Hanoi (VNA) – The Cable News Network (CNN) has recently recommendedfive must-try dishes for foreign visitors on the streets of Hanoi, besides bun cha and world-famous pho.

The capital city, with more than a thousand years of history and a richculture, has been renowned for its diverse food scene. However, cha ca (fish cooked with turmeric anddill), banh tom (shrimp cake), bun ca (fish noodle soup), bun rieu cua (crab noodle soup), and ca phe trung (egg coffee) are stronglyrecommended by CNN.

CNN said Hanoians consider cha ca tobe so exceptional that there is a road in the capital dedicated to the dish –Cha Ca Street. The dish itself dates back more than 130 years ago. It was firstinvented by the local Doan family, who served the special meal to troops duringthe French colonial rule.


Giving detailedingredients of banh tom withfreshwater crayfish or shrimp from West Lake, flour and sweet potato, CNN saidthat it is typically served with lettuce leaves for wrapping, plus chili, limejuice, and fish sauce for dipping. Banh tom is thought to have becomecommon in the 1930s when small street vendors began congregating along ThanhNien Street -- a road that separates West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.


The US-based television network suggested visitors try bun ca at lunch time. Bun ca,combining fried fishcakes, dill, tomatoes, green onions and perilla, can befound anywhere at the time.


Bun rieu is another gastronomic delightof Hanoi. Visitors will have a perfect meal when they add to a bowl of bun rieu- a meat or seafood vermicellisoup with a distinctive crimson colour, requisite plateful of lime wedges, chili and greens.


Meanwhile, Vietnamese ca phe trung isa Hanoi specialty in which creamy soft and meringue-like egg white foam isperched on dense Vietnamese coffee. It is served in both cold and hot versions.-VNA