Grilled Nam Hanoi

Grilled Nam Hanoi: A unique taste of grilled fermented pork you must try

Speaking of Hanoi, the northern capital of Vietnam, full of fascinating history and culture, one thing I, mr.hotsia, must say you shouldn't miss is “Grilled Nam” or what Vietnamese call grilled fermented pork. This is a local dish with a distinctive and bold flavor that I personally experienced on my latest visit to Hanoi.

Grilled Nam in Hanoi is different from the fermented pork we are familiar with at home because they take well-fermented pork, shape it into balls or skewer it, then quickly grill it over hot charcoal. This gives a smoky aroma and a perfectly balanced sweet and sour taste. It is mostly served with dipping sauce alone, without fresh vegetables or chili like other Vietnamese dishes, which I find charming and worth trying because the rich flavor of grilled Nam stands out enough to be enjoyed with just the dipping sauce.

Atmosphere of eating grilled Nam in a small alley beside the old Hanoi cathedral

I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to enjoy grilled Nam heartily on my birthday at a small shop in an alley beside the old cathedral calledPhu Y Te(Phu Y Te) an area full of small alleys and the old Hanoi vibe. Here, many young Vietnamese workers gather to eat grilled Nam. The atmosphere is lively and warm, like a local hangout for food lovers in this neighborhood.

I recommend ordering about 10 skewers of grilled Nam and buying fresh chili and vegetables to add freshness and spicy flavor to your style. Some may have never tried it this way before, but mr.hotsia assures you it is a great and memorable experience. The taste of grilled Nam here is truly unique.

Hanoi: A capital full of diversity and charm

If you have just arrived in Hanoi and are looking for accommodation or want to plan your trip in this city, I have written a guide articleTraveling HanoiHanoi is like the Chiang Mai of Vietnam because it has a similar atmosphere: not too hot and with an old town charm. It is suitable as a base for traveling to other destinations like Sapa or Ha Long Bay.

My trips to Hanoi are usually convenient by Lao Airlines or sometimes by train from Vientiane, which offers a true backpacker travel vibe. If you are interested in traveling around Hanoi, you can read more in my articleBackpacking Hanoi 2016written by myself.

Experience local life and street food in Hanoi

What I, mr.hotsia, love most when visiting Hanoi is strolling leisurely through small alleys filled with local eateries and fresh markets. Here, you get to see the daily life of locals up close and taste food flavors unlike those in big city restaurants. Grilled Nam is one of the dishes I recommend trying because it truly reflects northern Vietnamese food culture.

At night, around Hoan Kiem Lake and the mentioned Phu Y Te area, many small restaurants and bars open. You can enjoy a cold beer while dipping hot grilled Nam, making for a delightful experience.

If you are planning to travel northern Vietnam, I recommend trying grilled Nam in Hanoi.

For those who love deep travel and want to try something new, from my experience, mr.hotsia, eating grilled Nam in a small alley beside the old Hanoi cathedral is one of the most memorable moments of this trip. If you have time, don't forget to stroll through markets or street food stalls in Hanoi to truly experience local life.

Finally, if you enjoy traveling and Vietnamese food, I also have articles recommending tours in Ho Chi Minh City and other travel information to make your trip more complete.Book tours in Ho Chi Minh Cityor read stories aboutHo Chi Minh travel informationwhich will help you plan better.

Video introducing grilled Nam and Vietnamese food

If you want to see images and the atmosphere of eating grilled Nam in Vietnam, watch this introduction video. I, mr.hotsia, found it to enhance your travel and food experience.
Vietnamese Fermented Pork Roll- A short video showing how to eat and the grilling atmosphere of fermented pork in Vietnam