French daily Le Figaro recently ran an article introducing Ha Noi’s most renowned street food.

Bun Cha (grilled porked) (Photo: Le Figaro)

The article was headlined “In Viet Nam, eight wonders to taste in Ha Noi – a temple of street food”. The eight dishes featured were “pho” (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli), bun rieu cua (crab noodle soup), banh cuon (rolled rice pancakes), banh mi (Vietnamese baguettes), banh goi (fried donuts), cha ca (fried fish) and ca phe trung (egg coffee).

Using the words “refinement”, “finesse” and “freshness” to describe Vietnamese food, the author said “There is no shortage of qualifiers to define the thousand flavours of Vietnamese gastronomy.”
The article also listed addresses of favourite stalls and shops for each dish while advising tourists not to try high-end restaurants that often have high prices.

“Throw yourself at the pots that are bubbling in the alleys of the old town, enter these stalls that may sometimes seem unattractive but conceal the treasures of Vietnamese cuisine,” the article said.

The article also mentions food tours to wholesale markets in Ha Noi, such as Long Bien Market, one of the largest wholesale markets in Viet Nam, Quang Ba Flower Market and Dong Xuan Market.

Those who like to cook and want to share their culinary discoveries upon their return to France can take cooking lessons offered in a traditional house on the outskirts of Ha Noi.

The article concludes that a visit to Ha Noi is an invigorating getaway where tourists will be welcomed like chefs.

Source: VNA