Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine

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Posted on 1 February 2008 by Blogie in Restaurant | 4563 views, 7 today

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Vietnamese cuisine for me is soul food. I mean, when eating Vietnamese food, I feel refreshed and nourished. What I appreciate in their cooking is that, their dishes contain a healthy amount of vegetables and spices. In Davao, the best place for authentic and soulful Vietnamese cuisine is Hanoi.

With two branches now, Hanoi is owned by the same family who gave Davao the longest-running Japanese restaurant, Tsuru. Knowing the commitment they have to quality cuisine and good customer service, you can be assured of an enjoyable experience at Hanoi.

The 6th leg of the Davao Food Trip was hosted by Hanoi, where the bloggers were given free rein to order to their hearts’ delight. Of course, we didn’t pass up the chance to order crab! I would’ve wanted the Crab in Tamarind Sauce, but most of my companions preferred the Crab in Butter & Garlic (P89.60/100g).

There are only a handful of places in Davao that prepare crab in a way that makes your mouth water. Hanoi is most certainly one of them. Good news to crab lovers: Hanoi has eat-all-you-can buffet lunch and dinner every 8th of the month — crabs included! And it’s only P395 per person.

Vietnamese cooking apparently makes use of noodles a lot. I like it because noodles absorb the flavor of sauces, and because it keeps me from eating more rice somehow. Most of our orders last Saturday contained noodles, including my favorite at Hanoi: Cha Nuong (P179.20). It’s an order of five rolls made of rice paper, ground pork barbecue, rice noodles (like soba, I think), lettuce, fresh basil leaves, carrot slices.

If you don’t like eating with your hands, you can have the Cha Nuong served already rolled. Otherwise, I suggest you roll it yourself — interactive food! On days when you’re not really in the mood to order too many items, having just Cha Nuong can be very satisfying.

Photos courtesy of Andrew dela Serna.

But our group was in the mood for feasting, so we had two other appetizers besides. We also ordered Cha Gio (P123.20), or fried spring rolls; as well as Goi Buoi (P145.60), Hanoi’s famed pomelo salad with shrimp and pork.

Some of us also opened our appetites with Pho Duc Biet (P190.40), or the beef noodle soup special. It has tender beef strips, lots of white onion, vegetables and, of course, noodles, in a spice-laden broth. One order serves 5 or 6.

Aside from the three servings of crab, our entrée consisted of Bo Luc Lac (P257.60) and Ca Chung (P537.60). The former is also known as Beef Tenderloin with Tomatoes, which is another favorite at Hanoi. The latter — Lapu-Lapu (aka grouper) in Vermicelli with Mushrooms & Vegetables — was a total hit with the bloggers. The vermicelli and hint of soy sauce was reminiscent of sukiyaki, but possessed of a distinctly Vietnamese flavor. I couldn’t stop eating until I’d cleaned off the grouper down to the bones…

The coffee lovers among us finished off with the Vietnamese Brewed Coffee (P61.60). It is a strong blend and brewed right in front of you. The ground coffee and hot water are poured into a percolator of sorts, which is placed atop your cup. You have the option of stirring in the jigger of condensed milk, just like how the Vietnamese do it.

This wasn’t my first time at Hanoi. But each time I eat there, I feel exactly the same way: guiltlessly satisfied and happy.

Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine is on J. Camus St., Davao City, in the same building as Tsuru. Tel.: (82)225-4501. The other one is at Damosa Gateway, Lanang; tel.: 235-0501. Both restaurants are open everyday, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and then from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine

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Tags: coffee, noodles, spring rolls, Vietnamese

13 Responses to “Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine”

Jason Rakowski

1 Feb 2008

I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Jason Rakowski

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issa

1 Feb 2008

sir blogie, may buffet din ba sa damosa branch? o dun lang sa main? thanks so much! =)

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issa

6 Feb 2008

thanks sir blogie! try namin tom dinner, hehe =)

kung hei fat choi!

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Caloy

8 Feb 2008

I definitely agree that Hanoi offers very good quality Vietnamese food. Their menu is extensive and an added bonus is their live crabs… I’ve eaten there quite a few times since I usually stay in Casa Letecia (but even when I stay elsewhere, Hanoi is part of my food itinerary in Davao City, along with Ahfat). Adjacent Tsuru is also excellent. They allow you to cross-order, but I prefer nor to mix my cuisines.

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certifiedfoodie

14 Feb 2008

kaya pala pde mg cross order kasi same owners! hehe.. Ive tried several dishes from Hanoi. too bad I forgot what the dishes were called. memory gap ito! tsk tsk.

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Fr. Tom Martin

1 Jul 2008

I had some wonderful experiences in the restaurant in the past, but my last visit is my last. The service was lousy and the food was terrible. The clientel did not even seem to be the same. I let the manager know before leaving of my disappointment because I feel it is wrong to bad mouth a business and not complain to the management and give them an opportunity to correct the problem

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Blogie

1 Jul 2008

@Fr. Tom Martin — I’m sorry you had a bad experience at Hanoi. I wish you won’t give up on it, though. They always listen to their customers, so I’m sure your feedback will have an effect sooner or later.

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Fr. Tom Martin

29 Jul 2008

I am impressed that the Management of Hanoi contacted me and wanted to know the details of what happen on my last visit. They were interested in correcting the problem if possible and wanted me to return. This speaks volumes for the family that owns the restaurant and family members managing it. Obviously they understand that it is repeat business that builds business’. I have found a lot of establishments in the Philippines especially Cebu Pacific Airlines has a take it or leave it attitude. I will go back to Hanoi for I know they want their customers to be satisfied and appreciate their customers. Thank you Hanoi, good job.

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Rosey Abe

8 Oct 2008

I had ordered Pho thai(Vietnamese rice noodle soup) when i went to Hanoi, then the waiter hand me down this bowl of soup only and i was waiting for the garnishes to be served but i guess he’s not aware of the menu, of course i have to asked for it right away, or else my noodles will get too soft.Pho is garnished with fresh basil, bean sprouts and citrus micracarpa (kalamansi)which makes the soup real tasty. I’ve been to Hanoi Vietnam and taste the authentic Pho in the city.I am really glad that we have it in town.PHO sure you will love it too!! (^-^)/

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normelyn

5 Jan 2009

Good day to you blogie can i ask favor from you can you please post the menu on English and the price my husband want me to try to eat on Vietnamese cosine
thank in advance happy new year

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- Blogie
  
  2 Mar 2009
  
  Hi there. Sorry, I don’t know the menu in English… Don’t worry, the menu at Hanoi has pictures in them!
  
  Reply to this comment

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