Starting at 6pm, a group of international tourists gathered on a small street near Hoan Kiem Lake, starting a 3-hour food tour to explore the cuisine of the Old Quarter. The special thing about the tour is that there is no set menu. As soon as the group gathered, the tour guide asked each person about their taste and preferences so that every dish could be “personalized”.
Each traveler shares their tastes and preferences.
This food tour is organized by Hafoodtour - a company specializing in organizing travel experiences for international tourists in Hanoi, including city tours, motorbike tours and food tours. The food tour lasts an average of 2.5 - 3 hours, the cost ranges from $25 - $30 (about 650,000 - 790,000 VND). Departure times are flexible, the itinerary is adjusted according to the group of guests and there is no fixed menu.
Tour guide Luke Tran said: "On each tour, we usually take guests to 7-8 different places. I will talk to each member of the group to understand their preferences, tastes and dietary restrictions, then I will design a separate itinerary for the group that day. That's why no tour is the same."
The journey begins with the dried beef salad - a specialty associated with the culinary memories of Hanoi. The dried beef salad dish appears with a harmony of colors: the golden color of dried beef, the crispy white color of papaya, the fresh green of vegetables... and the rich brown color of roasted peanuts. The balanced sweet and sour taste of the dressing, the crunchiness of papaya and the rich flavor of dried beef create a perfect whole - small details but showing the meticulous taste of Hanoians.
Everyone was excited when the tour guide introduced the first appetizer.
But the special thing about this culinary tour does not stop at local specialties. Immediately after, visitors enjoy Nha Trang grilled spring rolls - a dish with the flavor of the Central region. This intentional combination aims to introduce the diversity and cultural exchange of cuisine between regions of Vietnam.
Ms. Nina Truelove (Australia) enjoys Nha Trang grilled spring rolls during the food tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter.
From Hoan Kiem Lake Street, the group of tourists moved to Trung Yen Alley, where a mixed rice noodle shop was located in a hidden alley with tables and chairs arranged along the narrow path. Tourists enjoyed sitting and enjoying a bowl of mixed rice noodle right in the typical space of a Hanoi alley: the rumbling sound of motorbikes passing right next to them, the rich flavor of the dish mixed with the rhythm of daily life - all creating a "true Hanoi" culinary experience that any tourist will be impressed with.
Tour guide introduces how to enjoy mixed rice paper – a familiar dish of Hanoi
A special experience of the tour is that visitors can enjoy the taste of fried spring rolls on Hang Be street. Each visitor holds a golden fried spring roll that has just been fried from the pan. No need for fancy tables or chairs, just walk along the street and enjoy, experiencing the true spirit of "street food" - quick, simple but full of flavor.
Experience street food, no need for fancy tables and chairs
The most important stop is Bun Cha, a culinary symbol of Hanoi. The tour guide meticulously shows how to enjoy it: pick up noodles, add vegetables, dip the grilled pork into fish sauce. "Bun Cha is truly a dish that we cannot forget," shared David, a German tourist. The slight sweetness of the grilled pork, the freshness of the vegetables and noodles, combined with a bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce - all create a very balanced and typical Hanoi experience.
The tour guide shows visitors how to remove each piece of grilled meatloaf from a bamboo stick – a small but typical detail of Hanoi cuisine.
After the typical Hanoian dish like bun cha, the journey continues with another familiar symbol of Vietnamese cuisine called banh mi. Each crispy loaf of bread is cut in half, inside is fragrant pate, flavorful grilled meat slices, accompanied by cucumber, herbs and an indispensable glass of iced tea. It can be said that without iced tea, banh mi would lose half of its Hanoian flavor.
Tour guide talks with tourists to choose the type of bread that suits their taste.
The final stop is a small sweet soup shop on Hang Bac Street. In a small space with just a few tables and chairs close together, visitors sit and enjoy mango sticky rice ice cream, red bean sweet soup, and sweet potato. The cool sweetness of the sweet soup blends with the cool weather of Hanoi's autumn, ending the journey with a very gentle aftertaste.
Nina Truelove, an Australian tourist excitedly shared: "I really enjoyed enjoying the unique flavors of Hanoi and walking through the small streets. It was an unforgettable experience, I will definitely recommend all the dishes I have experienced to anyone coming to Hanoi."
A memorable moment of the group after 3 hours of exploring the culinary culture of Hanoi's Old Quarter
At 9pm, the group of tourists took souvenir photos at the sweet soup shop before saying goodbye. The three hours ended not only with a culinary experience, but also with a connection with the old town's life, with the hospitality and cultural identity of Hanoi.
