Fried FoodHanoi SpecialtySeafood

    West Lake Shrimp Fritters

    Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây

    4.5₫40k-90kBest eaten immediately after frying while the batter is still crisp. Afternoon to early evening is the classic time — ideally by the lakeside.
    Chirido Lai
    Overview

    Hanoi's iconic crispy shrimp fritters from the West Lake shore — golden, crunchy, and inseparable from afternoon life by the lake

    Bánh tôm Hồ Tây is Hanoi's beloved fried shrimp fritter, made with whole river shrimp pressed into a crispy batter of tapioca flour, wheat flour, and egg, then deep-fried until golden and crunchy. The dish became popular in the 1930s along Thanh Nien road between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, sold from street carts to passersby. Each order comes with fresh herbs, lettuce, and a tangy sweet-sour fish sauce for dipping. Best eaten piping hot at a lakeside table as the sun goes down.
    Gallery

    Photos

    What's in it

    • river shrimp
    • tapioca flour
    • wheat flour
    • egg
    • sweet potato
    • turmeric
    • fish sauce
    • garlic
    • chili
    • lime
    • lettuce
    • fresh herbs
    • pickled vegetables
    When to eat

    Best moments to enjoy it

    Afternoon SnackLunchDinner

    Best eaten immediately after frying while the batter is still crisp. Afternoon to early evening is the classic time — ideally by the lakeside.

    The story

    Origin & history

    Bánh tôm Hồ Tây rose to fame in Hanoi in the 1930s along Co Ngu road (now Thanh Nien), where street vendors sold freshly fried shrimp fritters to people strolling between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. The original recipe used small shrimp caught directly from West Lake, prized for their thin shells and sweet flesh. As the lake's shrimp population declined over the decades, vendors switched to fresh river shrimp and field shrimp, but the recipe and the lakeside tradition have remained essentially unchanged for nearly a century.

    At the stall

    How to order & pay

    Ordering

    Say 'mot suat banh tom' for one standard serving (usually 3 pieces). Specify if you want extra herbs or less chili in the dipping sauce.

    Paying

    Most lakeside spots are cash only. Carry small notes (20,000–50,000 VND). Larger restaurants may accept QR payment.

    Good to know

    Allergens, nutrition & health

    Allergens

    Contains shellfish, fish sauce, egg, and gluten; deep-fried in oil

    Nutrition & benefits

    Provides protein from shrimp; fresh herbs and vegetables add vitamins and fiber

    Health notes

    Deep-fried and high in sodium from fish sauce. Eat in moderation if watching oil intake. Skip if you have shellfish or gluten allergies.

    Where to eat it

    Best spots in Hanoi

    • Vị Nguyên Vietnamese Restaurant & Vegetarian Food Hanoi Old Quarter

      4.9

      89 Hàng Điếu, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

      Hours
      8:30 AM–10:30 PM
      View on map

    • Nhà Hàng Hoà Nhã

      4.3

      49 Ng. 50 Đặng Thai Mai, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam

      Hours
      8 AM–8 PM
      View on map

    • Nhà hàng Thanh Tâm

      4.3

      43 Phủ, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam

      Hours
      7 AM–10 PM
      View on map

    • Hanoi Specialty Shrimp Cake

      4.2

      84 P. Hàng Chiếu, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

      Hours
      11:00 AM–4:30 PM
      View on map

    • Nhà hàng Nguyệt Nga

      4.2

      59 Ng. 50 Đặng Thai Mai, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

      Hours
      8 AM–8 PM
      View on map