Hanoians have lived through the privation and destitution resulted by the lingering wars and the ineffective subsidy period; it was the time when foodstuff supply was limited by ration coupons and food stamps. But it’s never stopped us from craving for a cold beer, we stood in lengthy queues to buy bia hơi – the locally brewed draft beer.
Since the Michelin Guide came to Hanoi, the city’s culinary scene has gained more international recognition. The guide has elevated the standards for local chefs and restaurateurs, also provided reliable guidance for travelers to enjoy the flavors of Hanoi.
On our food tours, guests often ask us about a dish called “bún ngan” that they see on streets of Hanoi. Also, we noticed the way locals translate their menu into English confuses many travelers. Here I’d like to introduce some of our my favorite places to eat ngan (muscovy duck) dishes
When speaking of food in Hanoi, street-side bowls of phở and sizzling bún chả often steal the spotlight. But hidden among the elegant French-colonial architectures, is a local restaurant that offers an entirely different dining experience: fresh oysters, crab, prawns, sushi, and decadent desserts.
“What are the most common Vietnamese proverbs on eating?” is the question I was sometimes asked on our walking food tours in Hanoi, and so in this blog post, I want to show a broader answer.
As a foodie guide taking Hanoi visitors on walking food tour twice a day, I’ve been eating bún chả on almost everyday basis. To get myself updated with all bún chả eateries in Hanoi, I visit and revisit them more often than my friends often think I would.
