Best Bun Cha In Hanoi: 6 Brilliant Options
Discover Hanoi’s Best Bun Cha
Finding the best bun cha in Hanoi isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. With street vendors on every corner and local spots tucked down alleyways, how do you know which ones are actually worth your time?
I get it. You’re wandering around the Old Quarter, stomach rumbling, wondering if that place around the corner is going to be amazing or just okay. And what about the price? Location? Is it touristy or authentic?
Here’s the thing: I ate my way through Hanoi’s bun cha scene because I became absolutely obsessed with Vietnamese food during my time there. I’d already written about the best restaurants in Hanoi, but bun cha deserved its own spotlight. This dish completely won me over.
One of my favourite moments? Sitting at the table right next to where Obama and Bourdain shared their famous meal. Pretty surreal, honestly.
Whether you’re travelling solo or exploring with someone, this guide will help you skip the average spots and go straight to the places that serve proper, delicious bun cha. No fluff, just the spots I actually recommend.
Before that, find out if Hanoi is worth visiting or not.
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Map Of The Best Places To Eat Bun Cha In Hanoi
‘Bun Cha Dac Kim
During my four-week trip to Hanoi, the best place I had for bun cha was Bun Cha Dac Kim.
I’ll be honest – eating was one best things to do in Hanoi.
When I walked past the door, I was looking for somewhere to eat lunch. When I saw the Michelin star in the window, I walked right in.
There were only a few people inside and an elderly woman outside frying crab rolls in oil.
The bun cha was amazing. I was handed a large bowl of salad leaves. The table had trays of fresh chopped garlic and red chilli peppers, which I used to spice up the broth.
It didn’t need anything, to be fair. The taste was already so good, but I love spicy food, so I fired in some chilli and garlic.
The crab rolls were crispy on the outside but soft on the inside.
I was also given a large plate of noodles that looked like too much at first, and they even expanded when I added them to the broth.
Between the tasty chunks of pork (not chewy or overcooked), the salad leaves, broth and spices, it was mouth-watering stuff. It’s no surprise they’ve been awarded a Michelin star in recent years.
Read my 3 Day Hanoi Itinerary now to plan your trip!
Location: 1 P. Hàng Mành, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam & 67 P. Đường Thành, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
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Bun Cha Nem Qua Bey
Another great place for authentic Vietnamese bun cha is Bun Cha Nem Qua Bey.
Once again, I was exploring the French Quarter when I randomly passed this place.
To be honest, I was convinced by the lively lady and owner who ushered me inside. Or outside, I should say. We were eating on the street, and the streets were packed.
Not only was the atmosphere great, but I was chatting to locals who seemed to find me interesting, and the bun cha was epic. Explore Hanoi at night to see the best things to do late after dark, and usually it involves some kind of food.
My small plastic stool and table had garlic and chillies, and other condiments.
I got some spring rolls, young rice pork pies, sword lake crispy shrimp, as well as a large bowl of bun cha.
It included noodles, sauce, vegetables and broth that can only be described as perfection. I recommend coming here for the bun cha, as there really aren’t many other options.
It’s totally worth it, and it’s street food prices, so it’s a great deal overall for any traveller.
Hanoi has so many different things to eat, and I loved it!
Location: 2 P. Lý Thái Tổ, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 09.00 AM – 11.00 PM
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Bún Chả Hương Liên – The Obama/Bourdain Restaurant
I was delighted to experience Bún Chả Hương Liên.
This place hosted President Obama and Anthony Bourdain, the famous but sadly deceased celebrity traveller, back in 2016.
They don’t shy away from this fact, promoting it all over the restaurant’s walls and even making a tiny museum-style display for the table at which they sat.
Even without the celebrity glamour of this fact, the food is totally celebrity-worthy.
I sat at my table, nervously waiting as locals sat around me. I was surprised by how relaxed it felt, given the hype this place exudes.
Large plate of salad leaves, chillies and garlic, followed by a large bowl of broth and tasty pork patties. I could have eaten three bowls of this bun cha. The taste was sublime.
It’s a bright restaurant with loads of tables and a few levels. It’s one of my favourite places to eat bun cha in Hanoi without question.
Location: 24 P. Lê Văn Hưu, Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 08.00 AM – 08.00 PM
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Met Restaurant 1
While the other restaurants listed are great places to find Hanoi’s best bun cha, don’t rule out Met Restaurant, a chain found in several locations across Hanoi.
I ate here multiple times, and the bun cha is one of the finest in the city.
It may not have the allure or fame that other places on this list possess, but it still draws people for its tasty, authentic Vietnamese food.
The Hanoi grilled pork comes in at 120,000 Vietnamese dong, and the reviews are really great.
If you’re staying in the Old Quarter, this is a great place to get high-quality bun cha for a reasonable price.
Location: 110 P. Hàng Gai, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 10.00 AM – 10.30 PM
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Bun Cha Hang Quat
Bun Cha Hang Quat is another excellent spot for bun cha.
It’s located close to Nguyen Du Secondary School, near the centre of the Old Quarter.
I walked past this place almost every day in Hanoi, and people who go there love it. You do have to walk down a small alley, so it can be hard to find.
Keep in mind that it’s only open from 10.00 AM until 2.00 PM, so you’ll have to time it right for a proper bun cha experience.
The food is authentic! As you walk through the alleyway, you’ll pass by the charcoal grill. The food smells amazing and tastes even better!
Be sure to arrive before they close!
Location: 74 P. Hàng Quạt, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 10.00 AM – 09.00 PM
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Bun Cha Ta Hanoi
One restaurant in Hanoi that kept popping up when I googled best bun cha was Bun Cha Ta Hanoi.
As you can guess from the name, they specialise in bun cha and have some of the best in Hanoi.
You can expect to pay between 120,000 and 140,000 Vietnamese dong here for bun cha. This includes grilled pork, two spring rolls and, of course, rice noodles.
While you won’t have the same street-side experience with people walking past eyeing your dish, you’ll enjoy a more intimate setting indoors.
To top off the dining experience at Bun Cha Ta Hanoi, it’s worth noting that you’ll eat at a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, so you know the quality is going to be excellent.
Location: 21 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 08.00 AM – 10.00 PM
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What Are The 3 Best Vietnamese Places To Eat In Hanoi?
For me, the best bun cha in Hanoi can be found in Bun Cha Dac Kim, Bún Chả Hương Liên and Met Restaurant 1.
Not only did these have some of Hanoi’s best bun cha, but the service was great and the prices were reasonable.
Hanoi is full of amazing restaurants, including Indian, Japanese and sushi, but the authentic Vietnamese places stand on top of my list.
Vietnamese cuisine took some time to grow on me. People often hyped it up, but I didn’t get it.
Now, after spending three and a half months in Vietnam, I’m one of the proponents of Vietnamese food wherever I go.
If you want to do a Vietnamese cooking class and learn how to make authentic bun cha, then I recommend booking this 5 Local Dishes Cooking Class with Meal & Market Visit
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Before visiting Hanoi, I’d never tried bun cha.
However, now I’m the biggest fan of this tasty Vietnamese dish.
Hanoi has some of the best bun cha restaurants in Vietnam, in my opinion. So you’ll have plenty of options to try it for yourself. Make sure you try some of the egg coffee in Hanoi for a truly authentic experience. I made a list of the best vegan food in Hanoi, too.
It’s fresh, tasty and filling, so it’s one of my favourite things to eat in Vietnam.
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Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Where Did Anthony Bourdain Eat Bun Cha?
Bourdain ate with President Obama at Bún Chả Hương Liên. I had the honour of eating right across from their famous glass-covered table. Not only did this fact make it more exhilarating, but the food was some of the best bun cha in Hanoi. Tasty, fresh, and healthy. This is authentic Vietnamese food at its finest. I recommend all travellers to Hanoi make a visit to Bún Chả Hương Liên.
Is Food Poisoning Common In Hanoi?
Food poisoning is not common in Hanoi. Food poisoning is common if you eat uncooked food. This can happen anywhere. In my several months and years of travel in Asia, I have never gotten food poisoning from street food or restaurant food. It’s not location-dependent. It depends on the quality of the food you eat and how it’s cooked. Travellers should not fear eating in Hanoi; they should embrace it. It’s some of the world’s best bun cha.
What Exactly Is Bun Cha Ta Hanoi?
Bun Cha Ta Hanoi is a famous restaurant in Hanoi offering some of the city’s best bun cha. It’s located close to Hoan Kiem Lake on the north side, to the east. Here you can try some tasty, fresh bun cha, one of the city’s famous dishes. There are loads of good options in the city for bun cha, and Bun Cha Ta Hanoi is another one of the best.
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