Spicy Level : 1/3*
Weirdness Level : 1/3*
What Kind of Food Is Popular in Hanoi, Vietnam?
Have you seen this picture before? It is part of Anthony Bourdain’s TV show, Parts Unknown (RIP Anthony Bourdain). He went to Hanoi, Vietnam with the former president Obama and tried Bun Cha. Obama repeatedly says OMG this is so good. And that is all I need to say about this Vietnamese dish.
What is Bun Cha?
Bun Cha is a Vietnamese cuisine originated from Hanoi. It is basically a dish of grilled pork (some places also have bite size hamburgers in it) and noodles. You can also find the best bun cha restaurants in Hanoi and HCMC on my other blog post here.
Bun Cha is a Grilled Pork and Vermicelli Noodles with a Dipping Sauce (Almost Like a Soup)
Bun Cha comes with a dipping sauce which makes this Bun Cha experience the BEESST. The dipping sauce is more like a soup. It includes a diluted fish sauce with sugar, lemon juice, vinegar and beef stock. Bun Cha has a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
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It also comes with garlic, chili, herbs and all kinds of vegetables on the side.
Where Should I Eat Bun Cha?
Bun Cha is originated from Hanoi, Vietnam. So it makes sense you try it in Hanoi. You can almost see it on every corner street selling Bun Cha. I tried so many different places and it is almost all good. But if you are not here to live, you might not have the luxury to try it everywhere.
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Try Huong Lien Where Obama Had His Very First Bun Cha
You should go to Hong Lien. It is a bit out of the French Quarter or the Backpacker’s District. But at least you can say you have been to the one Anthony Bourdain and Obama went. If not Here are the full list of Bun Cha restaurants you have to visit.
How Do You Eat Bun Cha?
Most of the time, the grilled pork and mini sized hamburger will already be dipped in the sauce. The only thing that comes separately will be the noodles and vegetables.
- If the grilled pork and mini sized meatball is not in the sauce, put in one or two
- Put the vermicelli noodles in the dipping sauce
- Put garlic and chili and some vegetables.
- Mix it
- Eat it and repeat
Some places will give you all separately and you will just have to all dip in the sauce (soup) and eat it like a noodle soup.
When Do You Eat Bun Cha?
Again, like pho, you can pretty much it any time and why not! I ate it in the morning when I was going out for a coffee. Again, I had it for dinner at a bit more fancy restaurant. I had it for lunch at the Obama restaurant. So it’s your choice!
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If you decide to try Bun Cha please let us know what you think of it and where was your favorite place!
* 1 (Non Spicy or Weird) – 3 (Super Spicy or Weird)