West Lake Cuisine: A guide to delicious dishes not to be missed

West Lake is not only a romantic destination of Hanoi but also a vibrant culinary center, where flavors from traditional to modern converge. Walking around the lake, visitors can easily find special dishes, reflecting the rich culinary culture of the capital.

Iconic flavors

These are the dishes that have made a name for the cuisine of the West Lake area, attracting both locals and tourists from all over.

West Lake Shrimp Cake

When it comes to West Lake cuisine, shrimp cake is the first name that comes to mind. The restaurant at No. 1 Thanh Nien Street, with a history of more than 60 years, is a familiar address to enjoy this dish. Shrimp cake has a crispy fried dough crust, topped with fresh freshwater shrimp, served with sweet and sour sauce and fresh vegetables. This is a culinary experience not to be missed when coming here.

Address: 01 Thanh Nien Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9:00 - 22:00

Shrimp cake, a typical dish of West Lake area, Hanoi. — Shrimp cake is a typical dish associated with the name of West Lake.

Pho Gan

Pho Ganh brings a typical Hanoi pho flavor with broth simmered from beef ribs, creating a sweet and rich flavor. The tender beef, chewy pho noodles combined with harmonious spices, create a quality bowl of pho, rich in traditional flavor.

Address: 156 Vo Chi Cong Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 5:00 - 22:00

A hot bowl of beef pho in Hanoi. — Pho Ganh is famous for its rich broth and tender beef.

Explore the rich world of snacks

Around West Lake are countless shops selling delicious snacks, ideal for an afternoon of strolling and exploring.

Vong Thi Tofu

Vong Thi Tofu Pudding is a familiar destination for cooling off. A bowl of smooth, white tofu pudding, combined with fragrant jasmine syrup and toppings such as tapioca pearls and jelly, creates a refreshing dessert, especially attractive on summer days.

Address: Alley 6 Vong Thi, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 15:30 - 19:00 (Closed on Sundays)

Lac Long Quan Salty Fried Cakes

Located in lane 242 Lac Long Quan, this fried cake shop is famous for its crispy crust and full filling of meat, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms. The special thing is the dipping sauce mixed according to a special recipe, with a harmonious sour, spicy, salty, and sweet taste, adding to the appeal of the dish.

Address: Alley 242 Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10:00 - 19:00

Diverse snacks around West Lake. — Street snacks are an integral part of the West Lake culinary experience.

Quang Ba grilled skewers

Quang Ba grilled skewers are a familiar street food. The skewers are marinated with rich spices and grilled over charcoal, giving off a fragrant aroma. This is a popular snack when walking around the Quang Ba flower market area.

Address: Near Quang Ba flower market, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 - 22:00

Delicious food for cold days

As the weather turns cold, hot dishes around West Lake become more attractive than ever.

An Duong Chicken Soup

Chicken stew is a nutritious choice, especially suitable for cold days. Chicken is stewed with herbs, creating a rich, sweet broth with unique flavor. This dish is not only delicious but also good for your health.

Address: 31, lane 115, An Duong, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:00 - 18:00

Song Ha crab hotpot

With a spacious space, Song Ha crab hotpot is an ideal place for gatherings of friends and family. The crab hotpot has a rustic countryside flavor with fatty crab fat, rich broth, served with beef, tofu and fresh green vegetables.