Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant: Where Obama Dined in Hanoi

Some restaurants earn their fame over decades, but Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant earned it over a single meal. In May 2016, US President Barack Obama and legendary chef Anthony Bourdain sat across a plastic stool table in Hanoi’s Dang Da District, sharing a humble INR 500 spread of Bun Cha, crispy spring rolls and ice-cold Hanoi beer, and the world watched in awe.

But long before the cameras arrived, locals had already known this place as one of Hanoi’s most cherished addresses for authentic Northern Vietnamese street food. The food in Bun Cha Huong Lien is simple, soul-satisfying, and deeply rooted in tradition, exactly what great travel eating looks like.

So, if you are planning your trip through Vietnam tour packages or exploring Hanoi on your own, the Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant dining experience is one stop you simply cannot skip.

Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Hanoi: Highlights

• Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Location: 24 P. Lê Văn Hưu, Phan Chu Trinh, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội, Vietnam
• Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Opening Timings: 8 AM
• Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Closing Timings: 8:30 PM daily
• Famous Dish: Bun Cha - Grilled pork patties with Vermicelli and dripping broth
• Average Cost: INR 330 - INR 580 Per person
• Claim to Fame: Obama and Bourdain’s iconic INR 500 meal - May 2016
• Floors: 3 floors, seats 100+ guests

The Story Behind Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant

Founded in the early 1970s, Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Hanoi began as a humble neighbourhood kitchen in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District, quietly serving locals its signature charcoal-grilled pork and vermicelli for decades.

On May 23, 2016 - when the US President Barack Obama and food-travel legend Anthony Bourdain sat down to eat here, they had Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant famous dish - grilled pork patties, cold rice noodles, tangy broth and crispy crab spring rolls worth only INR 500.

Also, what made this restaurant famous was Bourdain filmed it for CNN’s parts unknown, and the world took notice. And, the Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant dining experience is warm and unchanged till the day. The family is running this and the recipe never changes!

Food in Bun Cha Huong Lien - What to Order & What to Expect?

You can come into Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant and have the warm, smoky and charcoal-grilled pork. Although the Bun Cha Huong Lien menu here is relatively short, and that’s precisely the point. Every dish on the table has been refined over five decades, making the food in Bun Cha Huong Lien some of the most honest, flavour-packed eating you’ll find anywhere in Hanoi.

Bun Cha - The HotSeller

This dish needs no introduction as it is the reason why this restaurant is so famous. Now, it is a classic Northern Vietnamese staple, Bun Cha here serves as a complete, deeply satisfying experience.

• Grilled pork patties and pork belly - marinated in fish sauce, sugar and shallots, then grilled over live charcoal until smoky and caramelised on the outside, juicy within.
• Cold rice vermicelli (Bun) - soft, silky noodles served in a bamboo basket, meant to be dipped and eaten with the broth.
• Warm dripping broth - it is the soul of the dish, a delicate broth made from fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, fresh chilli and green papaya silvers.
• Fresh herb plate - it has lettuce, bean sprouts, perilla leaves and Vietnamese mint to add crunch to every bite.

This is the famous dish that Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ordered at this restaurant and it costs only INR 140 - INR 210 per bowl, making it one of the greatest value meals in all of Southeast Asia.

Nem Cua Be - Crab Spring Rolls

It is yet another famous dish from the Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant. These are famous deep-fried crab spring rolls and filled with meat, glass noodles, mushroom and egg. Obama ordered these alongside his Bun Cha, and they’ve been flying off tables ever since. Dip them into the Bun Cha broth for the full experience at approximately INR 120 per serving, they are an absolute must-add to your order.

Other Menu Items

• Bun Cha large portion - INR 210
• Extra Vermicelli - INR 55
• Steamed spring rolls - INR 100
• Extra grilled pork - INR 90

Drinks and Beverages

• Bia Hanoi is the same ice-cold bottled beer Obama raised at this table alongside the pork, priced at INR 70 - INR 90 Per bottle.
• Bia Hoi is the legendary street-side draft beer, ultra-light and served ice cold, priced at INR 55 - INR 70 per glass.
• Tra Da is the iced green tea which is complimentary or minimally priced, served in a tall glass, a staple at every Vietnamese street food table.
• Soft drinks which are basic and options available at INR 40 - INR 60.

Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Dining Experience - What it Really Feels Like

• The Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant dining experience is raw, real and completely unpretentious, exactly what authentic Hanoi street food feels like.
• This restaurant is spread across 3 floors, seating 100+ guests at a time across low plastic stools and narrow tables.
• The ground floor features the iconic Obama - Bourdain table, preserved from May 23, 2016, with framed photographs and a glass display of their replica meal.
• When you come in, the smoky aroma of charcoal-grilled pork fills the air and the open kitchen lets you watch the grilling happen live.
• You get to enjoy the loud, lively and buzzing atmosphere with some locals, backpackers and other international travelers.
• Peak hours are 12 PM - 1:30 PM where you can expect queues outside during this window.
• The best time to visit Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Vietnam is before 11:30 AM or after 2 PM.
• There is no rule for reservations to be done, walk-in only.

How to Reach Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant

You have to head to 24 Le Van Huu Street in the Hai Ba Trung District of Hanoi. It is located just south of the Old Quarter and is easily accessible by various modes of transport.

Transport Options

• Ride-hailing (Grab/Taxi): It is one most convenient method. From the Old Quarter, a Grab or Taxi ride typically takes about 5-10 minutes.
• Walking: Staying on the French Quarter or the southern end of the Old Quarter, there is an easy walk to the restaurant. It will take a 15-20 minute walk from the southern edge of Hoan Kiem Lake.
• Public bus: While most tourists prefer taxis, local bus routes pass near the Hai Ba Trung area. If coming from the Lang Ha Branch or other parts of the city, you can use the Hanoi bus system.
• Parking: For those arriving by motorbike, street parking is available outside the restaurant.

Pro tip: Grab is the most reliable way to reach Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Vietnam, especially during Hanoi’s peak traffic hours between 5 PM - 7 PM.

Tips to Know Before Visiting Bun Cha Huong Lien

• Bring cash: The restaurant does not accept credit cards, have VND ready with you.
• Order the “Combo Obama”: It’s the easiest way to try the famous meal (pork, noodles, spring roll, and beer).
• Check the 2nd floor: This is the place where the original table used by Obama and Bourdain is preserved in a glass case.
• Pay for wet tissues: There are wet wipes on the table which are usually an extra small charge if you use them.
• Go early or late: Avoid the 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM rush if you really want to enjoy your food.
• Embrace the chaos: It’s a loud, crowded, local-style joint with stainless steel tables and plastic stools.

Is Bun Cha Huong Lien Restaurant Worth Visiting?

Bun Cha Huong Lien is one of those restaurants in Vietnam which started in the 1970s and has been the place that is truly what it claims to be. Honest, unpretentious and absolutely delicious!

The food here is worth every penny you are paying for! And, the dining experience is worth every minute you are waiting for in the queue. This restaurant is for everyone, be it any first time visitor or building their perfect itinerary, make room for this meal! Order the Bun Cha. Add the crab spring rolls. Raise a cold Hanoi beer. And, eat exactly what Obama ate for under INR 500.

That, simply put, is what travel is for.