Hannah, a Japanese tourist, recently visited Hanoi to explore the local food scene. She shared that whenever she travels, she often sets aside her usual healthy eating routine to enjoy the city’s most authentic and flavorful dishes  -  especially street food.

Among the foods she tried, Hannah was most impressed by several fish-based dishes served at a well-known local eatery tucked inside Trung Yen alley, located in Hoan Kiem District.

This narrow alley, nestled in the heart of the Old Quarter, stretches about 200 meters and connects Dinh Liet Street to the old Hang Be Market. Its small, crowded passageways are lined with tightly packed homes and colorful shop signs.

Hannah decided to fully experience the restaurant’s signature dishes and ordered two servings: a bowl of mixed glass noodles and another of red rice noodles.

In addition, she ordered the restaurant’s best-selling dish  -  crispy fried fish rolls filled with minced meat.

The first dish she tried was the fish rolls. She described them as “similar to fried fish spring rolls” and rated the flavor “exceptional.” The fish was marinated in rich spices, mixed with minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, then wrapped in thin fish fillets and coated with crispy breadcrumbs before being served with sweet-and-sour fish sauce.

“Whenever I travel, I tend to eat a lot of meat. I rarely go for fish or light dishes. But here, every dish tastes so good that I want to try them all,” Hannah said with a smile.

The next dish, mixed glass noodles, amazed her even more. She noted that while it looked similar to mixed noodles in Japan, the taste was distinct and surprisingly delicious, without being heavy or greasy. The crispy, thinly sliced fried fish cakes served on top were her favorite part.

She continued with the red rice noodles, exclaiming, “This flat noodle dish is also amazing. It’s so interesting that Hanoi has so many noodle varieties that we don’t have in Japan.”

Hannah admitted that “traveling abroad really shows you how different noodles can be,” praising not only the diverse flavors but also the generous, neatly presented portions.

The eatery Hannah visited has been operating for over 20 years, specializing in fish-based dishes. It is a familiar stop for many locals and tourists alike when visiting Hanoi.

The restaurant was originally opened by Mrs. Sam and is now run by her daughter-in-law, Ms. Sau, along with other family members. Speaking with VietNamNet, Ms. Sau revealed that the signature fried fish rolls were inspired by a recipe Mrs. Sam learned in Hue.

The outer layer is made from tender fish meat, wrapped with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, then coated in breadcrumbs before frying to golden perfection. The dish combines the sweetness of fish and savory meat, producing a unique, flavorful taste when dipped in sweet-and-sour sauce.

For noodle dishes such as vermicelli, red noodles, and glass noodles, the eatery uses crispy fried snakehead fish as the main ingredient. The broth has a mild sour flavor, simmered from fish bones with pineapple and tomato for balance.

To cater to different seasons and preferences, the restaurant also serves dry noodle versions. Seasonal vegetables such as mustard greens, celery, and bean sprouts accompany the dishes, enhancing freshness and preventing heaviness.