Hanoi’s doughnuts are undoubtedly one of the simple yet cherished dishes that have been a part of generations of the capital’s residents. Follow this article to discover the top 11 places to find the most delicious doughnuts in Hanoi.
Hanoi’s doughnuts are a humble afternoon delight, enticing diners with their delightful and familiar flavors. Alongside pho, bun cha, and other iconic Hanoi dishes, these doughnuts are also a beloved culinary tradition for Hanoians, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who ventures away from the city.
Hanoi’s Doughnuts – The Simple Pleasure of Hanoians
When visiting Hanoi, many travelers are sure to indulge in the city’s specialties like pho, bun cha, bun dau mam tom, and more. Among these, doughnuts are a simple yet addictive afternoon treat that captivates many diners with their seemingly uncomplicated yet irresistible flavors.
Apart from the main meals, Hanoi locals have a light afternoon snack that many refer to as an afternoon gift, consisting of various delicacies found at street-side stalls and mobile vendors. Hanoi’s doughnuts are frequently featured on the list of these afternoon delights.
These treats fill up empty stomachs just enough to keep you going until dinner. That’s why many people choose Hanoi’s doughnuts not only to sustain themselves for the rest of the day but also for the sheer pleasure of it, as well as an excuse to gather and enjoy with others.
Sweet doughnuts are a nostalgic childhood treat for many, but over time, doughnut makers have diversified the fillings to cater to various tastes. As a result, savory doughnuts emerged, with fillings primarily made from meat and mushrooms.
Top Famous and Addictive Doughnut Shops in Hanoi
If you’re in the capital city and wondering where to find the famous Hanoi doughnuts, be sure to note down these 12 local favorites reviewed by the locals themselves below!
1/ 52 Hang Chieu Doughnuts – The Legendary and Widely Acclaimed Spot
When talking about sweet Hanoi doughnuts, the first name that undoubtedly comes to mind is 52 Hang Chieu doughnuts. This place is incredibly familiar to Hanoians, especially in the ancient quarter of Hanoi. If you happen to be around Hoan Kiem Lake, make sure to visit this renowned doughnut shop to savor their exquisite doughnuts.
What sets these delectable Hanoi doughnuts apart is their thin and crispy outer layer, combined with a mouthwatering filling and a beautiful brown honey glaze on the outside. With each bite, you’ll experience the crunchiness of the crust, the sweetness of the honey, and the creaminess of the green bean filling. In addition to honey-glazed doughnuts, this shop also serves sugar-glazed doughnuts with top-tier green bean fillings.
Address: 52 Hang Chieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Price Range: 4,000 VND per piece
2/Doughnut Spots in Hanoi – Ô Quan Chưởng Doughnuts
After strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the central attractions in Hanoi, travelers can also visit Ô Quan Chưởng doughnut shop to enjoy the simple evening delight of Hanoians.
This particular shop offers only one type of sweet doughnut. What makes Ô Quan Chưởng doughnuts stand out is that they are about the size of an adult’s fingertip. That’s why many people often refer to them as “miniature doughnuts.”
The dough is made from a mixture of plain rice flour and glutinous rice flour, while the filling is finely ground green beans. What’s unique about these doughnuts is their crispy crust, with sesame seeds sprinkled on one side instead of being fully coated like in other shops. The Hanoi doughnuts here are molded and fried on the spot, so they are always hot, fresh, and fragrant.
Address: Intersection of Hang Chieu Street and Ô Quan Chưởng Street, Hoan Kiếm District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Price Range: 2,000 – 3,000 VND per piece
3/ Hai Xe Donuts Luong Ngoc Quyen – Renowned for Over 30 Years
This is a well-known Hanoi eatery that has been a familiar spot for many people for more than 30 years. It’s located on the section of Nguyen Huu Huan Street where it intersects with Lương Ngọc Quyến Street. Despite its modest size, this Hanoi doughnut shop is always bustling, with a constant stream of customers. Hải Xệ Doughnuts offers both honey-glazed, savory, and sweet doughnuts, catering to the tastes of all diners.
Address: 5 Lương Ngọc Quyến Street, Hoan Kiếm District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Price Range: 2,000 – 5,000 VND per piece
4/ Where to Find Delicious Hanoi Doughnuts? – Vĩnh Hồ Doughnut Shop
In the Vĩnh Hồ Market area, there are several shops selling Hanoi doughnuts, but only shop number 83 offers sweet doughnuts as well. The doughnuts here are made in small batches, so they are always hot, fresh, and delicious. The process of making Hanoi doughnuts at this shop is quite simple. Each doughnut is shaped into a round, finger-sized ball, rolled in sesame seeds, and fried until crispy.
Address: 83 Vĩnh Hồ Street, Hoan Kiếm District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Price Range: 2,000 – 5,000 VND per piece
5/ Crispy and Irresistible Gia Trịnh Doughnuts
When mentioning the oldest Hanoi doughnut shop, Gia Trịnh doughnuts are perhaps the name that many people remember. The shop is located on the small Lý Nam Đế Street, near Hoan Kiem Lake – a famous Hanoi attraction that attracts many tourists.
Gia Trịnh doughnuts offer both sweet and savory varieties. Among them, the sweet doughnuts are called an interesting name – “shaky doughnuts.” This is because the doughnut’s crust is crispy, and the green bean filling inside is round. When you shake the doughnut, you can hear a rattling sound similar to a child’s toy.
Address: Alley 16A Lý Nam Đế Street, Hoan Kiếm District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM Price Range: Starting from 3,000 VND per piece
6/ Tí Hon Bùi Ngọc Dương Doughnuts – A Super Delicious Honey-Glazed Doughnut Shop in Hanoi
The name of this shop, “Tí Hon” (meaning “tiny” in Vietnamese), refers to the small and adorable size of their doughnuts. This is a renowned Hanoi shop for honey-glazed doughnuts, known for its simple preparation yet irresistibly delicious results. Besides honey-glazed doughnuts, the shop also offers savory and sugar-glazed ones. While waiting for your doughnuts, you can observe the entire doughnut-making process. The owner always wears gloves during preparation to ensure hygiene and cleanliness.
Address: 124 Alley 8 Bùi Ngọc Dương Street, Đống Đa District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Price Range: 2,000 VND per piece
7/ Đinh Liệt Doughnuts – Renowned for Savory Doughnuts Đinh Liệt
Doughnuts is another famous doughnut shop near Hanoi’s pedestrian street that you should definitely try. Established in the late 1970s, this Hanoi doughnut shop has a long history and has become a familiar spot for locals whenever they seek a simple afternoon treat – doughnuts.
The shop offers two types of doughnuts: sweet and savory. Among them, the savory doughnuts are particularly popular among diners because of their generous filling, aromatic mung bean flavor, and flavorful dipping sauce. Not to be outdone, the sweet doughnuts are also beloved for their crispy crust, chewy filling, and sweet glaze.
Address: 16 Đinh Liệt Street, Hoan Kiếm District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Price Range: Starting from 4,000 – 10,000 VND per piece
8/ A Popular Hanoi Doughnut Spot – Trần Xuân Soạn Doughnuts
This doughnut shop in Hanoi has been in business for nearly 40 years. In addition to sweet and savory doughnuts, the shop also offers sesame doughnuts. After frying, the doughnuts are kept in a glass cabinet to ensure hygiene.
The honey-glazed doughnuts have a filling that is just right, not too heavy on the palate, with a thin and crispy crust. Meanwhile, the sesame doughnuts and savory doughnuts are coated with a layer of sesame seeds on the outside. When you bite into them, you’ll distinctly feel the crispness of the crust, the chewiness of the filling, and the sweetness of the glaze.
Address: 26B Trần Xuân Soạn Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Price Range: Starting from 5,000 – 10,000 VND per piece
9/ Võng Thị 242 Tây Hồ Doughnuts – Delicious Savory Doughnuts in Hanoi
Võng Thị Doughnuts is one of the famous spots in Hanoi for delectable savory doughnuts located near West Lake. It’s unclear when this place became a familiar destination for locals whenever they crave this simple and familiar doughnut treat.
Võng Thị Doughnuts have an elongated shape, often referred to as “flat Hanoi doughnuts.” The doughnuts here entice many with their unique filling made from minced meat and wood ear mushrooms. You should enjoy them with pickled vegetables and a bit of spicy sauce to fully appreciate the flavor of the doughnuts.
Address: Alley 242 Lạc Long Quân Street, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Price Range: Starting from 7,000 – 8,000 VND per piece
10/ Gốc Đa Doughnuts – Specializing in Delicious Savory Doughnuts
While wandering along Lý Quốc Sư Street, it’s not too difficult for travelers to find the Hanoi doughnut shop at number 52. On chilly, rainy days, this is the perfect place to warm yourself up with a hot and crispy doughnut, rich filling, and flavorful dipping sauce. Besides the delicious Hanoi doughnuts, the shop also leaves an impression with its attentive service, enthusiastic owner, and welcoming atmosphere.
Address: 52 Lý Quốc Sư Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM Price Range: 7,000 – 15,000 VND