Our first days in Vietnam were focused on food. We didn’t know how to start! We didn’t know what we could eat without fear of stomach upsets, we didn’t understand the menu because everything was in Vietnamese. What’s worse, the owners didn’t speak English. Google Translator presented unrealistic translations that had nothing to do with reality, so we started our culinary adventures by choosing restaurants with photos of food and prices. What turned out to be a powerful lesson in Vietnamese cuisine for us was a food tour of Hanoi, previously purchased as a wedding gift by my sister.
It was a surprise until the last minute. The only information she gave us was that we were to show up on a specific date at our hotel reception. And so we did.
By scooter around Hanoi
Two young Vietnamese women were waiting for us, clearly surprised that we didn’t know what was going on. They understood that it was a surprise and, without asking any questions, we went towards the shelter where the scooters were waiting. And I already liked it – getting around Hanoi by scooter is practically impossible for a tourist. In the thicket of scooters, cars, trucks and bicycles, only a native Vietnamese can find his way. It’s a kind of controlled chaos, and the people of Hanoi, like one organism, find a method in this madness.
We got helmets, took passenger seats on the scooter and hit the road. I was a little worried because I felt „exposed” and not entirely safe as a passenger (oh, irony!). Halfway there, I realized that we weren’t going with just any amateurs. The young girls, whose task was to show us the culinary side of Hanoi on scooters, felt great on the streets of this crowded city.
Route and delicacies
Our route included 8 stops during which we tested various dishes related to Vietnamese cuisine. I know that depending on the company and offer, the number of stops and dishes may be different. During our food tour around Hanoi, we discovered the following flavors:
- Fresh Spring Rolls (Nem)
- Vietnamese coffee with eggs (on Train Street!)
- Vietnamese ice cream with coconut and pea flavor,
- Typical dishes like Bun Cha or Nom Thit Bo Kho
When you buy an attraction, you are not interested in any other costs. All meals in the restaurants are paid for by the guides. They usually come to an agreement with the owners, so you get your dish right after entering the place. In addition to food, you also receive water and/or drinks popular in the country, like green tea or beer.
We received not only a dose of culinary knowledge, but also information about less obvious attractions in the city that we hadn’t had time to explore. During each tasting stop, we had a visit to a popular point on the city map. And so, the girls showed us around the Tran Quoc Pagoda Buddhist Temple, took us on a tour of the Ambassador District and showed us the Catholic church in the city center.
Food Tour – idea
I realized that the idea of a Food Tour is not just about trying the dishes. It’s also about presenting the way of eating. Vietnamese cuisine (especially in the northern region) is focused on quick and easy to prepare dishes. Dishes are often broken down into „prime factors” for self-completion. Such as Bun Cha, for example, which are pork chops that float in broth. You get the noodles and herbs and lettuce separately, but you put everything together and eat it.
Of course, you eat everything with chopsticks. And here you also have the opportunity to learn how to use them. I guarantee that practice makes perfect and over time you will use them like a native Vietnamese. The guides will certainly instruct you.
PS: The girls admitted that they sometimes eat European dishes like pizza, but they do it very rarely. Mainly because of the prices of these dishes, which are simply high, but also because of another problem that I fully understand. Many Vietnamese do not know how to use cutlery. Our guides were very happy to learn that pizza is properly eaten with the hands ;).
For whom is the Hanoi food tour?
- It’s good for the beginning of a trip when we experience Vietnamese cuisine for the first time. There are so many additions, ingredients and serving suggestions. If we want to learn how to eat properly in Vietnam, it’s worth taking advantage of the Food Tour offer,
- It’s a good combination of sightseeing and eating. Add to that traveling on a scooter and you have great fun!
- Typically, the Hanoi Food Tour lasts 3-4 hours. You’ll eat a lot during this time, so it’s better to come to the event hungry. If you like discovering new flavors, this is definitely something for you!
The offer that we (actually my sister) took advantage of is available on TripAdvisor, specifically HERE. There are several options for exploring Hanoi combined with a Food Tour:
- Hanoi old quarter sightseeing & street food eating by Motorcycle (55$ per person)
- Tasting 8 Different Hanoi Street Foods at Noon Time (26$ per person)
- Tasting 8 Different Street Foods + Local Drink at Evening Time by Walking (32$ per person)
Of course, the offer may vary depending on the company. We had great girls who were awsome as food guides in Hanoi. I am very grateful to them for this!
Train Street
Thanks to our guides, we also got to Train Street (which is not fully accessible to tourists for security reasons). It’s a street with railway tracks and a train passes by every day at certain times. There are policemen with barricades along the train route and it’s currently practically impossible for tourists to enter on their own. To get to this street you need to have good contacts and a bit of luck ;). The train passes extremely close to the buildings, which looks amazing! At this time, street cafes fold their tables and send customers inside.
Food Tour in Hanoi – is it worth it?
I am very grateful to my sister for buying us this attraction as a wedding gift ;). It was a wonderful and delicious adventure and, above all, a great lesson about Vietnamese cuisine. If you are considering purchasing such an attraction, I definitely recommend it.
Do people still eat dogs in Vietnam?
Additionally, here are some interesting facts about the taboo topic of eating dogs (information from guides):
- Vietnamese still eat dogs. It’s true that the government and Western influences are slowly changing this issue, but it’s still practiced.
- Dog meat is considered a delicacy and is served, for example, during family events. There is no need to worry that someone will secretly serve you dog meat; it’s expensive and rather exclusive,
- The meat is not considered particularly tasty;
- Vietnamese usually eat dogs from farms, but sometimes in the poorest regions dogs are eaten from the street.
Finally, some photos unrelated to the Food Tour that make me miss culinary Vietnam!
If you want to find out where I took photos of these delicious dishes, be sure to check HERE.
