Brian Jeffrey
A Japanese businessman named Ken and his girlfriend, Kanna, embarked on a brief journey to Hanoi, immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant food culture.
Ken often travels for work, and he utilizes these opportunities to create engaging travel and food videos.
During his previous visits to Vietnam, Ken typically stuck to pho and banh mi but was keen to discover new flavors this time, particularly bun cha.
Over their three-day stay in Hanoi, they delighted in trying bun cha at a popular street-side restaurant.
The couple selected a celebrated bun cha spot located on Hang Manh Street in the Hoan Kiem District, a place that has been serving customers for over six decades.
They arrived on a bustling weekend night, where the eatery was packed, with nearly all sidewalk tables occupied.
After perusing the menu, Ken and Kanna decided on two servings of bun cha along with a plate of fried spring rolls. They were happily surprised by the sizable portions, which included an assortment of fresh herbs like bean sprouts, lettuce, and perilla leaves.
Kanna was immediately taken by the visual appeal of the bun cha and couldn’t wait to take a bite, dipping the noodles in the fish sauce before tasting.
Kanna described the dish as having a delightful sweetness reminiscent of Japanese tsukemen and somen.
She was thrilled by the taste of the bun cha, describing it as delicious.
Ken shared her enthusiasm, exclaiming, “Delicious!” and highlighting that it was his first experience with bun cha, which he found utterly enjoyable, adding it to his list of recommended dining spots.
In addition to bun cha, the couple also praised the fried spring rolls, with Kanna expressing her excitement despite not being previously acquainted with the dish’s flavors.
Ken enjoyed a hearty bite, commending the dipping sauce and the flavorful grilled pork served with the dish.
He recognized the restaurant’s fame, noting it was listed among the 70 Michelin Selected establishments for 2023.
Post-meal, he realized the reasons behind the restaurant’s popularity, expressing regret for previously thinking that Vietnam was limited to just banh mi and pho. “It’s a pity we didn’t discover bun cha sooner,” Ken remarked.
Aside from bun cha, Ken and Kanna also indulged in pho, tried egg coffee, and spent their evenings shopping and exploring the Old Quarter.
