Eat Like a Local: Discover the Street Food Wonderland at Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi
If you’re craving an authentic taste of Hanoi, look no further than Dong Xuan Market—the city’s largest and most vibrant indoor marketplace. Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, this four-story Soviet-style building is more than just a shopping hub; it’s a true food lover’s paradise.
A Market Full of Surprises
Step onto the ground floor and you’ll find a bustling fresh market, where locals haggle over seafood, meat, and vegetables. Climb higher and the stalls shift into colorful chaos—printed T-shirts, luggage, fabrics, and household items in every direction. But amidst all this, one thing never changes: the intoxicating aroma of street food drifting through the air.
What to Eat at Dong Xuan Market: A Street Food Hit List
🍢 Grilled Pork on Bamboo Sticks
A lesser-known version of bún chả, this dish features juicy pork wrapped in aromatic guise leaves, grilled on flat bamboo skewers over open charcoal flames. Served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a zesty dipping sauce, it’s smoky, savory, and incredibly satisfying.
🍜 Snail Noodle Soup (Bún ốc)
Hidden near one of the market’s entrances, a tiny stall serves bún ốc, or snail noodles. Don’t be put off by the name—this light, delicate soup is a Hanoian treasure. Add turmeric, fried tofu, and you’ve got yourself a bowl full of texture and flavor for just around VND30,000 ($1.30).
🥣 Pork-Rib Rice Porridge
When the sun sets, a vendor rolls in with steaming hot pork-rib congee, slow-cooked to perfection. The thick rice porridge is sweet, savory, and comforting—especially when topped with crispy breadsticks (quẩy). An ideal treat to warm you up on a cool Hanoi evening
🍲 Pho Tieu – A Noodle Fusion Favorite
Can’t choose between pho and hu tieu? Try pho tieu, the best of both worlds. This fusion dish blends soft white noodles with slices of roasted pork, crunchy peanuts, and fresh herbs. A light, yet flavor-packed meal for just over VND25,000 ($1.05).
🥟 Spring Roll Noodles with Crab Meat
Swap out grilled pork for crispy fried spring rolls stuffed with crab, served atop a bed of vermicelli noodles. At VND30,000 ($1.25) per portion, it’s a must-try. Craving more crunch? Each extra roll is just VND10,000 ($0.40).
🥗 Green Papaya Salad with Beef Jerky
A favorite among Hanoi’s younger crowd, this spicy, sour, sweet, and nutty salad is a textural wonder. Shredded green papaya is tossed with chewy beef jerky and roasted peanuts—flavors that punch and play on the palate. All yours for VND30,000.
🍤 Banh Bot Loc – Tapioca Dumplings
These translucent dumplings are filled with minced shrimp and pork belly, then served with a tangy dipping sauce. A plate costs just VND20,000, and one bite will have you coming back for more.
🍧 Xuka Dessert – A Sweet Surprise
Named after a character from Japanese manga, Xuka is as fun to eat as it is colorful. A chilled dessert of coconut milk, black and green jelly, chewy tapioca pearls, ruby-red pomegranate seeds, and tropical fruits—this is how Hanoi does “cool and sweet.”
Final Tip
Dong Xuan Market isn’t just a place to shop—it’s where Hanoi’s soul reveals itself through food. Go hungry, bring cash, and don’t be afraid to follow your nose. Whether you’re in the mood for something sizzling hot off the grill or a chilled dessert to beat the heat, this food heaven won’t disappoint.