Brian Jeffrey
Experiencing Hanoi’s Culinary Delights
Nate, an American, resides in Vietnam where he enjoys immersing himself in traditional culture, sampling local cuisine, and exploring attractions.
He has fond memories of Hanoi, particularly its stunning scenery and delectable street food. One dish he tried is ‘bun dau mam tom,’ which includes tofu, shrimp sauce, and noodles.
This dish is a favorite among many Vietnamese, earning it the title of ‘national dish,’ yet some foreign visitors are hesitant to try it. Nevertheless, Nate encourages travelers to embrace it as a city icon.
He tasted bun dau mam tom at a street stall in Quan Tho 1 Alley, located in the Dong Da district, ordering a complete set that featured vermicelli, fried tofu, grilled pork paste with sticky rice, and boiled pork trotter for VND30,000.
Nate was impressed by the careful presentation of the ingredients on a round plate lined with ‘dong’ leaves, accompanied by cucumber slices and fresh herbs like perilla and Vietnamese coriander.
Upon trying the vermicelli with shrimp paste, he joyfully exclaimed, “So delicious!” and continued enjoying the fried tofu and grilled pork. His enthusiasm for the dish was infectious, prompting laughter from the stall owner as he repeatedly declared it delicious.
Other patrons were delighted to see a foreigner enjoying their ‘national’ dish, and they encouraged Nate to explore more of Vietnam’s affordable and tasty street food.
He promised to return, eager to experience more of the wonderful dishes Hanoi has to offer.
Nate first arrived in Hanoi back in 2019. On this trip, he ventured to various other regions to try different specialties before returning to the capital.
In addition to bun dau mam tom, he also sampled other traditional Vietnamese cuisine, including banh mi (Vietnamese bread) and che (sweet dessert soup). Notably, banh mi has been recognized in the American dictionary Merriam-Webster as a new addition in its 2022 edition.
