Ordering this Hanoi favorite here is so easy since they only serve one dish. Beware though it is deep fried and not grilled as the menu suggests. They are very generous with the delicious greens and refill if you eat up. The extra herbs made up for the oily fish. Definitely a favorite with local families.

We are Balinese and Chinese foodies so we were really excited to try this Hanoi institution. Overall, we did like the flavours of the fish especially the fresh dill, but we did not try the sauce. Even though we regular cook with shrimp paste in Bali, the consistency, smell and colour of the sauce was a real turn-off. Totally agree that service was horrendous. The only thing I was happy as that it inspired me to make a dish like this back a home, without the pool of oil!

We went to this famous old eating establishment. We were the only westerners in the place which which to us said it all. The place is basic the food once you get the right mix of fish sauce and greens is ok. As there is only the one dish you go there because we can and we can say we have eaten in a family restaurant that is over 100 years old. If you are finicky don't bother but if you love a sense of why you are in Vietnam just go

Cha Ca La Vong is a deservedly famous institution in Hanoi. The dish, grilled fish served with rice noodles, served at the table with a combination of dill, asian vegetables is seasoned with fish sauce and garnished with coriander and peanuts. It's an excellent dish and anyone who likes Pho, will inevitable like Cha Ca La Vong. So long as your a fish eater then this is a must try experience. The staff are suitably arrogant in a kind of funny French way. They know they have a winner and they know the people will come. It's USD$11 for the dish and a beer so talk that its expensive is just plain bunkum.