Hanoi, Vietnam
East meets West in this bustling northern city with the blend of Parisian and Vietnamese cultures.
Déjà vu, est-ce Paris? Looking at the abundant French colonial architecture, I felt transported back to Paris- until a horde of buzzing motorbikes fly by, knocking me back into a cafe. I spent a short week in Hanoi, walking the back alleys and winding streets of the Old Quarter, cafe-hopping and trying as many new dishes as I could find! Scroll to the bottom for my food + drink recommendations.
Hanoi Opera House
Sweet yogurt & fruit jellies at Lutulata
Delicious Bún riêu, a noodle dish with tomato-crab paste broth, at Bún Riêu Hàng Bạc
Perfect beef phở at Phở Gia Truyền Hà Nội
Phở counter at Phở Gia Truyền Hà Nội
Shuttered storefronts become pop ups for a plethora of fried bits at night
Heavenly Egg Coffee- espresso topped with whipped egg + sugar (tastes like the creamiest marshmallow whip!) at Cafe Giảng
Got to keep hydrated!
The famed Old Quarter ‘Beer Corner’. Very touristy, albeit a nice spot to grab a drink and people watch. Took this photo just as the police rolled through raiding street cafes- which all pack up immediately and rush patrons inside, yet re-set just as quickly once police have passed (see them stacking stools & tables in a hurry in the background).
Fresh bánh bao!
Bánh Cuốn, savory rice crepes stuffed with pork, at Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền Thanh Vân 14 Hàng Gà.
Scenes from Taoist temple Quán Thánh
Splurge-worthy meal at Luk Lak. The lợn nướng was an extremely flavorful dish of tender pork belly grilled in kaffir lime leaves. Added black rice, bok choy and mushrooms to round it out.
Hipster vibes at Bánh Mì 25
Stir-fried fish with turmeric and dill, called Chả Cá Thăng Long, at it's namesake restaurant
Approaching the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, Trấn Quốc Pagoda
Bánh Mì with BBQ pork and pâté, so amazing!
The finished product, eaten over rice noodles
In the Old Quarter streets are organized by the products they sell- this one is covered in flower shops
Hanoi Guide:
Luk Lak - 4A Lê Thánh Tông, Hoàn Kiếm. Entrees in the upstairs fine dining restaurant are amazing. Try the lợn nướng!
Lutulata - 39 Hàng Cót. Wonderful little cafe with an upstairs balcony perfect for a snack, dessert or cup of tea
Phở Gia Truyền Hà Nội - 49 Bat Dan, Old Quarter. Delicious pho
Bún Riêu - Hàng Bạc - 11 Hàng Bạc. Great spot for Bún Riêu
“Beer Corner” - 13 Hàng Giấy, Hàng Buồm. Lots of interesting street food stalls around here at night as well
Tadioto - 24B Tong Dan. Great spot for cocktails
Urban Oasis Spa - 39A Hang Hanh-Hoan Kiem. Fantastic massage
Cafe Giảng - 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân (Trong Ngõ). The best egg coffee
Bánh Mì 25 - 25 Hàng Cá. Amazing bánh mì
Chả cá Thăng Long - 19 Đường Thành. The ‘turmeric fried fish’ spot
Cộng Cà Phê - 27 Nhà Thờ, Hàng Trống. Nice spot for a coconut coffee
Kumquat Tree - 01 Nguyen Khac Can. Speakeasy with music & cocktails