One of the biggest things that attracts people to Vietnam is the cuisine, and I’m going to walk you through the best northern Vietnamese dishes you must try. These northern Vietnamese dishes highlight some of the very best flavors Vietnam has to offer. From spectacularly fragrant herbs, to meats grilled to perfection, and the best tasting noodle soups you’ve ever had, these northern Vietnamese dishes will have you wanting to take a trip to the country, yourself.

1. Chả cá

A sophisticated dish, representative of the gastronomic essence of Hanoi, is chả cá. Chả cá, or grilled fish, typically uses catfish, as it’s a freshwater fish native to Vietnam. It’s marinated in a combination of garlic, ginger, turmeric, shallots, and fish sauce, then grilled over charcoal. But that’s not it. The final step in finishing chả cá actually happens at your table. A portable gas stove with a searing hot skillet will be brought to your table with dill, green onions, and the pre-grilled fish inside. The staff will also bring an assortment of accompaniments, such as peanuts, chilies, rice noodles, dipping sauce, and fresh herbs. The staff will come over to finish sautéing the fish and once it’s sizzling, it’s ready to eat. In a bowl, combine the fish, dill, and green onion mixture, along with the toppings and eat up! The turmeric not only gives the fish this vibrant yellow color, but also a mild earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the brightness of the fresh dill and green onions. One of my all time favorite dishes I tried in Vietnam, chả cá is commonly found in northern Vietnam and a must try dish in Hanoi!

2. Bún chả

I didn’t grow up eating pork and I still tend to stay away from it unless I’m traveling and trying local foods. But, oh my. This dish was utterly delicious. Said to have originated in Hanoi, bún chả is a grilled pork noodle soup. Don’t let the simplicity of the name fool you, though. It’s packed with flavor and I swear, you will want to finish the bowl even after you’ve declared you’re full. Like most Vietnamese dishes, bún chả is served with an assortment of fresh greens, chilies, and a vinegar sauce on the side. Besides being a tasty dish, it’s held in high regard in Hanoi, in particular, because of Barack Obama. Anthony Bourdain and President Obama enjoyed bún chả together in 2016 and only then did the dish become internationally recognized. Barack was such a remarkable spectacle in Hanoi, in fact, that I heard they even enclosed the table he sat at in glass for the foreseeable future. I guess there’s a first for everything, right?

3. Phở gà

So, I think it’s safe to say we all know about pho, right? There’s phở bo (with beef) and phở gà (with chicken). Most of us usually think of phở bo when we think about phở because it’s what’s most popular, especially in western countries. Perhaps it’s because it was new for me, but phở gà really stood out during my trip to Vietnam, so it made it on this list. Plus, phở gà is more popular in northern Vietnam, compared to southern Vietnam, where the beef dominates. Simplistic, yet super satisfying, phở gà has a warm, hearty flavor that leaves you feeling happy and relaxed. Don’t confuse it with a typical western style chicken noodle soup – a slew of Vietnamese herbs, plus an intense broth cooking process makes this stand out like no other. My favorite place to get it was at Phở Gà 26.

4. Bún riêu 

Before making my way to Vietnam, I really had only known about a couple of the more famous and world-renowned Vietnamese noodle soups, like pho. What I learned during my time in Hanoi, is that there are so many more delicious noodle soups in Vietnam – I feel grateful to have had the chance to try many, and bun rieu was one of them. Though there are a few different versions, I tried bún riêu cua, which is made with minced crab, crab paste, stewed tomatoes, fried tofu, and rice noodles. Don’t let the mashed paddy crab visual turn you off, though – bún riêu cua is an absolute gem with a satisfyingly sweet, yet tangy and savory flavor. Even with so many noodle soup dishes in Vietnam, bún riêu cua is a must try!

5. Bánh cuốn

Bánh meaning cakes (and other baked goods that contain flour) and cuốn meaning rolls, the name translates to “rolled cakes” and they are such a delight to eat! The batter is made primarily of rice flour and the traditional filling is usually a combination of pork, onion, mushrooms, and jicama, which are then rolled up and cut in half before being served. This was my first time trying bánh cuốn and there was just something comforting and satisfying about the warmth of each bite of freshly steamed rice rolls with a balanced mix of flavors coming from the filling. The fragrant chilies, kumquats, and sauces on the side are just the added touch to make each bite a perfect one.

6. Hoa quả dầm

A traditional fruit salad originating in Vietnam, hoa quả dầm is the perfect dessert to satiate your sweet tooth. Fresh fruits, such as lychee, durian, dragonfruit, mangosteen, strawberry, and mango are cut up in bite-sized pieces and scooped into a tall glass, which is then drizzled with a combination of coconut cream, condensed milk, and yogurt. With the condensed milk, I thought it’d be an overly sweet dessert – instead, it was refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness that you can easily finish the entire glass without feeling sick at all. Living in Japan where tropical fruits are exceptionally expensive, I always take opportunities while traveling to fully indulge in fresh tropical fruit dishes, and this one has to be one of my all-time favorites!

7. Cà phê trứng

Though I’m much more of a tea lover, I will almost never pass up a good quality cup of coffee. Luckily for me, good coffee is in abundance in Vietnam, so I had my fair share of it during my 11-day trip. Cà phê trứng is egg coffee. Yep, egg inside coffee. During the French war, egg coffee was invented in response to a milk shortage. Almost more dessert-like in my opinion, cà phê trứng is made with a sweet, thick, creamy layer of an egg yolk and condensed milk mixture sitting atop the rich, bitter coffee. Though home to Hanoi, cà phê trứng is enjoyed throughout Vietnam by both locals and foreigners, alike.