Miến Lươn: Hanoi’s Flavorful Glass Noodles with Crispy Eel
When it comes to authentic Hanoi street food, Miến Lươn (glass noodles with eel) stands out as a comforting and flavorful dish that locals have cherished for generations. Featuring tender eel - either deep-fried until crispy or stir-fried to perfection-served over soft mung bean noodles, this dish delivers a delicate balance of textures and flavors that represent the essence of Northern Vietnamese cuisine.
.jpg)
Savory, aromatic, and satisfying, Miến Lươn is the kind of meal that warms both heart and soul- especially on a cool Hanoi morning.
1. What Is Miến Lươn?
Miến Lươn is a traditional Hanoi dish made with thin glass noodles (miến) served with eel (lươn), either crispy-fried (lươn giòn) or stir-fried (lươn xào), and a flavorful broth made from pork or eel bones.
.jpg)
It can be enjoyed dry (miến trộn) or in soup (miến nước), depending on your preference.
The dish is typically garnished with fried shallots, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a sprinkle of chili or vinegar for extra zest.
The combination of chewy noodles, rich broth, and aromatic toppings makes Miến Lươn one of Hanoi’s most comforting local delicacies.
2. How to Make Vietnam’s Miến Lươn (Glass Noodles with Eel)
The process of making Miến Lươn involves two main stages - from carefully preparing the ingredients to pan-frying the eel until perfectly golden. Each step requires patience and precision to achieve the authentic Hanoi flavor.
Stage 1: Prepping the Ingredients
Before cooking, it’s essential to prepare each component properly to bring out the best texture and aroma. You’ll need:
- Fresh eel (lươn), cleaned and sliced
- Glass noodles (miến dong), soaked in warm water
- Aromatics: minced garlic, shallots, ginger
- Seasonings: turmeric, fish sauce, pepper, and a pinch of sugar
- Fresh herbs: Vietnamese coriander (rau răm), perilla, and cilantro
- Garnishes: fried shallots, bean sprouts, chili, and lime
.jpg)
Stage 2: Pan-Frying the Eel
Once all the ingredients are ready, it’s time to turn the marinated eel into the golden, aromatic heart of Miến Lươn. Heat a pan with a little oil, add shallots, and sauté until fragrant. Then add the eel and pan-fry over medium heat until golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges.
For a crunchier version (lươn giòn), coat the eel lightly in flour and deep-fry until crispy. Meanwhile, simmer a light broth from pork or eel bones with ginger and shallots to serve with the noodles.
To assemble, place softened glass noodles in a bowl, top with the fried eel, and pour over the hot broth for miến lươn nước, or drizzle garlic oil for miến lươn trộn. Garnish with herbs, fried shallots, chili, and lime.
Final Touch: Serve hot and enjoy the harmony of silky noodles, fragrant herbs, and crispy eel - a true taste of Hanoi’s culinary heritage.
3. How to Enjoy Miến Lươn
There are two main ways to enjoy Miến Lươn:
- Miến Lươn Nước (Noodle Soup): The glass noodles and eel are served in a hot, clear broth. Add chili, vinegar, and lime juice to enhance the flavors.
- Miến Lươn Trộn (Dry Style): The noodles are mixed with fried shallots, herbs, and a bit of sauce - topped with crispy eel for a perfect crunch.
.jpg)
For the authentic experience, enjoy Miến Lươn with a side of iced tea and pickled garlic - just like the locals do!
>>> Read more: Chả Cá Lã Vọng – Hanoi’s Iconic Grilled Fish with Turmeric & Dill
>>> Read more: Chả Cá Lã Vọng – Hanoi’s Iconic Grilled Fish with Turmeric & Dill
4. Top 10 Best Miến Lươn (Glass Noodles with Eel) Restaurants in Hanoi
4.1 Miến Lươn Phủ Doãn – A Local Favorite Since Day One
- Address: 9 Phủ Doãn Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
.jpg)
Phủ Doãn is one of the most famous spots for Miến Lươn in Hanoi. The restaurant serves all kinds of eel dishes - from noodle soups and stir-fried noodles to eel porridge and eel soup. Their signature dish, Miến Lươn Nước (noodle soup with eel), features beautifully golden fried eel that’s crispy on the outside yet tender inside. The clear broth, simmered from pork bones, is rich but not greasy. Add a squeeze of kumquat for the perfect balance of flavors.
4.2 Miến Lươn Chân Cầm - Old Quarter Classic
- Address: 1 Chân Cầm Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
.jpg)
Located in the Old Quarter, this small but always-crowded eatery is loved by locals and visitors alike. You’ll find all the eel favorites here - stir-fried, mixed, or in soup form. The eel is sliced into long pieces, sweet and firm, with a well-balanced seasoning that pleases every palate.
4.3 Miến Lươn Đông Thịnh - 87 Hàng Điếu
- Address: 87 Hàng Điếu Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM
.jpg)
Đông Thịnh is another top-rated Miến Lươn restaurant in Hanoi. The broth is rich and flavorful, while the eel is tender and fragrant, cooked to perfection. This spot is especially popular for breakfast, offering a hearty yet balanced meal to start the day.
4.4 Hương Béo - Authentic Nghệ An Style Eel Noodles
- Address: 46 Nguyễn Tư Giản Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Hương Béo brings the authentic taste of Nghệ An to Hanoi. The menu is simple but highly rated, featuring dry and stir-fried eel noodles, and fish cake noodles. The eel here is crispy and meaty, with a slightly strong, rustic flavor — perfectly paired with a rich, spicy broth. It’s the ideal comfort food on cool Hanoi days.
4.5 Miến Lươn 18 Lãn Ông - Generous Portions & Great Flavor
- Address: 18 Lãn Ông Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
.jpg)
This well-known restaurant in the Old Quarter serves everything from eel soups to dry and stir-fried noodles. Guests can choose between soft or crispy eel, both well-marinated and free from any fishy smell. Portions are generous, and the broth is light yet savory. Don’t miss the optional spicy bamboo shoots on the side - they’re the perfect match.
4.6 Tân Tân - Longstanding Eel Specialist
- Address: 16 Tuệ Tĩnh Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tân Tân has been serving Miến Lươn for decades and remains a trusted name among locals. The restaurant is small but clean, and the eel is famous for its crispy texture and naturally sweet flavor. The clear broth is delicate and well-balanced. Besides noodles, they also serve eel porridge and soup for variety.
4.7 Sành Phố Cổ - Traditional Hanoi Taste
- Address: 109 Vạn Phúc Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
.jpg)
A modern yet traditional eatery, Sành Phố Cổ serves both Miến Lươn Nước (with broth) and Miến Lươn Trộn (dry mixed noodles). The dry version features a mix of eel, tofu, sausage, quail eggs, and roasted peanuts, while the soup version highlights a rich, flavorful broth. The space is airy, and the staff is friendly - a great stop for foodies exploring Hanoi.
4.8 Miến Lươn Hàng Nón - Local Favorite Among Young Diners
- Address: 29 Hàng Nón Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
.jpg)
This evening-only spot in the Old Quarter is a go-to for locals craving eel dishes after work. The menu includes eel porridge, soup, and both soft and crispy eel noodles. The eel is fresh, meaty, and flavorful, served in a cozy, clean space with quick service.
4.9 Miến Lươn 34 Yên Ninh - Big Portions & Bold Flavor
- Address: 34 Yên Ninh Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
At 34 Yên Ninh, both the soup and stir-fried versions of Miến Lươn are highly recommended. The eel is tender, and the broth is rich, full of natural sweetness. The restaurant also offers eel soup, porridge, and stir-fried eel, all praised for their generous portions and clean dining environment.
4.10 Miến Lươn Thủy Lợi - Affordable and Flavorful
- Address: 34 Lê Đại Hành Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
.jpg)
Thủy Lợi is a beloved budget-friendly spot known for its flavorful broth made from simmered eel bones, giving it a naturally sweet taste. The eel is firm and aromatic, served in hearty portions. You can also try the eel porridge or soup for a comforting meal at a great price.
Miến Lươn is more than a meal; it reflects Hanoi’s deep connection to seasonal ingredients and traditional flavors.
The eel symbolizes nourishment and vitality, while the golden color of fried eel represents prosperity.
Eating Miến Lươn is a comforting ritual - a reminder of Hanoi’s ability to transform simple ingredients into soulful, unforgettable dishes.
After exploring Hanoi’s vibrant food scene, unwind at La Mejor Hotel & Sky Bar - located near the Old Quarter and Trúc Bạch Lake.
Enjoy elegant rooms, relaxing spa treatments, and a warm ambiance that perfectly complements your culinary journey through the capital.
.jpg)
La Mejor Hotel & Sky Bar
👉 You Might Also Like