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Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam, is not only a historical city with ancient streets and long-standing cultural relics, but also a culinary paradise where traditional dishes are cherished and preserved through generations. Famous as the birthplace of delicious pho and flavorful bun, Hanoi rightfully deserves the title of "capital of noodle dishes" in Vietnam.
Strolling through the narrow streets and winding alleys, you'll easily come across noodle shops and pho restaurants with steaming bowls of soup, emitting enticing aromas. From long-established family-run eateries to street vendors, each bowl of noodles or pho carries its own story and distinctive flavor, reflecting the sophistication and skill of Hanoians in food preparation.
Bowls of vermicelli and pho can be found on almost every street corner – proof that Vietnamese people highly value their noodle dishes.
The popularity of vermicelli and pho is not only about meeting daily culinary needs, but also a testament to how much Vietnamese people cherish and are proud of their traditional dishes. Vermicelli and pho are not just food, but also a part of culture, a beautiful aspect of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
However, with so many options, travelers may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. That's why a list of Michelin-approved bun and pho restaurants, featuring the Bib Gourmand designation in The Michelin Guide Vietnam 2024, is a great suggestion. These eateries have been recognized for their quality food, delicious flavors, and affordable prices, offering diners memorable culinary experiences.
Traditional Pho - 49 Bat Dan Street, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District.
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan is not only a long-standing pho restaurant but also a cultural icon of Hanoi's cuisine. It has become a familiar destination for pho lovers, not only because of its distinctive traditional flavor but also because of its diverse menu, catering to all tastes.
The menu offers a wide variety of options, including rare beef pho, medium-rare pho, and well-done beef pho.
The menu at Gia Truyền Bát Đàn pho restaurant offers diners a wide range of choices, from rich and flavorful rare beef pho, tender and sweet rare beef pho to fragrant well-done beef pho. And if you want to elevate your culinary experience, Michelin experts recommend trying poached eggs. Skillfully prepared, the runny yolks blend perfectly with the hot broth, creating a unique and appealing flavor. Poached eggs not only enhance the taste of the pho but also add nutrition, providing diners with a complete and satisfying meal.
Tuyet Bun Cha 34 - 34 Hang Than Street, Nguyen Trung Truc Ward, Ba Dinh District
Tuyet Bun Cha 34 restaurant has become a familiar destination for lovers of traditional bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli). The restaurant attracts diners not only with its cozy and welcoming atmosphere but also with the unique and unmistakable flavor of its bun cha. The restaurant's special highlight is the exquisitely prepared pork patties and pork. Fresh, delicious pork patties and slices are marinated with rich spices, then grilled over charcoal until slightly charred, creating a distinctive and alluring flavor. The subtle smoky aroma permeates each piece of patty and pork, making it irresistible to diners.
The restaurant attracts customers with its high-quality grilled pork patties and meat, which are crispy on the edges, flavorful, and infused with a distinctive smoky aroma.
Not only are the grilled pork patties and steamed pork delicious, but the dipping sauce at Tuyet Bun Cha 34 is also highly praised for its uniquely "pleasing" flavor. The sauce is made according to a family recipe, with a harmonious blend of subtle sweetness, mild spiciness, and the rich aroma of minced garlic. The sauce not only enhances the flavor of the bun cha but also creates a perfect balance, making the meal even more enjoyable for diners.
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su is a well-known brand among Hanoi food lovers. The pho here is highly regarded for its clear, sweet, and flavorful broth, simmered from beef bones for many hours. The noodles are soft and fragrant with the aroma of rice, perfectly complementing the fresh and delicious beef cuts such as rare, well-done, brisket, flank, and tendon.
Pho Ly Quoc Su has become famous in the capital city in recent years.
Bun Cha Chan - 114 Mai Hac De Street, Le Dai Hanh Ward, Hai Ba Trung District
This restaurant is not only famous for its unique bun cha chan (grilled pork with vermicelli soup) but also for being one of the first eateries in Hanoi to introduce this dish to diners. The special thing about Bun Cha Chan is the harmonious combination of traditional bun cha and a rich broth. Instead of just enjoying bun cha with sweet and sour dipping sauce, diners here also experience bun cha chan served with a hot, fragrant broth. The broth is simmered from pork bones, giving it a naturally sweet flavor, combined with the restaurant's signature meatballs, creating a unique and irresistible taste.
This Bun Cha Chan restaurant, with its unique flavor, has earned a place on the Bib Gourmand list.
Fried spring rolls at Bun Cha Chan are also a favorite dish among many diners. The spring rolls are fried until crispy, with a golden-brown crust and a rich, flavorful meat filling inside. Fried spring rolls are not only an attractive side dish but also an indispensable part of any meal at Bun Cha Chan.
Nguyet Chicken Pho - 5B Phu Doan Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District
The chicken pho here comes with various cuts of meat, but the tender thigh is a favorite. You can choose thigh with wing, or wing with breast, and season to your liking. It's also a great place to enjoy a meal after work.
Nguyet's Chicken Pho: From Local Cuisine to Michelin Star
Dong Thinh Eel Vermicelli - 87 Hang Dieu Street, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District
In Vietnam, many restaurants keep their menus simple, focusing on the ingredients. At this 40-year-old establishment, that ingredient is eel. The menu includes eel vermicelli, eel porridge, and eel soup, each with a delicious, rich flavor. The vermicelli is served with broth or mixed with crispy shredded eel, herbs, roasted peanuts, and shallots. The Michelin inspector praised the soup, while the porridge is enhanced with shredded sausage and shiitake mushrooms for added umami.
Dong Thinh Eel Noodle Restaurant is a familiar address for those who love delicious dishes made from eel.
