CNN suggests 5 delicious dishes from Hanoi.

For a long time, cuisine has been considered representative of the culture of each region. While America brings to mind its unmistakable fast-food culture, and Japan immediately evokes images of fresh, exquisitely prepared dishes, Vietnamese cuisine is characterized by its diversity of dishes and rich, colorful seasonings.

Bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli) became famous worldwide when former US President Barack Obama visited Hanoi in 2016 and, along with chef Anthony Bourdain, went out to enjoy this local specialty. And we can't forget to mention pho, Vietnam's "national dish," whenever introducing it to international friends.

But that's not all. Hanoi has many more delicious dishes worth discovering. Below are 5 dishes that CNN suggests every visitor to Hanoi should try.

Fish cakes

Hanoians claim that if you want to find this unique fried fish dish, you just need to go to Cha Ca Street in the Old Quarter.

Along the bustling streets crisscrossed with overhead power lines, dozens of eateries stand side-by-side, all selling this crispy fried fish marinated in turmeric. The most famous among them is Chả Cá Lã Vọng - one of the oldest restaurants in Hanoi.

This fish cake dish dates back 130 years, thanks to the creativity of the Doan family. During the French colonial period, his family cooked and served special meals for the army.

Shrimp cakes

Hanoi-style shrimp cakes have only a few main ingredients: fresh freshwater shrimp or shrimp from West Lake, wheat flour, and sweet potatoes. Instead of being finely ground, the shrimp in the shrimp cakes are left whole, standing out on the round dough cake. Shrimp cakes are usually served with lettuce, chili peppers, and dipping sauce.

Shrimp cakes became popular in the 1930s, with small street vendors beginning to gather along Thanh Nien Street. When the dish became so popular, the State merged the small stalls into a large restaurant along the lakefront.

Today, the West Lake Shrimp Cake restaurant remains a prominent destination on Thanh Nien Street, attracting a large number of customers every day. Most people who come here are groups of friends or families gathering in the late afternoon after work, enjoying crispy shrimp cakes with ice-cold draft beer.

Fish noodle soup

Fresh and light, fish noodle soup is a combination of fried fish, dill, tomatoes, scallions, and perilla leaves.

At lunchtime in Hanoi, you can find fish noodle soup almost anywhere. However, Mark Lowerson, the founder of Hanoi Street Tours, recommended a restaurant located in the west of the Old Quarter, called Van, which specializes in fish noodle soup.

In other countries, adding salt to a dish is considered an insult to the chef, but not in Vietnam. "You can use the seasonings right at the table. Adding a little lime juice, vinegar, chili, and cilantro helps the dish achieve a balance of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy flavors," explains Mark Lowerson.

Crab noodle soup

Bun rieu is a dish made with a rich meat or seafood broth, characterized by its deep red color. The red color comes from tomato sauce and annatto oil. Freshwater crab meat and fresh tomatoes are the highlights of bun rieu cua. Tamarind juice is added to give the broth a sour taste.

Depending on the region, bun rieu can be served with beef, pork, snails, or fish. The white rice noodles create a balance of color and light. Bun rieu is served with lime, chili, and various vegetables such as banana blossoms and mint, making for a perfect meal for visitors.

If asked where to try this dish, CNN suggested that there is a very delicious crab noodle soup restaurant run by Mrs. Thu located in Tho Xuong alley, near the Grand Cathedral.

Egg coffee

Vietnamese egg coffee is one of the must-try specialties when visiting Hanoi. A layer of soft, fluffy foam made from eggs is placed on top of a rich, hot coffee. While most cafes in Hanoi now sell egg coffee, Giang Cafe is still known as the birthplace of this dish.

This drink comes in both hot and cold versions. Both the egg and coffee are served in a small cup, topped with a golden egg glaze. Customers use a small spoon to enjoy the egg coffee.

Many people say this dish is more like coffee-flavored ice cream than coffee. Hot egg coffee is served in a bowl with hot water inside to maintain the temperature. The strong coffee flavor permeates from the bottom of the cup up to the thick, sweet, yellow egg layer on top.

Huong Thao