Hanoi: 22 places to eat breakfast from 3 AM to noon.

Breakfast in Hanoi has its own rhythm: from places that open at 3:00 AM to catch the early morning train, to those that only sell breakfast and close as soon as the sun rises. If you want to start your day with a dish that's right for you (clear broth, crispy fried fish, a plate of hot steamed rice rolls), the list of 22 places below is compiled by dish and area, with addresses and opening hours from the source.

Quick selection by time slot

03:00-08:00: Breakfast for early risers

Banh Mi Dan To (a type of Vietnamese sandwich) – 32 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 03:00 – 08:00.

The sandwiches here are unique: fillings like pâté, meat, sausage, eggs, and hot dogs are mixed together and stir-fried before being sandwiched between the bread. If you need a quick meal before your morning schedule, this is a suitable option, especially during their opening hours.

06:00-14:00: The "golden hour" for pho and noodle dishes.

Pho Ly Quoc Su – 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi; N2A Hoang Minh Giam Street, Hanoi; 26 Lot 6 To Huu Street, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00.
Huyen Thu Crab Noodle Soup – 2F Quang Trung, Cua Nam, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 14:00.
Bun Thang Hang Manh – 29 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 14:00.

For pho, you can choose beef and chicken pho, rare beef pho, or a special bowl of pho depending on your preference; the highlight is the chewy, soft rice noodles and the fragrant, rich broth, according to the source. As for Bun Thang Hang Manh, it's mentioned for its clear broth, the aroma of shiitake mushrooms and dried shrimp; the colorful bowl of noodles is perfect for starting a long day of traveling in the city center.

08:30-22:30: Extended breakfast time, suitable for late sightseeing schedules.

Bun Cha Dac Kim Hang Manh – No. 1 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 08:30 – 21:00.
Bun Oc Ba Luong – Nos. 34 and 64, Alley 191, Khuong Thuong, Hanoi. Opening hours: 08:30 – 22:30.

If you prefer a rich flavor, Dac Kim Hang Manh's bun cha is described as having marinated, charcoal-grilled pork patties and a flavorful broth; just add a squeeze of lime when eating. Ba Luong's bun oc is a suggestion for those who love the chewy, crunchy texture of snails in a large bowl of noodles with a rich, savory broth.

Explore the city center using a "taste map."

If you're in the Hoan Kiem area and want to do a lot of walking, you can choose a cluster of restaurants close together, eat at a steady pace in the morning, and then continue your journey.

Hoan Kiem Old Quarter: noodle dishes, spring rolls, and sticky rice.

Banh Cuon Ba Hanh – 16B Tho Xuong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00.
Xôi Yến – Branch 1: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi; Branch 2: 29A Tran Hung Dao, Cua Nam, Hanoi. Opening hours: Branch 1: 06:30 - 23:30; Branch 2: 07:00 - 21:30.
Phu Doan Eel Vermicelli – 9 Phu Doan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00.

Mrs. Hanh's steamed rice rolls are described as thin, translucent white, and soft; the filling includes wood ear mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms, and sprouts. For sticky rice, Xôi Yến offers a diverse menu of options from sticky rice with shredded chicken, corn sticky rice, plain sticky rice, and many toppings such as pâté, chicken stir-fried with mushrooms, braised pork, fried eggs, and Chinese sausage… If you prefer a lighter flavor, Phủ Doãn's eel vermicelli is recommended, featuring carefully prepared eel, a sweet and savory bone broth, and a touch of sour vinegar for a balanced taste.

Cua Nam and surrounding areas: rice noodle soup with crab, stewed meat, and other flavorful dishes.

Huyen Thu Crab Noodle Soup – 2F Quang Trung, Cua Nam, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 14:00.
Dinh Ngang Bread with Wine Sauce – 30 Dinh Ngang Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi. Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Duy Anh Wonton Noodles and Rice Noodle Soup – Branch 1: 98A Tran Hung Dao Alley, Cua Nam, Hanoi; Branch 2: 100 Cua Bac, Hanoi. Opening hours: Branch 1: 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM; Branch 2: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM.
Viet Duc Balut (fertilized duck egg) - 42K Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi. Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

If you need a hearty breakfast, the Dinh Ngang bread with wine sauce is described as having a rich sauce and plenty of meat; the beef tendon is simmered thoroughly. Meanwhile, the Huyen Thu vermicelli soup stands out for its rich broth, fragrant with fermented rice vinegar from its source.

Other options worth trying for each dish.

Banh Bao 146 Quan Thanh – 146 Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 09:30.
Bun doc mung (rice noodles with taro stems) at 18 Bat Dan Street – 18 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 09:00 – 22:00.
Banh Da Cua (Crab Noodle Soup) 6A Phung Hung – 6A Phung Hung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Opening hours: 06:00 – 20:30.
Hanh Beo Fish Noodle Soup – 30 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi. Opening hours: 09:00 – 14:30.
Quan's Sticky Rice Cake Shop – 35 Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi; 102C6 Luong Dinh Cua Street, Hanoi; Alley 46B Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Hanoi. Opening hours: 05:00 – 20:00.
Huong Mai Pho Cuon (rolled pho) – 25 Ngu Xa, Hanoi; 108 B1 Tran Huy Lieu, Hanoi; 23 Nguyen Thi Dinh, Hanoi. Opening hours: 09:00 – 21:30.
Bun Bo Hue An Cuu – Vinaconex 3 Urban Area, Hanoi; 153 Hoang Ngan Street, Hanoi; 2, Alley 85, 19/5 Street, Hanoi; 151 Doi Can Street, Hanoi; 37 Com Vong Street, Cau Giay District. Opening hours: 07:00 - 14:00; 17:00 - 21:00.
Cúc Pork Rib Congee – 262 Me Tri Thuong, Hanoi; 142D Doi Can, Hanoi. Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00.
Hot steamed rice cake at Thuy Khue – (source does not provide a specific address; describes the dish as "dinosaur-sized steamed rice cake").
Rice balls with sesame seeds and salt – street vendors on streets such as Chua Boc, Thai Ha, Xuan Thuy, Le Trong Tan… Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Price: from 5,000 VND.

With Hanh Beo's fish noodle soup, the description states that the fish is fried when ordered, served with noodles and a sweet and sour dipping sauce. If you prefer spring rolls, Huong Mai's pho rolls use stir-fried beef and herbs as filling, wrapped in thin, chewy rice noodles, and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce.

Suggestions for a family lunch after breakfast (half-day)

If you're traveling with young children and want to add an indoor attraction, we suggest VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium at Vincom Mega Mall Times City. Vinpearl Aquarium is advertised as home to over 30,000 marine creatures; it covers an area of 4,000m2 and is divided into three zones: a saltwater zone, a freshwater zone, and a reptile cave zone.

Next to the aquarium is the VinKE educational amusement park, which features activities that offer hands-on experiences related to future careers and games such as: a royal carousel, bumper cars, etc.

Tips for enjoying a "perfect" breakfast in Hanoi

Be mindful of opening hours : many stalls operate between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM; some open much earlier, such as between 3:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
Choose by area : Hoan Kiem is convenient for walking and visiting many places in the morning; if going further, prioritize one main dish and then combine it with sightseeing.
Check before you go : Please note that the information provided is general and for reference only, and may change from time to time; if you plan to visit, you should contact the facility directly for updates.

With these 22 suggestions, you can create your own "breakfast map" to suit your schedule: eat early to catch your flight, eat late for a more leisurely time, or eat by dish to explore different facets of Hanoi's culinary scene.