Wild and Weird Hanoi Street Food Tour: Discover the Old Quarter’s Hidden Flavors
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Wild and Weird Hanoi Street Food Tour: Discover the Old Quarter’s Hidden Flavors

5.0 (11,338 reviews) Recommended by 99% of travellers Departure: Ha Noi
2.5 - 3 hours Bike Tour 10 people
Book online or call: +84 975 642 264 Chat now

What travelers say 5.0 (11,338 reviews)

Our guide was absolutely fantastic! They brought so much energy and humor to the whole experience. We learned so much about the local culture and history that we would never have discovered on our own. Highly recommend Saigon Adventure to anyone visiting!

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Taking this tour was the best decision we made on our trip. Our guide didn't just feel like a tour guide, but like a local friend showing us around their city. Their English was excellent, and they made sure everyone was comfortable and having fun.

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

I cannot say enough good things about our guide. Their knowledge of the area was incredibly impressive, and they answered all our questions with so much patience. They took us to some amazing hidden spots. A truly 5-star experience!

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams

Everything from the booking process to the actual tour was seamless. What really made it special was our incredible guide. They were so attentive, ensuring we were safe and engaged the entire time. It felt very authentic and far from a typical tourist trap.

David Miller

David Miller

If you book with Saigon Adventure, you are in great hands! You can really tell how passionate the guides are about sharing their culture. Our guide went above and beyond to make our day special, sharing personal stories that made the culture come alive.

Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown

This experience ended up being the absolute highlight of our vacation! Our guide was exceptionalβ€”funny, polite, and so knowledgeable. They paced everything perfectly so we never felt rushed. I would book with them again in a heartbeat.

James Anderson

James Anderson

Explore Hanoi's "Wild & Weird" street food! Taste exotic delicacies like balut & sand worms in the Old Quarter. For real adventurous travelers only. Book now!

Full Description

Hanoi Unusual Food Tour in the Old Quarter

This Hanoi unusual food tour takes you beyond familiar dishes to explore the Old Quarter’s more adventurous flavors. On a three-hour walk with an English-speaking guide, discover specialties such as balut, pork offal congee and vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste.

Along the way, learn what goes into each dish and how locals enjoy it. Tastings depend on vendor availability, and seasonal specialties such as chαΊ£ rΖ°Ζ‘i may vary on the day.

Wild and Weird Hanoi Street Food Tour: Discover the Old Quarter’s Hidden Flavors
Wild and Weird Hanoi Street Food Tour: Discover the Old Quarter’s Hidden Flavors

Tour Highlights: The Brave Foodie's Checklist

βœͺΒ The Balut Challenge (Trα»©ng Vα»‹t Lα»™n): Savor Vietnam’s most famous "bravery test." This rich, savory fertilized duck egg is a nutrient-packed rite of passage for every adventurous eater.

βœͺΒ Exotic Delicacies (ChαΊ£ RΖ°Ζ‘i & ChΓ‘o LΓ²ng): Taste the rare "ChαΊ£ RΖ°Ζ‘i" (Sand Worm Omelet) and hearty "ChΓ‘o LΓ²ng" (Pork Organ Congee)β€”unique Hanoian specialties that define adventurous eating.

βœͺΒ The MαΊ―m TΓ΄m Challenge: Brave the intense aroma of BΓΊn Đậu MαΊ―m TΓ΄m. This iconic fermented shrimp paste offers a bold flavor explosion that separates tourists from local food explorers.

βœͺΒ Hanoi’s Famous Egg Beer (Bia Trα»©ng): Toast to your journey with a creamy Bia Trα»©ng. A quirky, custard-like blend of crisp beer and whisked egg yolk that’s a surprisingly refreshing Hanoian classic.

a popular Vietnamese street food snack: Grilled Balut with Scallion Oil (Trα»©ng Vα»‹t Lα»™n NΖ°α»›ng Mα»‘ HΓ nh).
Adventure in a Bowl: The Ultimate Bravery Test! Are you ready to discover the smoky, rich flavors of Vietnam's most infamous street snack?

Tour Overview

  • Tour type: Guided walking food tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
  • Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
  • Departure times: Daily, with start times available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Guide: English-speaking local guide.
  • Group tour meeting point: 38 BΓ‘t Sα»© Street, Hanoi Old Quarter.
  • Private tour pickup: Hotel pickup within Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
  • Food tastings: Tastings listed in the itinerary, subject to availability. Seasonal dishes may change.

Who Is This Hanoi Unusual Food Tour For?

This tour suits curious travelers who want to explore ingredients and flavors beyond Hanoi’s familiar phở and bΓ‘nh mΓ¬. Expect dishes featuring fertilized duck eggs, pork offal and fermented shrimp paste, with seasonal specialties depending on availability.

The menu is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, contact us before booking so we can explain the ingredients and confirm whether the experience is appropriate for you.

What You May Taste on This Hanoi Unusual Food Tour

Trα»©ng Vα»‹t Lα»™n β€” Balut

Balut is a fertilized duck egg cooked in its shell, with rich broth and a firm texture. Your guide will explain the dish and its ingredients before the tasting, giving you a clearer idea of what to expect.

Hot vit lon with Vietnamese coriander, a unique food experience for tourists in Saigon
Hot vit lon with Vietnamese coriander, a unique food experience for tourists in Saigon

ChΓ‘o LΓ²ng β€” Pork Offal Congee

This savory rice porridge contains pork offal, which may include liver, heart and other cuts depending on the vendor. The soft rice contrasts with the different textures of the meat, making ingredients an important part of the experience.

BΓΊn Đậu MαΊ―m TΓ΄m β€” Vermicelli with Fermented Shrimp Paste

Rice vermicelli and fried tofu are served with a strongly aromatic fermented shrimp paste. The dipping sauce gives this dish its distinctive character; travelers with shrimp allergies should flag this before booking.

Bun dau mam tom is a traditional Vietnamese dish with fried tofu, rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and fermented shrimp paste.
Bun dau mam tom is a traditional Vietnamese dish with fried tofu, rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and fermented shrimp paste.

ChαΊ£ RΖ°Ζ‘i β€” Seasonal Sandworm Omelet

ChαΊ£ rΖ°Ζ‘i combines edible sandworms with egg, herbs and citrus peel in a fried omelet. Availability varies, so this specialty is a possible tasting rather than a guaranteed stop on every departure.

Bia Trα»©ng β€” Egg Beer

Egg beer combines beer with a sweet, creamy egg topping, bringing together contrasting flavors and textures. It contains both alcohol and egg, so tell us before booking if either is unsuitable for you.

Menu note: Tastings and their order may change according to season and vendor availability. Please contact us before booking if there is a particular dish you especially want to try.

Dietary Requirements and Seasonal Availability

This tour includes animal-based ingredients, eggs and fermented shrimp paste, so it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. Please tell us about any food allergies or dietary restrictions before booking so we can confirm whether the menu is appropriate for you.

Some specialties, including chαΊ£ rΖ°Ζ‘i, depend on seasonal and vendor availability. If you are booking specifically to taste a particular dish, contact us first to check whether it is expected to be available on your chosen date.

Price options

Β  Group tour Β  Β $31
Β  Private tour (Min. 2 pax) Β  Β $36

Inclusions

βœ… English speaking guideΒ 

βœ… Convenient Pickup:

  • Private tour: Hotel pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter
  • Group Tour: Meeting point ((38 BΓ‘t Sα»© street)).

βœ… Food tasting as mentioned in the itinerary (can be changed depend on the availability)

βœ… 1 bottle of water/person

βœ… 1 bottle of digestive enzymes to drink before tasting/person

Exclusions

❌ Additional food/beverages

❌ Gratuities for the guide

❌ Pickups outside the designated Old Town area.

Why book with us?

❀ Travel with the Certified Experts

Your safety and peace of mind are our absolute priorities.Β Saigon AdventureΒ is a fullyΒ Legal and Licensed International Tour Operator.

β†ͺ Why this matters: Most street food tours operate without a formal license, which often means your travel insurance will not cover you in the event of an incident. By choosing a licensed professional, you ensure that you are protected and guided by a legitimate, vetted organizationβ€”you can view our license here for your peace of mind.

❀ All-Inclusive Pricing – No Hidden Fees

We believe in transparency.Β Your booking coversΒ all food and beverage tastingsΒ throughout the tour.Β There are no surprise costsβ€”just sit back,Β relax,Β and savor the flavors.

❀Explore Hanoi Through Its Food

Walk through the Old Quarter with a local guide and discover dishes you might hesitate to order on your own. Learn about their ingredients, flavors and place in local food culture as you taste.

❀ Check Dietary Requirements Before Booking

This tour focuses on animal-based specialties and is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. Please contact us on WhatsApp before booking if you have allergies, dietary restrictions or a particular tasting request, so we can confirm what is possible.

❀ An English-Speaking Local Guide

Your guide introduces each tasting, explains unfamiliar ingredients and helps you navigate the Old Quarter on foot. You can ask questions along the way to better understand the food you are trying.

❀ We are dedicated to providing top-quality tours. Book now and pay laterβ€”only if you’re completely satisfied with your experience!

❀ Saigon Adventure is proud to be a top-ranked food tour operator across all major OTAs (Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook, and TripAdvisor), with over 37,800 excellent reviews from travelers worldwide. Don’t just take our word for itβ€”feel free to check the reviews yourself here πŸ‘‡.

Experience authentic Vietnamese street food on this Hanoi tour.
Experience authentic Vietnamese street food on this Hanoi tour.

Important Information

βœ” Suitability: Not suitable for guests with mobility disabilities, vegans, or vegetarians.

βœ” Meeting Point: Booking Office (38 BΓ‘t Sα»© street). Look for the red-orange sign next to Milton Boutique Hotel.

βœ” What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, breathable clothing, a camera, and some cash for personal expenses.

βœ”Alcohol note: The egg beer tasting contains alcohol and egg. Please contact us before booking if you do not drink alcohol or cannot consume egg, so we can confirm whether an alternative is available.

Hanoi street food tour experiences for international travelers.
Hanoi street food tour experiences for international travelers.

Advanced Traveler Information:

β†ͺ Weather: Our culinary journey proceeds rain or shine; please bring an umbrella or raincoat if the sky looks grey.

β†ͺ Punctuality: If you arrive more than 10 minutes past the start time, please contact us to meet the group at the first tasting location.

β†ͺ Flexibility: Date or time changes must be requested at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability.

FAQs

What is the Hanoi unusual food tour?
It is a guided walking tour exploring the Old Quarter’s more adventurous local dishes. Tastings may include balut, pork offal congee, vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste, seasonal chαΊ£ rΖ°Ζ‘i and egg beer.
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately three hours. The tasting order and time spent at each stop may vary with vendor availability.
Where does the tour start?
Group tours meet at 38 BΓ‘t Sα»© Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Private tours include hotel pickup within the Old Quarter.
Is chαΊ£ rΖ°Ζ‘i available on every departure?
No. ChαΊ£ rΖ°Ζ‘i depends on seasonal and vendor availability, so it is not guaranteed on every departure. Contact us before booking if this dish is a priority for you.
Is the tour suitable for vegans or vegetarians?
No. The menu focuses on specialties containing animal-based ingredients. Travelers who avoid these ingredients should choose a different food experience.
Can I join if I have food allergies?
Please contact us before booking and describe your allergies. The menu includes ingredients such as egg and shrimp paste, and we need to confirm whether the experience can accommodate your requirements.
Does the tour include alcohol?
The listed egg beer tasting contains alcohol and egg. If you avoid either ingredient, contact us before booking to check whether an alternative is available.

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Why We're Different

Why We're Different β€” Saigon Adventure

At Saigon Adventure, we understand that selecting a tour operator is a significant part of planning your journey, and we strive to make it truly exceptional. Our commitment to quality ensures that every detail is meticulously handled, creating a seamless and enriching travel experience.

Our dedicated team goes above and beyond to exceed expectations, delivering personalized service and unforgettable moments. While we cannot speak for others, we guarantee our unwavering dedication to making your trip remarkable β€” let us handle the logistics so you can relax and fully enjoy your adventure.

We continuously implement initiatives to enhance your experience while contributing positively to the world around us.

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No tourist traps: avoid crowded tourist attractions and explore distinctive, worthwhile experiences. Discover hidden gems that offer authenticity, cultural depth, and lasting memories. Earth-friendly travel: we carefully curate each experience to ensure it supports environmental conservation and respects wildlife.

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Saigon Adventure exclusively employs local guides, ensuring direct benefits to the community. Each guide undergoes comprehensive training in guest experience, cultural knowledge, photography, and safety β€” guaranteeing an authentic, enriching, and secure journey while supporting local economic growth.

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Every traveler is unique, which is why we craft personalized tours tailored to individual interests. Whether capturing breathtaking photos, enjoying music, or celebrating a special occasion, we customize every detail to create a seamless and memorable experience.

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Saigon Adventure is committed to responsible tourism that benefits local communities and preserves cultural heritage, prioritizing sustainable practices and ethical business standards by collaborating with local businesses and employing trained local guides.

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