posted about 1 month ago by joebusa
about the venue: Bun Rieu Dac Biet

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Inappropriate?

If you're cruising near the Cathedral and feel a need for delicious and cheap local food, or if you're just out for a put on your motorbike on a Sunday afternoon, this is a great option. The basic set menu includes several variations on Sour Crab Soup (at least on the day I went -- and the menu looked rather permanent). 10,000 VND will get you the basic, big bowl of vermicelli noodles, MSG, and crab soup sauce, and prices increase slightly if you want to add fried tofu (to 12,000 VND) or 'lean pork parts' - which turn out to be sausage (to 15,000 VND or more, depending on just how many 'parts' you want).

For the language-challenged among us, they post a good English translation of the menu, along with accurate prices. Everything listed on the menu is available, and everything available is listed on the menu. No need to play the 'point to things on the menu only to be told you can't buy them' game here. Also, the proprietress speaks enough English to help things along, if you need it.

All in all, I give this place 4 stars. It's some of the best street-type local food I've had in Hanoi, and it's packed with locals --- there wasn't an empty table the whole time we were there. But I took a star off for the limited set menu. If you don't like Sour Crab Soup, you probably won't like this place (but, food allergies and meat-eating issues aside, you have no business not liking Sour Crab Soup. It's awesome.).