suggestions for restaurants in Hanoi?

[yanyan123]

I'll be going to Hanoi for a few days and it seems kind of difficult to find restaurant reviews. Anyone has any suggestions to restaurants or review sites for hanoi restaurants? I have about 4 dinners and 4 lunches.

so far, it seems La Verticale, Pho 10, and Highway4 seem pretty good.

Also, what are the dishes that are good? I see all these vietnamese names but have no idea what they are... sorry for being ignorant in vietnamese food...

thanks in advance.

[annebkk]

Hanoi fabulous for food- try the street eats and you won't be disspointed. Best if you can go with a few folks to eat 'family style' and get the full range of flavors in one go.

Check out this blog for ideas :http://stickyrice.typepad.com/ and below are some of my ideas.

Happy eating.
Lunch:
La Badiane on Cham Cam- newly opened by Didier Corlou (chef at La Verticale)- service still a bit patchy but food is good home cooking. Set-lunch very good value or go at night and try the buffalo grilled with lemongrass- yum.
Go local and try Bun Cha (fresh rice noodles, loads of herbs and grilled pork paddies)- a clean, good option is 1Hang Manh street- very popular with locals and the paddies are grilled to perfection. one serving is enough for 2 people and also the spring rolls (nem) are tasty
Another tasty local dish is Bun Bo Nam Bo- its a bowl with lettuce on the bottom, fresh rice noodles, loads of herbs, a light broth and beef. Good all over town but there is a popular one on Hang Dieu. ( a bit more pricey but worth it)
Many people rave about Green Tangerine in the old quarter- i find it hit and miss and not worth the price. I prefer Madame Tuyet's (Anh Tuyet)- her grandma cooked for the French in the 30s and her house is the restaurant - on Ma May street, tucked away. Not always open but pop in and its worth it.

Dinner-
Highway 4 is a great option- exotic foods if you're feeling adventurous. Don't miss the catfish springrolls. Served with Wasabi mayonaise...to die for.
La Verticale- ok for a splash out
Chim Sao- 65 Ngo Hue (south of Hoan Kiem- get taxi as hard to find) popular with the artsy Hanoians for authentic VN cuisine at a very reasonable price. Ask for the daily specials- try the pigs ear spring rolls if they have them, the grilled prawns are great, banana flower salad good, beef in la lot leaf also yummy. As with HWY 4, upstairs seating is on the ground so if you don't like sitting local style, request downstairs.
La Badiane- new restaurant getting great reviews. Atmosphere not great but food good. Not very Vietnamese though, more French/European.