Initially, I intended to introduce the cuisine of Vietnam’s Capital in this post as I just had a one-day Hanoi food tour. But it then reminded me of the movie Avengers: Endgame I also watched that morning. Because the series has been a big part of my life over the years, I just wanted to have a part in this post for me to remember the movie.
I’m not sure if I will spoil anything in this post. But hopefully you all watched the masterpiece before reading this article. Or you can pause your reading here, go watch the movie, and then come back. This is always here waiting for you to enjoy reading.
A Note for the Avengers Series
Since I was a child, I always have a special feeling with any series, which I have been watching for the long term, that go to an end. Imagine you are doing something recurrently for a period, then suddenly you stop doing that. To me, it’s a feeling of loss. Repeatedly, I always ask ‘What I’m gonna do next?’ every time being in that situation. I don’t know if anyone sharing the same one. And at this time, with the Avengers: Endgame, I faced the same feeling after many years I forgot it, thinking I grew up and bypassed that emotion.
Honestly, I always love the heroes, even when I grow up. Especially Tony Stark, who has inspired me a lot over the years. There was even a time, I just wanted to drop my courses at that moment to start-over studying AI, and Machine Learning. As a result, I could make a J.A.R.V.I.S, or even Vision if I can find a Mind Stone, lol, jk. Anyway, now I understand a little bit of what is AI, Machine Learning, Quantum Physics, and Gamma radiation.
Overall, I just want to thank you for the Avengers series to make my life so great in the last 11 years. Particularly, thank you Tony Stark! Even you are a fiction character, but inspired me a lot, and brought me an idea of a genius, playboy, billionaire, and philanthropist.
OK, Let’s Discover Hanoi Food
Honestly, I eat quite much when I feel sad. Actually, I intended to do a food tour before, adding to my perfect 2 days in Hanoi. I don’t mean that I eat a lot of Hanoi foods after watching Avengers: Endgame. But I really eat so many things after the movie.
Anyways, don’t be confused with what I have written. I just want to try expressing my emotions. And below is a list of Hanoi food for one day that you should have a try.
Start the Day with Bún Sườn Dọc Mùng
I think it’s called Vermicelli with pork ribs and Colocasia Gigantea in English. Anyway, how it’s called won’t affect its delicious. I just try to give you a name that you can remember easier.
So basically, a bowl of Bún Dọc Mùng is full of the Colocasia Gigantea’s trunks and pork ribs. And if you find the soup a little bit light, you can add fish sauce to make it tastier.
This is a special food that I found in the Capital. I’m not sure there is any version of the food in other provinces. But in Hanoi, you can find it around the old-town area as street food. The one which I tried was from a vendor in Hang Bong street. It was kinda affordable for a delicious bowl.
Where to find Bún Sườn Dọc Mùng?
- Bún sườn chua Xã Đàn – 63-73-181 Xã Đàn, Đống Đa Dist.
- Bún bung Cầu Gỗ – 32 Cầu Gỗ, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Bún bung bà Minh – 612 Trương Chinh, Đống Đa Dist.
- Bún mọc dọc mùng Hàm Long – ngõ 18, Hàm Long, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Bún dọc mùng Nguyễn Chí Thanh – 34A, Nguyễn Chí Thanh, Ba Đình Dist.
- Bún dọc mùng Bát Đàn – 18 Bát Đàn, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
Price range: $1 – $3 (VND 25,000 – 65,000)
The Iconic Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm is the Top Choice for Lunch
I did a quick research of the best places for Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm (fermented shrimp paste noodle) at Hanoi before arriving in the Capital, and figured out that the dish is mainly sold at noon. Hence, it turned to be my only choice for lunch in the day.
Mostly, all the Vietnamese foods are quite different among provinces. In this case, I’m comparing between Hanoi cuisine and Saigon food. Many bún đậu restaurants in Saigon put the foods in a bamboo tray to make it a more Vietnamese style. There are usually the main ingredients including vermicelli noodle in cube-shape, fried tofu, boiled pork, and green rice pork nugget. Of course, there are always vegetables and herb to push the taste such as cucumber, fish mint, and perilla.
Different from many Bún Đậu in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), a tray of Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm in Hanoi surprised me in the first sight. There are still common ingredients like the one in the South. However, Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm in Hanoi further has boiled big offal, coconut-cooked pork offal, and fried spring rolls within a standard option. All are put in a big traditional aluminum tray with no additional decor needed but enough to amaze anyone.
I keep the specialty at last, which is the fermented shrimp paste. A Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm dish would be nothing without its important sauce. Even it has a very iconic smell, the taste is truly awesome for anyone who can enjoy it. Like durian, some people think it smelly, but somebody votes it the king of fruit. With the special flavor of the shrimp paste, Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm is always my top dish to enjoy at the capital of Vietnam.
Where to find Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm?
- Bún đậu mắm tôm Ngõ Trạm – 1B – Ngõ Trạm, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Bún đậu Trung Hương – số 49, ngõ Phất Lộc, Hàng Bạc
- Bún đậu Cây Bàng – Đại La – 129 Đại La, Hai Bà Trưng Dist.
- Bún đậu mắm tôm Cô Tuyến – 31 ngõ 29 Hàng Khay, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Bún đậu mắm tôm Cây Đa – 235B Thụy Khuê, Tây Hồ Dist.
- Bún đậu mắm tôm Gốc Đa – Số 4, ngõ Trạch, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
Price range: $1 – $5 (VND 20,000 – 120,000)
Fill the Stomach with Xôi Mặn, or Xôi Xéo in the Afternoon
Added to be one of the original Hanoi food, this definitely the top dish for anyone with a big stomach. A bowl of Xôi Mặn (sticky rice) in Hanoi is similar among the vendors. Nevertheless, there is still something slightly different to attract more customers. Overall, a full option of Xôi in Hanoi including the white sticky rice (for Xôi Mặn) or yellow sticky rice (Xôi Xéo), Vietnamese braised pork sausage and egg, Chinese sausage, and pâté.
Honestly, I had Xôi Mặn in the very morning when I was travelling around Hanoi. It kept me so full till late noon. Therefore, I recommend this food for the afternoon after half the day wandering around the capital, and before the night with a lot of chilling activities. On the other hand, if you just want to try this dish, a bowl for two is good enough.
Where to find Xôi Mặn?
- Xôi Bà Thảo – Số 41 Đường Thành, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Xôi Yến – 35B Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Nấm Việt Hà Thành – Số 6A Ô Chợ Dừa, Đống Đa Dist.
- Xôi rán – Số 2 Hàng Điếu, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Xôi sườn cay – Số 628 Trường Chinh, Đống Đa Dist.
- Xôi nem khoai – Số 44 ngõ Nhân Hòa, Thanh Xuân Dist.
Price range: $1 – $2.5 (VND 20,000 – 65,000)
A Great Day Would be Ended with Bún Chả Hà Nội
If you ever followed the ex-President of the USA, Obama on the news when he was once in Hanoi, you will know about this food. Bún Chả Hà Nội is an original Hanoi food alongside Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm, both making the Hanoi cuisine more attractive to anyone.
A combo of Bún Chả Hà Nội usually has a dish of vermicelli, grilled pork that already dips into sweet fish sauce, and a dish of fried egg rolls. Of course, with Vietnamese cuisine, there is mostly a dish of vegetables and herbs to eat with the mean meals to push the taste.
US ex-President Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain ate Bún Chả Hà Nội at Hương Liên restaurant. The restaurant then has a very well-known Obama combo with the main meal of vermicelli and grilled pork, a dish of fried seafood rolls, and a Hanoi beer. All together will make your night more enjoyable.
Where to find Bún Chả Hà Nội?
- Bún chả Đắc Kim – số 1 Hàng Mành, Hoàn Kiếm Dist.
- Bún chả Hương Liên (Bún chả Obama) – 24 Lê Văn Hưu, Hai Bà Trưng Dist.
- Bún chả que tre Bạch Mai – Ngõ 213 Bạch Mai, Hai BàTrưng Dist.
- Bún chả Nguyễn Biểu – 23 Nguyễn Biểu, Ba Đình Dist.
- Bún chả Duy Diễm – 140 Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình Dist.
Price range: $1.5 – $4 (VND 30,000 – 90,000)
Note:
- The price may be slightly different from the price range as I’m not always go to eat and check.
- I use the very true Vietnamese name to introduce the Vietnamese cuisine at the root.
- I leave the place and address in Vietnamese so you can easily find it in Vietnam or Google map, and to add the address to Grab or Taxi easier.
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READ MORE POST OF VIETNAMESE CUISINE
Have you watched Avengers: Endgame? Do you love it? I hope you can share your love of the movie with me. Anyways, I also hope you love Hanoi food from my post. And if you would like to discover more Vietnamese foods, here are posts that I suggest you read: