Hanoi Porridge

Hanoi Porridge: Unique flavors from a small street beside an old church

I, mr.hotsia, have had the chance to travel to Hanoi many times, especially when visiting northern Vietnam, the ancient capital that still carries the scent of history and the simple lifestyle of people in the Phu Doan neighborhood. This area offers affordable accommodations and is a great starting point for exploring Hanoi. Today, I will introduce you to “Hanoi Porridge,” a special recipe from a small street near an old church in this area, which has been one of my go-to breakfasts during visits to this city.

If you have ever strolled around the old church in Hanoi, I recommend walking towards Joma Coffee and looking for a small alley with an ATM at the corner. On the left side is a budget accommodation area popular with backpackers and locals. The porridge shop I’m talking about is located right at the corner of that alley.

What made me fall in love with this porridge shop is not just the mellow taste but also the lively street atmosphere filled with Vietnamese people enjoying their meal from early dawn until late morning. The porridge here is served in small bowls, priced at about 40 Thai baht per bowl, perfect for those who want a delicious breakfast without feeling too full.

The porridge here has a smooth and delicate texture, rich in flavor that shows the careful simmering of rice and broth. It also comes with fresh minced pork and offal, which you can add to enhance the taste as you like. I, mr.hotsia, have often relied on this shop for light meals before heading out to explore Hanoi.

Hanoi from mr.hotsia’s perspective with morning porridge

For me, Hanoi is not just a capital full of history but also the center of northern Vietnam, similar to Chiang Mai in Thailand. The weather here is not too hot, perfect for leisurely walks around the old town by Hoan Kiem Lake or as a convenient starting point for trips to Sapa or Ha Long Bay.

Each time I arrive in Hanoi, I usually choose budget flights or sometimes travel by train from nearby cities, allowing me to enjoy the scenery along the way and truly experience the local way of life. Read more atBackpacking Hanoi 2016which I have written before.

The Phu Doan neighborhood I mentioned is a budget accommodation area favored by backpackers because it offers local restaurants with great flavors and a rustic atmosphere that preserves authentic Vietnamese culture well. The porridge shop in this alley is a great example of authentic Vietnamese breakfast that I, mr.hotsia, never miss when visiting.

Lifestyle and street atmosphere with the famous porridge shop

Eating porridge by the street in Hanoi is an experience that impressed me more than dining in fancy restaurants. The street atmosphere with people chatting, the soft sound of motorbikes, and the aroma of slowly simmered rice porridge made my breakfast incredibly special.

I have seen the vendor set up her stall early in the morning to prepare porridge for locals and early-rising tourists who come to support her. By late morning, the porridge is usually sold out. Seeing this, I knew it was truly exceptional.

The Vietnamese people eating porridge here range from local workers to tourists like me who enjoy authentic traditional breakfasts. Besides porridge, Hanoi also offers other interesting Vietnamese breakfasts such as chicken biryani and nem fang, which I have documented inVietnamese Chicken BiryaniandVietnamese Nem Fangfor those who want to try a variety of flavors.

Travel recommendations and related links

If you are planning to visit Hanoi and want to try morning porridge in this small alley near the old church, I recommend staying near Hoan Kiem Lake or the Phu Doan area. Besides convenience, there are many restaurants to try and budget accommodations suitable for backpackers.

For more information about traveling in Hanoi on your own, I have written inSelf-Guided Hanoi Travel 2013which should help you plan your trip more easily. If you are interested in continuing to southern Vietnam after Hanoi, I recommend checking outTour Packages in Ho Chi Minh Cityto conveniently plan your next trip.

Summary

The Hanoi porridge I, mr.hotsia, recommend is not just ordinary porridge but a perfect blend of flavor and lifestyle in Vietnam’s ancient capital. When you experience it yourself, you will understand why I am so fond of it and keep coming back for many meals. Your visit to Hanoi will be much more complete when you taste this small bowl of porridge hidden in a tiny alley.