There’s no doubt that Hanoi – Vietnam’s Capital is full of amazing mouth-watering tasty treats. And discovering Hanoi’s street food will be one of the best ways to understand more deeply about the beauty and attractiveness of Hanoi. When you hear about Vietnamese food, I’m sure you’ve heard of Pho, bun cha, fried spring rolls, and other well-known meals. But for first-time visitors from abroad, some of the bizarre dishes in Vietnam have been fascinating, astonishing, quite intriguing, that’ll even make a local to double-take but I promise you if you can get past some of the initial visual shock, they actually taste good!
Let me take you on a tour of Hanoi’s bizarre foods. We will give you a chance to tasting the hidden flavor of the city on this exciting experience for those brave enough!
On this tour, you’ll have the chance to try many Weird Vietnamese food
Trung vit lon – (Fertilized duck egg).
This is one of the dishes that foreigners find relatively easier to accept and enjoy in Vietnam compared to the dishes mentioned above. Balut is an egg in which the embryo of a duck has partially developed. It is considered a very rich source of protein and is consumed by adults and even children in Vietnam for breakfast (in the North) or dinner (in the South). Balut is often eaten with Vietnamese coriander leaves and dipped in a mixture of salt and chili with lime.
Oc- (Sea snails dishes)
When talking about snails in Vietnam, people are probably referring to sea snails. Especially in the North, in the area of Halong Bay, snail dishes are very popular.To properly enjoy snails, you first choose the type of snail, then how it’s cooked, and finally, you select your preferred sauce or seasoning. Common ingredients include lemongrass and ginger, tamarind sauce, and spring onions.
Silkworms, river worms and other worm dishes
Grilled silkworm nymphs (con nhong) or roasted silkworms is a popular street food in Vietnam, but they might seem quite exotic to foreigners. Many consider this to be one of the unusual foods in Vietnam, yet it’s also quite delicious. It’s highly regarded for its protein content and minerals. In rural areas of the northern region, silkworms are raised primarily for their silk production. You can easily find roasted silkworms as a common dish served in local eateries and rice stalls.
Tiet Canh- (Blood soup and animal organ soup)
Tiet Canh is a mixed dish that uses fresh blood and internal organs from various animals. Pork, beef, duck, or chicken can all be used to prepare this dish. At night, on the streetside eateries, it’s not uncommon to see a wide variety of internal organs available for you to choose from and add to your Tiet Canh. You can select duck liver, pig brains, heart, or beef stomach to enhance the diversity of the dish’s filling.
Ga Tan thuoc Bac – (Black chicken in herbal soup)
This soup is very popular in Vietnamese cuisine and is highly regarded for its health-supporting properties. The broth is prepared using Chinese herbs (traditional Chinese medicine) and dried fruits, including mugwort and dried persimmon.
The soup dish can be prepared with regular chicken, but it is most nutritious when cooked with black chicken, a special breed of chicken in Vietnam that is relatively small, about 1/2 to 1/3 the size of regular chickens. This dish is used to nourish women, children, and those recovering from illness.
Ruou ran – Snake wine
Snake wine, known as “ruou ran” in Vietnamese, is a unique traditional beverage rooted in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam. This distinctive drink involves infusing a venomous snake, usually a cobra or viper, into a bottle of rice wine or grain alcohol. As it ferments for months or even years, the snake’s venom and essence blend with the alcohol, creating a distinctive flavor and, according to some, medicinal properties.
The experience starts in the Old Town, right in the center but the rest of the time will be spent on the back streets of the city center, where not all visitors dare to explore on their own. We’ll stop by our favorite street food vendors and provide you with the specialties of the day. You will meet interesting Hanoi people and enjoy the street scene together! During your tour, you will receive various pieces of information. Cuisine is the main focus but we also provide insights into local culture, traditions and daily habits. We offer unfiltered walking tours, which means we’re happy to discuss both the fun and not-so-fun aspects of life in Hanoi. When many visitors write reviews, they will feel like they are walking around Hanoi with an old friend!
I can add some normal dishes to make the food experience more balanced. Just send me a message, and I’ll make this crazy thing more fun for you.
Must know: Bizarre Vietnamese food has a very unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. We only provide what the locals eat. The amount of food provided on this tour is equivalent to a full meal.
Are you ready?
| INCLUDE |
| – 5 to 6 different street food – English speaking guide during the tour |
| EXCLUDE |
| – Other meals and beverages not include in the tour – Tips for tour guide |
Children Policy
- Children under 5 years old is free of charge
- Children from 6 – 9 years old is charge 75% of adult’s price
- Children from 10 years old is charge as an adult
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Within 12 hours: 50% of the total purchase amount
