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Ratings and reviews

#144 of 1,373 Vietnamese in Hanoi
#201 of 2,578 Restaurants in Hanoi
Travellers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
$2 - $8
CUISINES
Vietnamese, Asian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

Location and contact

1.3 km from Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)

MICHELIN Guide's Point of View

Playing on their claim to fame, this joint displays photos of its celebrity guests and offers a Combo Obama, which includes a fried seafood roll, a bow...
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Reviews (920)
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Traveller rating
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74
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25
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All reviews noodles pork soup spring rolls patties seafood crab roll pho fries president obama anthony bourdain famous restaurant second floor local beer old quarter street food combo
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

If you are looking for a place to enjoy some authentic Vietnamese cuisine, you may want to check out Bún chả Hương Liên, a modest eatery in Hanoi that serves one of the country's most known dishes: bún chả. This is a mouthwatering combination of...grilled pork and rice noodles, dipped in a tangy sauce and garnished with fresh herbs and vegetables. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the flavors are unforgettable. But don't take my word for it. Just ask former President Barack Obama, who dined here with the late Anthony Bourdain in 2016. The two men shared a meal of bún chả, spring rolls, and cold Hanoi beer while chatting like old friends. The restaurant now even offers a "Combo Obama" for those who want to follow their footsteps. Of course, not everyone is a fan of this place, especially the staff, who seem to have lost all interest in their jobs. They greet you with a bored look, take your order with a sigh, and bring your food with a shrug. They rarely smile, make eye contact, or say thank you. They act as if they are doing you a favor by serving you and not the other way around. Maybe they are tired of the fame, or maybe they just don't care. Either way, don't expect any hospitality from them. But hey, who needs friendly service when you have such delicious food, right? After all, you're not here to make friends, you're here to eat. And eat you will, because the barbecued pork is so good, you'll want to lick your plate clean. It's tender, juicy and smoky with a spicy glaze that pairs perfectly with the noodles and the sauce. It's the kind of dish that makes you forget about everything else, even the disinterested staff. So, if you're looking for a place to enjoy some authentic Vietnamese cuisine, and maybe a slice of history, this is a must visit spot in Hanoi. Just don't forget to bring your appetite and your sense of humor. And maybe a tip for the staff, because they sure look like they need it.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Fun place to visit as it's notoriously known for Obama and Bourdain's visit. This could be a good spot to show off on social media and to also enjoy a nice lunch/dinner. It's overrated as I was expecting better food quality following the hype of...Obama-Bourdain's visit, but their bun cha is just average compared to other bun cha places in Hanoi. Hygiene/cleanliness is average. Otherwise, the staff is very nice.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago

The grilled pork at Bun Cha Lien Huong is nothing short of perfection – juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. The smoky aroma from the grill wafts through the air, setting the stage for a mouthwatering meal. The rice vermicelli is cooked to perfection, providing...the ideal base for the succulent pork. The accompanying herbs and dipping sauce add a refreshing and zesty kick, enhancing the overall dining experience.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 weeks ago

The grilled pork was succulent and well-seasoned, providing a satisfying contrast to the light and tender rice vermicelli. The freshness of the accompanying herbs and the tangy dipping sauce elevated the dish, creating a well-balanced and enjoyable meal. While the flavors were commendable, the portion...size was a bit smaller than expected, leaving me wanting more.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Bun cha is a typical Hanoi delicacy, and I had the opportunity to try at Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant. Soft and smooth vermicelli noodles, delicious grilled meat and deliciously mixed fish sauce create a wonderful flavor. Raw vegetables and vermicelli create the perfect balance...for the dish. This is a simple dish but extremely delicious.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Amazing flavours. We found other flavours and for us was a new alternative to Vietnam’s cuisine. The place is simple but with a lot of love.

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Very simple place, full on Wednesday evening. One Obama’s bún chả can change the place and people life forever. Ordered combo with 🍺, served quick despite full house, enjoying different tastes, recommended. Place is simple , authentic and unique

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

This is simple delicious dish, with soft grilled meatballs and cheese, along with soft noodles and fresh vegetables. Properly mixed fish sauce makes the dish more attractive. Bun cha is an indispensable part of Hanoi cuisine and every time enjoying it is an enjoyable experience.

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

overhyped and issues on sanitation. caters to tourist as this was where obama and bourdain dined. i had better buncha downtown then at huong lien. i witness a staff picking on his toes. good thing i was able to photo it. not something that s...hanoi local would look forward to dining in.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 30 October 2023

This is the place that Obama and Anthony Bourdain went on Bourdain’s show. This is the reason why we went here, but the food was great. I had bun cha at a couple different spots in Vietnam. It ended up being my favorite dish and...this place has an great one. I had to get the “Combo Obama” which was quite a lot of food. It’s a little far from Old Town, but can be paired with a day to see the Hanoi Hilton and Vietnamese Women’s Museum.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 19 October 2023

Ok so I had wanted to try even though I'm sure there is much better bun cha but since we all miss Obama and Anthony, I felt I had to make the trek. Walked from the old quarter and took about 20 minutes. EVERYONE knows...this place so even if you get lost, they will tell you where it is. My hotel could even give me the address without looking it up. I must have gotten lucky for dinner as there was no line (but I do hear bun cha is mostly a lunch meal). I of course got the Obama special which was bun cha, spring rolls and a beer. Even got a table on the same level and just across the encased table they had eaten at hahahaha. I thought all the food was good and it came out super fast. Whilst I don't have a lot of bun chas to compare, I thought it was good. It was just a fun experience just to have eaten at an Obama and Bourdain spot. Nice walk to get there and it wasn't chaotic as you see on videos. Overall a nice experience with lots of photos. Glad I went and as Vietnamese prices go, it was a bargain at less than $6 bucks for the meal. Thumb up!More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 29 September 2023

This is the first time i ate Bun cha viet nam, but this food wasn't delicous for me, strange state, noodle (bun) with fork BBQ and vegetable.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 21 September 2023

Bun char Huong Lien We walked from our hotel in the old quarter, would suggest the length of Hoan Kiem Lake is roughly half the distance. Popular - with several floors. The famous Obama table is on 2nd floor in rear room. We were lucky...enough to seated next to it. Bun Char very good - broth a little sweet. Obama combo (including a beer) 120,000. We couldn’t eat it all - less than £4 for a nice meal with a bit of history. Staff friendly.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 9 September 2023

I heard price of Bun Cha from my Vietnam friends from 35000-40000vnd but here i take my bill for this bun cha is 60000. It's so terrible to taste

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 25 August 2023 via mobile

So we went here as a bucket list opportunity to try our first Bun Cha and were frankly underwhelmed. Food was ok but not great. Quick and typical of street food but better elsewhere.

Date of visit: August 2023
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
WilliamTang915
8 January 2020|
AnswerShow all 7 answers
Response from 505victoriaa | Reviewed this property |
Yes they do.
2
Votes
134wuj
25 March 2018|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from 371MikeH371 | Reviewed this property |
There is nothing vegan available at all. They serve a single dish of pork in fish sauce with a side available of pork and crab spring rolls.
0
Votes
116jodiemmm
30 December 2017|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from LieuN19 | Reviewed this property |
They just have one dish and that dish is the "bun cha" which is a grilled pork dish w/ vegetables. Being in a foreign country, I would suggest you stay away from raw vegetables. If you are a vegetarian, this is not a place... More
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BUN CHA HUONG LIEN, Hanoi - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Bun Cha Huong Lien

Yes, Bun Cha Huong Lien offers takeaway services.

Yes, Bun Cha Huong Lien offers delivery services.

Bun Cha Huong Lien is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 3.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4