Hanoi food tour
Pack the loose trousers. Youโre going to need them. Weโre heading into the backstreets of the Old Quarter to find the real deal โ the street food heroes and the generational cooks keeping the culinary soul of the North alive.
We'll meet at the historic Old Quarter, navigating through street food vendors, decades-old eateries and family-owned recipes that have been passed down generations. Nearby the morning market, we'll crunch on crispy hand-pressed pillow cakes, and chew on translucent tapioca dumplings and chomp on caramelized pork belly.
Weโre hitting a century-old institution for a Hanoian classic - chแบฃ cรก lรฃ vแปng โ turmeric-stained fish sizzling in a pan of dill. Then follows a steamy, life-affirming bowl of phแป at a Michelin-rated joint that lets the broth do all the talking. Among many more surprises, this is a movable feast of 15+ tastings across 7-8 stops โ including some signless spots that most tourists walk right past without a second glance.
Youโll stand witness as the masters stretch bรกnh cuแปn rice rolls over steam griddles with surgical precision. Then we dive into bรบn chแบฃ charred pork patties doused in a sweet broth that remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of Hanoi lunches.
Weโll discover young green rice flakes bundled in banana leaves, and later cutting the humidity with a refreshing jolt of dracontomelon juice. We wrap the day with a thick, velvety egg coffee โ a Hanoian liquid gold. Our guide is your seasoned culinary fixer, arming you with the insider food knowledge for the rest of your Vietnam vacation. Come hungry, the North rarely does small portions.
Why this tour is awesome
Weโre taking you deep into the Northern culinary underbelly to meet the street food heroes who have been holding down the same patch of sidewalk for generations. Hanoi isn't just a city you 'see'โitโs a city you swallow. Youโll leave with a belt-busting haul of memories and an initiation into the lively heartbeat of the Northern Vietnamese menu.
Your guide
Born and bred in the buzzing heart of the city, Lily is a Hanoian through and through with a PhD in finding the perfect broth. Her enthusiasm is as infectious as the Hanoi hum, and she lives to show off the secret alleyway gems sheโs been eating at since she could walk. If you want to see the city through the eyes of a fun-loving local legend, Lily is your guide.
Meet the food heroes that are beating to the morning pulse of Hanoi
A recipe born in Hanoi - cha ca va long - Vietnamese turmeric fish with dill
In the heart of the historic Old Quarter
Freshly-made banh cuon pancakes with a dash of lime
Family-owned eateries with closely guarded recipes
Piping hot Vietnamese pho - so good Michelin listed this joint
Decades-old historic venues, passed over generations
Translucent tapioca dumplings and hand-made pillow cakes
A tasty spread from nearby the morning market
Smiling local hosts from Northern Vietnam
Visit a few Michelin rated places along the way
Grilled bun cha pork over stringy noodles
Be curious to try new foods you'll struggle to find alone
Includes
- Price US $45 per person
- Tastings 15+ food tastings included, more than any other Hanoi food tour
- Stops Movable feast with 7-8 stops
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start Time 10:00AM
- Duration Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Guide Led by one of our superb Hanoi food hosts
- Transport / Walking Walking tour with 7-8 stops
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Meat and seafood are used in 5-6 tastings
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in 6-7 tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 4-5 tastings
- Pork Possible, though pork is used in 3-4 dishes. Unsuitable for halal diets.
- Halal Unsuitable, as there are no vendors on the tour route that hold halal certification.
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Possible, though gluten is used in 1-2 tastings, and soy sauce in more tastings. Unsuitable for celiac disease.
- Lactose Intolerance Suitable for lactose intolerances, only 1-2 tastings have lactose
- Peanuts / Tree Nut Allergy Possible for mild allergies, though peanuts are used in 1-2 tastings. There are no other known tree nuts
- Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Possible for mild allergies, though whole seafood is used in 1-2 tastings. Fish sauce is used in more tastings.
- Severe allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Hanoi lunchtime food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, pleaseย contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, pleaseย contact usย before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. Itโs a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best Hanoiย food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
This Hanoi food tour starts from the ร Quan Chuong arch in the historic Old Quarter. It's easily reachable from most hotels. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you find transport back if you wish. More details will be sent on your booking confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps