Hanoi Old Quarter: Street Food Walking Tour & Train Street

Summary

Street food, secret alleys and train street in Hanoi’s heart

You’ll taste smoky bún chả in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, squeeze through hidden alleys for bánh mì and phở cuốn, sip egg coffee where locals linger, then watch the train roar by on Train Street — all with stories from your guide and hotel pickup included. Expect laughter, surprises, maybe even some new friends.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell — smoky pork grilling somewhere behind a tangle of scooters. We’d barely started our Hanoi Old Quarter street food tour when our guide, Linh, handed me a plastic stool and said, “Sit here, try this.” I was still distracted by the chaos of bikes and laughter all around. The bún chả came out fast: noodles soft, pork sweet-salty, herbs so fresh they almost stung my nose. I tried to copy how Linh mixed everything up but made a mess (she grinned and showed me again). That first bite — honestly, I didn’t expect it to taste like that.

We ducked into an alley so narrow my shoulders brushed both sides. There was this old man selling bánh mì from a cart — he nodded at us without stopping his work. The bread was warm and crisp; the filling had pickled carrots that crunched in my teeth. At some point we stopped for phở cuốn rolls and Linh told us about French and Chinese influences on Hanoi’s food — she pointed at a faded sign above us and said her grandmother used to eat here as a girl. It felt weirdly personal for such a busy place.

I think my favorite part was the egg coffee — creamy, sweet but not too much, with this weirdly comforting smell of roasted beans and something almost like custard. We talked about family recipes while scooters zipped past outside. Later we took a cab to Train Street (timing depends on the train schedule), grabbed tiny beers from a corner shop, and waited with locals for that rumble in the distance. When the train finally flew by — so close you could feel the wind — everyone just laughed nervously together. I still think about that moment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi Old Quarter food walking tour

• Meet local guide in Old Quarter
• Take 3-hour guided walking tour
• Explore historic Old Quarter alleys
• Visit Hang Be local market
• Sample Bún Chả grilled pork noodles
• Try Phở trộn dry Phở
• Eat Phở cuốn fresh spring roll
• Enjoy Bánh mỳ Vietnamese bread
• Taste Kem xôi sticky rice ice cream
• Drink traditional egg coffee
• Take cab to Train Street
• Enjoy drink while watching train

Top questions

What foods are included on the Hanoi Old Quarter street food tour?

You’ll try dishes like bún chả (grilled pork with noodles), phở trộn (dry phở), phở cuốn (fresh spring rolls), bánh mì (Vietnamese bread), kem xôi (sticky rice with ice cream), and egg coffee.

How long does the Hanoi Old Quarter street food tour last?

The tour lasts around 3 hours.

Is hotel pickup included for this Hanoi street food tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you’re staying in the Hanoi Old Quarter area.

Is Train Street part of this street food walking tour?

Yes, depending on timing you’ll visit Train Street during or after the main food stops for drinks while waiting for the train to pass.

Are vegetarian or dietary options available on this Hanoi food tour?

The menu can change based on availability or your dietary restrictions—just let your guide know in advance.

Is this street food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

What group size can I expect on this Hanoi food walking tour?

The group is small—maximum 8 people per tour.

What time does the Hanoi Old Quarter street food tour start?

You can choose flexible departure times between 9:00am and 6:30pm daily.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup from anywhere in Hanoi’s Old Quarter area, all meals as listed—think bún chả noodles, bánh mì sandwiches, fresh spring rolls—and drinks like egg coffee or local beer at Train Street. A friendly English-speaking guide leads you through every stop before drop-off back at your hotel or nearby café.