Breakfast FoodNoodle SoupStreet Food

    Bun Thang

    Bún Thang

    4.6₫45k–80kStrictly a breakfast dish. Most traditional stalls open 6–11 AM only.
    Chirido Lai
    Overview

    Hanoi's most refined and labor-intensive noodle soup — a delicate clear broth topped with precisely shredded chicken, egg crepe, Vietnamese ham, and dried shrimp.

    Bun Thang is considered the queen of Hanoi noodle soups — an aristocratic dish traditionally reserved for the morning after Tet (Lunar New Year) to use up leftovers of cooked chicken, cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), and eggs. What sets it apart is its extraordinary labor: the broth is simmered from chicken bones and dried shrimp, and the toppings are all julienned or shredded with surgical precision into uniform thin strips. The final bowl is decorated with a drop of cu da (fermented shrimp paste) and a dash of ca cuong (a rare water bug essence), giving it a distinctly Hanoian aroma.
    Gallery

    Photos

    What's in it

    • rice vermicelli
    • chicken breast
    • egg
    • cha lua (Vietnamese ham)
    • dried shrimp
    • chicken broth
    • cu da (fermented shrimp paste)
    • green onion
    • coriander
    When to eat

    Best moments to enjoy it

    Breakfast

    Strictly a breakfast dish. Most traditional stalls open 6–11 AM only.

    The story

    Origin & history

    Bun Thang originated in Hanoi as a post-Tet dish made from leftover holiday ingredients — boiled chicken, cha lua, and eggs. The name 'thang' (ladder) may refer to the layered presentation. It became associated with Hanoi's refined culinary culture and is rarely found outside the capital.

    At the stall

    How to order & pay

    Ordering

    Ask for 'them cu da' (add shrimp paste) and 'them ca cuong' if available — these elevate the dish significantly. Don't add chili — it masks the delicate flavors.

    Paying

    Cash only. Arrive early as portions sell out fast.

    Good to know

    Allergens, nutrition & health

    Allergens

    Contains shellfish (dried shrimp, shrimp paste), eggs, and pork. Not suitable for vegetarians.

    Nutrition & benefits

    Light and protein-rich. The clear broth is easy to digest. Lower in fat than many noodle soups.

    Health notes

    Very gentle, light broth — ideal for sensitive stomachs. Avoid if allergic to shellfish.

    Where to eat it

    Best spots in Hanoi

    • Bún Thang Thanh gia truyền

      4.9

      2 ngõ 23 Tôn Thất Thiệp Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

      Hours
      7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
      View on map

    • Bún Thang Bà Tổng

      4.8

      56 Ngô Sỹ Liên, Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám, Hà Nội, Vietnam

      Hours
      6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
      View on map
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