Top 10 Must-Try Fried Cake in Hanoi: Crispy, Cheap & Delicious

Discover the delightful world of fried cake in Hanoi, where tradition meets tantalizing taste. This quintessential street food captures the essence of Vietnamese culinary innovation, offering a crispy yet soft indulgence that locals and tourists alike crave. The enticing variety of fried cakes presents an unforgettable experience. Join GTrip as we uncover hidden gems and dive deep into why these treats hold such appeal in Hanoi’s bustling food scene.

1. Gia Trinh Fried Cake

• Address: 16A Ly Nam De Street, Hoan Kiem Ward (16A Ly Nam De Street, Hang Ma Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hour: 6:00 AM - 8:45 PM
• Price range: 5,000 VND/piece (~$0.19)

Nestled along the historic Ly Nam De Street, Gia Trinh Fried Cake has become a beloved culinary institution in Hanoi's Old Quarter. This humble street-side vendor crafts perfectly golden, crispy fried cakes that maintain a delicate balance between a satisfying crunch and a tender interior. The savory aroma wafts through the narrow street, drawing both locals on their morning commutes and curious travelers seeking authentic Hanoi flavors. What sets Gia Trinh apart is their consistent quality and the family recipe that has remained unchanged for generations, delivering an unforgettable taste of Hanoi's street food heritage.

Fried cake in Hanoi is a perfect balance of crispy exterior and soft, flavorful filling

2. 52 Hang Chieu Fried Cake

• Address: 52 Hang Chieu Street, Hoan Kiem Ward (52 Hang Chieu Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Price range: 5,000 VND/piece (~$0.19)

Nestled in the heart of Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter, 52 Hang Chieu Fried Cake offers an authentic taste of traditional Hanoi cuisine. This unassuming street-side stall has perfected the art of crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside fried cakes. The fragrant aroma of freshly fried dough mingled with green bean paste draws locals and tourists alike. What makes this spot special is the perfect balance of textures, the outer layer shatters satisfyingly while the filling maintains its delicate sweetness. Despite its popularity, prices remain remarkably affordable, making it an essential stop on any Hanoi street food journey.

52 Hang Chieu Fried Cake offers an authentic taste of traditional Hanoi cuisine

3. Vong Thi Savory Fried Cakes - 242 Tay Ho

• Address: 242 Lac Long Quan Street, Tay Ho Ward (242 Lac Long Quan Street, Buoi Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Price range: 7,000 - 8,000 VND/piece (~$0.27 - 0.31)

Vong Thi Savory Fried Cakes offers a slightly more refined take on this beloved Hanoi street food. What makes this spot special is the exceptionally crispy exterior that somehow maintains a perfectly chewy center. The owner, a third-generation fried cake maker, uses a family recipe that includes a unique blend of spices in the mung bean filling. The lakeside location adds to the experience, allowing you to enjoy your crispy treats with glimpses of West Lake between bites.

Vong Thi Savory Fried Cakes offers a slightly more refined take on this beloved Hanoi street food

4. Ti Hon Fried Cake - Bui Ngoc Duong Street

• Address: 124 Alley 8, Bui Ngoc Duong Street, Bach Mai Ward (124 Alley 8, Bui Ngoc Duong Street, Bach Mai Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Price range: 1,500 VND/piece (~$0.06)

Ti Hon Fried Cake stands as a local treasure beloved by Hanoi residents seeking authentic street food away from tourist trails. This unassuming stall serves miniature fried cakes with a delightfully crispy exterior that gives way to a soft, savory filling. What sets Ti Hon apart is their perfect balance of traditional flavors, the unmistakable aroma of freshly fried dough mingled with aromatic herbs draws you through the narrow alleyway. Despite its humble setting, the meticulous preparation and consistent quality have earned this spot a dedicated following among locals who consider it one of Hanoi's best-kept culinary secrets.

Ti Hon Fried Cake stands as a local treasure beloved by Hanoi residents seeking authentic street food away from tourist trails

5. Hai Xe Fried Cake - Luong Ngoc Quyen

• Address: 5 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem Ward (5 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Price range: 2,000 - 5,000 VND/piece (~$0.08 - 0.19)

Hai Xe Fried Cake offers a delightful culinary adventure for the curious food explorer. This unassuming street vendor serves crispy, golden fried cakes that have earned a loyal following among locals. Unlike fancier establishments, Hai Xe embraces simplicity, focusing entirely on perfecting their signature dish, a testament to the Vietnamese philosophy that mastering one dish is better than preparing many mediocre ones. The modest setup with tiny plastic stools might not look impressive, but the first bite explains why people queue patiently in this narrow alleyway.

What sets Hai Xe apart is their perfectly balanced dipping sauce, slightly sweet, tangy, and with just enough fish sauce to enhance the crispy exterior of their fried cakes. Each piece is made to order, ensuring you experience the ideal texture: crispy outside and tender inside. The vendor maintains the traditional cooking methods that have been passed down through generations, refusing to compromise on authenticity despite the modernization happening all around.

Hai Xe Fried Cake offers a delightful culinary adventure for the curious food explorer

6. Hanoi Fried Cake - 126 Kim Nguu

• Address: 3 Alley 126, Kim Nguu Street, Hai Ba Trung Ward (3 Alley 126, Kim Nguu Street, Thanh Nhan Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Price range: 4,000 - 5,000 VND (~$0.15 - 0.19)

Nestled in a narrow alley off the bustling Kim Nguu Street, this humble fried cake stall has become something of a local legend. The shop's compact size belies its enormous popularity, with locals often forming lines that spill onto the main street during peak hours. What sets these cakes apart is their perfectly crisp exterior giving way to a soft, savory interior that practically melts in your mouth. The owner, a friendly elderly woman who's been perfecting her recipe for decades, prepares each batch with meticulous care, ensuring consistent quality that keeps customers coming back.

Nestled in a narrow alley off the bustling Kim Nguu Street, this humble fried cake stall has become something of a local legend

7. Dinh Liet Fried Cake

• Address: 16 Dinh Liet Street, Hoan Kiem Ward (16 Dinh Liet Street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Price range: 4,000 - 10,000 VND/piece (~$0.15 - 0.38)

Tucked away in the bustling heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, Dinh Liet Fried Cake offers a humble yet authentic street food experience. The modest stall attracts a steady stream of locals who come for their crispy, golden-brown cakes with perfectly balanced fillings. What makes this spot special is the careful attention to temperature and cooking time, resulting in a delightful textural contrast between the crunchy exterior and soft, savory interior. The aroma alone will guide you through the narrow street to this hidden gem that embodies the essence of Hanoi's beloved street food culture.

Dinh Liet Fried Cake offers a humble yet authentic street food experience

8. Goc Da Fried Cake

• Address: 52 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem Ward (52 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Price range: 7,000 - 17,000 VND (~$0.27 - 0.65)

Goc Da Fried Cake location on Ly Quoc Su street makes it an ideal snack stop after visiting the nearby St. Joseph's Cathedral.  This small, unassuming stall has perfected the art of Vietnamese fried cakes, serving crispy golden pillows with a soft, savory interior. The shop's signature dish combines the perfect balance of textures, crispy exterior giving way to a pillowy filling, with the aromatic blend of traditional Vietnamese herbs. Despite its modest appearance, locals line up daily for these delectable treats, making it a true hidden gem for travelers seeking authentic Hanoi street food.

Goc Da's location in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter makes it an ideal stop during a day of sightseeing

9. Hanoi Fried Cake - Tran Xuan Soan

• Address: 26B Tran Xuan Soan Street, Cua Nam Ward (26B Tran Xuan Soan Street, Ngo Thi Nham Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Price range: 5,000 - 10,000 VND/piece (~$0.19 - 0.38)

Tucked away on Tran Xuan Soan Street, this unassuming fried cake vendor has become a neighborhood institution. The shop's minimalist setup belies the culinary mastery happening at its counters. Here, thin dough wrappers encase savory fillings of ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli, creating the perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior. What sets this spot apart is the owner's dedication to maintaining consistent quality despite increasing popularity. The delicate crackling sound as you bite in signals authentic Hanoi fried cake craftsmanship at its finest.

Tucked away on Tran Xuan Soan Street, this unassuming fried cake vendor has become a neighborhood institution

10. O Quan Chuong Fried Cake

• Address: 1 Hang Chieu Street, Hoan Kiem Ward (1 Hang Chieu Street, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi)
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Price range: 2,000 - 3,000 VND/piece (~$0.08 - 0.11)

Nestled near Hanoi's historic O Quan Chuong Gate, this humble fried cake stall offers an authentic taste of old Hanoi. The cakes here are prepared with a distinctive crispness that locals swear by, with a golden exterior giving way to a soft, savory interior. What makes these cakes special is their perfect balance of crunch and tenderness, achieved through decades of perfecting the family recipe. As you bite in, the aromatic blend of rice flour, pork, and wood ear mushrooms creates a harmonious flavor profile that embodies the essence of Hanoi street food.

O Quan Chuong’s fried cakes are prepared with a distinctive crispness that locals swear by, with a golden exterior giving way to a soft, savory interior

Read more:

• Top 10 Places for the Best Banh Mi in Hanoi You Must Try
• Top 20 Places To Eat Bun Dau Mam Tom In Hanoi
• Top 7 Authentic Egg Coffees in Hanoi: Beloved Local Spots You Can’t Miss

Discovering a simple yet irresistible treat like fried cake in Hanoi offers a glimpse into the city's rich culinary tapestry. Each bite carries whispers of tradition and evokes memories of bustling markets filled with warmth and laughter. As you savor these flavors, you're experiencing culture, history, and connection. Your curiosity has taken you on an enriching ride through this article, so remember it as an invitation to explore even further. You can book Hanoi tours of GTrip - Vietnam Travel Agency to try the signature fried cakes of this city.