Winter has arrived on every street in Hanoi, marking the most anticipated time of the year. This season is cherished not only for the unique chilly atmosphere of Northern Vietnam but also for the irresistibly delicious hot dishes. Join Visa Fopa as we explore Hanoi’s must-try winter delicacies—perfect to enjoy with friends and too good to miss!

1. Bánh Đúc Nóng (Hot Rice Flour Cake)-Must-Try Winter Delicacies

As winter arrives in Hanoi, nothing beats slurping a steaming bowl of bánh đúc nóng. This dish is a modern twist on the traditional bánh đúc, which is typically served cold and sliced into pieces with dipping sauce. Instead, bánh đúc nóng is enjoyed fresh off the stove, warm and comforting, making it a perfect treat for chilly days.

To create an authentic and delicious bowl of bánh đúc nóng, a variety of ingredients must be meticulously prepared. The dish is served with a signature sweet and tangy dipping sauce, stir-fried minced pork with wood ear mushrooms, cilantro, and crispy fried shallots. Some eateries even add fried tofu for an extra touch.

The chewy texture of the bánh đúc, soaked in the flavorful sauce and combined with the other ingredients, creates an unforgettable taste. A bowl of bánh đúc nóng costs approximately $0.60–$0.80, making it a delicious and budget-friendly option, perfect for an afternoon snack.

A famous spot to enjoy bánh đúc nóng in Hanoi is the eatery on Lê Ngọc Hân Street. Tucked away in a small alley, this shop boasts a history of over 30 years. It’s a must-visit destination in your culinary guide to Hanoi, especially during the winter season!

2. Bánh Trôi Tàu (Sweet Glutinous Rice Dumplings in Ginger Syrup)

Bánh trôi tàu is the perfect winter dish, served hot with a ginger-infused syrup that warms the body. The dumplings are made from glutinous rice flour and filled with ingredients like mung beans, black sesame, ginger, fresh coconut, sugar, and peanuts.

A typical bowl includes two dumplings: one round-shaped with mung bean filling and one oval-shaped with black sesame filling. This shape distinction helps vendors easily identify the different fillings, ensuring a delightful experience with every bite.

Bánh trôi tàu delights with its soft and chewy texture, the nutty flavor of the fillings, and the warmth of the ginger syrup. It’s so satisfying that after one bowl, you’ll likely crave another. A bowl typically costs $0.60–$0.80.

One of the most famous places to enjoy bánh trôi tàu in Hanoi is the shop owned by the late artist Phạm Bằng on Hàng Giày Street. Here, the dish is preserved in its traditional Hanoi flavor.

3. Bánh Chưng Rán (Fried Sticky Rice Cake)-Must-Try Winter Delicacies

In summer, an offer of bánh chưng rán Must-Try Winter Delicacies, but come winter, this dish becomes a favorite for many. Simple to prepare yet irresistibly delicious and filling, it’s a staple of the colder months.

For Hanoi locals, the sight of golden fried bánh chưng on large trays, sizzling and emitting a mouthwatering aroma, is a nostalgic reminder of winter days.

Famous spots in Hanoi to enjoy bánh chưng rán include Đồng Xuân Market and Phạm Hồng Thái Street. These places are well-loved for serving crispy, flavorful fried sticky rice cakes that perfectly capture the essence of winter in Hanoi.

4. Bánh Giò Nóng (Steamed Pyramid Dumplings)

Bánh giò nóng is a dish that can be enjoyed year-round, but its true flavors shine in the winter. This steaming hot treat features a soft, slightly nutty, and creamy rice flour wrapper filled with a savory mixture of pork, shiitake mushrooms, and wood ear fungus, captivating the hearts of many Hanoians.

For a more indulgent experience, you can pair it with a variety of toppings such as grilled meat skewers, pickled vegetables, pork rolls, or green rice sausages (chả cốm). Just thinking about it is enough to make your mouth water!

Famous spots in Hanoi to enjoy bánh giò nóng include Thụy Khuê and Nguyễn Công Trứ. These renowned eateries are perfect places to savor this comforting dish, popular among locals for its delicious flavors and warm, satisfying texture.

5. Các Loại Bánh Rán (Various Fried Cakes)-Must-Try Winter Delicacies

With the arrival of winter, bánh rán takes center stage as a favorite seasonal treat. This simple, delicious, and affordable snack has been a part of many generations’ childhoods. The ingredients are basic: a mixture of flour, sliced potatoes, ripe bananas, corn kernels, and a hot frying pan for crisping them up.

You can find bánh rán anywhere in Hanoi, from street vendors to local markets—no need to visit famous or distant eateries to enjoy this warm, crispy delicacy.

Bánh Khoai and Bánh Chuối are popular winter treats, attracting many customers during the cold months.

Another favorite type of fried cake in winter is bánh rán mặn (savory fried cake) and bánh rán ngọt (sweet fried cake). The sweet version is round and filled with mung beans, offering a light sweetness and a rich sesame flavor. The savory version, typically oval-shaped, has a more complex filling made from minced meat, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms. Bánh rán mặn is best enjoyed with dipping sauce and some sliced papaya for a balanced taste.

What all these fried cakes have in common is that they are deep-fried, so eating just one or two is usually enough to feel satisfied.

>>>10+ BEST Hanoi’s must-try winter treats(part 2)

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