Hanoi Old Quarter: Food Tour & Coffee Class Small Group

Summary

Morning Hanoi food tour plus hands-on egg coffee session

You’ll taste your way through Hanoi’s Old Quarter with a local guide, sampling street food from papaya salad to banh mi, then learn how to make traditional egg coffee in a cozy café. With pickup included and only four people per group, you’ll get real stories and flavors you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

We were already weaving through the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter before I’d really woken up — that kind of half-awake where you’re just following the smells. Our guide, Minh, grinned as he handed me something wrapped in banana leaf (I still don’t know what it was called). The air felt sticky but not too hot yet, and scooters kept zipping past us with that little beep-beep sound. I tried to keep up while Minh pointed out a temple squeezed between two noodle shops — apparently it’s been there longer than any of the restaurants around it.

I didn’t expect to eat so much on this morning Hanoi foodie tour. First was green papaya salad, then crispy spring rolls that burned my fingers a bit (worth it), then pho with beef so tender it almost fell apart when I poked at it. Minh explained how each spot had its own twist — like the banh cuon lady who rolled pancakes faster than I could blink. She laughed when I tried to say “banh cuon” properly; pretty sure I butchered it but she just smiled and handed me another plate. At some point we stopped for draught beer (or juice if you wanted) and watched people bargaining over vegetables at the market — loud voices, lots of hand waving, everyone seemed to know each other.

The last part was this mini coffee class tucked above a tiny café. The barista showed us how to use the phin filter — he said something about ratios but honestly I was distracted by the smell of ground beans and eggs whisked into froth. Making egg coffee is more complicated than I thought; my first try looked like a science experiment gone wrong but tasted sweet and rich anyway. We got to decorate our cups too, which turned into a bit of a mess for me (don’t ask about my attempt at a heart shape). Sitting there sipping egg coffee while sunlight crept across the tiled floor — that’s one of those moments I still think about.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning Hanoi Foodie Tour & Coffee Class

• Pick-up and transfer to meeting point
• Explore Hanoi Old Quarter and local foods
• Vietnamese Egg Coffee class
• Return and farewell

Top questions

How long does the Hanoi foodie tour last?

The tour lasts about 3 hours in total.

Is hotel pickup included in this day trip?

Yes, pickup from your hotel is included at the start of the tour.

What foods are included on this Hanoi food tour?

You’ll try green papaya salad, fried spring rolls, pho (beef or chicken), banh cuon, banh mi, and draught beer or juice.

Do we visit any cultural sites during the tour?

Yes, you’ll see places like local markets, heritage houses, temples, and the old city gate in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Is there a vegetarian option available?

The reference doesn’t specify vegetarian options; check directly with the provider for details.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is limited to four people for a more personal experience.

Is this tour suitable for kids or people with mobility needs?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible and infants can join in strollers or prams.

What do we learn in the mini coffee class?

You’ll learn about Vietnamese coffee history and how to make egg coffee using a phin filter step by step.

What’s included

Your morning includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, all street foods and drinks listed on the itinerary (including beer or juice), bottled water throughout the walk, plus hands-on instruction from a local barista during your egg coffee class before returning back to your meeting point around midday.