When F and I first visited Hanoi, this travelling and eating gig was scary, terrifying in fact. I didn’t know what to order, what they were selling and scared that I would get sick delicious novel treats were often eschewed for plainer fare. Luckily, Hanoi was the first stop on our trip, an easing in to street food for us.
One day, around lunch time, we passed a packed eatery serving Bun Cha, I had heard of this pork and noodle dish, and we decided to give it a go. This meal was such a success that it renewed our street food confidence, so when we were in Hanoi recently, we returned. Multiple times.
Bun Cha Dac Kim, is at 1 Hang Manh street in the Old Quarter. Very small with many levels, this place does one thing, Bun Cha (oh, and spring rolls). Ordering really just involves sitting down and waiting for the food to arrive, luckily, as no one here speaks english.
You won’t be waiting long, even in the busiest of times when all the tiny plastic stools are full on each level. Delicious seafood spring rolls, crispy and flavourful, alongside plates piled high with greens, cold rice vermicelli noodles, and grilled pork and pork patties floating in a light fish saucy broth. Mix and match, flavour your green papaya fish sauce with some chopped garlic or chilli, dip the pieces in and devour.
The portion size seems huge, especially for Asia, and i have trouble finishing all the meat in my bowl, though I try hard because letting such delicious charcoaly porkiness go to waste should be a crime. Despite this, the meal feels very light and summery, despite the chill outside.
I wish we could get spring rolls like this at home, actually, I wish this little place just picked up and moved to Marrickille.
A few years ago this meal cost us just 50, 000 dong, this visit it was 110,000 dong. Prices in Vietnam have jumped recently, but I would pay much more than $10AU for food this delicious.
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[...] spoken about bun cha before, but since then my tastes have changed. I care more about grease level, and I’m none too [...]