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The Ultimate Guide to Hanoi’s Must-Try Seasonal Treat: 7 Top Spots for the City’s Best “Banh Gio” This Wind Season

With its soft and fluffy dough, savory meat filling, and delightful aroma, Banh Gio is the ultimate comfort food for Hanoi locals during the chilly season. The seven spots listed below are sure to satisfy your cravings for this delicious treat, serving up the very best versions of this beloved dish.

Administrator

2 December, 2024

This modest bakery in Thuỵ Khuê is a popular spot for foodies, serving up super-sized bánh giò that are up to twice as big as those found elsewhere in the capital. Despite their impressive size, these giant treats are a bargain at just 12,000 VND each, or enjoy a hearty portion with meat and sausage for a mere 25,000 VND. The dough here is fragrant and soft, although it tends to be on the thicker side, which may contribute to the overall impression of largeness.

The bánh giò here has a soft, thick, and dense dough, generously filled with minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, pepper, and other spices. For an even heartier meal, order some extra meat and sausage on the side, and wash it all down with a glass of iced tea or soy milk.

Bánh Giò Nguyễn Công Trứ

Tucked away in the alleys of Chợ Nguyễn Công Trứ, this longstanding bakery is a hidden gem for foodies in Hanoi. It’s located right next to a well-known caramel pudding stall, so be sure not to confuse the two! You’ll find this small stand by the roadside as you enter the market, nestled between a duck egg vendor and a rice seller.

The bánh giò here is just the right size, not too big to induce a food coma, nor too small. You can choose to enjoy it plain or with a side of giò lụa, chả cốm, or nem chua.

One of the standout features of this bakery is its affordable prices, but that’s not all. The dough is soft and sometimes a bit crumbly, but it’s always served hot, even if you drop by in the late afternoon. The filling is expertly seasoned and fragrant, although it might seem a bit scarce, so feel free to order some extras to satisfy your hunger.

Bánh Giò Đào Duy Từ

Located near Ô Quan Chưởng, this bakery operates from 9 AM to 7 PM daily. It’s more of a street cart than a traditional shop, run by an elderly lady who has a loyal following among the locals.

The bánh giò here is served hot and fresh, striking a perfect balance between the rice flour dough and the generous meat filling. The accompanying chili sauce, homemade by the owner, adds a unique twist. This humble cart has been a fixture in the area for over a decade, beloved by residents of the Old Quarter.

Bánh Giò Bà Luỹ

With no signage or advertisements, you might easily walk past this spot without realizing it’s a bakery. Despite the lack of fanfare, it’s a go-to destination for bánh giò enthusiasts. There aren’t many seats available, so most customers opt to take their treats home. The bánh giò here is incredibly soft and delicate, and it holds together perfectly when you tear off a piece. While the cakes themselves are small, they are generously filled. It’s worth noting that the meat filling doesn’t include wood ear mushrooms, but the flavors blend harmoniously for a delightful taste experience.

In the past, Bánh Giò Bà Lũy only provided chili sauce upon request, and their homemade sauce packed a spicy punch. Now, they offer a range of accompaniments, but many customers still prefer to enjoy their bánh giò at home. If you’re a purist who appreciates the traditional flavors of bánh giò, this spot is definitely worth a try.

Bánh Giò Thịt Nướng Đông Các

What sets Bánh Giò Đông Các apart is its unique topping of grilled meat and sausage, a sight that’s sure to誘e meat lovers. The hot bánh giò is wrapped in banana leaves, and when ordered, the owner carefully opens it up and adds the filling. The minced meat in the filling isn’t enough for meat enthusiasts, so they also offer grilled meat and sausage to take the experience to the next level.

Bánh Giò Chợ Hôm

Located at the intersection of Trần Xuân Soạn and Ngô Thì Nhậm, this bakery is more of a mobile cart than a traditional shop. It consists of a small basket filled with various types of giò and chả, a griddle for frying chả bò, a few plastic chairs, and, of course, a large basket of hot bánh giò.

The staff here work efficiently, quickly unwrapping the bánh giò as soon as you sit down. The cake is presented hot, with a pale green hue from the banana leaves, and the thin, soft dough reveals a hint of the meat and wood ear mushroom filling. The dough is soft and melts in your mouth, and the filling is just right, with the distinct freshness of the meat. However, the cakes are wrapped tightly to retain heat, which can make them a bit crumbly when unwrapped.

The accompanying giò chả is of exceptional quality, with options like giò lụa, giò bò, chả cốm, and chả bò. The chả bò, in particular, is a favorite among customers due to its perfect combination of crispness and tenderness, enhanced by the flavors of anise and pepper. Before serving, the owner adds a touch of sweet chili sauce and soy sauce to both the bánh giò and the giò chả, amplifying the flavors. However, the absence of pickled vegetables can make this meal a bit rich.

Bánh Giò Dốc Hàng Than

Tucked away on the slope of Hàng Than, this unassuming bakery has been a local favorite for over 30 years, and it’s even more popular during the summer months. The shop itself is quite small, spanning less than ten square meters, so be prepared to enjoy your treat on the nearby sidewalk!