Quán Ăn Ngon

Quán Ăn Ngon is a courtyard restaurant at 18 Phan Bội Châu, in the Cửa Nam ward of Hoàn Kiếm district, on the edge of Hanoi's French Quarter in northern Vietnam. It occupies a French colonial villa, and its concept is to gather dishes from across Vietnam in one place. Cooks prepare food at open stations around the courtyard, so diners can watch dishes being made and sample regional street food in a single sitting rather than travelling between stalls. This is a street-food-style restaurant rather than a chef-led or Michelin-listed venue, and its value lies in the breadth of the menu. Signature dishes include bún chả, the Hanoi grilled-pork and rice-noodle dish, bánh xèo, the crisp savoury pancake, nem rán, the fried spring rolls, and bún bò Huế, the spicy beef noodle soup from central Vietnam. Bún chả is the item most often highlighted for first-time visitors because it is closely tied to the capital. The dining room is busy and lively, with tables set around the courtyard and inside the villa, a good deal of ambient noise and a mix of local families, groups and international visitors. Dress is casual. Beverages centre on Vietnamese staples such as iced tea, fresh juices, coffee and beer rather than a curated wine list. Prices sit in the mid tier, with a typical meal costing roughly 70,000-180,000 VND per person, or about US$2.69-6.92, which is higher than a street stall but modest for a sit-down restaurant. The listed hours are daily from 7AM to 10PM. Reservations are recommended for dinner and for groups, since the venue is popular and courtyard tables fill at peak times; booking a day ahead is a sensible precaution for larger parties, while small groups at off-peak hours can often be seated without notice. Its position near the Hanoi Opera House area and the French Quarter's colonial architecture makes it convenient for visitors combining a meal with sightseeing on the southern side of Hoàn Kiếm Lake.