No one has fallen under Vietnam’s spell quite like celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. Over 206 episodes and two television shows, no country has captivated him more than Vietnam, which he called “one of his favorite places on earth.“
“Vietnam. It grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Once you love it, you love it forever.” – Anthony Bourdain
Did you know that Bourdain made four trips to Hanoi to film different episodes of his shows? He visited the city for season 2 (episode 12) of A Cook’s Tour, season 1 (episode 3) and season 6 (episode 1) of No Reservations, and season 8 (episode 1) of Parts Unknown. Although these were his only on-screen visits to the city, he had been to Vietnam many times and explored other parts of the country as well.
If you’re planning a trip to Hanoi, you might already have the Obama bún chả spot on your list, but Anthony Bourdain ate at many other places in the city and you can try out many of them. Most of the dishes he had contained meat, but if you’re vegan or vegetarian, there are still some good recommendations that Anthony had, with vegan options available.
Bun Cha Huong Lien (Bun Cha Obama)
Bun Cha Hanoi is a dish with pork meatballs in an oily soup, seasoned with spices and vinegar. The dish is then eaten with rice noodles dipped into the sauce. It’s very flavorful and my family craves the dish all the time.
Where can I eat vegan Bun cha?
Bun Cha is famously made with meat. However, if you are vegan or vegetarian, you can still enjoy it with a vegan version in Hanoi. We have found a good restaurant in Hanoi where you can try vegan Bun Cha.
–> Check out: Hanoi Vegetarian Street Food Tour & Stories (have a Vegan option)
Restaurant: Noodles and Roll
Address: 39C P. Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Bia hoi Hanoi
Bia Hoi is a locally brewed beer often referred to as Vietnamese street beer. This is because it is often sold on the streets for as little as 0,30 USD, making it the cheapest beer in the world! However, it is more than just beer; it is a unique drinking culture mainly found in the northern cities and towns of Vietnam.
→ Read more: Bia hoi: Hanoi local beer – a unique drinking culture
Address: Bia hoi Bat Dan, 50 P. Bát Đàn, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
