Hanoi food, bun cha Hanoi, pho Hanoi, restaurants in Hanoi, Obama bun cha, Macron Hanoi visit, Korean president Hanoi, Vietnamese cuisine, Hanoi street food, famous eateries Vietnam
Some of Hanoi’s most iconic dishes, including pho and bun cha, have drawn the attention of world leaders from France, the US, and most recently South Korea, who chose these local eateries as stops during their official visits to Vietnam.
Pho Ly Quoc Su on Dinh Liet Street
The pho shop owner on Dinh Liet Street was delighted to welcome the South Korean president and his spouse. Photo: NVCC
On April 23, during a state visit to Vietnam, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse took a walk around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and stopped to enjoy a bowl of traditional pho.
The eatery they visited is located at 40 Dinh Liet Street.
The presidential couple chose a table inside, while their delegation of more than 10 people sat outside.
According to owner Thieu Van Mui, the group ordered 17 bowls of well-done beef pho and two portions of fried rice with pickled vegetables and beef.
Knowing that many Korean diners are not fond of cilantro, the owner deliberately used only chopped scallions in preparation.
Mui observed that the president and his spouse added plenty of lime and chili before slowly enjoying their meal. They smiled frequently and nodded in approval.
A restaurant in a French-style villa on Hang Be Street
French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse strolling in Hanoi during their state visit in May 2025.
Interior of the restaurant that hosted the French president and his spouse. Photo: Madame Hien Hanoi
A year earlier, during his state visit to Vietnam, French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse spent their final day dining at a restaurant located at 48 Hang Be Street in Hanoi.
The restaurant is run by Didier Corlou, a 73-year-old French chef with a deep passion for Vietnamese cuisine, known for traditional dishes such as bun cha, fresh spring rolls, and bun rieu.
Corlou revealed that bun rieu and stir-fried morning glory with garlic were among the dishes the French president and his spouse enjoyed for lunch.
The restaurant is housed in a villa built in 1928. After nearly a century, the building still retains its elegant, classic charm, reflecting early 20th-century French architecture.
Before hosting the French president, the venue had welcomed other distinguished guests, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and Tim Cook.
A bun cha eatery on Le Van Huu Street
The bun cha restaurant in Hanoi that once welcomed former US President Barack Obama remains a popular dining spot for locals and international visitors.
During his visit to Vietnam in May 2016, former US President Barack Obama stopped at a bun cha restaurant on Le Van Huu Street.
There, he ordered two portions of bun cha and two bottles of beer, enjoying the meal with late chef Anthony Bourdain.
According to owner Nguyen Thi Lien, Obama also ordered four additional portions to take back to his hotel.
Today, the table and chairs where he once sat are preserved in a glass display case as a special keepsake.
In June 2023, the restaurant was also named among the Michelin Selected top 70 dining establishments.
The family-run eatery has been open for over 30 years, maintaining its original recipe, from the fish sauce mix to the grilling technique. Only the prices have changed over time. Its menu features bun cha served with fried spring rolls and skewered grilled pork.
Vietnamnet.vn
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