Evan El, an American who has lived in Vietnam for over a year, frequently shares videos on his YouTube channel documenting his culinary experiences across cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

In his latest video, Evan introduced three iconic Hanoi breakfast dishes he recently tried in Da Nang: banh cuon, xoi xeo, and bun rieu cua.

"Today, I’ll be tasting three Hanoi-style dishes that I think make the best breakfasts," Evan said.

1. Banh cuon (steamed rice rolls)

The first dish Evan tried was banh cuon. He described it as both delicious and affordable, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per portion.

"Banh cuon is one of my all-time favorite dishes," the American tourist said.

Evan appreciated the dish’s smooth texture, unique flavors, and how light it feels even when eaten in large quantities. He noted that banh cuon can be prepared with various fillings, from minced pork and mushrooms to soft-boiled eggs, served alongside pork sausage, grilled pork, crispy fried shallots, and a distinctive dipping sauce.

“The rice rolls are thin, soft, and easy on the stomach. I could eat five or six plates of this at a time. On its own, banh cuon doesn’t have much flavor beyond the steamed rice flour, but when paired with minced pork, mushrooms, and sausage, it becomes rich and delicious,” Evan remarked.

2. Xoi xeo (sticky rice with mung beans)

The next Hanoi-style breakfast dish Evan tried was xoi xeo, purchased from a street vendor for 35,000 VND. The dish was a mixed platter featuring finely ground mung beans, pork floss, steamed pork sausage, soy-marinated eggs, Chinese sausage, and crispy fried shallots.

Evan praised the affordability of the dish, noting that its price varies depending on the ingredients and portion size.

He likened the appearance of the dish to "a budget-friendly boxed buffet." In terms of taste, he highlighted the sticky rice’s soft, chewy texture and its delicious pairing with savory toppings. He also appreciated the vendor’s creative additions, such as sweet-and-spicy sauce and soy-marinated eggs, which enhanced the flavor to suit local preferences.

“This dish is wonderful. It offers a perfect combination of soft, chewy glutinous rice, finely ground mung beans, salty pork floss, and crispy fried shallots. It’s a fantastic breakfast,” Evan said.

3. Bun rieu cua (crab noodle soup)

The last dish Evan tried was bun rieu cua, which he deemed “the best Hanoi-style breakfast.”

He ordered a special mixed bowl for 45,000 VND, featuring ingredients like crab paste, beef, fried tofu, pork sausage, and fish cakes.

"The broth is amazing," Evan exclaimed after taking a sip.

Evan noted that while the dish’s complex flavor profile might not appeal to every foreign visitor, he personally found it nutritious and rich in taste due to the harmonious blend of various ingredients.

“It’s hard to describe the sophisticated flavors of Hanoi’s bun rieu cua. This dish is truly the best breakfast because it gives you enough energy to work for hours,” he shared.

Thao Trinh