Time Out magazine (UK) has just announced the list of “10 cities with the most attractive street food in Asia” and Hanoi was honored to be ranked number 2, just after Penang (Malaysia). This is the only city in Vietnam to be in the Top 10 and achieved a high ranking, surpassing Singapore, which is globally famous for its hawker culinary centers recognized by UNESCO.
According to Time Out, Hanoi’s attraction does not lie in the luxury restaurants but comes from the simplicity and closeness of street vendors, small eateries on street corners or even just a few plastic chairs on the sidewalk. It is this rustic identity that has made Hanoi very different in the eyes of international tourists, bringing an experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
Hanoi street food has long been an inseparable part of the lives of the people and the journey of discovery of tourists. A meal can take place in a narrow alley, under a small porch, in spiral staircases or old corridors. For Hanoians, it is normal. But for tourists, it is a unique experience, revealing the daily life of the capital’s people.
Time Out emphasizes: it is the simplicity in space and service that makes Hanoi street food a unique “cultural ambassador”, completely different from the standard, sometimes too systematic, in many other Asian cities.
Street food, the soul of Hanoi
In the article, Time Out suggests many dishes that are considered typical of Hanoi street food.
First of all is Northern-style beef pho, a “national dish” that cannot be missed when mentioning Hanoi, with clear, light broth and natural sweetness from the bones. Next is bun cha 74 Hang Quat, a place that has been mentioned many times in international travel publications, famous for its fragrant charcoal-grilled meat and rich dipping sauce.
There is also Ba Loc rice rolls, a soft, hot, thin dish reminiscent of the sophistication of Northern cuisine. Another suggestion is grilled pork sandwich, a perfect combination of crispy bread and flavorful filling.
In addition, pho restaurants on Hang Trong or Banh Mi 25 are also mentioned as familiar stops for many international tourists.
According to this magazine, the special thing about Hanoi is that visitors can enjoy a complete meal at a very affordable price. Without having to go to a high-class restaurant, just stopping at a small shop on the street, people can fully experience the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine.
Hanoi surpasses Singapore, second only to Penang
In the rankings, Hanoi overtook Singapore, a country praised for its hawker centre system that has become an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Time Out explained that easy access, reasonable prices and traditional flavors are the factors that help Hanoi stand out.
Above Hanoi is Penang, Malaysia, a street food paradise famous for its mix of cultures: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan. Dishes such as char kuey teow, assam laksa or roti canai have long been a trademark for this city.
In third place is Singapore, followed by Bangkok, Mumbai, Tainan, Chiang Mai…
Opportunities and challenges for Hanoi
Hanoi being honored in this list not only brings pride to the capital’s people but also opens up opportunities to promote Vietnamese culture and tourism on the world map. Street food not only satisfies the taste buds but also tells stories about the history, lifestyle and spirit of a land.
Experts say that this title is an opportunity for Hanoi to build the image of a “culinary city” in the eyes of international friends, thereby attracting more tourists who love to explore local culture.
However, to maintain its position and promote this value, Hanoi also faces many challenges. That is ensuring food hygiene and safety in the context that most street food stalls are small in scale and have limited processing conditions. Besides, there is the problem of preserving the rustic identity but still needing to improve service quality to meet the increasing number of tourists. Finally, sustainable development is also an important issue, it is necessary to reduce plastic waste from sidewalk eateries and create a friendlier environment for international visitors.
Global “cultural brand” from a bowl of pho, a banh mi
The fact that Hanoi has become the only city in Vietnam to be in the Top 2 in Asia for street food is clear proof that the simplest cultural values such as a bowl of pho, a plate of banh cuon or a banh mi, if properly preserved and promoted, can completely become a global brand.
This title not only affirms the attractiveness of Hanoi cuisine but also opens a new journey for Vietnamese tourism and cuisine to go further on the world map.
