Most people can’t imagine that in the heart of the enigmatic, exotic and rustic Vietnam, is hidden one of the most exquisite gastronomic districts on Earth. Hanoi, the capital, is an enchanting place in which the landscapes and flavors stand out and combine with every dish, balancing its richness and deliciousness.
Because of the enormous sum of influences, coming from war and colonizing cultures, vietnamese cooking includes mediterranean and indo-chinese ingredients. Nevertheless Vietnam is known for the excellent fish and seafood they use in their gourmet gastronomy, this time we’ll talk about 6 places in where the speciality, decoration and service give us the best of the country in a delicatessen experience.
Moto-san Uber Noodle
In the Hanoi french villa, exists a little and colorful place famous for its few but delicious noodle recipes. Moto-san Uber Noodle is a cosy restaurant with no tables at all. It can keep up to 10 people which makes this an exclusive place without being “that” expensive. Clients can enjoy their food in benches while they see the chef and how their noodles are done with some magic and fresh & exotic ingredients. The simplistic but delicate decoration where paper lamps are the stars, gets you into a warm and authentic old school atmosphere. Without a doubt this is one of the best kept treasures from Hanoi and you shouldn’t miss it.
La Badiane
On the other hand we have La Badiane, a majestic restaurant with an impressive facade that tell us about the french enchant inside with decoration and most important, with food. The elegance of this bistro is shown in every detail and the asian and mediterranean flavors make La Badiane one of the favorite gourmet places among those with refined palate. In its fancied menu, dishes as tagliatelle with smoked pepper, shrimp soup with wasabi and the tomato brochette, stand out. A recommendation, ask for the three-course menu so you can try several mixes as entreés, main courses and desserts. A place which its unique and own enchant give you a really good experience with really good taste.
La Verticale
In the same french roundabout and with a beautiful public-opened cuisine. La verticale is one of those sites where having a dish is an unforgettable and pleasing experience. Each product is specially selected and brought from the farm to your table. That’s why everything is fresh, from the meat, to the vegetables or the spices they use.
It was created by the french chef Didier Couriou, he made it elegant and tried to keep the original structure of a french villa. Something peculiar is its seasons menu, in which the duck and pork-rind pie dish, ratatouille, tamarind beef, and the artichoke leaves served with oyster sauce are a must.
La Verticale is a perfect place not only for a full-time meal but for brunch or having dinner because of its easygoing atmosphere with mediterranean and asian details that make everything flow.
Sen Hanoi 60 Ly Thai
This peculiar restaurant highlights for its extensive and exotic buffet, that, with its stylish presentation catches your eye. Sen Hanoi 60 Ly Thai is the ideal place for having a delicious and complete vietnamese cuisine in one single session, all inside of a glamourous and sophisticated ambient.
This may be one of the most exclusive places on our list but without a doubt it is worth every cent from the different type of dishes to the excellent service. Among the highlighted dishes they have, they include grilled lobster, salmon, oyster sashimi, crabs, snails, vietnamese spring-rolls and thenem (lotus’ rolls).
KOTO
The name has its meaning in “Know One, Teach One”, and this place offers you a really unique and different experience among all the other restaurants. KOTO is an authentic vietnamese cafe-restaurant, that has an incredible and privileged view to the literature temple Ba Dihn on Hanoi. But, the crux about this place is that they are part of social causes. Koto is part of a project that protects homeless kids, teaches them a profession and gives them a job at the restaurant.
That’s why KOTO is famous for its excellent service and keeping its ambience positive because of the kids that are happy in here making the clients happier. Iced-coffee is a must, perfect for recharging-batts and continuing with the tour.
Green Tangerine
This is maybe the most colorful, fantastic and vivid place. Green Tangerine is ideal for a romantic dinner or brunch. This small place has an authentic-colonial french style in every nook and corner. Their french style is impressed in everything they cook, offering something unique on Hanoi as exquisite shrimps with mango and rum, served with carrot pie or the coffee and cacao marinated pigeon.
Yep, they look really exotic but they are considered the best kept culinary treasures from Vietnam.
La Terrase Du Metropole
This is the refined restaurant of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, uno of the best and more famous hotels in whole Vietnam. Designed with parquetry and a truly deserving parisian painting facade, La Terrase Du Metropole offers the most delicious mediterranean dishes, cheeses, sausages, fish and meat, with original european recipes. La terrase Du Metropole is the french cuisine capital in Vietnam.
Mentioning some other not-for-eating, but, enchanting places in the city, a more historical and cultural view of Hanoi. The One Pillar Pagoda, a small buddhist temple, its size is what makes it unique besides it has a lotus flower form. It is located a few meters away from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
This one is being kept safe by the most important vietnamese leader mummie. The magnificence of this places is because of the enormous gardens that harbor the Presidential Palace and the fall of this ruler.
Both sites are part of the suggestions we make while you pass by this beautiful place that in making up all of for the lost time in war, has given birth to the most unique and beautiful places and attractions, all full of influences regarding the original scent and spirit of the space.