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In 2024, as global culinary trends swept into Vietnam with minimalist, tech-savvy, or colorful fusion-style restaurants, a completely different wave of gastronomy was quietly emerging: the rise of casual eateries deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture.
Without flashy spaces, elaborate menus, or flashy marketing gimmicks, these eateries gently win over diners with their genuine authenticity. Here, every dish, every corner, tells a story, a memory of a bygone era of Vietnam. While modern restaurants are chasing new trends, these traditional eateries affirm the enduring value of Vietnamese culinary culture.
A unique and "aristocratic" bun rieu (Vietnamese crab noodle soup) restaurant in Hanoi.
Famous on social media for its unique, "aristocratic" ambiance, the bun rieu (rice noodle soup) stall on Luong Su C Street unexpectedly attracted a large crowd. Unable to serve everyone, the owner closed for four days to "hide from the customers." Once a street vendor, Ms. Yen's "Bun Ziu Ganh" (rice noodle soup carried on a shoulder pole) stall is now nestled in a small alley off Quoc Tu Giam Street in Hanoi. The sign clearly reads "Bun Ziu Ganh," but the interior space is nothing like a typical bun rieu stall.
Traditional flavors, a "noble" atmosphere in the heart of the capital.
Emerging as a phenomenon on social media and food experience groups, this bun rieu (rice noodle soup) restaurant impresses diners with its "aristocratic" ambiance, featuring antique decor and unique items crafted by traditional artisans. The dining tables are made from sewing machine legs, with wooden and tiled tabletops. Even the chopstick holders and chili sauce jars are made of beautiful ceramic. The decor includes ceramics, terracotta, a piano, and antique clocks... but everything blends together harmoniously, creating a very welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.
This noodle soup restaurant impresses with its unique and eye-catching decor.
Speaking of the decor items in the restaurant, there are hand-painted pictures that are 60 years old, souvenirs from a trip, and gifts from acquaintances... each item seems to hold its own story, making customers want to return again and again, not only to enjoy a delicious bowl of bun rieu but also to learn about the unique atmosphere here.
When you visit this restaurant, you'll feel like you're eating at home or having a meal at a friend's house.
Visiting this restaurant gives you the feeling of eating at home or at a friend's house. In such a special atmosphere, everyone seems to feel comfortable. Even during peak hours, there might be a slight wait, but no one wants to raise their voice or spoil the pleasant ambiance.
Eating bun rieu (Vietnamese rice noodle soup) at an "exhibition," where art infiltrates everyday food.
Stepping into Chay Hang Rao, one feels as if they've entered a surprisingly artistic space. Unlike traditional eateries, the restaurant's interior is designed like a miniature art gallery. Rustic wooden tables are interspersed among vibrant potted plants, colorful murals, and unique decorative items. Soft golden sunlight streams through the small windows, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. One might think they're strolling through an art gallery, only to be surprised by the steaming bowls of fragrant bun rieu (Vietnamese noodle soup). This unique blend of art and cuisine creates a truly delightful culinary experience.
A unique space to enjoy food.
The restaurant's menu features a wide variety of dishes, all vegetarian, from rice rolls and sandwiches to vermicelli with grilled pork and rice dishes. Among them, the vegetarian vermicelli soup (bún riêu chay) is perhaps the most impressive. According to some customers, the vegetarian vermicelli soup here is quite delicious and very affordable, at only 35,000 VND per bowl. Of course, it can't be compared to a regular bowl of vermicelli soup, but for a vegetarian dish, the vermicelli soup here is definitely worth trying.
The diverse menu has won the hearts of diners.
The pho restaurant with the most "artistic" view in Hanoi is causing a sensation on social media.
Located on Nam Ngu Street, a small but surprisingly stylish street, Pho Lam restaurant has long been famous for its rich flavor. However, what truly impresses many diners is the unique experience of eating pho there. Due to the restaurant's small size, customers are often suggested to sit and enjoy their pho at a charming little cafe across the street.
It's still the familiar bowl of pho, a glass of iced tea, and a bowl of crispy fried dough sticks on the side, but you'll find that no other restaurant has a view as artistic as this one.
Here, diners only need to order their favorite drink to enjoy pho in a very special setting. The streets are lined with old-fashioned shops, creating a perfect backdrop for stunning photos. Every little corner here, from the worn tables and chairs to the time-worn walls, can be transformed into an excellent background for social media enthusiasts.
Relax and enjoy tea in a space steeped in old-world charm.
In the heart of bustling Hanoi, Loc Tai dessert shop at 76 Hang Dieu Street stands out as a tranquil little corner, offering diners a culinary experience and an atmosphere steeped in tradition. With its modest storefront, the shop is easily overlooked, but a quick glance reveals its ancient architecture and the pagoda-roofed dessert display case with its colorful sweet treats, instantly drawing the attention of passersby.
Stepping into the shop, diners are transported back to early 20th-century Hanoi. Every corner is decorated with carefully restored and crafted antique items, creating a unique and cozy atmosphere. From white porcelain bowls with blue painted designs to antique decorative objects, everything contributes to recreating a poetic Hanoi of the past. Many young people come here not only to enjoy the tea but also to experience this nostalgic space.
Loc Tai's menu retains traditional sweet soups such as black bean sweet soup, red bean sweet soup, stir-fried glutinous rice flakes, grated coconut, tapioca pearls, pomelo flower sweet soup, etc. Although the shop has added some new sweet soups to suit modern tastes, most customers still choose the traditional Hanoi-style sweet soups. Each bowl of sweet soup, whether hot or cold, is served in white porcelain bowls with blue painted designs, further enhancing the elegant appearance of the dish.
Rewind memories and glimpses of old Hanoi on a train during the subsidy era.
This train carriage is located at the intersection of Ngũ Xã and Trúc Bạch streets, right in the heart of the Ngũ Xã Pearl Island night food street (Trúc Bạch ward, Ba Đình district). As one of the carriages in this area, the subsidized carriage, also known as "Train Line 6 - Subsidized Carriage: Kitchen - Cabinet - Tray," has some very special features.
The subsidized carriage, also known as "Train Line 6 - Subsidized Carriage: Kitchen - Cabinet - Tray," has some very special features.
Kitchen during the subsidy era
This train carriage has two levels. On the first level, the outdoor space is the "subsidy-era iced tea stall" that has recently gone viral on social media among young people. From around 3 PM to 10 PM daily, it's decorated like a traditional tea stall from the subsidy era, with newspapers stacked behind it. Notably, surrounding the table are many familiar items from that era, such as teapots, kettles, thermoses, and jars containing fried dough sticks, sticky rice candy, and sticky rice cakes... all placed on the table for customers sitting and enjoying iced tea. All of this creates a very nostalgic feeling. At the same time, this "ice tea stall" also provides many photogenic spots for young people to take pictures in a vintage style.
Iced tea during the subsidy era.
Besides the exhibits, the shop sells drinks including iced tea, herbal tea, green tea, sour plum juice, apricot juice, tapioca starch drink, and snacks like peanut candy, chewy candy, and sticky rice cake. These are all familiar items from old-fashioned eateries, taking customers on a unique journey back to the subsidy era.
