Bun Bo Nam Bo, Hanoi

This cavernous space on Hang Dieu St has been a favourite with locals and travellers for years now - and a favourite with guidebook writers too. Which is the reason I’ve been slow to embrace it.

But I’ve finally succumbed. 

Bun Bo is a beef noodle dish and Nam Bo means “of the south”. So this is a southern style dish that’s been embraced in the north. The fact that it packs both locals and tourists in, is an accomplishment worthy of note.

I was served up the cold noodles with beef and herbs - which seems to be the most popular dish on offer. They churn through these. You can watch them being made at the entrance. 

It was very good - a perfect light lunch on a hot Hanoi day.

Madam Khan the owner usually keeps a watchful eye on the operation, which seems to hold up well despite serious demand at lunchtime.

Bun Bo Nam Bo is such a hit that it’s spawned imitators across Hanoi. Imitation is a particularly well-honed Hanoi art. This is the original exponent as far as we can work out.