A Taste of Hanoi in Autumn: 5 Foods You Must Try
Content []
A Taste of Hanoi in Autumn: 5 Foods You Must Try
5 Foods to Try in Hanoi This Autumn
Cốm – Hanoi’s Iconic Taste of AutumnAmong all Hanoi autumn foods, cốm is perhaps the one most closely associated with the season. Made from young glutinous rice, especially the fragrant Nếp Cái Hoa Vàng variety, this delicate green rice appears around the seventh lunar month and remains a seasonal favorite for roughly three months as Hanoi transitions into autumn.
To make cốm, young rice grains are roasted, pounded, and carefully sifted to remove the husks. They are then soaked with cốm-leaf water to create their natural young-green color before being wrapped in lotus leaves, which help preserve their delicate fragrance. Soft, slightly chewy, and subtly sweet, cốm is often enjoyed on its own as a simple taste of Hanoi’s autumn.
Beyond the traditional grain, cốm has inspired a variety of local treats, from bánh cốm and chả cốm to xôi cốm, cốm xào with coconut, chè cốm, cốm candy, cốm wine, and even cốm beer. For tourists visiting Hanoi in autumn, trying cốm is more than tasting a local specialty. It is a chance to experience one of the season’s most distinctive flavors.
Although phở is enjoyed throughout the year, a steaming bowl of phở bò feels especially comforting on a cool autumn morning in Hanoi. As the city slowly wakes up, sitting down at a local phở shop with the aroma of hot broth rising from the bowl is a simple yet memorable way to experience the capital.
The broth is typically simmered from beef bones for around 8–10 hours, creating a clear, naturally sweet flavor with delicate notes of ginger, cinnamon, and star anise. Soft, chewy rice noodles are added with thinly sliced beef, often briefly blanched to keep its tender texture and fresh taste.
For tourists, enjoying phở in the morning is not simply about having breakfast. It is an everyday Hanoi ritual that becomes even more inviting when the autumn air turns pleasantly cool.
Cháo Sườn – Comfort Food for Chilly Evenings
When Hanoi’s autumn air turns pleasantly cool, a hot bowl of cháo sườn is one of the city’s simplest yet most comforting street foods. Made from finely ground rice cooked with rich pork rib broth, the porridge has a gentle aroma and naturally savory sweetness that feels especially satisfying on a chilly evening.
The bowl is often topped with crispy quẩy, chopped spring onions, and a light sprinkle of pepper, adding contrasting textures and a subtle kick to the soft, creamy porridge. The flavors are humble, but together they create the kind of warmth that makes cháo sườn a beloved part of Hanoi’s everyday food culture.
Rather than being served in a polished restaurant, cháo sườn is traditionally enjoyed at small sidewalk stalls, with tiny plastic stools tucked along the bustling streets. For tourists, this simple setting is part of the experience, offering a glimpse into the unpretentious rhythm of local life in Hanoi.
Bánh Đúc Nóng – A Bowl of Hanoi Comfort
A warm variation of traditional bánh đúc, bánh đúc nóng is a humble yet distinctive street food in Hanoi. Unlike the traditional version, which is usually served cool, cut into pieces, and dipped in sauce, this version is served hot and is particularly comforting on cool autumn and winter days.
The soft, slightly thick bánh đúc has a texture somewhat similar to rice porridge and is spooned into a small bowl before being topped with stir-fried minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, crispy fried shallots, and fresh herbs. A warm sweet-and-savory fish sauce is then poured over the top, bringing all the flavors together in one comforting bowl.
More than a filling meal, bánh đúc nóng is traditionally enjoyed as a light Hanoi street food snack. Its gentle flavors, modest presentation, and warm texture make it a charming way for tourists to experience the quieter side of the city’s food culture.
Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây – A Crispy Taste by the Lake
No food experience in Hanoi is quite complete without trying bánh tôm Hồ Tây, a beloved local specialty that brings together crispy textures, fresh ingredients, and the relaxed atmosphere of West Lake. Traditionally made with shrimp from the lake, the dish features thin-shelled shrimp with firm, naturally sweet meat, nestled in a golden, crispy batter.
Bánh tôm is best enjoyed hot, alongside fresh lettuce, bean sprouts, Vietnamese mint, and perilla leaves. Dip each crispy piece into sweet-and-sour fish sauce with thinly sliced green papaya and a few slices of chili, and you get a satisfying balance of savory, sweet, sour, spicy, and nutty flavors.
For both locals and tourists, bánh tôm Hồ Tây is more than a simple Hanoi street food. Enjoying a hot plate while taking in the peaceful views of West Lake captures a slower, more nostalgic side of the city, making it especially memorable on a crisp autumn afternoon.
More Than Food: Experiencing Hanoi Through Autumn Flavors
The beauty of Hanoi autumn food lies in its simplicity. These are familiar dishes that can be found across the capital, from traditional markets and quiet neighborhood streets to the bustling lanes of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. They are part of the city’s everyday life rather than foods reserved for special occasions.
Yet autumn in Hanoi is about more than good food. With its cool, slightly chilly weather, the season creates the perfect setting to enjoy steaming bowls and freshly cooked street food at local eateries, especially those with outdoor seating. Sitting on a small stool, watching the streets go by, and savoring a hot bowl of cháo or a crispy bánh tôm makes the meal feel inseparable from the city itself.
In this sense, Hanoi’s food culture reflects the capital’s slower rhythm, lively street life, and generations-old eating habits. For tourists, trying local dishes is therefore more than simply tasting Vietnamese cuisine. It is a way to experience Hanoi through its everyday rituals, one warm bowl and street-side meal at a time.
From the delicate sweetness of cốm to a steaming bowl of phở bò or crispy bánh tôm by West Lake, Hanoi’s autumn flavors offer a delicious way to discover the city beyond its famous landmarks. When the weather turns cool, take your time, find a local eatery, and let the flavors of the season become part of your Hanoi experience. Want to experience Hanoi like a local? ACT Travel Agent can create a tailor-made private tour that combines Hanoi’s food, culture, history, and hidden local gems, giving you a more personal way to discover Vietnam.
Read this next
VIETNAMESE COFFEE CULTURE - MORE THAN A DRINK
Quick Contact
Reviews from Customers
Please take a look at the following reviews from our customers
Mr Clarence- Travel President, Philippines
Vietnam | 01/14/2026
Luxury Golf Tour in Da Nang, 5days
Hi Jimy, We returned home safely today. I would like to say a special thanks to you and your team ACT TRAVEL. We really loved and satisfied with your pro services. We do love these golf courses in Da Nang. They were amazing and fantastic quality and view. We will come back here soon. I am looking foward to working together with you soon! Best regards, Mr Clarence- Travel President, Philippines
Mr. Jean Pie
United Kingdom | 10/13/2014
RAM Holidays from UK (Impressive of Vietnam 15 days)
Mr. Jean Pie – Tour Leader said “Thank you very much for doing such an excellent job on the tour. You went above and beyond for all of us and we really appreciate all your hard work. Thank you for your calm leadership through the “HAIYAN” storm, you really help us through it. Thanks to ACT Travel, we had a wonderful time and unforgettable memory”.
Mr. Navy Vang
Australia | 10/13/2014
Mandarin Group from Australia (Charming Vietnam 10 Days)
Mr. Navy Vang - Tour manager from Australia said: " Wow what a great vacation !. Thank you Mr Kelvin Pham so much. We are very grateful for everything you did for us and everything went very well. We’re safe and sound back home thinking about the joy we experienced. I've already decided that when I choose to travel again, I will go through your company. I also highly recommend ACT Travel Travel to any organization looking for a great agency. Kind regards
Mr. Ricardo - Program Manager
Brazil | 03/31/2014
DOMINGOS Group from Brazin (IMPRESSIVE VIETNAM 17 DAYS.)
Mr. Ricardo - Program Manager said “Dear Kelvin, Thanks you very much for your well arrangement. Thank you for the updated weather information. I have traveled a lot as a geography professor and dealt with many tour operators. You are one of the best tour operators who can take so much concern and care about customers. I must congratulate you on your good organization and care to minute points. Thanks for the mobile phone you provided to us and SIM cards you provide to all of us (29 cards, I know they are not cheap), it was an excellent convenience for us. It was a brilliant idea and we really appreciated knowing there was someone we could contact at any time should we need to. We love your welcome dinner at Binh Quoi village, where we enjoyed rich traditional southern Vietnamese cuisine with musical accompaniment provided by local folk musicians. We were very interested in the traditional Vietnamese wedding in Binh Quoi and we never forget the “Gong show” in Buon Me Thuot. Once again, thank you very much for great job”.
Ms. Barbara Betts
Australia | 10/13/2014
Orbiz Group from Australia (Discover Vietnam and Cambodia 15 Days)
Ms. Barbara Betts - Escorted guide from Australia said: " Dear Kelvin I want to take this opportunity to thanks you for providing us with superb guides in Vietnam and Cambodia. Well, Manh - tour guide in Vietnam is very professional and knowledegable and you can feel very safe in allowing him to guide your tours. The drivers you provided were also friendly, capable and they too did everything for the group to be happy Thanks you Kelvin so far for a fabulous tour.
Mr. Dany
Malaysia | 10/13/2014
Teachers Group From Malaysia ( Hanoi – Halong bay – Ninh Binh 6 Days )
Mr. Dany - Escorted guide from Malaysia said: " Hi Kelvin Pham, Thanks for arranging a great trip. I wanted to let you know how pleased we were with the itinerary and all the arrangements you organized. Everything worked extremely well and went exactly as planned. The guides were very knowledgable. My favorite site was cruising on the Halong bay. The hotels were great as they were located at the heart of city. We did enjoy eating at the local restaurants as arranged by ACT. The foods were sometimes unusual, but still tasty. I loved “Pho Hanoi“ very much and I would try to cook at my home… Thanks again
Mr. Ohad
Turkey | 10/13/2014
Istmaz Group from Turkey (Saigon - Mekong Delta - Cambodia - Angkor Wat 12 Days).
Mr. Ohad - The Tour Leader said: " On behalf of the entire group, I just wanted to thank both of you for all your help and outstanding execution in making our trip memorable! The entire group could not say enough great things about how well organized & smooth everything went. I really enjoyed Vietnam & Travel. Both tour guides were terrific and Angkor Wat was just amazing! All your arrangements worked out very smoothly and I consider the pilgrimage to be a great success ".
Mr. Steven
United Kingdom | 10/13/2014
Ponila Group from UK (Higlight of Vietnam 16 Days).
Mr. Steven - Escorted guide from UK said: Our trip to Vietnam was overall a positive one. We were very happy with the level of accommodation and quality of the food at all times. We love Hanoi but Ha Long Bay is certainly one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen; the old city in Hoi An has great potential becoming a world-class tourist attraction; and citadel in Hue embodies a great deal of historic signifance, we have a lot of photos in Hue. Cruising on Mekong Delta river was so interesting and Dalat highland was very romantic. Finally, please give our thanks to the tour guides Mrs Phuong, Mr Ky and the drivers who accompanied us throughout, always accommodating to the group's requests and last minute changes in itinerary. We won't forget you!
Mr. Barrick
United States | 10/13/2014
Global Alliane Group From USA (Discover Vietnam – Cambodia 10 Days)
Mr. Barrick - the Tour Leader said: " Dear ACT Team,This is to thank you, and all of those who organised and guided our visit to Vietnam & Cambodia, for a superb holiday. We had a trip of a life time. Everything we were promised happened and more. We brought back so many memories and stories. The restaurants were wonderful and the hotels were great. Mr Nguyen had such a lot of knowledge he shared with us, and had a great sense of humor. He even knew of some Cambodian slang words. The whole trip will be something we will always remember and share with our family and friends. Thanks for all your help in making it so enjoyable. We shall tell all our friends traveling to Indochina that they must use ACT Travel's services !! ".
Partner
ACT VIETNAM TRAVEL
No 3, Alley 25, Dich Vong Hau Str, Cau Giay Dist, Hanoi Capital, Vietnam
sales@vietnamtraveland.com - jimy@vietnamtraveland.com - vip@vietnamtraveland.com
License: 01-639/2015/CDLQGVN-GPLHQT
Company
Term of use
Payment Methods
