There are many types of fish that can be used to make fish noodle soup, but Sam Cay Si fish noodle shop chooses tilapia. (Source: Foodody)

The Insider writer said that when selecting establishments, the Michelin star evaluation board usually relies on 5 criteria including product quality; mastery of flavors and cooking techniques; the chef's personality expressed in the dining experience; the value of the dish in terms of money; consistency and consensus among inspectors. In general, it can be understood that the focus is on food.

1. Sam Cay Si Fish Noodles

Located in the famous culinary alley Trung Yen (Hoan Kiem district), the Sam Cay Si fish noodle restaurant is a popular restaurant for both domestic and foreign diners in the Old Quarter. Although it has been open for more than 20 years and specializes in fish noodles, this restaurant is not mentioned in the Michelin guide.

There are many types of fish that can be used to make fish noodle soup, but Sam Cay Si fish noodle shop chooses tilapia. A bowl of fish noodle soup with full flavor includes pieces of fish fried until golden brown, noodles blanched in boiling water, dill, green onions and seasonal vegetables such as green mustard, celery or bean sprouts. In particular, the broth has a sweet and sour taste from tomatoes and bone broth.

The restaurant is famous for its fish rolls made with a special recipe learned from Hue. The outer shell is soft perch meat, the inside is minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, the fish balls are coated with crispy fried flour to create a unique flavor.

According to the American reporter, what makes this restaurant more attractive is probably the scenery. The fish noodle dish is associated with the owner's name and the location of the restaurant - Ms. Sam's noodle shop is located under a banyan tree. Next to the restaurant is Trung Yen temple, where the locals express their respect and believe that they will be blessed by "heaven" for their lives and business.

2. Pho Bung Hang Trong

No longer located on the sidewalk of Hang Trong, the "pho bung" restaurant has now moved into an attic in an old townhouse after the city implemented a large-scale sidewalk clearing in 2016-2017.

To find the once famous pho restaurant, diners must go into a small alley, just wide enough for two people to pass each other, about 6-7 meters deep. Then, follow the signs to the second floor, through an old spiral staircase.

Zukas shared that he was impressed with the restaurant space arranged in a room that is both a bedroom, a worship room and a living room of the owner's family. This gave him a clearer view of the lives of people in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Regarding the pho restaurant, the American male tourist commented that the taste here is typical of Northern pho with rich broth. The accompanying spices at the restaurant are carefully prepared, pickled garlic and chili sauce are homemade, eaten with pho to help the broth become more flavorful.

3. Pho Hanh Lan Ong

Famous for its mixed chicken pho, Pho Hanh restaurant was once suggested by travel magazine The Culture Trip as a suitable place for tourists to have a quick meal before exploring Hanoi at night.

Pho is boiled until soft, using noodles similar to beef pho. The accompanying ingredients are shredded chicken, green onions, herbs, peanuts, served with sweet and sour sauce.

Pho Hanh is located near two of the capital's oldest streets, Lan Ong and Thuoc Bac. This is one of the few streets that still sells products related to the street's name. This area is famous for trading traditional oriental medicine. When you come here to enjoy the cuisine, the aroma of medicinal herbs fills the air, creating a special vibe.

Vietnamese rice rolls. (Source: Helenrecipes)

4. Ho Tay hot rice rolls

The Old Quarter is the epicenter of Hanoi's street food scene, but the north of the Old Quarter has plenty to offer too.

The Ho Tay Hot Rice Rolls restaurant in Yen Phu serves rice rolls with a thin, soft, and chewy crust that is just thin enough to cover the thick filling. The sweet and delicious dipping sauce is seasoned to taste, and each serving of rice rolls comes with cinnamon sausage, green rice sausage, and herbs. In addition to meat and wood ear mushroom rolls, the restaurant also serves attractive egg rice rolls.

The American male tourist said that what was more interesting than enjoying this dish was watching the chef pour rice flour into the steamer and then "swiftly" roll each cake evenly.

Finally, Zukas affirmed that this 40-year-old banh cuon restaurant "deserves" to be included in the Michelin list.

5. Vermicelli with duck near Tran Phu railway

Another attractive dish in Hanoi that was overlooked by the Michelin Guide is duck vermicelli. Zukas commented that this dish has a rich, spicy broth that covers the unpleasant smell of duck meat. There are two ways to eat it: with hot broth or mixed with dry sauce.

Thanh Ngan Restaurant was recommended by an American reporter as having an interesting space as it is located near the train tracks. Zukas suggests that those who cannot go to the train street can choose to come to this restaurant to have the experience of eating street food while watching the train run. Diners can visit the restaurant during the train running times of 7pm, 7:45pm and 8:30pm every day.