Hanoi: Michelin Star Street Food Walk & Train Street Tour

Summary

Hanoi street food tour with egg coffee train street buzz

You’ll walk Hanoi’s winding alleys with a local guide, tasting Michelin-nominated bún chả, phở cuốn rolls, crispy eel noodles, and creamy egg coffee at tucked-away spots. Sip fresh bia hơi beer shoulder-to-shoulder with locals before catching your breath as the train rumbles past on famous Train Street. It’s noisy, delicious, sometimes chaotic — but you’ll feel right in the middle of real Hanoi.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell — smoky pork drifting out from a tiny corner grill as we ducked into an alley somewhere near Hoan Kiem. Our guide, Minh, waved us over with this grin like he knew a secret. Turns out he did: the place for bún chả, all tangled noodles and charred meat, eaten elbow-to-elbow with locals who barely glanced up from their bowls. I tried to copy how Minh mixed in the herbs and sauce but mostly just made a mess. The flavors were sharp and sweet at once, nothing like what I’d had back home.

We wandered through backstreets that twisted tighter than I expected — scooters zipped past so close my shirt fluttered. At one point we stopped for phở cuốn, these fresh rice noodle rolls stuffed with beef and herbs. The woman making them didn’t speak English but laughed when I tried to thank her in Vietnamese (I probably butchered it). There was this moment where the group just fell quiet, chewing and listening to distant horns and someone’s radio playing old pop songs. It felt oddly peaceful for such a busy city.

I’d heard about Hanoi’s egg coffee but tasting it at Hidden Gem Cafe was something else — thick and creamy on top, almost like dessert but not quite. Minh explained how his aunt used to make it during cold mornings; I could picture it somehow. Then came crispy eel noodles (I hesitated at first), followed by chicken noodle soup that apparently took thirty years to perfect — you could taste the patience in every bite. We washed it down with bia hơi at a street corner where old men toasted us with plastic cups.

The last stop was Hanoi Train Street. We squeezed into a café just as the tracks started to clear; everyone pressed close as the train thundered past literally arms-length away. My heart jumped — you feel it in your chest more than hear it. Afterward we shared chè Hanoi, some kind of sticky rice dessert, laughing about who flinched most when the train came by. I still think about that view down the tracks lit up by neon signs and phone screens — something about it sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi Michelin Star Food Walking Tour

• Start at Hidden Gem Cafe
• Taste egg coffee
• Try Pho Cuon fresh spring rolls
• Eat original Hanoi-style Banh Mi
• Savor smoky Bún Chả grilled pork
• Enjoy aromatic Phở Gà chicken noodle soup
• Sample crispy eel noodles
• Drink fresh draft Bia Hoi beer
• Indulge in local Chè Hanoi dessert
• Walk through Hanoi’s maze alleys
• Meet local families and see daily life
• Visit Hanoi Train Street for photos

Top questions

How long does the Hanoi Michelin Star Street Food Walking Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours from start to finish.

Is food included on this Hanoi street food tour?

Yes, all food and drinks are included throughout the tour.

Will we visit Hanoi Train Street during this tour?

Yes, Train Street is one of the highlights near the end of the route.

Are vegetarian options available on this food tour?

Vegetarian options are available; let your guide know in advance.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are nearby.

What dishes will I try on this Michelin star food walk?

You’ll taste bún chả, phở gà (chicken noodle soup), crispy eel noodles, bánh mì Hanoi, phở cuốn rolls, egg coffee, bia hơi beer, and chè dessert.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the group.

How physically demanding is this walking tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for walking through alleys and streets.

What’s included

Your evening includes all signature dishes—bún chả grilled pork noodles, chicken noodle soup, crispy eel noodles—as well as bánh mì sandwiches, fresh spring rolls (phở cuốn), creamy egg coffee at Hidden Gem Cafe, local draft bia hơi beer, traditional chè dessert on Train Street plus stories from your English-speaking guide along every stop.