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Best food tour in Hanoi - a local journey shared with love

Hanoi, August 31st, 2025

Best food tour in Hanoi - a local journey shared with love

While searching for "the best food tour in Hanoi", Vera and Charlie from the U.S. found us. What drew them in wasn’t just the food, but the fun moments, energetic guides, and honest local stories. Knowing that Beyond Vietnam is run by a team of young local women who truly love Hanoi and proudly support small local vendors, they chose our Taste of Hanoi food tour without hesitation.


And finally, we welcomed them to Hanoi. From the very first steps, our walking tour led them through hidden corners and small local eateries that many travelers rarely visit. Dish by dish, Hanoi slowly revealed itself. Among all the flavors, bún riêu — river crab noodle soup — quickly became their favorite. One blink… and every bowl was empty. They loved its light yet flavorful broth, especially with a touch of special mắm tôm (shrimp paste). Bánh cuốn — steamed rolled rice pancakes — followed closely behind, earning an instant “Wow” from the very first bite.


But what made the experience truly memorable wasn’t just the food. Vera and Charlie shared how much they appreciated visiting less touristy, truly local and authentic spots, listening to the stories behind each dish, and genuinely connecting with Casey, our guide, and our beloved local vendors. Along the way, conversations flowed easily — and somewhere in between, it felt less like a tour and more like reuniting with friends.


Let’s scroll through the photos below to join us! 👇


One bite in, “bánh giò” - pyramid rice dumpling gently won our friends over. Comforting, well-balanced with the silky rice flour layer outside - the part they loved most.
Next stop: “bánh rán” - Vietnamese donuts. Vera and Charlie were so excited to take a bite of that delicious tiny golden balls.
Sitting in a humble local spot, our friends savored a warm bowl of “bún riêu” - river crab noodle soup each, soaking in a truly authentic experience.
Charlie’s happy face says it all! Nothing left but clean bowls and a satisfied smile. That’s how you know the “bún riêu” hit just right. Would you like to try it?
There’s nothing like sitting on tiny stools, tiny table on the sidewalk, watching “bánh cuốn” - steamed rolled rice pancakes freshly made in front of our eyes!
Charlie especially enjoyed “bánh cuốn”. One bite and he immediately fell in love with the soft texture, perfectly balanced filling and flavorful fish sauce.
And for dessert? The mixed chè - sweet soup was a solid 9/10, but fresh lotus seed and longan chè? An instant favorite: fresh, sweet and fruity.
We ended the day at a traditional cafe, sipping Vietnamese coffee, chatting like friends for a long time. Casey and us will miss you guys so much, Vera and Charlie!

If you’re looking for a family-friendly food tour in Hanoi, we’d love to show you the city the way locals do. 👉 Check out our Taste of Hanoi walking street food tour


Ngan (Hazel)

Beyond Vietnam


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