Ngan chay toi Thuy Luong

This restaurant, specializing in garlic-fried duck, holds a 4/5 star rating on Google Review and is highly recommended as a "must-try" in Hanoi's Old Quarter by various food and travel forums. Its main dishes include garlic-fried duck, stir-fried vermicelli with offal, and bamboo shoot and blood soup. A combo for two people (pictured) ranges from 300,000 VND to 550,000 VND, with mandarin juice as its signature drink. The restaurant is open daily from 10:30 to 13:30 and 17:30 to 21:00, sometimes closing earlier if items sell out. *Photo: Hoang Giang*

Established in 2016, Ngan chay toi Thuy Luong has become a regular dining spot for national team players and V-League club players, including Dinh Bac, Duy Manh, Que Ngoc Hai, Van Hau, and Van Toan (wearing a hat in the photo). Tu Pham, the restaurant manager, noted, "After each training camp or V-League match, players often come to eat in groups. Dinh Bac once ate two plates of duck."

Addresses: 63 Hang Luoc, Hoan Kiem ward, and 25 Nguyen Khang, Yen Hoa ward, Hanoi. *Photo: Tu Pham*

Pho Khoi Hoi

This pho restaurant, featured in the Michelin Guide, has been operating for over 30 years. It has relocated four to five times from Hang Bong, Phung Hung, and Lan Ong streets before settling on 50 Hang Vai street in 2004. The eatery is named after its owner, Mr. Khoi, who still cooks. One of its signature dishes is pho loi (pho with beef tendon).

Former national football team coach Park Hang Seo frequently visited the restaurant during his time in Vietnam. According to the owner, Hanoi-based players like Quang Hai, Duy Manh, and Van Hau have also dined there.

Address: 50 Hang Vai, Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi. *Photo: Hoang Giang*

Cafe Giang

Cafe Giang was founded by Nguyen Van Giang in 1946. During a period of scarce ingredients, he innovated egg coffee, using whipped egg yolks to create a creamy layer instead of milk. Egg coffee remains Giang's most popular drink today.

According to Ms. Huong Giang, the manager, the cafe is a frequent stop for both Hanoi residents and tourists, including many celebrities. Head coach Kim Sangs-sik is also a regular customer, along with players such as Hoang Duc (pictured), Tuan Anh, Cong Phuong, Van Hau, Duy Manh, Bui Tien Dung, Van Quyet, and women's national team player Huynh Nhu.

Addresses: 59 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem ward, and Lotte Mall, Tay Ho ward. *Photo: Cafe Giang*

Bun cha Ba Xuan

The owner of Bun cha Ba Xuan said that Xuan Son's family started eating bun cha in late 2025. While Xuan Son often buys takeout, his wife prefers to dine in. Each visit, his family consumes four to five portions, with each portion costing from 40,000 VND. The restaurant's specialties include Hanoi bun cha, bun cha chan (bun cha with broth poured over), grilled meat platters, and Phu Ly steamed rice rolls.

Addresses: 7 Hoang Quoc Viet and 1 Vo Thi Sau, Ninh Binh. *Photo: Marcele Seippel*

Street banana cake stall in Nam Dinh (old location)

The banana cake stall run by Vu Dat and his wife became famous after Xuan Son and his wife repeatedly visited. Food review sites often refer to this stall as "Xuan Son banana cake."

The owner believes the banana cake's flavor appeals to many foreign customers. He primarily makes cakes from "chuoi goong" bananas, which have thin skins, golden flesh, and are fragrant and sweet. Each cake costs 10,000 VND, and the stall operates from 13:00 to 19:00.

Address: Opposite Nguyen Khuyen school, at the intersection of Nguyen Du and Bac Ninh streets, Nam Dinh (old location). *Photo: Vu Dat*

Oc Bin

Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Oc Bin is a restaurant owned by Nguyen Tuan Phong, a former national player and AFF Cup 2008 champion. It is a popular spot for artists and athletes in Ho Chi Minh City. Phan Van Tai Em and Huynh Quang Thanh (in blue t-shirt and next to him), both former 2008 champions, are also regular customers. According to Mr. Phong, later generations of players like Hoang Duc and Thai Son have also visited the restaurant. *Photo: Oc Bin*

Oc Bin features large TVs for diners to watch national team matches and other tournaments. The diverse menu includes various snails: aromatic snails, mud creeper snails, fat snails, razor clams, and conch snails. Seafood options like shrimp, crab, squid, flower crab, clams, and scallops are prepared in multiple ways, such as stir-fried with butter and garlic, salted egg sauce, stir-fried with satay, grilled, or steamed.

Address: 138 Vo Van Tan, Xuan Hoa ward, Ho Chi Minh City. *Photo: Oc Bin*

Tam Anh