After the amazing yet tiring first day of our trip, starting the next day early was something I was not looking forward too. Especially Especially because the warmth of the blanket was too tempting to leave behind. The cold morning air outside made it even harder, but exploring as much as possible was a priority. The thought of missing out on the city’s morning charm was enough motivation to push myself out of bed. So, as tempting as it was to stay curled up, I woke up, got ready, and stepped out to begin another exciting day in Hanoi. In this post, I will be talking about the food spots we tried out on our second day in Hanoi.
Tranquil Books and Coffee
Tranquil Books & Coffee is a peaceful little café in Hanoi. We reached here from the hostel on our scooter. It was a short ride in a foggy, cold morning. The streets were still quiet, and there was a slight drizzle, making everything look even more serene. The café is loved for its cozy feel, lots of books, and tasty drinks. Inside, it has a warm and old-school vibe, with vintage posters and bookshelves everywhere. It’s a nice spot to read, work, or just chill.
As soon as I walked in, I was taken aback by the huge bookshelves that spanned from the floor to the ceiling and covered the entire wall. The wooden shelves were stacked with books of all sizes, giving the place a charming library-like feel. Most of the books were written in Vietnamese but I found an English one to peruse through. There was a balcony above the main floor which contained more bookshelves and tables to sit. The staff was super friendly and the place was very calming. It’s perfect if you want a quiet break in the middle of Hanoi.
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As for our breakfast, I ordered a hot citrus punch and a shakshuka. The shakshuka at was warm, rich, and comforting. The moment it arrived, the bright egg yolk sitting on top of the thick, tomato-based sauce made me want to dig in. The sauce was filled with chunks of tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It smelled amazing. The scent alone was enough to make my mouth water.
Shaksuka
Shaksuka
Dipping the toast into the sauce was the best part. The bread was lightly toasted and the egg was soft and runny, mixing beautifully with the tangy, slightly sweet tomatoes. Every bite had a perfect balance of flavors—savory, a little spicy, and super comforting. The fresh parsley on top added a nice little freshness to it all. Eating it while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere made the whole experience even better.
Smoked Goose Sandwich
Smoked Goose Sandwich
The hot citrus punch was a much needed glass of warmth in the cold climate. It was sweet because of the honey but not too much, with a nice tangy kick from the citrus. There was a little bit of spice, maybe ginger or cinnamon, which made it even better.
Hot Citrus Punch and Iced Sunny Kombucha
Hot Citrus Punch and Iced Sunny Kombucha
Ramesh ordered an Iced Sunny Kombucha and a Smoked Goose Sandwich. The fact that he ordered something cold on such a chilly morning made me question his choices. I tried a sip of the Kombucha not expecting to like it (Ramesh has a thing for bitter drinks) but it was surprisingly good. I was already battling a cough and thought it was best to sacrifice the drink and let Ramesh enjoy it. As for the goose sandwich, I did not taste it but Ramesh loved.
Basically, the Tranquil Books and Coffee was an absolute hit. It already had my heart with the long bookshelves and cozy, rustic ambience but the food was pretty delicious as well! It was the kind of place I would happily revisit if I ever found myself in Hanoi again.
Banh Mi 25
Banh Mi 25
From the day we started planning this trip, Ramesh had been gushing nonstop about how excited he was to visit this place again. I would go as far as to say that having the banh mi was half the reason he was in Vietnam in the first place. So, for our lunch on Day 2, we choose the iconic Banh Mi 25.
It is a tiny restaurant with even tinier tables and stools set up inside and outside the place. The place was packed but we luckily got a table outside and it was so close to the street we were practically eating sitting on the road. At first, I was unsure about this setup, but after a few minutes, I realized it just added to the whole experience.
Banh Mi is a famous Vietnamese sandwich that is made with a crispy baguette filled with savoury ingredients. Usually it's the stuffing is some kind of meat like sliced pork, chicken or beef, mixed with pickled carrots, fresh cucumbers, cilantro, chili, and mayonnaise. Vegan versions have tofu instead of meat.
I ordered the Vegan Meatloaf and Avocado Banh Mi. And truth be told, I was very disappointed. It lacked the explosion of flavors that I had been expecting. It tasted bland and lacked seasoning. I couldn't even finish it completely. Ramesh on the other hand was completely satisfied with his the Barbecue Pork and Smoked Sausage Banh Mi. I did not want to write the place off so I chalked it up to deciding that Banh Mi probably was best with meat.
However, the lunch was saved from being a complete failure by the Avocado Shake. It was so thick and so creamy 🤤 The taste was mild and only slightly sweet with a hint of nuttiness from the avocado. It was a winner and spared me from leaving the place hungry and heartbroken.
We returned to the spot three more times during our stay at Hanoi. The second time Ramesh ordered a Chicken Banh Mi so I could share it with him and now this? I loved. It cemented my earlier thought that Banh Mi is supposed to be a meaty dish. I finally understood why people raved about it. I had it for dinner on another night as well.
Note Coffee
Note Coffee
This is a place you visit for the experience more than the coffee. Overlooking the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, the Note Coffee is known for its walls, and even ceilings covered in colorful sticky notes. Each carried a message from visitors around the world. I couldn’t help but wonder how some notes even made it to the highest spots. Did people stand on chairs to stick them there? Reading through them was heartwarming; each one sweeter than the last, a collection of memories left behind by travelers like me.
We placed our orders on the ground floor and headed to the top, hoping to grab a window-side table. Unfortunately, none were available, so we settled elsewhere and waited for our drinks. Just then, we noticed a window seat was about to be cleared. In a quick but friendly race, we beat another couple to it—and it was absolutely worth it. The view was stunning, a perfect backdrop to our drinks.
Before leaving, I added my own little note, addressed to Hanoi itself. A small piece of my journey, left behind in a place where countless others had done the same.
