Xôi xéo: Hanoi's sticky rice breakfast
Look for a woman with a basket, a wooden board and a big block of yellow mung bean. That’s breakfast sorted.
Xôi xéo is a cheap, filling Hanoi breakfast: warm sticky rice topped with thin shavings of mung bean paste, crispy fried shallots and a drizzle of shallot oil. It usually costs 15,000–30,000 VND. Order with “Cho tôi một gói xôi xéo”, and ask for it wrapped in a leaf.
At a glance
How to order
“Cho tôi một gói xôi xéo.”
One packet of xôi xéo. Add thêm trứng for an egg or thêm chả for pork sausage, and say gói lá for a leaf wrap.
What makes it good
Good xôi xéo is soft but not mushy, the mung bean is shaved so thin you can almost see through it, and the shallots are freshly fried and crisp. It is simple food done carefully.
When to go
Early morning. Vendors often sell out by mid-morning.
Questions travellers ask
What is xôi xéo made of?
Sticky rice, mung bean paste, fried shallots and shallot oil.
How much is xôi xéo?
Around 15,000–30,000 VND a portion.
Is xôi xéo vegetarian?
The basic version usually is, but some vendors use pork fat or add meat toppings. Ask if you’re unsure.
How do I avoid plastic when buying xôi?
Ask for it wrapped in a leaf (“gói lá”) or bring your own container.
Prices are typical ranges we’ve seen and change often; tourist areas can charge more. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Last updated 2026-09-30.
