dough that is made from a combination of wheat flour, yeast, sugar, and water. The filling of banh bao is where the magic happens. Traditionally, it is filled with a savory mixture that typically includes minced pork, mushrooms, onions, and other aromatic ingredients. This filling is seasoned with a blend of spices, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, and pepper, creating a rich and flavorful combination.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Banh Bao Ba Mau: No. 8, Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Banh Bao Nhat Pham: No. 1, Nghia Tan Street, Cau Giay District
11. Bun ca (Vietnamese vermicelli with fried fish)
Bun ca, featuring vermicelli noodles with fried fish, is an ideal choice for your breakfast in Hanoi. The fish is typically marinated with a blend of spices, such as turmeric, garlic, and fish sauce, before being fried to perfection. Accompanying the fried fish is a bed of vermicelli noodles, which provides a light and refreshing base for the dish. The noodles are cooked to a soft and delicate texture, creating a pleasing contrast to the crispy fish.
Recommended places to enjoy this dish in Hanoi:
- Luyen Bun Ca: No. 42, Hang Dau, Hoan Kiem District
- Bun Ca Van: No. 174, Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District
12. Western-style breakfast in Hanoi
Besides delectable Vietnamese traditional dishes, tourists can also find a delightful array of options for Western-style breakfast in Hanoi. One popular choice is the traditional American breakfast, featuring staples such as eggs, bacon or sausage, toast or pancakes, and a side of fresh fruits. These hearty and satisfying dishes provide a familiar comfort to those accustomed to Western breakfast traditions.
For those who prefer a lighter start to the day, continental breakfast options are also widely available. A selection of freshly baked pastries, including croissants, muffins, and Danish pastries, accompanied by a variety of jams, spreads, and a hot cup of coffee or tea, offer a European-inspired morning indulgence.
Recommended places to enjoy Western-style breakfast in Hanoi:
- Saint Honore: No. 5, Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho District
- Maison de Tet Decor: No. 26, Quang Ba Street, Tay Ho District
