Bánh Xèo Guide: Eco-Friendly Food Tours for Vietnamese Crispy Pancakes in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Banh Xeo is a crispy crepe bulging with cooked prawn, pork and bean sprouts. It’s served with a garnish of fresh herbs, rice paper and dipping sauce. To enjoy one like a local, you would cut it into manageable slices, roll it up in rice paper together with provided leaves and herbs then dunk it in the prepared dipping sauce. A bite of Banh Xeo then exposes the incredible flavors of all the ingredients and green herbs. Banh Xeo literally translates to “sizzling cake” - the sound the rice batter makes when it is poured into the hot pan. At first glance, you might think that these are omelets. But, there’s actually no egg in the batter for these pancakes. Rather, it’s turmeric that gives the batter its characteristic yellow hue.

Quan An Ngon, 18 Phan Boi Chau Street. Banh Xeo Hang Bo, 22 Hang Bo Street. Nha Hang Ngon, 26 Tran Hung Dao Street.

For those who are the first time travelers to Hanoi or even experienced tourists, from Hanoi center or around the Hanoi, tourists can go by Taxi, Bus, Walking, Cyclos, Electric car, Cycling, motorbike,... book Grab to there or go on foot as take some unique photos.

1. Taste Bánh Xèo at Local Eateries

Savor authentic Bánh Xèo at family-run stalls, a 30–60-minute culinary experience featuring crispy pancakes, fresh fillings, and eco-friendly herbs sourced locally.

• Cost: $1.50–$3 (37,500–75,000 VND) per pancake.

• Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (varies by stall).

• Eco-Friendly Note: Many stalls use biodegradable wrappers; supports local farmers.

• Top Spots:

  • Bánh Xèo 25: 25 Lò Sũ, Hoan Kiem Ward. Renowned for crispy pancakes with shrimp and pork, served with vibrant herbs.

  • Bánh Xèo Dì Hương: 22 Hàng Bồ, Hoan Kiem Ward. Famous for turmeric-infused batter and balanced nước chấm.

  • Bánh Xèo Zon Pancake: 22 Hàng Bông, Hoan Kiem Ward. Offers a DIY wrapping experience with fresh greens.

• Tip: Included in our Hanoi Food Eco-Tour ($50–$80).

2. Join a Sustainable Food Tour

Embark on a guided food tour to explore Bánh Xèo stalls and learn about Hanoi’s street food culture, a 2–3-hour eco-friendly activity using cyclos or walking.

• Cost: $15–$25 (375,000–625,000 VND) per person.

• Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM–9:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Low-impact transport; supports small vendors.

• Tip: Included in our Hanoi Cultural Food Tour ($100–$150).

3. Learn to Cook Bánh Xèo

Join a cooking class to master Bánh Xèo’s crispy batter technique, a 2–3-hour sustainable activity using locally sourced ingredients and eco-friendly practices.

• Cost: $20–$40 (500,000–1,000,000 VND) per person.

• Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Uses organic produce; minimizes waste.

• Top Spots: Apron Up Cooking Class, 8 Gia Ngư, Hoan Kiem Ward; Rose Kitchen, 29B Hàng Bài, Hoan Kiem Ward.

• Tip: Included in our Hanoi & Son Tay Immersion ($250–$400).

4. Visit Old Quarter Food Markets

Explore Dong Xuan Market (0.5 km from Hàng Bồ) to see fresh shrimp and herb vendors, a 1–2-hour low-impact activity supporting local suppliers.

• Cost: Free entry; purchases $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).

• Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Encourages local sourcing; use reusable bags.

• Tip: Included in our Hanoi Food Eco-Tour ($50–$80).

5. Pair with Eco-Friendly Street Food

Sample complementary dishes like Bún Chả or nem chua rán (fried fermented pork rolls) at nearby stalls, a 30–60-minute sustainable dining experience.

• Cost: $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND) per dish.

• Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–10:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Supports family-run vendors; uses biodegradable packaging.

• Top Spots: Bún Chả Hàng Mành, 1 Hàng Mành, Hoan Kiem Ward; Nem Chua Rán at 35 Tạ Hiện, Hoan Kiem Ward.

• Tip: Included in our Hanoi Cultural Food Tour ($100–$150).

Most Bánh Xèo eateries in Hoan Kiem Ward’s Old Quarter are accessible in 10–30 minutes from central Hanoi via sustainable transport:

• By Air: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), 25 km away, serves domestic and international flights. Round-trip costs: Ho Chi Minh City ($80–$150 or 2,000,000–3,750,000 VND), Da Nang ($60–$120 or 1,500,000–3,000,000 VND), international (e.g., Bangkok, $200–$600). Airport bus No. 86 to Old Quarter ($1.40 or 35,000 VND, 25–30 min frequency); taxi/Grab ($10–$15 or 250,000–375,000 VND).

• By Bus (Eco-Friendly): From Long Bien or My Dinh Bus Stations, take Routes 01, 09, or 14 to Hoan Kiem Ward (15–30 min, $0.30–$0.50 or 7,000–12,000 VND). Walk 5–10 minutes to eateries. Buses run every 10–20 minutes from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

• By Cyclo or Electric Cart (Eco-Friendly): From Hoan Kiem Lake, hire a cyclo or electric cart for a 5–10-minute ride ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND). Book via local vendors or hotels.

• By Bicycle or Walking (Eco-Friendly): Rent a bicycle in the Old Quarter ($1–$3/day or 25,000–75,000 VND) or walk 5–10 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake. Bike rentals at hotels or shops.

• By Taxi or Grab: From Hoan Kiem Ward center, $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND) one-way; $4–$8 (100,000–200,000 VND) round-trip.

• By Private Car (Legend Travel Group): Book a private car ($30–$50 or 750,000–1,250,000 VND round-trip for up to 4 people) for eco-friendly travel with Old Quarter stopovers.

Tip: Walking or cyclos are most sustainable; confirm “Hàng Bồ” or “Lò Sũ” with drivers. Download offline maps (Maps.me) with “Hoan Kiem Ward” as a landmark.

• Dry Season (November–April, 15–28°C or 59–82.4°F): Mild weather is ideal for walking the Old Quarter and dining at outdoor stalls. Tet (January–February) adds festive vibrancy but draws crowds.

• Rainy Season (May–October, 22–32°C or 71.6–89.6°F): Warm, humid weather suits Bánh Xèo’s fresh herbs, with 15–25% tour discounts. Summer (June–August) is great for its vibrant flavors, but bring waterproof gear ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND).

• Lunch and Dinner Hours (11:00 AM–2:00 PM, 5:00–9:00 PM): Best times for fresh Bánh Xèo at peak stall hours, especially for lunch or early dinner.

Pack these essentials for a sustainable, comfortable visit:

• Clothing: Lightweight, modest outfits for cultural respect; comfortable shoes for Old Quarter walking. Waterproof jackets for rainy season.

• Sun Protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat.

• Travel Essentials: Mosquito repellent, reusable water bottle, compact umbrella ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND).

• Tech Gear: Smartphone with offline maps (Maps.me), portable charger.

• Documents: Passport, travel insurance, tour confirmations, VND (50,000–200,000 notes).

• Eco-Friendly Items: Reusable tote bag, straw to minimize waste.

• Extras: Notebook for food notes; small container for leftovers ($1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND).

Tip: Carry small VND notes for stall payments; use a reusable bag to reduce plastic waste.

Food and Activity Fees

• Bánh Xèo: $1.50–$3 (37,500–75,000 VND) per pancake.

• Guided Food Tour: $15–$25 (375,000–625,000 VND).

• Cooking Class: $20–$40 (500,000–1,000,000 VND).

• Market Purchases: $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).

• Other Street Food (e.g., Bún Chả): $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND).

• Ngoc Son Temple (Nearby): $1.20 (30,000 VND).

Transportation (Round-Trip, Old Quarter)

• Bus: $0.60–$1 (14,000–24,000 VND).

• Cyclo/Electric Cart: $4–$10 (100,000–250,000 VND).

• Bicycle: $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND).

• Walking: Free.

• Taxi/Grab: $4–$8 (100,000–200,000 VND).

• Private Car: $30–$50 (750,000–1,250,000 VND).

• Airport Bus No. 86: $2.80 (70,000 VND); taxi $20–$30 (500,000–750,000 VND).

Accommodation (Per Night, Double Occupancy)

• Homestays: $20–$50 (500,000–1,250,000 VND).

• Hotels: $30–$80 (750,000–2,000,000 VND).

Total Daily Cost (Per Person)

• Budget: $10–$20 (bus, Bánh Xèo, homestay).

• Mid-range: $30–$50 (cyclo, food tour, hotel).

• Luxury: $60–$100 (private car, cooking class, premium hotel).

Tip: Book early for Tet or dry season; carry VND for small purchases.

• Choose Your Season: Dry season (November–April) for comfortable Old Quarter walks; rainy season (May–October) for indoor dining and discounts. Lunch or early dinner (11:00 AM–2:00 PM, 5:00–9:00 PM) ensures fresh Bánh Xèo.

• Book in Advance: Reserve Legend Travel Group’s food tours 3–5 weeks ahead for peak seasons to secure spots and customize itineraries.

• Sustainability: Walk or use cyclos ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND) to reduce emissions; choose stalls with biodegradable wrappers. Buy local herbs ($1–$2 or 25,000–50,000 VND) to support vendors.

• Navigation: Download offline maps (Maps.me); mark “Hàng Bồ, Hoan Kiem Ward” as a landmark. Local guides ensure seamless access.

• Safety: Watch for pickpockets in the Old Quarter; keep valuables secure. Avoid extending phones on busy streets.

• Weather Considerations: Dry season for outdoor dining; rainy season requires waterproof gear ($2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND). Check AccuWeather for updates.

• Cultural Respect: Say “cảm ơn” (thank you); tip vendors $0.50–$2 (12,500–50,000 VND). Respect stall etiquette (e.g., don’t linger post-meal during peak hours).

• Health: Drink bottled water ($0.50 or 12,500 VND); apply mosquito repellent; inform vendors of dietary preferences (e.g., “ăn chay” for vegetarian).

Our sustainable tours showcase Hanoi’s culinary treasures, including Bánh Xèo:

• Hanoi Food Eco-Tour ($50–$80/person, 1 day): Cyclo ride to Bánh Xèo stalls (Lò Sũ, Hàng Bồ), street food tasting, Dong Xuan Market visit. Includes guide, cyclo.

• Hanoi Cultural Food Tour ($100–$150/person, 2 days): Bánh Xèo, Ngoc Son Temple, cooking class, homestay ($20–$50/night). Includes meals, guide.

• Hanoi & Son Tay Immersion ($250–$400/person, 3 days): Bánh Xèo, Son Tay Citadel, Ba Vi National Park, homestays. Includes meals, eco-transfers.

Prices include English-speaking guides, eco-transfers, and fees. Enjoy 15% off for groups of 8+! Book now via links around this page! TripAdvisor Reviews

Bánh Xèo, Hanoi’s crispy pancake, sizzles in Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Ward, where vibrant stalls offer an authentic taste of northern Vietnam’s culinary heritage. From savoring crispy pancakes at Lò Sũ to joining eco-friendly food tours, every experience supports local vendors and Hanoi’s green initiatives. Legend Travel Group’s Hanoi Tours guide you to Old Quarter’s food culture, ensuring a sustainable Hanoi Travel journey filled with immersive flavors. Whether exploring markets or mastering Bánh Xèo’s recipe, this dish promises unforgettable flavors. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your Hanoi culinary adventure today!
Ready to taste Old Quarter’s iconic Bánh Xèo? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on an unforgettable food journey!

Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellersa cross Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.
Source: By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group.