A snow globe, a winter morning & the first “Taste of Hanoi”

Taste of Hanoi — December 13th, 2025

Despite the 13-hour time difference, I stayed up late waiting for Alan, a chef from the U.S., was just starting his day before work - just so we could finally talk. From the very first conversation, we were already counting down the days with excitement. And today, on an early-winter morning, we finally welcomed Alan and his brother for their very first walking food tour in Hanoi.

We started the day with bánh giò - a unique, pyramid-shaped dish that is simple yet beloved as a Hanoi breakfast. Chau (Casey) then led them through tiny alleys into many small local spots that tourists rarely find, places where they were often the only foreign guests. Dish by dish, they discovered the soul of Hanoi food: green papaya salad, Vietnamese donuts, egg coffee, etc. The steamed rice rolls completely stole their hearts and proudly earned the highest score of the day.

At the end of the tour, I finally met them in person to give them the small gifts we had prepared - just a simple way to say hello and thank them for choosing us to explore Hanoi with. And surprisingly, they had prepared something for me too: a snow globe brought all the way from the U.S., because I once mentioned I had never seen real snow in my life. Needless to say, my heart melted so hard!

Check out the pics below to see the moments we shared that day.

They enjoyed the pyramid dumpling so much that they practiced all the Vietnamese words Chau taught them and happily told the vendor, “ngon!” - which means “delicious.”

Chau then took them to a small shop run by a local family for over 30 years, where they instantly fell in love with the tiny but incredibly tasty “bánh rán.”

Next stop: river crab noodle soup - tangy, rich in umami, with a special touch of shrimp paste that brings everything together. They finished it in a blink.

They gave all the dishes a perfect 10/10! And for these banh cuon - the steamed rice rolls - they gave an outstanding 12/10! 😍

“We’d never find this place by accident!”, Alan & Greg, excited, as we led them to a local café with a narrow, hidden entrance. Just look at their faces. 😜

Say hello to our “Santa” - Alan with a creamy egg-foam mustache after the first sip of egg coffee 😆. Not his first time trying it, but still a big hit 😉.

After all the flavors, stories, and laughs, we couldn’t forget a group photo with Alan & Greg - two of the warmest, sweetest and funniest guests. 🧡

I saved a favorite for last: waiting until the very end to meet them in person and give them the special gifts we had prepared. 🥰

And finally, here we are. Greg, Alan, and me, with their surprise gift for me. Even now, as I’m writing this - with the snow globe right next to me - my heart still feels full. ❤️

If you’d love to experience Hanoi food the way we do - slowly, locally, and full of stories - you can explore our walking food tour in Hanoi and book your experience here:

👉 Taste of Hanoi walking street food tour

We’d love to show you Hanoi through our eyes, one hidden corner and one shared meal at a time. 🧡

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Dung (Emma) Co-founder of Beyond Vietnam

Xin chào! I’m Dung, but many travellers call me Emma. I grew up on the outskirts of Hanoi, and no matter how far I travel, this busy and slightly chaotic city still feels most like home.

I’ve explored Vietnam on my own and with the people I love, while also spending years volunteering and joining community projects. Along the way, I’ve collected plenty of stories, local tips and unforgettable moments. I share them here to help you feel closer to Hanoi and Vietnam, hopefully even before you arrive.

You can also find me on Facebook. Come and say hi!