The Ultimate Guide to Hanoi’s Street Food: Indulging in the Capital’s Delicacies with Just 100k at the Historic Dong Xuan Market Eateries, Each a Decade-Old Institution.

Huyền Anh Pork Rib Porridge

For those who adore the taste of pork rib porridge, Huyền Anh is a familiar name. The delicious taste of the porridge and the unique seasoning have conquered the hearts of many diners. Located at 14 Dong Xuan, near the beginning of Hang Khoai Street, the restaurant has been operating for almost 10 years and always attracts a large number of customers every evening.

Huyền Anh specializes in pork rib porridge. The porridge is smooth, the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, and the dish is topped with soft, fluffy shrimp floss. This wonderful dish blends the sweetness of the ribs with a unique flavor that captivates all who taste it. In addition, you can add fried dough sticks and seasonings such as pepper, powder, and chili according to your preference. The subtle flavor will conquer your taste buds.

The restaurant is open from 6 pm to 2 am, mainly serving nocturnal cuisine. Here, you will enjoy unique, smooth bowls of porridge. When visiting Dong Xuan market, don’t forget to try Huyền Anh’s pork rib porridge – one of the specialties of the Old Quarter.

Cô Ầm Shrimp Cakes

When it comes to shrimp cakes, people often think of the famous West Lake shrimp cakes in Hanoi. However, in Dong Xuan market, the shrimp cakes sold by Cô Ầm are one of the most authentic Hanoi street foods still remaining in the area. Cô Ầm’s shrimp cake stall is located at the beginning of Dong Xuan alley and on Hang Chieu Street. In the afternoon and evening, the stall is always bustling with customers. Although the space is quite small, you will always feel the lively and vibrant atmosphere that embodies the essence of Hanoi’s 36 streets.

Dong Xuan’s shrimp cakes always captivate diners with their unique blend of ingredients, including special, secret-recipe flour and shrimp. The cake batter is made from the finest, most delicate rice flour, mixed with water in a specific ratio to create the perfect consistency. This is combined with the subtle, buttery flavor of shredded taro, formed into small cake molds, and topped with one or two shrimp, making the cakes even more appealing.

When fried, you’ll see the cakes transform from a light golden color to a deeper shade of brown, with a super-sweet and buttery taste from the taro and shrimp. The cakes are fried fresh to ensure crispness and freshness. Therefore, the cakes always have a special flavor when served with fresh herbs and a special dipping sauce that’s incredibly addictive.

Mrs. Phuong’s Pho Tiu

Located in the “food heaven” alley of Dong Xuan market, this pho restaurant has been operating for about 45 years and is always bustling with customers. A full bowl of pho tiu includes noodles, thinly sliced char siu, fried shallots, crushed peanuts, and herbs. However, the real highlight of this dish is the five types of sauces made with a secret family recipe. After mixing the sauces, diners can add chili and garlic vinegar to taste. The pho has a harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, with a hint of fat from the sauce.

As the restaurant is located in a narrow alley, customers must park their vehicles outside and walk from the beginning of Hang Chieu Street. After the market closes, the stalls here also stop operating, so it’s best to come and enjoy this dish before 5 pm.

Snail Vermicelli

Snail vermicelli is a must-try dish when visiting Dong Xuan market. The snail vermicelli here is quite unique compared to other places. The snails are fat and clean, blanched and served with a clear broth, along with fresh herbs, and a mix of vinegar, chili, and shrimp paste according to taste. One interesting thing about some of the snail vermicelli stalls here is that they don’t use lemon, lime, or rice vinegar; instead, they use boiled sour sop fruit with a little salt to create a uniquely tangy flavor.

Thuy Snail Vermicelli stall is located deep inside the last alley of Dong Xuan market. Although small, the stall is always busy with customers. Despite the limited seating, the quick and friendly service attracts many passersby.

Thuy Snail Vermicelli offers two types of vermicelli: dry and soup. A bowl of soup vermicelli with a sour and spicy broth, along with 7-8 fat and juicy stuffed snails, is served with white tangled vermicelli. In addition, there are two types of poured vermicelli: snail vermicelli with snail paste and snail vermicelli with banana flower. The broth here is delicious and just right, with a sour and sweet taste from the rice vinegar and the unique flavor of stewed chili. The snails are fatty, crispy, and not too chewy, unlike snails at other snail vermicelli stalls.

Bun Moc Tiet (Vermicelli with Meatballs and Blood Cake)

Dong Xuan market is one of the addresses in Hanoi that serves delicious bun moc tiet. With over 20 years of experience, the stall offers a comfortable, open-air seating style, so you don’t have to worry about the heat. The food here is of excellent quality, beautifully presented, and reasonably priced, attracting many regular customers.

Dong Xuan’s bun moc tiet stall specializes in serving delicious bun moc tiet. Each bowl of vermicelli contains large, sweet, and tender meatballs, bamboo shoots infused with flavor, and slices of blood cake. The broth is just right and easy to eat. In addition, you can enjoy a refreshing drink with your bowl of vermicelli. The owner pays attention to the quality of the ingredients and preparation, ensuring that the dish is flavorful and safe to eat.

When you visit the stall, you will receive attentive service and be treated to a hot bowl of bun moc tiet that looks and tastes amazing. If you’re in the area, don’t forget to drop by and try this delicious dish!

Hằng Nga’s Grilled Pork and Vermicelli on Bamboo Skewers

When visiting the Dong Xuan food street, don’t forget to stop by Hằng Nga stall to try the grilled pork and vermicelli on bamboo skewers. This is one of the most famous street foods in Dong Xuan, known for its traditional and rustic flavor. The minced pork here is wrapped in fresh, thin betel leaves and grilled to perfection. As a result, the meat is usually not burnt like at many other places.

The pork slices are made from high-quality, thinly sliced pork belly, and when grilled, the fat and pork rind become crispy. In addition, the dipping sauce is carefully prepared and perfectly balanced, neither too sweet nor too spicy, ensuring a delicious dining experience.

Beef Jerky Salad

This beef jerky salad stall is a favorite dining spot for many young people. The beef jerky is marinated with chili, lemongrass, ginger, seasoning, sugar, and then dried in large pieces to retain its sweetness and tenderness. When served, the meat is cut into small pieces, about two finger joints in length, and mixed with green papaya, carrot strips, and peanuts. The noodles are soaked in a sweet and sour sauce, and the salty-sweet beef jerky and peanuts create a harmonious flavor that’s not overwhelming. Each bowl of beef jerky salad costs 30,000 VND.

In addition to the salad, you can also enjoy taro cakes with shrimp and pork filling. The cakes are always sold fresh on the same day, ensuring a soft and tender texture.