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This tour is not filled with BBQ dogs, partially formed chicken embryos, grilled pig penis, and other outrageous Vietnamese eats (because yes, all of this is rather easily found in the country). Intrepid eating simply refers to those willing to stray from the tourist trail and aren’t afraid to get their hands (or feet) a little dirty. We loved this tour because it explored two very non-touristy markets and allows you to sample a huge array of Vietnamese staples.
If you want to dive head first into Vietnamese cuisine and eat like a local — THIS is the Hanoi street food tour for you.
The Best Hanoi Food Tour: Hanoi Dawn (A Chef’s Tour)
We really try our best to support local organizations and small businesses. This tour is led by a wonderfully personable Hanoi chef who really knows her stuff. It’s also catered to a much more “foodie” audience rather than the typical tourist. Which you already know we love. We used this company in Mumbai and LOVED our experience — you can read about it here.
Things to Know Before Your Hanoi Street Food Tour
Obviously, come hungry. But there are a few other things you should keep in mind that are unique to this specific food tour.
This tour lasts about 4 hours. The guide is very prompt because she’s been doing this for 15 years. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and expect to be walking for the duration of the morning.
You will get food the Vietnamese way.
This isn’t a run-through of all the most “popular” spots. Bahn Mi 25 is not on this food itinerary. This is a look at traditional Hanoi eats and where a local might actually eat them. I personally LOVE food tours like this because it’s how you uncover the dishes you would literally never have known about otherwise.
The tour operates rain or shine. Dress appropriately.
Since you’ll be visiting an outdoor wet market during its busiest hours– you should also keep in mind that things can get a little messy. I wore a summer dress and sandals because even at 4 AM it was 90+ degrees and definitely ended up with all kinds of market goo covering my feet and splashing onto my legs. Maybe skip the long dresses.
Steel yourself for the meat market.
It’s important that we understand where our food comes from. That’s a major part of this tour. This nighttime market supplies all the restaurants and hotels with meat and veggies for the day’s menu. You may see a variety of meat being processed in the open, chickens & ducks being butchered, and fried dog meat. This is a popular dish in North Vietnam still. But don’t worry. It’s not on the tour menu.
If you are NOT a meat eater A Chef’s Tour can definitely accommodate you as far as eating on the tour. But keep in mind that since this is an open market, the odds that you’ll see the meat being “processed” are still very high. Make sure that is something you are prepared for.
Tip Your Guide!
Tips are definitely not required but I happily gave our guide a small tip ($5 from each of us). She was super knowledgeable about Vietnamese culture, and food, and answered my endless questions at the market.
A Typical Hanoi Dawn Food Tour Itinerary
Keep in mind this is NOT a set schedule. The tour changes by season and by day because the local market is unpredictable when it comes to timing. This is the array of dishes we got to eat on our Hanoi Dawn Food Tour.
Be prepared this is A LOT of eating before 8 AM. If you’re coming to Hanoi directly from the US or Europe it might actually be easier on you because of the time difference!
Pick Up: Your Hotel
One of the things I loved about this particular tour is that it is a private experience and the guide picks you up from your hotel! No other guests to wait on or to cater to their needs. Just be sure to be punctual because the tour REALLY does need to start at 4 AM if you want to see the market in full swing. Things clean up quickly.
Stop 1: Long Bien Bridge Market
This is the lovely outdoor night market where most of the tour will take place. You *could* visit this place on your own (sometime between 3 AM – 4 AM) but honestly, without a guide, you’ll get little more than chaotic market photos.
Stop 2: Mangosteen + Lychee
Your first taste of Vietnamese food is going to be a sampling of seasonal tropical fruits. During June, this meant Mangosteen and Lychee.
Stop 3: Squid + Snail Cakes
Freshly fried and absolutely delicious. Shocking, because I’m not usually a big snail person.
Stop 4: Fresh Herb Omelet
A quick omelet fried up within the market with an abundance of greens. This particular herb is good for fixing headaches and fevers.
Stop 5: Assorted Sticky Rice
An array of savory sticky rice that you can find all over the streets of Hanoi…if you know how to look for it.
Stop 6: Coconut + Mung Bean Jelly
It may look like dessert and have a pretty mucusy texture but the light refreshing pudding-type dish is great for breakfast.
Stop 7: Village Rice Pancake + Hanoi Pork/Mushroom Rice Pancake
We tried two different thin rice pancakes. The simple cold one that is popular in the villages and the hot mushroom and pork-filled variety up the street.
Stop 8: Fried Tofu + Pork/Sticky Rice Balls w/ Bun Noodles
Freshly fried tofu that just might be the silkiest tofu I’ve ever consumed. Be sure to try the shrimp paste…even though it’s not super popular with tourists.
Stop 9: Bun Cha
This just might be my favorite Vietnamese dish of all time.
Stop 10: Pork Balls w/ Bamboo & Glass Noodles
Personally, my least favorite dish. But Evan loved the glass noodles inside the soup. I think bamboo just isn’t for me. That’s not to say it wasn’t good, it just wasn’t my favorite from the many we tried.
Stop 11: Pho Ga
A classic bowl of pho. Perfectly seasoned and served with no frills.
Stop 12: Bahn Mi
You’ll probably eat no less than 20 Bahn Mi during your time in Vietnam. It’s a lunch staple and made differently at every single stall you visit. Bahn Mi 25 is the tourist favorite with lots of options and customization but locals all have their own favorite stall serving the sandwich to their preferences. I enjoyed getting to try a small stand that I had never heard of on this tour.
Stop 13: Traditional Vietnamese Coffee (Egg, Coconut, Condensed Milk, etc.)
Pick your poison here. Coconut coffee is my go-to on a hot day but the egg coffee is an absolute must-try at least once.
Book Your Hanoi Dawn Tour Online!
Vietnam is definitely one of the most underrated foodie destinations in the world. While I love the cuisine of Thailand, I think that Vietnam has even more to offer adventurous eaters. We spent a full week eating our way through Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and still left with loads of restaurant and food stall recommendations. Hanoi’s food scene is a little harder to crack into as an independent traveler and therefore this food tour was a welcome easy way to get our bearings in the chaotic northern capital.
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