Hanoi is one of the most exciting and adventurous foodie destinations on the planet. The city has a variety of delicious dishes that range from 1-10 on the adventure scale. Western eaters can be assured that a few of the local Vietnamese staples in this northern city are familiar and readily available. Here are just a few that you can find within a couple of hundred yards of almost anywhere in the city to get you by.
#1 'Bun Cha' (Boon-Chah) - Is barbecued pork belly and pork meatballs that are served in a savory sweet broth. The meat is accompanied by a side bowl of noodles and fresh herbs.
#2 'Pho Bo' (Fu-Bah) - Is beef noodle soup with rice noodles. It is the most popular Vietnamese dish served around the world.
#3 'Pho Ga' (Fu-Gah) - Is chicken noodle soup with rice noodles. This dish is also served 'dry', or without broth and is Calle 'Pho Tron' (Fu-Chrun). A soy based sauce replaces the broth in the dry version. You can select white or dark meat at most Pho Ga restaurants.
#4 'Banh Mi' (Baing-Me) - Is commonly known as a Vietnamese sandwich. You can select from various meats and garnishes, including cucumber, cilantro, and pickled daikon and carrots.
If you choose to step outside your comfort zone, Hanoi is an adventure eaters paradise. You can find popular local restaurants that serve snail soup, pig intestine served a variety of ways, or even chicken feet salad.
If you come from a country where meat is produced and packaged in a supermarket, it's an interesting scene walking through markets where the tail of an animal is often left with hair on it 'ID' the animal. One of the things that I didn't learn until my third trip to Vietnam is that they like their meat chewy and crunchy here.. They enjoy gnawing on bones, cartilage, tendon, etc.. It's in their culture and something that is a little hard to get used to from as a Westerner. A big soft piece of meat is kind of difficult to find in this country, but that doesn't make the food any worse or less exciting. One could argue the opposite is true. Either way.. expect your meat a little chewier than normal and you won't be disappointed.
T&L
