[Anna Nguyen]

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is not only famous for its beauty, history but also for its cuisine.

Hanoi residents have always been proud of the richness of specialities in their city and sophisticated cuisine. Both specialities and ordinary dishes in Hanoi provide unique tastes that satisfy different eaters.

However, it is useful to know where to go and how to enjoy each of them.

Some specialities are served in only fixed places in Hanoi, such as “Com Vong”, “Banh Com Hang Than”, “Cha ca La Vong”. The makers keep the secret to make their dishes unique throughout the line.

For ordinary dishes, like “Pho Hanoi”, you’d better go out of the hotel, and enjoy it in a small restaurant on the streets. You’ll try different tastes in different restaurants.

As a matter of fact, some traditional dishes of Hanoi have come out of taste. There have appeared in Hanoi many new dishes, which may come from other town, even from aboard.

Though dishes in Hanoi are rich in number, they share common features.

First, the combination of different tastes is in a dish. For example, you’ll find at least 5 different spices in a bowl of “pho”: hot ginfer, pepper, chili, tasty cinamon, sour lemon, some onions and herbs…Spices and herbs are popular, probably for the richness of fruit and vegetable in the land of Hanoi.

Second - the harmony and moderation of dishes. Except for special dishes, Hanoi cooks rarely prepare dishes that are too hot or too salty. The amount of a dish is not large, just enough.

Compared with Asian dishes, Hanoi’s dishes don’t contain much fat or sugar. Vegetables are cooked in a way that they are eatable but still keep their natural colour at most. This way of cooking is very healthy to eaters, and makes the dishes look fresh.