Food & Receipts

The Lakeside Stroll: Indulging in the Ultimate Savoury Fried Dough Delicacy

Strolling along the serene West Lake, if you find yourself craving some savory snacks, then you absolutely must not miss the famous fried dough sticks at the corner of Lac Long Quan Street. This mouth-watering local delicacy has patrons lining up around the block, and for good reason - one bite, and you'll be hooked!

Administrator

9 August, 2024

Tucked away in an alley at 242 Lac Long Quan, Mai Hoa’s family’s savory doughnut stall has been attracting a steady stream of customers every day. The stall opens at 10 am and often sells out before 6 pm, a testament to the irresistible appeal of these doughnuts.

During peak hours, it’s not uncommon to see long queues of people waiting to buy these doughnuts. Some customers even patiently wait for an hour or more to indulge in this famous treat. Join us on a visit to this savory doughnut stall at 242 Lac Long Quan to discover what makes it so popular!

1 Introduction to the Savory Doughnut Stall at 242 Lac Long Quan

Introduction to the savory doughnut stall at 242 Lac Long Quan

Restaurant Quality: 4.2/5 (Rated by Google)

Address: Alley 242, Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho District, Hanoi

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Usually busy from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

Price Range: VND 10,000 – 20,000/set

Phone Number: None

Website: None

Facebook: None

Delivery: Available (Shopee Food)

Menu: Savory doughnuts, sweet doughnuts, tamarind drink, lemon tea, plum drink

Signature Dish: Savory doughnuts (VND 10,000/piece)

Pros: Well-known stall, delicious and crispy doughnuts, served hot, authentic Hanoi street food experience, friendly service

Cons: Sidewalk stall, limited seating, often crowded, long wait times

The savory doughnut stall at 242 Lac Long Quan has been around for over 30 years

The savory doughnut stall at 242 Lac Long Quan has a rich history of over 30 years and is a familiar spot for Hanoians. Previously located on Thuy Khue Street, near Cho Buoi, the stall has relocated to its current location and continued its success for over a decade with its delicious doughnuts and attentive service.

Despite its modest size of just 6 square meters, the stall is always bustling with customers. To meet the high demand, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa, the owner, employs up to 10 staff members to continuously knead, fry, and cut the doughnuts from morning to evening.

One unique aspect of this stall is their commitment to fairness, even during peak hours. They have a long-standing practice of serving customers on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring a satisfying experience for all.

The savory doughnuts at 242 Lac Long Quan are not only popular for their reputation but also for their irresistible flavor. These freshly fried doughnuts have a crispy golden exterior and a soft, warm interior, filled with a delicious mixture of minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli noodles, cut into perfect bite-sized pieces.

The highlight of this stall is the refreshing papaya salad that accompanies the doughnuts. The sweet and sour flavors of the salad balance the richness of the doughnuts. Additionally, their specially crafted chili sauce adds a unique touch, enhancing the savory experience and making it hard to stop at just one.

The perfect combination of crispy dough, flavorful filling, refreshing salad, and unique sauce creates an unforgettable dining experience that keeps customers coming back for more.

The perfect combination of crispy dough, flavorful filling, refreshing salad, and unique sauce creates an irresistible appeal.

2 What Makes the Savory Doughnut Stall at 242 Lac Long Quan So Special?

Doughnuts Fried in Three Separate Oil Pans

The first unique aspect of this stall is their doughnut frying technique. Unlike others, the doughnuts here are fried in three separate oil pans with different temperature settings. This seemingly simple method holds a “mastery” of the doughnut maker.

The first pan has a low temperature, ensuring the doughnuts cook evenly without burning. They are then transferred to a hotter pan to achieve a crispy texture. Finally, they are fried in a very hot pan to seal in the crispiness and preserve the flavor. This technique ensures the doughnuts always have a golden, glossy exterior with a soft and warm interior, making them incredibly addictive.

Doughnuts being fried in three separate oil pans with different temperature settings

Crowds and Numbered Waiting System

The stall’s popularity often leads to long lines of eager customers during peak hours. To maintain order and fairness, they have implemented a numbered waiting system.

Each customer receives a number upon arrival and waits for their turn accordingly. This system ensures that everyone is served in the order they arrived, preventing chaos and ensuring a pleasant experience despite the crowds.

Customers waiting with numbered tickets to buy doughnuts

One-of-a-Kind Dipping Sauce

Apart from the delicious doughnuts, the stall also impresses with its unique dipping sauce. This special sauce is crafted with a secret recipe, blending chili, tomato, lemon, garlic, and spices to create a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

The sauce perfectly complements the doughnuts, enhancing the overall taste experience. The tangy tomato, spicy chili, and balanced sweet and salty notes blend beautifully with the crispy dough and savory meat filling, creating a culinary symphony unique to this stall.

The one-of-a-kind dipping sauce, a perfect blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

With over 30 years of presence in Hanoi, the savory doughnut stall at 242 Lac Long Quan has become an integral part of the city’s culinary landscape. It not only offers delicious food but also preserves traditional cultural values, making it a beloved destination for those seeking an authentic taste of Hanoi.

Frequently asked questions

The Lakeside Stroll refers to a scenic walk along Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan. It’s a popular attraction due to its natural beauty, offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The stroll also takes visitors through charming villages and offers a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle.

The signature food item is a type of savory fried dough called ‘hao za bing…’. It’s a traditional Taiwanese snack, and the version sold along the Lakeside Stroll is considered the best. It’s made with a unique, secret recipe that includes a special blend of spices and high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The result is a crispy, flavorful treat that’s hard to resist.

The best ‘hao za bing…’ is said to be sold by a vendor named ‘A-Fu,’ who has a small stall along the stroll. A-Fu’s stand outs due to the high quality of his ingredients, his years of experience, and the fact that he makes the snack fresh to order, ensuring a delicious, crispy texture and flavor.

Yes, visitors should also try the local specialty, ‘sun moon lake a-chu mi-fen…’ a type of rice noodle made with fresh fish broth. As for attractions, the Wen Wu Temple, a beautiful example of traditional Chinese architecture, is a must-see. It’s located at the starting point of the Lakeside Stroll and offers a peaceful, cultural experience.