Hanois Winter Street Food: 10 Must-Try Dishes to Warm Your Soul
Go back
Discover Hanoi's vibrant winter street food scene with these 10 popular dishes, from savory steamed rice cakes to sweet black sesame soup. As the winter chill sets in, Hanoi’s streets come alive with the warmth of its incredible street food. The capital of Vietnam boasts an array of delicious treats that are perfect for the colder months. From savory rice cakes to sweet soups, these dishes are not only flavorful but also reflect Hanoi’s rich culinary heritage. Here are 10 of the most popular street foods you must try this winter in Hanoi.
1. Banh Duc (Savory Steamed Rice Cake)
A beloved snack in northern Vietnam, Banh Duc is a savory steamed rice cake made from rice flour. With its soft yet solid texture, it’s often topped with stir-fried ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and herbs, all drizzled with sweet fish sauce. This dish can be enjoyed at street vendors across the city and is perfect for a light winter meal.
Where to find it: 8 Le Ngoc Han Street, 296 Minh Khai Street, 106 Goc De Street.
2. Banh Troi Tau (Glutinous Rice Balls)
Banh Troi Tau is a winter favorite in Hanoi. These chewy rice flour balls are filled with either green bean paste or black sesame paste and are served in a warm, sweet ginger syrup. The comforting ginger flavor and the soft texture of the rice balls make it a must-try treat during the cold months.
Where to find it: 30 Hang Giay Street, 90 De To Hoang Street, 1 Bat Dan Street.
3. Hot Cassava Sweet Soup
For those looking for something sweet, the Hot Cassava Sweet Soup is a delightful winter dessert. Made with cassava cooked in sugar and ginger, this warm and thick soup offers a fragrant, rich taste. Tapioca flour gives it a smooth texture, and the addition of coconut milk creates a soothing experience on cold days.
Where to find it: 75 Tran Xuan Soan Street, 39 Ly Quoc Su Street, 90 De To Hoang Street.
4. Black Sesame Sweet Soup
Originating from Chinese cuisine, the Black Sesame Sweet Soup is a thick, nutty dessert with a ginger twist. Despite its simple appearance, this dish has a rich, sweet flavor and is often enjoyed for its health benefits, including its aid in digestion. The warmth and spiciness of the ginger make it an excellent choice for winter.
Where to find it: 30 Hang Giay Street.
5. Pork Rib Porridge
Pork Rib Porridge is a hearty dish perfect for warming up on chilly afternoons. Hanoians prepare this porridge by grinding rice into powder to achieve a smooth texture, which is then cooked with tender pork ribs. The savory, aromatic flavor is enhanced with fried dough, shallots, and pork floss, making it a satisfying yet light snack.
Where to find it: 14 Dong Xuan Street, 142 Doi Can Street, 26 Tran Xuan Soan Street.
6. Banh Gio (Rice and Pork Pyramid Cake)
Banh Gio is another winter favorite in Hanoi. This pyramid-shaped rice cake, wrapped in banana leaves, is filled with ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots. The soft rice cake paired with the savory filling makes for a satisfying meal, especially when paired with pork rolls or pickles.
Where to find it: 3 Thuy Khue Street, 33 Dong Cac Street, 21 Luong Dinh Cua Street.
7. Fried Chung Cake (Sticky Rice Cake)
A winter delicacy reminiscent of the Lunar New Year, Fried Chung Cake is a small, square sticky rice cake filled with green beans and pork belly. Fried until golden brown, this dish offers a crispy outer layer while remaining soft on the inside, making it a popular snack during Hanoi’s coldest days.
Where to find it: 1B Thanh Ha Street, 73 Pham Hong Thai Street, Cau Dong Market.
8. Fried Rice Balls
Hanoi’s Fried Rice Balls are a sweet, crunchy treat often coated with sugar or molasses. Traditionally filled with green beans, variations have been introduced over the years, including a savory version filled with meat and wood ear mushrooms. The crispy exterior and soft interior make these a favorite snack for winter strolls.
Where to find it: 102E2 Thai Thinh Street, 52 Hang Chieu Street.
9. Steamed Buns
A common breakfast item, Steamed Buns are even more appealing during Hanoi’s winter. These soft, fluffy buns, filled with either green beans or a savory mixture of pork, mushrooms, and quail eggs, are often enjoyed with soy milk. The warmth and satisfying filling make them a perfect start to the day.
Where to find it: 146 Quan Thanh Street, 59 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street.
10. Grilled Corn and Sweet Potatoes
A quintessential winter street snack in Hanoi, Grilled Corn and Sweet Potatoes are cooked over glowing charcoal embers, filling the air with a mouth-watering aroma. Often paired with a cup of hot soy milk or tea, this simple snack is a comforting choice for late-night diners seeking warmth on cold winter evenings.
Where to find it: Various street corners throughout Hanoi.
Conclusion
Hanoi’s winter street food scene is a reflection of the city’s rich culinary traditions and its ability to bring warmth and comfort to the coldest days. From savory dishes like pork rib porridge to sweet treats like black sesame soup, these popular street foods provide a taste of the capital's vibrant culture. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring these winter delights is a must-do when the temperature drops in Hanoi.
1. Banh Duc (Savory Steamed Rice Cake)
A beloved snack in northern Vietnam, Banh Duc is a savory steamed rice cake made from rice flour. With its soft yet solid texture, it’s often topped with stir-fried ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and herbs, all drizzled with sweet fish sauce. This dish can be enjoyed at street vendors across the city and is perfect for a light winter meal.
Where to find it: 8 Le Ngoc Han Street, 296 Minh Khai Street, 106 Goc De Street.
2. Banh Troi Tau (Glutinous Rice Balls)
Banh Troi Tau is a winter favorite in Hanoi. These chewy rice flour balls are filled with either green bean paste or black sesame paste and are served in a warm, sweet ginger syrup. The comforting ginger flavor and the soft texture of the rice balls make it a must-try treat during the cold months.
Where to find it: 30 Hang Giay Street, 90 De To Hoang Street, 1 Bat Dan Street.
3. Hot Cassava Sweet Soup
For those looking for something sweet, the Hot Cassava Sweet Soup is a delightful winter dessert. Made with cassava cooked in sugar and ginger, this warm and thick soup offers a fragrant, rich taste. Tapioca flour gives it a smooth texture, and the addition of coconut milk creates a soothing experience on cold days.
Where to find it: 75 Tran Xuan Soan Street, 39 Ly Quoc Su Street, 90 De To Hoang Street.
4. Black Sesame Sweet Soup
Originating from Chinese cuisine, the Black Sesame Sweet Soup is a thick, nutty dessert with a ginger twist. Despite its simple appearance, this dish has a rich, sweet flavor and is often enjoyed for its health benefits, including its aid in digestion. The warmth and spiciness of the ginger make it an excellent choice for winter.
Where to find it: 30 Hang Giay Street.
5. Pork Rib Porridge
Pork Rib Porridge is a hearty dish perfect for warming up on chilly afternoons. Hanoians prepare this porridge by grinding rice into powder to achieve a smooth texture, which is then cooked with tender pork ribs. The savory, aromatic flavor is enhanced with fried dough, shallots, and pork floss, making it a satisfying yet light snack.
Where to find it: 14 Dong Xuan Street, 142 Doi Can Street, 26 Tran Xuan Soan Street.
6. Banh Gio (Rice and Pork Pyramid Cake)
Banh Gio is another winter favorite in Hanoi. This pyramid-shaped rice cake, wrapped in banana leaves, is filled with ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots. The soft rice cake paired with the savory filling makes for a satisfying meal, especially when paired with pork rolls or pickles.
Where to find it: 3 Thuy Khue Street, 33 Dong Cac Street, 21 Luong Dinh Cua Street.
7. Fried Chung Cake (Sticky Rice Cake)
A winter delicacy reminiscent of the Lunar New Year, Fried Chung Cake is a small, square sticky rice cake filled with green beans and pork belly. Fried until golden brown, this dish offers a crispy outer layer while remaining soft on the inside, making it a popular snack during Hanoi’s coldest days.
Where to find it: 1B Thanh Ha Street, 73 Pham Hong Thai Street, Cau Dong Market.
8. Fried Rice Balls
Hanoi’s Fried Rice Balls are a sweet, crunchy treat often coated with sugar or molasses. Traditionally filled with green beans, variations have been introduced over the years, including a savory version filled with meat and wood ear mushrooms. The crispy exterior and soft interior make these a favorite snack for winter strolls.
Where to find it: 102E2 Thai Thinh Street, 52 Hang Chieu Street.
9. Steamed Buns
A common breakfast item, Steamed Buns are even more appealing during Hanoi’s winter. These soft, fluffy buns, filled with either green beans or a savory mixture of pork, mushrooms, and quail eggs, are often enjoyed with soy milk. The warmth and satisfying filling make them a perfect start to the day.
Where to find it: 146 Quan Thanh Street, 59 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street.
10. Grilled Corn and Sweet Potatoes
A quintessential winter street snack in Hanoi, Grilled Corn and Sweet Potatoes are cooked over glowing charcoal embers, filling the air with a mouth-watering aroma. Often paired with a cup of hot soy milk or tea, this simple snack is a comforting choice for late-night diners seeking warmth on cold winter evenings.
Where to find it: Various street corners throughout Hanoi.
Conclusion
Hanoi’s winter street food scene is a reflection of the city’s rich culinary traditions and its ability to bring warmth and comfort to the coldest days. From savory dishes like pork rib porridge to sweet treats like black sesame soup, these popular street foods provide a taste of the capital's vibrant culture. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring these winter delights is a must-do when the temperature drops in Hanoi.
Reviews from the experts
Reviews from our Clients on Trip Advisor
"We ask our clients after their tour with Vietnam Exploration Booking Tours to write a review on Trip...
