Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour: Taste 10 Local Dishes

Summary

Discover Hanoi’s Hidden Food Gems on Foot

You’ll taste your way through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, sampling ten different street foods while learning local stories from a real insider. It’s not just about eating—it’s about seeing how people live here, squeezing between scooters and sharing tables with strangers who might offer you their favorite dipping sauce.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—grilled pork sizzling somewhere close, mixed with the sharp tang of fish sauce drifting from a tiny alley. We started our walk just as the city was waking up from its afternoon lull. Our guide, Minh, grew up here and seemed to know every shortcut and secret spot in the Old Quarter. He led us past motorbikes stacked three deep, right into a maze of narrow streets where locals perched on plastic stools, slurping noodles or chatting over iced tea.

I lost count of how many times we stopped to try something new. One moment I was hunched over a steaming bowl of pho—beef this time, rich broth with a squeeze of lime—the next, Minh handed me a crispy banh mi stuffed with pickled veggies and pate. The menu changed depending on what was fresh that day; sometimes it was sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf, other times sweet rice donuts dusted with sesame seeds. At one family-run stall, we watched an auntie flip banh xeo pancakes so thin you could almost see through them. She grinned when I tried to say “thank you” in Vietnamese and got it all wrong.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour

• Explore Hanoi culture and street food
• Try up to 10 local dishes including Pho, Bun Cha, Banh Mi

Top questions

Is this street food tour suitable for vegetarians?

We can adjust some tastings for vegetarians if you let us know ahead of time. Just mention your dietary needs when booking.

How much walking is involved? Is it difficult?

The route covers about 3 hours at an easy pace with plenty of stops to eat and rest. Most people find it comfortable—even families with strollers manage fine.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Bottled water is provided throughout the walk, and you'll also get to try local coffee or tea at one of our stops.

What if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine! Bring an umbrella or light raincoat—sometimes the best food comes out when it's drizzling.

What’s included

Your English-speaking guide will lead you through Hanoi’s Old Quarter for lunch or dinner tastings (about ten dishes), plus bottled water and a stop for coffee or tea. The tour is stroller-friendly and accessible for most travelers—just bring your appetite!