Hanoi Street Food Recipes

Capturing Traditional Vietnamese Flavors

Among Hanoi’s allures for visitors remains its incredible street food scene. Exploring the bustling vendor lanes offers glimpses into Vietnam’s quintessential dishes via quick bites like pho noodle soup, banh mi baguettes and tropical fruit smoothies. Luckily, tourists can recreate favorites at home by learning traditional street food recipes that capture Hanoi’s vibrant spirit and flavors. With a few key ingredients and techniques, home cooks can bring Vietnamese culinary heritage from Hanoi’s curbsides to their own kitchens.

Classic Pho Ga Chicken Noodle Soup

Brothy pho noodle soup makes a soothing, nourishing meal redolent of Vietnamese herbs and spices. Use chicken broth seasoned with charred onions, ginger, fish sauce, and star anise. Load rice noodles into deep bowls then top with roasted chicken breast, bean sprouts, cilantro and lime. The garnishes heighten the broth’s aromatic depth in this street food staple.

 

 

 

Crunchy Banh Mi Sandwiches

These French-influenced Vietnamese sandwiches star crunchy baguettes slathered with savory fillings. Spread pickled carrot and daikon, cilantro, cucumber and mayo on crusty rolls. Fill with roast pork, chicken or tofu. Chili and soy sauces amplify the contrasting textures and bright flavors. They’re easily customizable for vegetarians or meat-lovers.

Refreshing Nuoc Mia Sugarcane Juice

Quench thirst after exploring hot Hanoi lanes with nuoc mia, freshly pressed sugarcane juice. Use a juicer to extract and strain cane stalk juice straight into glasses over ice and lime wedges. Sweet yet light and fortified with minerals, it provides the perfect restorative street drink. Add chili and ginger variations for a flavor kick.

Savory Egg Coffee with Condensed Milk Froth

Sample Hanoi’s iconic sweet treat, egg coffee, by gently beating egg yolks and sugar then mixing with hot brewed coffee. Spoon the airy egg froth over condensed milk in strong coffee. The velvety, subtly sweet foam complements the intense caffeine kick in this quintessential Hanoi dessert beverage.

Turmeric Fish and Dill Potstickers

These Chả Cá Thăng Long golden potstickers filled with fish, turmeric and herbs make delicious Hanoi street food bites. Mix minced fish with chopped dill, turmeric, fish sauce, garlic, pepper and scallion. Spoon filling atop gyoza wrappers. Fry or steam until crispy and serve with nuoc cham dipping sauce.

Grilled Pork Skewers with Rice Vermicelli

Inspired by ubiquitous Hanoi pork skewers, these bun thit nuong offer smoky grilled meat with noodles and greens. Marinate lean pork in garlic, fish sauce, and lemongrass, then grill. Toss chilled rice vermicelli with veggies, cucumber, peanuts, mint and nuoc cham. Top with grilled pork for an addictive combination.

 

 

Crunchy Green Mango Salad with Shrimp

This refreshing goi du du xanh salad provides the perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy and sour. Pair julienned green mango with boiled shrimp, mint, cilantro, chili, garlic, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice. The crisp texture and bright dressing makes this Hanoi street salad sing.

Silky-Smooth Avocado Soy Milk Shakes

Thick, dairy-free avocado milkshakes bring creamy indulgence to Hanoi’s lanes using just avocados, sweetened condensed milk, soy milk and ice. Blend until smooth and silky then garnish with toasted sesame seeds and dried fruit. They capture Vietnam’s knack for transforming simple ingredients into sublime treats.

With traditional recipes, tools and flavors, home cooks can recreate the irresistible cuisine that lures throngs to Hanoi’s food carts and stalls. The hands-on cooking offers glimpses into Vietnam’s cuisine legacy that travelers long remember through taste and aroma. 

If you are in Vietnam and interested in discovering more about Hanoi – the capital and its significance, we invite you to join us at Free Walking Tours Hanoi. We’ll take you across the building, and provide you with a unique perspective of the city. Book now and don’t miss out on this amazing experience.