# Bún ốc: Hanoi's sour snail noodle soup

> Bún ốc is a Hanoi noodle soup with freshwater snails in a sour broth made with tomato and fermented rice vinegar (giấm bỗng). It comes hot, or cold (bún ốc nguội) with the broth on the side. It usually costs 30,000–50,000 VND. Order with “Cho tôi một bát bún ốc”.

- URL: https://eatgreenvietnam.com/guides/bun-oc-hanoi
- Region: North Vietnam · City: Hanoi
- Published: 2026-09-29 · Last updated: 2026-09-30
- By: the Eat Green Vietnam team (https://eatgreenvietnam.com/about)

If you want to eat like a Hanoian rather than a visitor, this is the bowl. Snails are a much-loved local treat.

## At a glance

- **What it is:** Rice noodles and freshwater snails in a sour tomato broth, often with fried tofu or pork ribs and plenty of herbs.
- **Where:** Old Quarter alleys and neighbourhood stalls in Hanoi.
- **Typical price:** Around 30,000–50,000 VND a bowl.
- **Eat green:** Sit on a stool and eat at the stall – takeaway soup comes in plastic bags.

## How to order

> “Cho tôi một bát bún ốc.”

One bowl of snail noodle soup. Say **bún ốc nguội** for the cold version, where you dip noodles and snails into a cool broth.

## What it tastes like

Sour and bright from tomato and fermented rice vinegar, with the gentle chew of the snails. Add chilli and herbs from the table to balance it.

## When to go

Afternoon is popular – bún ốc is often eaten as a snack between lunch and dinner. The cold version is a summer favourite.

## Questions travellers ask

### What kind of snails are in bún ốc?

Freshwater snails, cleaned and cooked, sometimes served shelled and sometimes in the shell.

### How much does bún ốc cost?

Around 30,000–50,000 VND a bowl.

### What is bún ốc nguội?

The cold version: noodles and snails with a cool, sour broth for dipping.

### Is bún ốc safe to eat?

Busy stalls with high turnover are the best choice; snails should always be served fully cooked.

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Photo: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Street_food_in_Hanoi.jpg
Source: Eat Green Vietnam, https://eatgreenvietnam.com/guides/bun-oc-hanoi. Prices are typical ranges and change often. You may quote and summarise with attribution and a link to the original page.