Hanoi Wonton Noodles: An Unforgettable Old Quarter Breakfast Experience

Start your day with the flavors of the old town.

Starting a new day in Hanoi, amidst the bustling atmosphere of the Old Quarter, nothing beats a steaming bowl of noodles. That was also the choice of Danny and Diggy, two British tourists, on their return to the capital after 7 years. Their go-to dish to kick off their culinary exploration was wonton noodles, a signature flavor not to be missed.

Two British tourists enjoy wonton noodles at a street food stall in Hanoi. — Danny and Diggy enjoyed wonton noodles for their first breakfast on their second trip back to Hanoi .

Wonton noodles: What's so special about a bowl of this noodle dish?

Wonton noodles, also known as wonton soup, originated in Guangdong, China, and were introduced to Vietnam in the 1930s. However, over time, the dish has been adapted to better suit Vietnamese tastes, creating a unique flavor that is both familiar and novel.

A hearty bowl of wonton noodles at a street stall on Hang Chieu Street, near O Quan Chuong Gate, which the two tourists enjoyed, cost 40,000 VND and was a symphony of many ingredients:

Egg noodles: Golden yellow, chewy and soft, and do not break apart when broth is added.
Wonton (sui gao) filling: A soft dough wrapper encasing a flavorful meat filling; available in both steamed and deep-fried versions.
Char siu pork: Thinly sliced, with a distinctive sweet and salty flavor.
Other toppings include: peeled shrimp, boiled egg, shiitake mushrooms, and a variety of fresh herbs.

A close-up of a bowl of wonton noodles with a generous amount of tempting toppings. — The wonton noodle dish was a delicious experience for the two Western tourists.

A culinary experience: From unfamiliar to captivating.

What's interesting about Danny and Diggy's story is the difference in their initial impressions. While Danny immediately loved the delicious, well-balanced broth and the succulent dumplings, Diggy found it a little unfamiliar due to a slightly distinctive smell.

However, the Hanoi street food experience always holds surprises. Just a few drops of lime and a little chili sauce, and Diggy exclaimed, "It's really delicious!" This shows that the secret to fully enjoying many Vietnamese dishes is to not hesitate to adjust the seasonings to your personal taste.

The female tourist tasted the broth and adjusted the seasoning to her liking. — Diggy tasted the broth, admitting that it wasn't to his liking at first, but after seasoning it, it tasted very good.

A guide to enjoying wonton noodles for tourists.

For the most complete wonton noodle experience in Hanoi, visitors can refer to the following suggestions:

A must-visit address

Hanoi has no shortage of delicious wonton noodle soup restaurants. You can find them on streets famous for this dish such as Hang Chieu, Dinh Liet, Han Thuyen, or Hoe Nhai. Some popular addresses include:

Phuong Beo Wonton Noodles
Duy Anh Wonton Noodle Soup
Phung Gia Wonton Noodles
Binh Tay Wonton Noodles

Experience street culture.

Enjoying wonton noodles isn't just about the food, it's about the atmosphere. Sitting on cute little plastic chairs, next to a steaming pot of broth, and watching the people go by is an inseparable part of Hanoi's street food culture. It's an authentic and memorable experience for any visitor.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/mi-van-than-ha-noi-trai-nghiem-bua-sang-pho-co-kho-quen-398597.html