Taste of hanoi: not just eating, but sharing, talking and laughing with the locals🥢❤️

Meet Carly and Shannon from Australia for a day of authentic flavours, local connections and unforgettable moments!

Follow us on Facebook for a while, Carly was a bit nervous at first after seeing our ‘exotic food’ challenge from Kathrin’s food tours. But it was no problems at all! We always tailor the experience to match your tastes. Just let us know your preferences, and we’ll craft a perfect menu! 😉

By the end, Carly and Shannon loved every moment. Shannon even joined a "mini cooking class" right on his table, made a papaya salad from scratch, and quickly earned the title of “staff of the day,” chatting and laughing with other customers like a local. Other fun parts? Cracking jokes with Mrs. Mai, our legendary bánh giò vendor with 27 years of expertise and stories to share.

It was a day full of humour, adventure and delicious discoveries. Come and see for yourself - every tour is a new story waiting to be told. ❤️🍴

Sitting in a tiny alleyway where everything is mini - from the chair to the table to the plate - Shannon had the important task of protecting his plate and bowl of noodle soup as motorbikes whizzed by. It was so fun watching him guard his food like a pro! 🍜😂

Here's a hilarious conversation between Shannon and our legend Mrs Mai at her place:

Shannon: Are you 20 years old?

Mrs. Mai: No way, I am over 60. And you? How old are you?

Shannon: I am 25 *laughs out loud*. Just kidding, I am 52.

The man: You just ate balut - "trứng vịt lộn"?

And for the curious, "lộn" means "upside down", which adds an extra twist to the fun! 😂🍜

Start the day off right with a plate of delicious steamed rice rolls (bánh cuốn). Not a crumb left when we finished - it's just that good! 🥢✨

Here’s Shannon on his first day of our "mini cooking class" right on his table, mastering the art of making Vietnamese green papaya salad. 🍽️✨

The lovely seller stepped in and guided Shannon.

Shannon: "Is it good enough to be your staff? Will you pay me?"

The seller: "Pay you? If I did, I’d have to close my shop - there wouldn't be enough left to pay you!" 😂

Just a few more steps and Shannon's green papaya salad will be ready to serve! 🥗✨ Almost there, Chef! 👨‍🍳👏

Here it is—Shannon’s very first plate of Vietnamese green papaya salad! 🥗✨ And who better to take the first bite than Carly? Full of flavor and made with love, it quickly became Carly’s favorite dish of the entire tour. 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

Here's Shannon proudly holding his hot and freshly fried dumplings - crispy, golden and straight from the pan! 🥟🔥✨

They were both amazed by the tiny alleyway that led us to our coffee today - it felt like stepping into a hidden gem! ☕✨

We wrapped up the tour with a cup of hot egg coffee on the balcony, overlooking the lively streets below. As we sipped, we shared stories and laughs like old friends. Our hearts were so full when Carly and Shannon shared how much they loved every moment, not just the food but also the warm connections we created with local vendors and neighbors, breaking through all barriers.

Shannon: “We’ll come back to Hanoi and definitely book this tour again, but only if you’re with us next time!”

Without missing a beat, Linh shot back, “Deal, but the exotic food next time 🤣” 🥰☕✨

Check out our Taste of Hanoi food tour details by following this link!

Dung (Emma)

Beyond Vietnam