Cha ca La Vong (Lã Vọng fish cake) is one of the renowned and timeless delicacies of Hanoi. To mention the delicious dishes of the capital without acknowledging Cha ca La Vong would be a significant omission. Below are some addresses to savor this culinary masterpiece and fully experience the authentic taste of Cha ca La Vong in Hanoi.
What makes Cha ca La Vong special?
Cha ca La Vong, is a unique and famous dish in Hanoi’s culinary scene. It is not only popular among locals but also beloved by food enthusiasts both within and outside the country.
The excellence of Cha ca La Vong lies in the perfect combination of distinctive Vietnamese spices such as turmeric, dill, shrimp paste, and fish sauce. All these elements blend together to create a dish with an irresistibly fragrant aroma. The dish is served with red chili, vermicelli, various fresh herbs, and topped with golden crispy fried fish pieces.
Despite not being overly luxurious or expensive, the meticulous and skillful preparation has allowed Cha ca La Vong to maintain its brand and connection with the people of Hanoi from generation to generation. It is a dish that Hanoians proudly offer to guests from afar, representing the pride of Vietnamese culinary culture.
Some addresses to savor Cha ca La Vong:
2.1 Cha ca La Vong on Cha Ca Street
The first stop on your culinary journey to explore Hanoi is Cha ca La Vong Cha Ca Street. This is where the fantastic dish was born and where the secret to making the best Cá Lã Vọng fish cake is held.
The fish here is always fresh, cut into square pieces, marinated thoroughly with spices, then grilled to a golden color on both sides before being fried in hot oil. Visitors are always satisfied with the quality and flavor of the dishes served here. Enjoying a traditional dish in the antique and nostalgic atmosphere of this place will provide you with an extremely enjoyable experience.
- Address: 14 Cha Ca Street, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Phone: 024 3825 3929
- Reference price: $7 per serving
2.2 Cha ca Vong Ngu
The next address to savor Cha ca La Vong is Cha ca Vong Ngu restaurant. This restaurant specializes in dishes made from delicious and famous snakehead fish in Hanoi, captivating many people with its excellent flavors. The incredibly appealing dish is prepared from fresh and firm snakehead fish, low in bones and highly nutritious.
In addition, the restaurant offers a menu featuring dishes mainly made from snakehead fish, such as Snakehead Fish Cake, Snakehead Fish Roe Wrap, Translucent Snakehead Fish, and Steamed Snakehead Fish with Ginger Sauce. Visitors can be easily enchanted by the beautiful colors, stimulating aroma, and indescribable delicious taste.
- Address: 29 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Phone: 024 3831 9966
- Reference price: $2 – $20.5 per dish
2.3 Cha ca Anh Vu
Cha ca Anh Vu is a renowned name specializing in Hanoi-style fish cake. The place is not only loved for its delicious food but also for its attentive and friendly service. Diners are always impressed by the crispy and tender texture of the fish cake or the deliciously crunchy stir-fried fish maw. The accompanying dipping sauce is perfectly balanced, adding extra appeal to the dish.
Here, the fish cake is fragrant, seasoned just right, and flavorful. The crispy and fresh fish, combined with small vermicelli and aromatic herbs, is a delightful combination. Adding a bit of vermicelli to a bowl, along with some golden crispy fish pieces dripping with oil, and topping it with fresh herbs and roasted peanuts will give you a mouthwatering experience.
Currently, the restaurant has four locations in Hanoi: Anh Vu Trung Hoa, Giang Vo, Vu Trong Khanh, and Nguyen Khanh Toan. Despite the different locations, the food’s taste and service style are consistent across all branches.
- Branch 1: 120k1 Giang Vo, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Branch 2: 103 Trung Hoa Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Branch 3: 80 Vu Trong Khanh, Ha Dong, Hanoi
- Branch 4: 130 Nguyen Khanh Toan, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (morning), 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (evening)
- Phone: 024 3512 1279
- Reference price: $6.1 – $7.4 per serving
2.4 Cha Ka Restaurant
When talking about Hanoi’s Cha ca La Vong restaurants, Cha Ka Restaurant cannot be overlooked. This establishment is committed to using clean ingredients, and food processing and utensil sterilization are carried out according to regulations.
The restaurant has a sophisticated and safe marinating formula that makes the fish cake fragrant, chewy, and crispy, spreading the distinctive flavor not inferior to traditional Cha ca La Vong. When dining here, you will be impressed by both the beautiful presentation of the dish and its unforgettable, enticing taste.
- Address: 13 – 15 Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Reference price: $6.1 – $10.3 per person
- Phone: 024 3998 1666
2.6 Cha ca Lao Ngu
For many Hanoians, Cha ca Lao Ngu is an ideal place to enjoy the delicious specialties of Hanoi. Although the menu here consists of only three items – fish cake, fish congee, and fish intestines – it is enough to captivate the hearts of food lovers with its excellence.
The dining space is arranged quite elegantly and tastefully, with very reasonable prices. The attentive and friendly service style leaves all diners satisfied. Thanks to these factors, Cha ca Lao Ngu has always been on the list of favorite restaurants for even the most discerning customers.
- Address: 171 Thai Ha, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Phone: 024 3514 6768
- Reference price: $2.5 – $4.53 per serving
Cha ca La Vong is a sophisticated and rustic dish that the people of Hanoi, as well as renowned media and top culinary platforms worldwide, praise as a must-try once in a lifetime. Alongside that, Hanoi’s razor clam cake is also an exceptional type of cake in this region. Don’t forget to indulge in these dishes when you visit Hanoi to fully experience the essence of the local cuisine.