Whenever we land in a new city, making a perfect food list is one of the most important things to do. We check local sites, surf TripAdvisor, travel articles and such to find the best eats around the world. Of course, one of the best sources we should never miss is Anthony Bourdain who was an American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian. He was an expert in finding the best eats in town. The anniversary of Anthony Bourdain’s death is within this week, June 8th to be exact, and we would like to write this article to honor and remember him and his contribution to the world. Anthony had been to Vietnam many times and he never failed to find the best and cheapest food in town. Vietnam’s street food culture is vibrant and it is literally everywhere that sometimes confuses you as you have no idea where you should eat. Don’t worry, just follow Anthony Bourdain’s food trail in Vietnam and you will get to savor all the good food. Let’s dig in!

Here is the list of all the food destinations that he went to. Some of the owners in those restaurants or food stalls say that their life did take a huge milestone or a 180-degree turn for the better after being featured by Anthony Bourdain.

Contents

Bun Cha Huong Lien

What is it? Bun Cha – Grilled pork noodles
Address: 24 Le Van Huu
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Note: You should come as early as possible to avoid the crowd and the queue. Also, if you come late, Bun Cha will run out. Only vermicelli and spring rolls available – which happened to us once. We got there at almost 8:00 PM and we ended up eating vermicelli and spring rolls without Bun Cha in a Bun Cha restaurant.

Bun Cha Huong Lien is the most famous destination in the list since it is where U.S. Former President – Obama and Bourdain ate. You can navigate your way to Le Van Huu street which is located in the Old Quarter and drop by a small restaurant fully packed with scooters on the front and lots of people coming in and out. You would know you’re in the right place by seeing all the framed pictures of Obama and Bourdain on the wall. After their visit, the restaurant amended its own menu with the addition of “Obama combo” which literally means “this is what Obama ordered” including Bun cha, beer, and seafood spring rolls, one each. Bun Cha is a bowl of grilled pork, crunchy papaya, and carrots with fish sauce accompanied by rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. Just dip some vermicelli into the bowl then take a pork bite and eat! It’s easy, just mix and take bits of everything together and eat. It’s DELICIOUS!

Cussing Noodles

What is it? Bun doc mung – Noodles with pork and taro stems
Address: 41 Ngo Sy Lien, Hanoi
Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Cussing noodles restaurant is well-known among Hanoians. Some people from other provinces of Vietnam often make jokes about the name of this restaurant and some might even be afraid of it. They make lots of questions about not only the restaurant but also the people of Hanoi, whether they are rude or not, whether they are always cussing or not, and alike. The name of this restaurant is just after the name of the dish – Bun doc mung; however, the owner always cusses at her staff, customers, and even not any specific one, which makes people call her shop “cussing noodles”. This bun doc mung shop started to become famous thanks to the word of mouth as people have been always curious “why cussing noodles? what cussing?” and they just wanted to check it out. It became more and more famous thanks to Bourdain’s visit and that it was featured on CNN, viral all over the world. But the question is how about its quality?

Bun doc mung is a bowl of noodles (same strings of Bun Cha noodles) with pork, tomatoes, and taro stems. The best thing about it is its broth made of pork knuckles and snouts. Cussing noodles shop has been doing a great job in this. People love its broth, so no matter how long the queue is and no matter how much cussing they think they would get, they still come. What’s funny is some customers even “volunteer” and desire to be cursed by the owner that they tried to make fun of her or whatever way they could think of to piss her off.

Bun Oc Pho Co

What is it? Bun Oc – Snail noodles with broth
Address: Giang Bun Oc Pho Co, 36 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:30 AM–3 PM, 5–11 PM

This is one of the first dishes that Bourdain had in Hanoi. Although Bun Oc is not as famous as Pho in Vietnam, it is still worth trying at least once. The broth is special; the flavor and the smell are very good. Take a seat on a little plastic stool, swirl the chopsticks around and slurp some Bun Oc like a local.

Bia Hai Xom (Beer)

What is it? Beers
Address: Bia Hai Xom chain is everywhere. But Bourdain went to 22 Tang Bat Ho, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10 AM–11:30 PM

Beer is everywhere in Vietnam and the number of beer consumers in Vietnam ranks on the up-top in the world. If you can drink or even can’t but want to see some party vibes and Vietnamese ways to clink the glasses, just come check out Bia Hai Xom – the most popular beer shop chain in Vietnam. You will see all the people around shout out cheerfully like crazy, counting from 3 to 1 and “Dzo”. You say “Cheers”. The Vietnamese say “Dzo” and “Uong” – “Drink”.

Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang

What is it? Banh Xeo – Vietnamese pancake
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC (Saigon)
Opening hours: 10 AM – 2 PM / 4 PM – 9 PM

This Banh Xeo shop has become popular since Anthony Bourdain’s first visit which literally changed the shop’s destiny and life forever positively. Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang offers a perfect version of Vietnam’s Southern pancake – Banh Xeo. The fried crust is made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, while what’s inside is full of pork, shrimp, herbs, scallions, and bean sprouts. If you are a vegetarian, you can tell the owner to exclude all the meats. Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang uses firewood to make the pancake, which makes the crust crunchy and the whole cake itself smell and taste better. You can eat Banh Xeo with your hands or chopsticks. Dip your Banh Xeo into a bowl of fish sauce and take a bite!

Bun Bo Hue The Lunch Lady

What is it? Bun Bo Hue – Hue style noodles
Address: 23 Hoang Sa Street, Phuong Da Kao, District 1, HCMC (Saigon) or Hem D Chung Cu Nguyen Dinh C, Da Kao, District 1, HCMC (Saigon)
Opening hours: 11 AM – 3:30 PM

One of the most famous street food stalls in Saigon belongs to the legendary, also the street food celebrity – the Lunch Lady or Nguyen Thi Thanh. Anthony Bourdain found her stall and had some delicious noodles that he featured on his show No Reservations. It made this food stall become famous and popular all over the world day by day just after his visit; however, her name was and is still always well-known for her noodles and broth among the locals in Saigon. What’s interesting about this food stall is the way the Lunch Lady rotates her menu which serves only one type of noodle soup or broth every day just because she is an expert in that. Seven days in a week, she can walk you through a maze of noodles’ collection from Bun Bo Hue, Bun Thai (Thai’s noodles?), Bun Mam (Fish sauce noodles) to Banh Canh Cua (Crab noodles). If you visit on Friday, you will be served Bun Bo Hue in which you slurp some clear broth with a meaty flavor and chew on thick noodles while eating some meats, herbs, and rolls.

Cao Lau Hoi An

What is it? Cai Lau – Hoi An Noodles without broth
Address: Central Market in Hoi An

Cao Lau is a Hoi An signature that nobody should ever miss it when they are in Hoi An. Bourdain had Cao Lau in the Central Market, Hoi An where there are a large number of food vendors and restaurants offering delicious Central Vietnam cuisine. Cao Lau has thin slices of pork, thick Quang noodles, and all the fresh herbs and vegetables. If you travel to Central Vietnam without eating Cao Lau in Hoi An and My Quang in Da Nang, you’re not really in town.

Others

The above list is just to map out some signatures. To check the full food list by Anthony Bourdain, you can check the gallery below. Click on the photo for a bigger size and use the arrow to navigate. Feel free to give us your thoughts or feedback on these food destinations!