Dong Xuan Food Alley is a narrow alley lined with eateries and stalls right next to Dong Xuan Market. You can also find it on maps under its local name, Ngõ Đồng Xuân.

Stretching for about 200 metres, it is packed with small kitchens, low stools and tables where you can sample typical dishes from northern Vietnam. It’s ideal as a stop for lunch or for a few small tastings whilst strolling through the Old Quarter.

Would you like to stay near the local eateries? The Hanoi Little Town Hotel is about a 5-minute walk from the alley. You can find more tips in the article ‘Where to stay in Hanoi’.

What should you try, and how much does the food cost?

The street is best known for its small local eateries, which specialise in just a few dishes. The space is really small, so expect to be sitting right next to other diners.

Typical dishes include:

• Bánh tôm – fried pancakes with prawns and sweet potatoes.
• Bún chả – grilled pork with rice noodles, herbs and sauce.
• Bún ốc – noodle soup with snails.
• Chè – sweet desserts, for example with beans, jelly or coconut milk.

A well-known spot is Bánh tôm cô Ầm at the entrance to the alley, where the prawn fritters cost roughly between 15 000 vnd per piece.

To sample a few dishes, allow around 100,000–150 000 vnd per person. Check the exact prices at the stall before ordering.

Allow about 30–60 minutes for your meal and a few stops.

When to go?

It’s best to come for lunch or in the early afternoon. For the widest choice, I’d plan your visit between 10.00 and 16.00.

Dong Xuan Food Alley is also open on weekdays. Don’t confuse it with the weekend night market in the surrounding streets: many of the local eateries may already be closed late in the evening.

Where can you find the alley?

Look for Ngõ Đồng Xuân, a narrow passageway between Hang Chieu and Cau Dong streets, next to the market. You can enter from Hang Chieu Street.

The best way to get there is on foot, so you can combine a stop for a bite to eat with other places in the Old Quarter:

• Dong Xuan Market – right next door.
• Bach Ma Temple – about a 5-minute walk.
• Quan Chuong Gate – about a 5-minute walk.
• Hoan Kiem Lake – about a 15-minute walk.

A more comfortable hotel in the area

If you’re looking for a hotel with more facilities, take a look at La Siesta Classic Ma May, about a 10-minute walk from the alley. It has a spa and several room categories, including family rooms. The basic Superior rooms have no windows.

What did you try in the alley and how much did the food cost? Please share your specific recommendations in the comments.

What to see around

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