Bun bo nam bo means Southern style beef and noodles, and it’s a very popular food choice here in Hanoi. There’s a restaurant of the same name a 10 minute walk from my hotel.

It’s a 2-story bricks and mortar place with bench seating, and a very efficient wok and assembly station by the front door. There are a couple other things on the menu but from what I could see everyone was there for the bun bo nam bo, and maybe a beer to go with.

The dish, which is described as beef noodle salad, is simple and delicious. Salad greens, herbs, vermicelli noodles, stir-fried beef, green mango or papaya (I’m not sure), peanuts and fish sauce. Squeeze on some calamansi and add hot sauce at the table. Yum.