Photo: Collected

The cuisine in the north is different to that of the south. Southerners would claim that northern food is bland whereas the citizens of the north would argue that it’s simpler and elegant thus requiring less use of spices and sweetness, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves. For a visitor on a flying visit, deciding on where to eat can be daunting at the best of times. Tripadvisor is usually the first port of call, but inconsistent reviews can cast a cloud of doubt over the legitimacy of the medium. Here is a list of my favorite dishes and venues for eating and drinking in Hanoi if you were here for a short weekend of culinary indulgence.

What to try in Hanoi

Barbecue chicken

Does this picture of golden brown chicken feet make you drool? (Source: Foody)

Ly Van Phuc is its official name, but the place is colloquially known as "Chicken Street" in honor of the tasty poultry being barbecued up and down this crowded alley. Grilled chicken wings and feet, sweet potatoes and bread that's been brushed with honey before being grilled are served with chili sauce and pickled cucumbers in sweet vinegar. The simple, enticing menu is nearly identical for all the vendors on the street.

Try it at: Pho Ly Van Phuc, Hanoi

Pho 

A bowl of Pho is a comfort food of many Vietnamese people (Source: Collected)

As the birthplace of pho, Hanoi is ground zero for the fragrant rice noodle soup served with fresh herbs that has become popular all over the world. It's no surprise, then, that Hanoi's pho is outstanding. Two variations are most popular: pho ga (with chicken) and pho bo (with beef). Pho is traditionally served as a breakfast food, so you'll find pho sellers all over town from before dawn to mid-morning.

Try it at: Pho 112, 112 Van Phuc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Xoi - Sticky rice

In the morning you'll find the sticky rice vendors out hawking their wares. Sticky rice is a hugely popular carb-rich breakfast food that comes wrapped in a banana leaf. There are dozens of variations on the dish. One is served with crushed peanuts and sesame salt, another involves white corn and deep-fried shallots.

Xôi xéo - one of the most quintessential food of Hanoi (Source: Collected)

Try it at: Street Xoi, 35 Nguyen Huu Huan St, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Iced coffee

Iced coffee with condensed milk is one of Hanoi's great pleasures (Source: Collected)

Coffee was brought to Vietnam by the French and is, along with baguettes, one of their lasting culinary legacies. Beans are grown in Vietnam and roasted, often with lard, before being ground and served in single-serving metal filters. Drinking a cup of cafe nau da, iced coffee with condensed milk, on a busy side street is one of Hanoi's great pleasures.

Try it at: Cafe Nang, So 6 Hang Bac, Hanoi

Nem cua be

You can find many types of excellent spring rolls all over Vietnam, but nem cua be, made with fresh crab meat, are particularly good. Unlike regular spring rolls, they are wrapped into a square shape before being fried. Nem cua be are a specialty of Hai Phong, a seaside town not far away, but are fantastic in Hanoi as well.

Nem cua be is often served with rice noodles and dipping sauce (Source: VnExpress)

Try it at: Nem Vuong Pho Co, 58 Dao Duy Tu, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Chao Ca

What is better than a steaming bowl of fish porridge? (Source: Collected)

If you're looking for a satisfying breakfast in Hanoi, why not try a steaming bowl of fish porridge? Like Chinese congee, it's a rice gruel made by cooking down the grains until they are nearly liquid. In Hanoi, it's most often served with green onion, sprigs of dill and slivers of ginger.

Try it at: Doan Xom Chao Ca, 213 Hang Bong, Hanoi

Muc Nuong

There's no greater pleasure than drinking on a busy Hanoi sidewalk, and what better to nosh on while you do than muc nuong? Dried squid is grilled over hot coals before being shredded and served with a spicy sauce. It's a chewy treat that is best washed down with shots of rice wine.

Muc nuong and beer is a must-try combination in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

Try it at: Muc Nuong, 36 Hang Bo, Old Quarter, Hanoi

How to get to Hanoi

As the capital city of Vietnam, transportation to Hanoi is easy with a variety of choices. From southern and central Vietnam, you may fly to Hanoi - there are flights every hour so you can reach Hanoi within a few hours. Check it out!

References: Www.hanoistreetfoodtour.com