Bun Cha Huong Lien in Hanoi: the Obama bun cha restaurant, menu, prices and opening hours

Bun Cha Huong Lien at a glance

Everything a reader needs before leaving the hotel, in one box.

Item	Detail
Address (current format)	24 Le Van Huu, Phan Chu Trinh ward, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi
Address (post-July 2025 format)	24 Le Van Huu, [new ward name to confirm on site], Hanoi
Phone	024 3943 4106, or +84 24 3943 4106 from abroad
Opening hours	About 8:00 to 20:30 daily (confirm on site)
Bun cha price	Roughly 50,000 to 70,000 VND (about 1.90 to 2.70 USD)
Combo Obama price	Roughly 100,000 to 130,000 VND (about 3.80 to 5 USD)
Payment	Cash in small notes; local QR transfers may work, foreign cards generally do not
Best time to go	9:00 to 10:30 or 14:00 to 17:00
Time needed	30 to 45 minutes

Prices checked October 2026. Exchange rate used throughout: about 26,000 to 26,500 VND per USD.

The phone prefix matters. Several older guides still print "+84 4", a format that stopped working after Vietnam's 2017 area code change. Dial +84 24 instead.

Confirm hours, prices and the current ward name by phone or in person before publishing. Print the check date in the box so readers know how fresh the figures are.

Why it is called "Bun Cha Obama"

The meal took place on 23 May 2016, during Obama's official visit to Vietnam. It was filmed for the Hanoi episode of Parts Unknown, which aired in September 2016. Obama ordered bun cha, a seafood spring roll and a bottle of Hanoi beer. Bourdain later said he paid the bill, roughly 6 USD for both of them.

After the episode aired, the restaurant added "Obama" to its signage, created the Combo Obama and preserved the table. Bourdain died in June 2018, which turned that corner of the upstairs room into something closer to a memorial than a tourist photo spot. For the wider trail of restaurants the pair visited in Vietnam, see the dedicated article on this site.

Where it is and how to get there

Most guides give an address and stop there. One even places the restaurant in the Old Quarter, which is wrong. It sits on the southern edge of the French Quarter, close to where the French colonial grid meets the newer city.

Address and the new ward name

The format still printed on most maps and on the restaurant's own signage is 24 Le Van Huu, Phan Chu Trinh ward, Hai Ba Trung district. Since 1 July 2025, Hanoi no longer has district-level administration and its wards have been merged, so the official address has changed. Confirm the new ward name for number 24 and print both formats. Taxi drivers and delivery apps may recognize only one of them.

On foot from Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter

From the southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, the walk is about 1.5 km, or 15 to 20 minutes, via Hang Bai or Ba Trieu street. From the heart of the Old Quarter around Hang Gai or Ta Hien, count 25 to 35 minutes. Walking is pleasant before 10:00 or after 16:00 and genuinely uncomfortable in the summer heat at midday.

Crossing is the part visitors worry about. Walk slowly and steadily, do not run, and use the traffic lights on Ba Trieu and Hai Ba Trung.

By ride-hailing app, taxi or cyclo

A motorbike ride from the Old Quarter typically costs 15,000 to 30,000 VND (about 0.60 to 1.15 USD). A car costs 40,000 to 80,000 VND (about 1.50 to 3 USD), depending on traffic and surge pricing. For metered taxis, use the large established companies and check that the meter is running before the car moves.

Cyclos are the scenic option. Agree on the price before getting in. Cyclo overcharging is a known complaint in Hanoi, and a clear price agreed at the start removes the argument at the end.

Le Van Huu is a tight street for stopping. Ask the driver to drop you at the door rather than on the corner.

Finding the right door

Look for the open ground-floor grill area and the "Bun Cha Huong Lien" name with the Obama reference on the frontage. Other eateries in Hanoi use "Obama" on their signs to catch the trade. The real one is number 24 Le Van Huu.

For a neutral map link, use the label "Directions" only.

Getting there compared

Starting point	Mode	Time	Approx. cost	Notes
Southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake	Walk	15 to 20 min	Free	Via Hang Bai or Ba Trieu
Hang Gai or Ta Hien, Old Quarter	Walk	25 to 35 min	Free	Best before 10:00 or after 16:00
Old Quarter	Motorbike app	8 to 15 min	15,000 to 30,000 VND (0.60 to 1.15 USD)	Ask for drop at the door
Old Quarter	Car app or taxi	10 to 20 min	40,000 to 80,000 VND (1.50 to 3 USD)	Traffic dependent
French Quarter hotels	Walk	5 to 15 min	Free	Shortest approach of all

Opening hours and the best time to go

Hours are commonly displayed as about 8:00 to 20:30, every day. Confirm this on site and state the check date. Bun cha is traditionally a lunch dish in Hanoi, and many specialists sell out or close by mid-afternoon. Huong Lien serves it all day, which is useful for travelers on a tight schedule.

Peak times and queues

The busiest windows are 11:00 to 13:00, when office workers and tour groups overlap, and 18:00 to 19:30. Weekends are busier than weekdays. The quietest slots are 9:00 to 10:30 and 14:00 to 17:00.

Waits are usually short because tables turn over fast and the building has several floors. At peak times, expect to share a table or be sent upstairs. There are no reservations for small groups. Large groups should call ahead.

When to go

Time slot	Crowd level	Seating likely	Comment
8:00 to 9:00	Light	Ground floor	Early lunch, quietest grill
9:00 to 10:30	Light	Any floor	Best overall window
11:00 to 13:00	Heavy	Shared tables, upstairs	Tour groups, longest waits
14:00 to 17:00	Light	Any floor	Good for a late lunch
18:00 to 19:30	Heavy	Shared tables	Dinner rush, still fast
After 19:30	Moderate	Ground floor	Kitchen winds down

Tet and public holidays

Like most family-run Hanoi eateries, the restaurant may close for several days around Tet, the Lunar New Year, which falls in late January or February depending on the lunar calendar. The next Tet is on 6 February 2027, so expect possible closures in the days just before and after that date. Other public holidays, including 30 April, 1 May and 2 September, usually mean longer queues rather than closures.

The menu: what to order

The menu is short, carries English descriptions and is easy to order from. Here is what each item actually is.

The Combo Obama

One bun cha portion, one nem hai san (a large seafood spring roll with prawn) and one bottle of Hanoi beer. It is the order most visitors place, and it is a full meal for one adult. Two light eaters can share it and add a second bun cha.

Bun cha on its own

A portion arrives as grilled pork patties (cha vien) and grilled pork belly slices (cha mieng) in a bowl of warm dipping broth, a plate of fresh rice vermicelli, and a basket of herbs and lettuce. Extra noodles or extra pork can usually be ordered. Confirm the current options on site.

Side dishes

Nem hai san is the large fried seafood roll, cut with scissors at the table. Nem cua be are small fried crab rolls, small enough that two portions is a normal order. Cha que, a grilled pork and onion skewer, appears on some menus. Check whether it is still offered before recommending it.

Drinks

Bottled Hanoi beer, soft drinks, mineral water and tra da, the iced tea that arrives free or almost free. Bun cha with a cold beer at lunch is a normal local pairing, not a tourist affectation, and the beer cuts the sweetness of the broth.

Prices and payment

This is where most online guides fail. Prices circulating online date from 2017 or are given as undated ranges. Here are the current indicative figures, checked October 2026.

Menu and prices

Item (Vietnamese name)	English description	Price VND	Approx. USD	Good for sharing?
Bun cha	Grilled pork patties and belly in dipping broth, noodles, herbs	50,000 to 70,000	1.90 to 2.70	No, one adult portion
Combo Obama	Bun cha, nem hai san, bottle of Hanoi beer	100,000 to 130,000	3.80 to 5.00	No, but two light eaters can split with an extra bun cha
Nem hai san	Large fried seafood and prawn roll	25,000 to 40,000	0.95 to 1.50	Yes, cut at the table
Nem cua be	Small fried crab roll	15,000 to 25,000	0.55 to 0.95	Yes, order two
Hanoi beer, bottle	Local lager	20,000 to 30,000	0.75 to 1.15	No
Tra da	Iced tea	Free to 5,000	0 to 0.20	No

Replace these ranges with the actual October 2026 menu prices before publishing.

Price history in one line

The 2016 meal cost about 6 USD for two people. Visitors in 2017 reported paying around 99,000 to 104,000 VND for a combo with extras. Prices have risen since then, but the restaurant remains inexpensive by any standard.

Budget example

Two people ordering one Combo Obama, one extra bun cha and one portion of crab rolls should budget roughly 180,000 to 230,000 VND (about 7 to 9 USD) in total.

Payment

Bring cash in small notes, from 10,000 to 100,000 VND. Vietnamese bank QR transfers may be accepted, but foreign cards generally are not. Confirm this on site. Tipping is not expected.

How to eat bun cha the Hanoi way

Four things arrive: the broth bowl with pork, pickled green papaya and carrot; the noodle plate; the herb basket; and the condiments, typically sliced garlic, fresh chili, vinegar and sometimes chili sauce.

Step by step

1. Season the broth first. Add garlic and chili a little at a time. Add vinegar if you want more sourness.
2. Pick up a small amount of noodles with chopsticks and dip it into the broth. Do not tip the whole plate in.
3. Add herbs to each bite, or tear them into the bowl.
4. Eat the pork with the noodles, then dip pieces of spring roll in the same broth.
5. Use the spoon for the broth at the end if you like. Local diners rarely drink it all.

The herbs, named

Knowing the names helps when asking for more: xa lach (lettuce), tia to (perilla), kinh gioi (Vietnamese balm), rau mui (cilantro), hung lui (mint) and sometimes diep ca (fish mint). For the history of the dish and its regional variations, see the bun cha guide on this site.

The preserved table upstairs

The table sits on an upper floor. Staff point the way, and many guests simply ask "Obama table?" The display case holds the low table, the plastic stools, bowls, chopsticks and beer bottles from the meal, kept behind glass or plexiglass, with framed photographs nearby. Confirm the current arrangement on site.

You cannot sit at the table, but you can eat in the same room when seats are free. Photos are allowed. Do not block diners, and keep it quick at peak hours.

The stairs are steep and narrow, and there is no lift. Travelers with reduced mobility, strollers or knee problems should take a ground-floor table.

Inside the restaurant: seating, comfort and service

Set expectations honestly. The ground floor sits next to the grill, which is hot and smoky in summer. Upstairs dining rooms have air conditioning or fans depending on the floor and season. Seating is low tables with plastic or metal stools, and tables are shared at busy times.

Service is fast and efficient rather than chatty. Food arrives within about 5 to 10 minutes, and you pay at the end. The restaurant is cleaner and more organized than a typical sidewalk stall, and toilets are on site but basic. The menu is in English, staff know the main dishes in English, and pointing works fine.

Health, dietary needs and practical precautions

The menu is almost entirely pork based. There is no vegetarian, vegan or halal option, and the broth contains fish sauce and sugar. Vegetarians should eat elsewhere.

The nem hai san and nem cua be contain shellfish and crab, and fish sauce is in everything. Gluten is unlikely in the rice noodles, but cross-contamination with fried items cannot be ruled out. Anyone with a serious shellfish allergy should skip the rolls entirely.

Raw herbs and vegetables are washed in tap water. Travelers with sensitive stomachs, especially in their first days in Vietnam, can simply eat fewer raw herbs. Ice for tra da and beer is generally factory-made in central Hanoi restaurants.

From May to September, temperatures above 35°C are common. Choose upstairs air-conditioned seating and drink water. Watch your bag when phones are out by the road, and take care crossing Le Van Huu and Ba Trieu. The restaurant works well for children, with mild grilled meat and noodles, though fresh chili should stay out of reach.

Other bun cha restaurants nearby

If Huong Lien is too busy, too touristy or closed, these alternatives are within easy reach. Verify each is still open at its listed address before publishing.

Name	Address	Distance from Huong Lien	Style	Price level	Best time
Bun Cha Hang Quat	74 Hang Quat, Old Quarter	About 1.8 km	Small, traditional lunchtime spot	Low	Late morning, sells out early afternoon
Bun Cha Dac Kim	1 Hang Manh, Old Quarter	About 1.9 km	Very large portions, higher prices	Medium	Lunch
Bun Cha 34	34 Hang Than, northern Old Quarter	About 2.5 km	Basic, local, smoky street-side grill	Low	Lunch
Bun Cha Ta	21 Nguyen Huu Huan, east of Old Quarter	About 1.6 km	Modern, air-conditioned, tourist-friendly	Medium	Any time, longer hours
French Quarter street stalls	Lanes around Le Van Huu	200 to 800 m	Unnamed lunch stalls	Low	11:00 to 13:00

For the street stalls, look for charcoal smoke, busy local tables and grilling done on the spot. Those three signs matter more than any signboard.

Is it worth it, and what to combine it with

Honest verdict

Worth it if you want the Obama and Bourdain landmark with a reliable, clean, inexpensive bun cha in comfortable conditions. Less worth it if you are hunting for the most distinctive bun cha in the city. Local opinions vary, and several Old Quarter stalls have devoted followings. One visit is usually enough. For a second bun cha, try somewhere else.

What is nearby

Approximate distances from 24 Le Van Huu: Hoa Lo Prison about 1 km, Hanoi Opera House and the French Quarter boulevards about 1.3 km, Hom market on Hue Street about 500 m, Thien Quang Lake and Thong Nhat Park about 800 m, Hoan Kiem Lake about 1.5 km.

Two routes work well. Visit Hoa Lo Prison in the morning and eat an early lunch here around 11:00. Or take a French Quarter walk in the early afternoon and arrive for bun cha at 15:00, when the room is calm and the grill is still running.

FAQ

Q: Where did Anthony Bourdain eat bun cha with Obama? At Bun Cha Huong Lien, 24 Le Van Huu, in Hanoi's French Quarter, on 23 May 2016, for the Hanoi episode of Parts Unknown. The full trail of their Vietnam meals is covered in the separate article on this site.

Q: Where did Anthony Bourdain eat in Hanoi? Bun Cha Huong Lien is the best known of his Hanoi stops. He filmed at several street food spots in the city across different trips. The dedicated article on the Obama and Bourdain restaurants in Vietnam lists them.

Q: How do you eat bun cha in Hanoi? Season the broth with garlic, chili and vinegar, dip small amounts of noodles into it, and add herbs and pork with each bite. Dip pieces of spring roll in the same broth. The step-by-step section above covers the full method.

Q: How much is the Combo Obama? Roughly 100,000 to 130,000 VND (about 3.80 to 5 USD) as of October 2026. It includes one bun cha portion, one seafood spring roll and a bottle of Hanoi beer.

Q: What are the opening hours of Bun Cha Huong Lien? About 8:00 to 20:30 daily. The quietest slots are 9:00 to 10:30 and 14:00 to 17:00. Expect possible closures around Tet, which next falls on 6 February 2027.

Q: Can you sit at Obama's table? No. The original table and stools are preserved behind glass upstairs, but visitors can eat in the same room and take photos. There is no lift, and the stairs are steep.

Q: Does Bun Cha Huong Lien take cards? Plan on cash in small notes. Local bank QR payments may be possible, but foreign cards are generally not accepted. Confirm the current situation on site.