Mixed Fish Noodle Soup and Dạ Dày Cá (fish stomach noodle soup) were, without a doubt, the best noodle soups we tasted in Hanoi — and surprisingly, not the famous pho or crab noodle soup. These two comforting bowls completely won us over after an unexpectedly long walk through Hanoi’s maze-like inner streets just to find this humble eatery.
At one point, we honestly thought we were lost because the restaurant was tucked deep inside a smaller street lined with many other busy eateries packed with customers. Still, we decided to keep walking further, trusting the map and our curiosity. When we finally arrived at Bún cá Hương Thuỷ – Hồng Phúc around past 7 PM on a Tuesday night, the place was overflowing with people.
Small plastic tables and stools filled the roadside, while several customers were still standing and patiently waiting to be seated. We saw elderly locals, teenagers or bagets, office workers, and people from all walks of life willing to wait just to eat here. That was when we realized we had stumbled upon something truly authentic — a local favorite that tourists could easily miss.
We waited a few minutes before finally getting a table after another group finished their meal. Ordering, however, became another adventure on its own. The server didn’t speak English, and even after translating the menu on my phone, we still couldn’t understand each other. In the end, I searched for their dishes on Google and pointed at the photos — only then did he finally understand what we wanted.
We ordered two dishes: the Mixed Fish Noodle Soup and the Dạ Dày Cá. Based on the photos online, I initially thought the Dạ Dày Cá contained pork intestines, but after researching, I discovered that dạ dày cá actually refers to fish stomach.
Both dishes were served in huge bowls filled with soft rice noodles swimming in rich, flavorful broth. The portions were honestly good enough for sharing, but since we wanted to try different dishes, we ordered one bowl each. We also noticed a solo local customer happily finishing two bowls by himself, so we didn’t hesitate to do the same even though we weren’t very hungry anymore.
The Mixed Fish Noodle Soup came loaded with crispy fried fish, fish tofu or fish cake, rice noodles, bean sprouts, chopped green onions, fresh dill, tomatoes, and a generous plate of fresh herbs on the side. It also came with a separate bowl of calamansi — and they definitely did not skimp on it. What impressed us most was how the fried fish stayed incredibly crispy even after sitting in the hot broth for several minutes.
Meanwhile, the Dạ Dày Cá had almost the same components, except that the highlight of the dish was the chewy and flavorful fish stomach instead of fried fish meat. The broth also tasted noticeably different. Hubby and I compared both bowls side by side and agreed that each soup had its own distinct character and signature flavor. We’re not entirely sure whether the difference came from the ingredients themselves or the cooking process, but both broths were unique in their own way.
Despite the humidity, our exhausting walk, and the long wait for seats, both soups felt incredibly comforting and satisfying. They may not look particularly fancy or visually appealing at first glance, but the flavors were unforgettable.
Personally, I liked the Dạ Dày Cá more because it was richer, saltier, and more savory. Still, both dishes were excellent in their own unique way.
Out of all the Hanoi noodle soups we tried, these two became my absolute favorites.
We also had their Soy Milk (VND 10,000) and Lemongrass and Lime Tea with Honey (VND 15,000) that were both refreshingly good.
My eatsperience 
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