Vegan Foodie Alert! Quick Bites at Hanoi's Top Vegan Spots
Hey veggie lovers! Craving some delicious, plant-based goodness in Hanoi? I've got you covered with a speedy rundown of some popular vegan restaurants that I've checked out recently!
1. Phê Chay: More Than Just Drinks
- Location: 15 Ngo San Quan, Kham Thien (same side as the market alley)
- Hours: All Day
Phê Chay is primarily a beverage spot, but they do offer a couple of filling vegan dishes: bun rieu (tomato noodle soup) and porridge. They also have vegan snacks like nachos and spring rolls. I thought their bun rieu was alright – lightly seasoned, leaning towards a macrobiotic style. Presentation is definitely on point! Overall, it didn't blow me away, and I feel the prices are a little steep. But the drinks we tried were pretty tasty, and the space is super cute for photos!
2. Pho Chay: Budget-Friendly Vegan Pho
- Location: 168 Lo Duc
- Hours: 7 AM - 1 PM or 2 PM (varies)
This place wins for its wallet-friendly prices and generous portions! The flavors are bold. I was seriously impressed with their pho sot vang (vegan pho with a "wine" sauce) – it tastes incredibly close to the real thing! The mixed noodles are also delicious. I also sampled the fresh spring rolls but found the dipping sauce a bit too salty. The only downside is the cleanliness – it could be better. Maybe it was just the gloomy, damp day that made everything look a little grimy!
3. Chay Cuc Lac: Quality Vegan Food at Unbelievable Prices
- Location: 9 Dong Co, Buoi, Tay Ho (near the end of Thuy Khue street)
- Hours: 11 AM - 8 PM
I suspect the owner of this place is running it for fun, not profit! The architecture and interior design scream "money," yet the food is ridiculously affordable. But don't let the prices fool you – the quality is fantastic! Their bun rieu is amazing, packed with flavor. I also tried the fresh spring rolls and black pepper "beef," and they were both faultless. The only drawback is it's a bit far from my house. They also host a bi-monthly buffet for just 10k VND – all you can eat! I'm bummed I won't be in Hanoi long enough to try it. Check their fan page for the exact dates!
4. Vegan Restaurant on Chau Long Street: The Ultimate Bun Rieu
- Location: 19 Chau Long
- Hours: Seems to only open in the afternoon
Currently, this is my absolute favorite spot for vegan bun rieu in Hanoi. Seriously, if you closed your eyes, you wouldn't know it was vegan! Their fresh spring rolls are also amazing – two is enough to fill you up for dinner! Here's what you need to know:
- There's no parking. A nearby neighbor handles parking for 5k VND per vehicle.
- It's self-service! The dishes are laid out like a buffet, pre-portioned. You grab what you want, and they calculate the bill when you're done. For bun rieu, you'll need to queue up, get your bowl filled with broth, and carry it to your table. Afterward, you're responsible for bussing your own dishes to the bins near the entrance.
The prices are slightly above average, but that's expected in this area. There's a chill courtyard in the back for seating. My advice? Go early because it gets crowded, and the food runs out fast! I arrived at 5 PM and got a table right away, but a little later, there was already a long line.
Happy eating!
Shared by: Duong Nguyen Hoang Khanh
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