Hanoi in Asia's top 10 for street food: What dishes do tourists love?

(Dan Tri) - Hanoi has just been honored in the list of 10 cities with the best street food in Asia announced by Time Out magazine (UK), ranked 2nd after Penang (Malaysia).

Hanoi in top 10 cities with best street food in Asia

Hanoi is the only representative of Vietnam to appear in this ranking, surpassing many other famous destinations, including Singapore - whose Hawker culture (popular culinary culture) has been recognized by UNESCO.

According to Time Out , the charm of Hanoi cuisine does not come from luxurious restaurants but lies in the simplicity and intimacy of sidewalk stalls.

Hanoi is in the top 10 cities with the most attractive street food in Asia (Photo: Toan Vu).

According to the magazine, the capital of Vietnam is a "culinary paradise" stretching from small, deserted alleys, winding concrete stairs to busy intersections. In each place, one can find a dish that captivates diners.

In the list of suggestions, Time Out not only praises Hanoi cuisine in general but also leads visitors into very specific experiences, associated with each familiar address.

Time Out 's suggested dining spots include Banh Mi 25 in the Old Quarter, Ms. Minh's pho shop in Hang Trong, Banh Cuon Ba Loc or Bun Cha Restaurant 74 Hang Quat.

Hanoi's presence in the top 10 cities with the best street food in Asia this time is not only the pride of the capital's people but also a testament to the enduring vitality of street food.

Photos of restaurants in Hanoi on Time Out magazine (Photo: Time Out).

In August, Vietnam welcomed nearly 1.7 million international visitors, bringing the total number of visitors in the first 8 months of the year to more than 13.9 million, up 21.7% over the same period in 2024.

In that general picture, Hanoi continues to emerge as an attractive destination. According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism , in the first 3 months of this year alone, the capital welcomed about 7.3 million visitors, an increase of 8.7% over the same period in 2024. International visitors alone are estimated at 1.85 million, an increase of 17.4%.

Notably, during the recent National Day holiday on September 2, Hanoi is estimated to welcome nearly 2.1 million visitors, three times higher than the same period in 2024, including more than 80,000 international visitors, an increase of 35%.

Many opinions say that one of the most important factors that keeps international visitors in Hanoi is street food.

"Magnet" attracting international visitors

In recent times, Hanoi street food has also become a source of inspiration for many international YouTubers and food bloggers.

Ted Aroi (Taiwan, China) - owner of a YouTube channel with more than 14,000 subscribers - spent his short trip in Hanoi exploring 10 pho restaurants, many of which are affordable.

Banh Cuon Ba Loc is one of the dining spots in Hanoi mentioned by Time Out magazine (Photo: Toan Vu).

He experienced different flavors and gave a lot of praise to Hanoi pho in particular and Hanoi cuisine in general. Notably, the special pho at Goc Gao restaurant was ranked at the top of the list by him, because of the harmony in the broth and the quality of the beef despite the cheap price, a mixed bowl is only 50,000 VND.

Meanwhile, Suhyang (South Korea) - who owns a YouTube channel with more than 716,000 subscribers - did not hesitate to express his excitement and anticipation of eating Hanoi pho even before landing at Noi Bai airport.

Besides pho, she also tried banh mi nem khoai, pho tron, fried rice with beef and cucumber, lemon tea, corn milk... and affirmed that Hanoi cuisine makes her want to come back many more times.

Suhyang expressed her interest in street food in Hanoi (Photo: Cut from clip).

Those personal experiences, when widely shared on social networks, have contributed to spreading the image of Hanoi to the global food-loving community.

Hanoi street food therefore brings both a unique experience to international visitors and a livelihood for small businesses. However, for this "magnet" to fully develop its appeal, Hanoi needs to simultaneously address issues of management, hygiene, food safety and sustainable development.

Mr. Ngo Tien Long - Former Director of the Cipher Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - once commented that the streets of Hanoi, especially the Old Quarter and central districts, are always bustling with international tourists, which is a very encouraging sign.

The joy is even greater when this trend is also taking place in many other tourist centers across the country. According to him, policies such as ensuring a safe and friendly tourism environment, facilitating entry and accommodation procedures, upgrading infrastructure, promoting products, etc. have initially shown effectiveness.

Time Out recommends bun cha for tourists visiting Hanoi (Photo: Khoi Vu).

However, to maintain the growth momentum and attract more tourists, especially those who return many times, Hanoi needs to resolutely deal with sidewalk encroachment, keep the streets clean and improve the quality of the living environment. Only then will cuisine truly become a sustainable competitive advantage.

In the context of the rapidly increasing number of international visitors to Vietnam, building the brand Hanoi - Capital of Street Food is not only feasible, but can also become a "cultural passport" bringing the city's image closer to international friends.

In the ranking of 10 cities with the best street food in Asia announced by Time Out magazine, after Penang (Malaysia) and Hanoi, the next positions belong to Singapore, Mumbai (India), Chiang Mai and Bangkok (Thailand), Tainan (Taiwan, China), Osaka (Japan), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Chengdu (China).

Time Out was founded in 1968 in London (UK), and is one of the most prestigious international publications on culture, art, travel and cuisine.

In addition to the traditional print edition, the magazine's online platform has also become a trusted reference, sought out by both locals and global travelers looking to discover unique experiences.

The list of 10 cities with the best street food in Asia is based on specific criteria such as reasonable prices, convenient access and especially food quality - factors that help to truly reflect the street food scene in each city.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/ha-noi-vao-top-10-chau-a-ve-am-thuc-duong-pho-du-khach-me-man-mon-gi-20250919152058004.htm