According to Taste Atlas, bun cha is a pork and noodle dish that is synonymous with Hanoi. While bun cha or similar variations can be found in other parts of Vietnam, the Hanoi version is considered the most highly regarded.
According to this site, the dish became widely known around the world in 2016 when it appeared on the show Parts Unknown - where chef Anthony Bourdain enjoyed bun cha with former president Barack Obama.
According to information from the prestigious culinary website Taste Atlas, Vietnam's bun cha has been honored to be in the top 32 of the list of 100 best pork dishes in the world.
Bun cha - A captivating specialty of the capital
Bun cha is a typical dish of Hanoi that attracts diners with its harmonious and delicate flavor. This dish consists of three main parts: dipping sauce, grilled pork and vermicelli.
The dipping sauce plays an important role in determining the flavor of the dish. The dipping sauce is carefully prepared, balancing the sour taste of vinegar, the rich salty taste of fish sauce, the sweet taste of sugar and the spicy taste of chili and minced garlic. The green papaya and carrots stand out in the dipping sauce, adding a refreshing and crunchy taste when enjoyed.
Bun cha is a typical dish of Hanoi that attracts diners with its harmonious and delicate flavor.
Grilled pork is the soul of the dish. Pork is marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal until cooked through, giving off a fragrant aroma. Grilled pork usually comes in two types: meatballs and pieces. Meatballs are made from minced meat, shaped into small balls and grilled. Pieces are thinly sliced from pork belly, marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal.
Bun cha is a simple dish but contains the subtle flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. Each ingredient in the dish blends together to create a unique and unforgettable flavor.
There are many variations of bun cha in Hanoi, such as bun cha on bamboo sticks.
5 authentic bun cha restaurants recommended by Taste Atlas
In Hanoi, there are many famous restaurants selling Bun Cha. Below are some addresses suggested by Taste Atlas so you can enjoy the authentic Vietnamese Bun Cha dish.
Bun Cha Tuyet 34
Address: 34 Hang Than, Hanoi
Located modestly on the bustling Hang Than street, Bun Cha Tuyet 34 has become a familiar destination for Hanoians and international tourists. This place attracts not only by the delicious and rich flavor of Bun Cha but also by the prestigious recognition from Michelin - the world's leading prestigious culinary magazine.
As soon as entering Hang Than Street, diners can feel the strong aroma of charcoal mixed with the smell of grilled meat emanating from Bun Cha Tuyet 34. The secret to the restaurant's appeal is the dipping sauce mixed according to a family recipe with a sour, salty, sweet taste and a little spicy of ground pepper. The special feature of the restaurant lies in the variety of sausages. Diners can enjoy 3 types of delicious sausages: minced sausage, pork pieces, and sausages wrapped in betel leaves. The golden, fragrant charcoal-grilled meat is served with fresh vegetables such as lettuce, perilla, and Vietnamese mint... creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
Bun Cha Tuyet 34 has become a familiar destination for Hanoians and international tourists.
Dac Kim vermicelli with grilled pork
Address: 1 Hang Manh, Hanoi
Located right at the beginning of Hang Manh Street, Bun Cha Dac Kim has long been a familiar destination for international tourists who want to enjoy the authentic taste of Hanoi Bun Cha. The name "Dac Kim" comes from the first owners of the restaurant in 1965. Through many ups and downs, the restaurant has been passed down to the next generations in the family, preserving and promoting the traditional flavor of Hanoi Bun Cha.
Each bowl of bun cha here brings diners a full and complete culinary experience. Starting with the noodles, the white, soft noodles are evenly covered with a rich dipping sauce. Next is the grilled meat marinated with just the right spices and grilled over charcoal until cooked and fragrant. The grilled meat is soft, sweet, and fatty, combined with a little bit of fried onion fat, creating an irresistible flavor.
Bun cha Dac Kim has long been a familiar destination for international tourists who want to enjoy the authentic taste of Hanoi bun cha.
Huong Lien vermicelli with grilled pork
Address: 24 Le Van Huu, Hanoi
For people living around Thi Sach - Le Van Huu - Ngo Thi Nham neighborhood, Bun Cha Huong Lien is an indispensable part of childhood memories. After 20 years of being attached to this street, the restaurant has become a familiar destination for many generations, preserving the delicious and rich flavor of Hanoi Bun Cha.
The Hanoi Bun Cha restaurant that US President Barack Obama visited has a simple but spacious and clean space. The Bun Cha here has delicious grilled meat, a lot of sausage, delicious dipping sauce, fresh noodles and clean vegetables. In addition, the restaurant is also famous for its crab spring rolls and seafood spring rolls.
The Hanoi bun cha restaurant was once visited by US President Barack Obama.
Vietnamese vermicelli with grilled pork
Address: 21 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hanoi
Bun Cha Ta is an ideal destination for foreign tourists who want to experience Vietnamese culinary culture in an elegant and sophisticated space. The highlight of the restaurant is the bun cha dish with its unique flavor, the meat is marinated with rich spices, grilled on fragrant charcoal to create a natural sweetness and stimulate the taste buds. The dipping sauce is mixed according to a unique recipe of sweet and sour harmony, combined with the spicy taste of chili and garlic to create an irresistible appeal.
What makes the restaurant even more special is the pickled vegetables made from green papaya. In particular, the green papaya pickle also makes Korean tourists excited because the taste is similar to their familiar kimchi.
Bun Cha Ta is an ideal destination for foreign tourists who want to experience Vietnamese culinary culture in an elegant and sophisticated space.
Era Restaurant
Address: 48 Ma May Street, Hanoi
Nestled on the bustling Ma May Street, Era Restaurant is like a “precious gem” that attracts diners with its exquisite food flavors and professional service quality. The restaurant space is decorated in a modern, luxurious style but still retains its inherent sophistication.
The restaurant has a diverse menu with typical dishes of Vietnamese cuisine. From elegant appetizers such as spring rolls, sour sausage to rich main dishes such as vermicelli with grilled pork, beef noodle soup, braised fish in clay pot... each dish has a unique and irresistible flavor. In particular, the dishes are all made from fresh ingredients and ensure food hygiene and safety. Era Restaurant is an ideal destination for those who love Vietnamese cuisine and want to experience delicious meals in a luxurious space.
Era Restaurant is like a "precious gem" that attracts diners with its exquisite food flavors and professional service quality.
