Bun Cha: Hanoi’s Irresistible Culinary Icon

In Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi, it is essential that one gets to taste the bún chả at least once as it is one of the key culinary cultural ambassadors in the country. In 2016, the American President at that time, Barack Obama was able to eat this dish from a street food outlet during his trip, which has also taken its popularity to another level. What are the reasons for the love of this very simple dish? You will find out more about goi cuon and other delicious Vietnamese street food in the concluding part of this article dedicated to bun cha from Hanoi.

Written by Thu Giang (Local Expert) Updated on 06-11-2024

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1. What is Bun Cha?

Bun, literally "noodles" in Vietnamese, is served on a separate plate. The people of Hanoi are very picky eaters, and you'll clearly see this custom if you notice that each dish usually has a different type of noodle. To make a good bowl of Bun cha, the noodles need to be thin, soft, and rubbery.

Cha when produced with pork and roasted pork bears two varieties. Cha vien consists of meat, while Cha mieng is sliced grilled pork. It comes together with a strip of sauce, usually referred to as “nuoc mam”, which is very central to the meal.

In fact, it’s so crucial to the dish, that one could say that good and bad Bun cha depends on the taste and more importantly the flavor of the sauce. In one dish there is sweetness and sourness because, the cook combines fish sauce, vinegar and sugar. However, despite the easy ingredients, the difference in taste is caused by the selection of recipes in different restaurants.

Last but not least, Vietnamese cuisines are never presented without ingredients like vegetables, and herbs. As you sit around the table, on that enormous vegetable plate sits also fresh lettuce, coriander, mint, and crunchy fresh bean sprouts.

2. Bun cha, grilled pork noodles recipe

Street food in Vietnam is usually simple but subtle and delicate in its preparation. With the help of a Vietnamese cook in a cooking class in Hanoi, you will be able to learn and reproduce traditional Vietnamese dishes yourself like the locals. You can also make it at home by following our Bun cha Hanoi recipe below to prepare this delicious Vietnamese dish, which the whole family is sure to like!

Ingredients

• 500 grams of pork belly
• Lemon, chilli, garlic, shallot, green onion
• Kohlrabi, carrot
• Spices: pepper, caramel, black soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, cooking oil, soy sauce, honey
• Rice noodles

How to make Bun cha Hanoi?

Grilled pork

Slice the pork belly into small pieces. Mix pork, fish sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, honey, onion and garlic in a large bowl. Then refrigerate the mixture for 30-60 minutes to marinate better. Heat a large skillet with vegetable oil until caramelized and golden brown.

Vietnamese sauce (nuoc cham)

Take a mixnig bowls of sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice, mix well and set aside. Then, add in the following fish sauce, water, garlic, chilli and mix well again. It should be neither too sweet nor too salty or too sour but rather a good harmony of all. A bowl of salsa is garnished with thin strips of zanaharia and green papaya.

You’re done with the cooking! At this point add only plain rice noodles, grilled meat, fresh herbs and small bowl of sauce to the served meal. And there you have it, your Bun Cha is all set out for serving! Have fun!

3. Where to find the best bun cha in Hanoi?

Here are our best addresses for trying a delicious bowl of Bun cha:

Bun cha Huong Lien - c/Le Van Huu, 24

Bun cha Huong Lien, also known as 'Bun cha Obama,' became world-famous when President Obama dined there with Anthony Bourdain. That's why this restaurant is always crowded.

• Opening hours: 8:00 - 20:30
• Price: 40.000 - 50.000VND (~2$)

Bun cha Hang Manh - Hang Manh, 1

Bun cha Hang Manh, or Bun cha Dac Kim, is very familiar to both Hanoi residents and foreign visitors. Located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, it is always full of people who love its delicious Bun cha.

• Opening hours: 9:00 - 21:00
• Price: 50.000 - 70.000 (2-3$)

Bun cha Tuyet - Hang Than, 34

Another good place to try Bun cha in the Old Town is Bun cha Hang Than. With lots of noodles and grilled pork. 35,000 VND for a bowl and the quick service is a plus point for this restaurant

• Opening hours: 8:30 - 17:30
• Price: 35.000 (1.5$)

You will also need to know "what to see and do in Hanoi".

Do you like to eat Vietnamese food and want to know more about Vietnam's food culture? Take your curiosity further with the following articles:

• Vietnamese Pho: Recipe and Best Places to Taste in Vietnam
• Bun bo Hue: History, Recipe and Best Places to Try It When Traveling to Vietnam
• Banh mi: origins and recipes of the best Vietnamese snack

Image source: Internet