Hanoi: Street food walk with local guide & live music

Summary

Street eats, cold beer & Hanoi’s secret music corners

You’ll taste Hanoi’s best street food with a local guide who knows every shortcut and secret café. Sip egg coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake, share laughter over Bia Hoi on Beer Street, then end your night listening to live jazz where locals actually go. It’s the kind of evening you’ll remember long after you leave Vietnam.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first sip of egg coffee to taste like that — creamy and sweet, but somehow still strong enough to wake me up after the flight. We squeezed into this tiny café across from Hoan Kiem Lake (the kind of place you’d never spot if you weren’t with someone who knew), and our guide Linh just grinned at my face when I tried to stir the foam without spilling it. Outside, scooters zipped past in every direction. The air smelled like rain on old stone and something frying nearby — maybe pork? Hard to tell in Hanoi.

We wandered through alleys I’d never have found alone. Linh waved at a woman grilling skewers and told us about her family’s recipe for Bun Moc — pork broth, noodles, herbs. It was salty and fresh and honestly, I could’ve eaten two bowls if we weren’t moving on so soon. At some point we ended up sitting on plastic stools in Beer Street, surrounded by locals laughing over Bia Hoi. The beer was light and cold; the street noise sort of faded into this background hum after a while. I tried saying “cheers” in Vietnamese — Linh laughed so hard she almost dropped her glass.

Later we ducked into a narrow doorway that looked like nothing special from outside. Inside: low lights, a haze of cigarette smoke (not my favorite part), and a band tuning up for jazz night. The saxophone player wore flip-flops. There was this moment when the music started — funky jazz mixed with something I couldn’t name — and everyone just went quiet for a second before clapping along. I still think about that sound sometimes when it’s late at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi Street Food and Live Music

• Egg coffee at secret cafe
• Taste Bun Cha, Banh Xeo, Banh Cuon
• Meal at #1 pho restaurant
• Drink Bia Hoi with locals
• Enjoy craft beer street
• Visit Banh My Hoi An spot
• Try mixed fruit on To Tich street
• Listen to live jazz music

Top questions

Is dinner included in the Hanoi street food tour?

Yes, dinner is included at one of Hanoi’s top Bun Moc restaurants.

Does the tour include drinks or beer?

Yes, you’ll try craft beers, Hanoi beers, Saigon beers, egg coffee, and fruit ice cream during the tour.

Are there vegetarian options available?

The main dishes focus on pork or beef; vegetarian options are not specified in the description.

Is pickup included for this Hanoi food tour?

The tour includes pickup as part of its service.

How long does the tour last?

The tour ends around 8:30 PM after live music; exact duration isn’t specified but expect an evening experience.

Will we visit live music venues in Hanoi?

Yes, after dinner and drinks you’ll go to one of Hanoi’s best venues for live jazz music performed by local musicians.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup service, all drinks (craft beers from different regions plus egg coffee), dinner at a top Bun Moc restaurant depending on your request, coconut ice cream with fresh fruit for dessert, plus entry to a live music venue where talented Vietnamese musicians perform late into the night.