Best Restaurants in Hanoi

By Quynh Anh

Bun bo Hue (Bún bò Huế in Vietnamese and Hue Beef Noodles Dish in English) is one of the Vietnamese popular specialities. It is original from Hue city (in the Central of Vietnam), contains rice vermicelli (bún) and beef (bò) so it is named Bun bo Hue.

The North, Middle and South Vietnam areas are different by ideas, lifestyle, but significantly cuisine. Stereotypically, the Northern prefers salts, the Middle addicts sours and the Southern likes sweet.

For example, Bun bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodles Dish) has same name but been cooked differently by locations. Originally, this dish of course comes from Hue, where locals use lots of lime, vinegars and chilies to highlight braised - beef. Some extreme people even enjoy it more with fresh green, super-hot chilies. The Southern also likes to enjoy this dish the same way, but way spicier with lots more sugar in soup broth.

Coming to Hanoi, Bun bo Hue became less sour, the beef soup is more salty with more flavors from different tasteful ingredients. The Hanoians prefer vegetables to protein, so they put more mixed fresh vegetables to make the dish lighter and easier to digest if serving it during nighttime.

It's up to you, to decide which tastes are better. But be remembered, the significant point of this dish is the broth, so don't just waste any soup behind!

By Quynh Anh

Pho Cuon in Hanoi

Every travellers spent time in Hanoi definitely should try Pho Cuon (Rolled Noodles), the significant Hanoi-styled brunch. Pho Cuon can be served anytime during the day; they include all the nutritions a person needs: starches from noodle rolls, protein from fried-beef and mixed fresh vegetables.

To really taste 'Pho cuon' is to dip them in a mixture of fish-sauce, sugar, white vinegar, chillies, garlics and hot water. The salty flavour of fish-sauce afterward is decreased, now blended in saturated sweet with light fragrant from garlics and chillies. This dish can also be served during night-time. Because, even with starches from noodles, the rolls are still so light that they would not cause any digesting problems if you've over-enjoyed.

Each person should try 5-7 rolls per meal, of course with other dishes as well. The best location for 'Pho cuon' is around Truc Bach Lake, in a small village called Ngu Xa, where 'Pho cuon' was first originally made!

By Doan Le

"Banh cam" or "Banh ran" is one of the most famous and beloved Vietnamese sweet treat. A golden brown ball, which is deep fried to satisfy the crispiness on the outside, chewy on the inside and then covered in white sesame seeds. Moreover, the sweetness and moisture of mung bean coconut filling balance the texture and increase the incredible taste of this delicious treat.

"Banh cam" or "Banh ran" is not similar depends on different areas in Vietnam: the South and the North.

“Banh ran” vendor in Hanoi, Vietnam

The North – Banh ran

People in this area often call it "Banh ran", which means fried cake. It has an elegant aroma due to Jasmine essence. You can find two types of “Banh ran” from any Northern vendors: the one with covered sesame and the other has caramel coating.

“Banh cam” in Southern Vietnam

South Vietnam – Banh cam

Different with northern “Banh ran”, people do not add any essence of flower into it and the filling include freshly shredded coconut. The mung bean filling in the South are often mixed with some drops of vanilla extract instead.

Photo credit: internet

Vietnam is made up of 63 provinces. In terms of food, there are three distinct areas – the North, the Central Highlands and the South and each of them has its own climate and culture. The difference in culture and weather affects directly culinary art of each area.

Vietnamese Cuisines

The sophistication combined between the wide ranges of vegetable ingredients, but also based on seasonal factor make the distinct flavor of northern cuisines. Meanwhile, the extreme spicy and bit sweetness make the distinctive flavor of Central Vietnam’s cuisine, which reflects the daily life of people living in this area, the sunny and windy land. However, the southern culinary is a perfect fusion among many different cultures which creates the diversion in food here, distinctively salty and sweet taste. Enjoy Vietnamese street food should be the best way to understand Vietnamese culinary culture.