VI
EN
Train Street Pho
Pho is a familiar dish not only for breakfast but also an ideal choice for a late-night culinary tour. In Hanoi, famous, long-standing pho restaurants are renowned for their clear, flavorful broth, rich with the sweetness of meat and bones, and soft, fresh rice noodles. What could be better than strolling through Hanoi's streets at one or two in the morning on a chilly day and enjoying a steaming bowl of pho?
"Pho Duong Tau" (Pho by the Railway) is a familiar name to Hanoi residents, closely associated with their lives since the subsidy era. Having been around for over 50 years, it's one of the pioneering establishments that laid the foundation for the Hanoi pho brand. Because it's located next to the railway tracks, customers affectionately nicknamed it "Pho Duong Tau" (Pho by the Railway).
Pho Duong Tau (Pho near the train tracks) is a name that is no longer unfamiliar to the people of Hanoi.
The restaurant's menu isn't overly diverse, offering a selection of traditional dishes like rare beef pho, well-done beef pho, and pho with wine sauce. The bowls of pho here are always generous, hot, and delicious. To this day, the restaurant's space retains its simple, rustic charm, almost as it was when it first opened. Located on the first floor of a building at 3 Tran Phu Street, the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Address: 3 Tran Phu Street, Hang Bong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Sticky rice for the altar
The "Sticky Rice with Altar" stall is a must-visit for those wanting to experience Hanoi's nightlife and those curious about its name. The name might sound a bit spooky, as it primarily stems from the fact that the stall sells sticky rice with an altar in the morning and sticky rice in the evening. The stall is always bustling with customers, even late at night, mostly students and those working evening shifts. The space is small but cozy, especially suitable for enjoying sticky rice on chilly days.
A serving of mixed sticky rice includes braised pork, eggs, shredded pork, Chinese sausage, pate, char siu, etc., filling the bowl, and is served with braised pork sauce and a papaya and cucumber salad. The display case is constantly stocked with food to serve customers who want to experience eating sticky rice in the middle of the night.
The sticky rice stall with an altar is a must-visit destination for those who want to experience Hanoi's nighttime culinary scene.
Address: 546 De La Thanh Street, Giang Vo Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Pork rib porridge in the alley near the market.
Pork rib porridge is also one of the delicious dishes many people enjoy when visiting Hanoi, helping to satisfy hunger in the middle of the night. Authentic pork rib porridge here features pieces of cartilage mixed in the porridge, crunchy and chewy, with thick, meaty pieces that are very satisfying. The porridge here is cooked just right, neither too thick nor too thin, and each bowl is topped with shredded pork floss and crispy fried dough sticks.
The famous pork rib porridge stall in the alley of Dong Xuan Market is a familiar address to many. Despite being a late-night eatery, it's almost always packed with customers. The stall is quite small; customers usually sit on small plastic chairs, using them as tables, and must always hold their bowls of porridge while eating. However, thanks to its delicious flavor, this dish is always appealing to diners.
The famous pork rib porridge stall in the alley of Dong Xuan Market is a familiar address to many people.
Address: 14 Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Banh Mi Dan To (a type of Vietnamese sandwich)
The name "Banh Mi Dan To" (meaning "street vendor's bread") originates from the fact that the owners' bread cart only sells at 3 AM, catering to those returning from a night out or those working night shifts. This type of bread includes very common ingredients typical of Hanoi bread, but the filling is prepared in a very special way that is unlike anything else.
All the filling ingredients, such as onions, eggs, pâté, sausages, ham, Chinese sausage, dried beef, butter, etc., are added to a pan one by one and stir-fried together. Each batch of filling in a full pan is enough to make about 10 sandwiches. Therefore, if you arrive late, you will have to wait quite a while for your turn.
The fillings in the "Banh Mi Dan To" (a type of Vietnamese sandwich) are very special and unlike anything you'll find anywhere else.
At first glance, this "mixture" might seem a little heavy, but the filling, sautéed with butter, is quite soft and has just the right amount of moisture, preventing it from being dry. A special feature of this bread is its unique flavor, making it appealing or simply intriguing, prompting people to seek it out for its unusual taste.
Address: Cao Thang - Tran Nhat Duat intersection, right at the foot of Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi
