5 Best Hanoi Local Restaurants

1. Cha Ca Thang Long – 14 Cha Ca street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Cha Ca Thang Long is one of the best spots in the Hanoi Old Quarter to try Cha Ca (grilled fish with turmeric and dill), a traditional Hanoi delicacy. For a reasonable price, the dish features a white fish fillet seasoned with turmeric, dill, garlic, and ginger. Following your order, the staff will assist you in assembling and cooking the ingredients in a sizzling pan at your table. A dish of rice noodles, peanuts, parsley, nuoc cham sauce, red chili slices, and chopped spring onions are also included, all of which are designed to be blended with the robust, turmeric-flavored fish.

2. Quan An Ngon – 18 Phan Boi Chau street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

The Quan An Ngon (Tasty/Delicious Restaurant) brand, which originated in Saigon, has been introduced in Hanoi and has achieved amazing results. Quan An Ngon's premises resemble a posh food court, with various food stations positioned around the perimeter of the restaurant providing regional dishes from all across Vietnam, all freshly prepared to order. Some criticize it for lacking actual authenticity, claiming that the flavors have been reduced to please the Western palate, although everything is properly cooked, and the restaurant is elegantly styled in traditional Vietnamese style.

3. Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim – 01 Hang Manh street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim is home to some of the city's greatest nem chua be (crabmeat rolls) and bun cha (grilled pork with noodles). Two pieces of its renowned crabmeat rolls and a bowl of bun cha large enough to split are available for VND 90,000. Pair it with fresh herbs and greens before dipping it in nuoc cham sauce, like the natives do. It's worth noting that there are two restaurants with the same name adjacent to each other; the correct Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim is the one with yellow lettering.

4. Bun Thang Ba Duc – 48 Cau Go street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Don't be deceived by Bun Thang Ba Duc's wayside position and rundown state in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District. It's widely recognized as the best bun thang spot in the city by locals. A bowl of bun thang at Bun Thang Ba Duc costs VND 30,000 and comes with substantial portions of noodles, chicken, eggs, pig slices, and a dollop of Vietnamese shrimp paste, all of which are artistically arranged to resemble a flower. Bun Thang Ba Duc is outfitted with low stools and tables that spill out onto the roadside, like other neighborhood restaurants in Hanoi.

5. Dong Thinh - Nha Hang Mien Luon – 87 Hang Dieu street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

Thinh Nha Hang Mien Luon is a restaurant that specializes in eel-based cuisine, particularly mien xao luon, and is located on Hang Dieu Street. Despite its modest décor of fans and plastic seats, Thinh Nha Hang Mien Luon attracts a large number of locals and expats searching for a cheap but satisfying meal. Freshly shaved banana blossoms, bean sprouts on the side, and herbs are included in the dishes, which cost between VND 35,000 and VND 50,000. Stir-fried glass noodles in an eel-based broth with crunchy eels, eggs, cucumber slices, fried shallots, and purple perilla bean sprouts are the restaurant's signature dish.