A round trip from Brussels to Hanoi in a bowl? Head to Hanoi Station! Run by Hai Thu Dao and her partner Bernard De Proost, this café in Etterbeek that’s as bustling as a busy train station shines a spotlight on street food from Northern Vietnam, in a mash-mash of red and grey tones, wood and steel. So head to the zinc-topped bar and order a combination of well-made appetizers: perfectly crispy pork and veggie spring rolls, lightly fried chicken wings, incredibly tender pork and langoustine wontons. Followed by a proper bún cha, aka glass noodles topped with some very tasty seared pork meatballs, plus carrots, fresh mint, lettuce and fish sauce to tie it all together. But the star of the house remains the traditional phở, with beef broth intensified by cinnamon, ginger and cardamon, filled with big rice noodles, slices of tender beef and a hearty dose of fresh cilantro – a very balanced treat. Bùn appétit! // Flora Eveno
FEELING THIRSTY? There’s a fridge filled with soft drinks (coconut or litchi sodas, €3.20 for 330 ml) and Hanoi Beer (€4 for 330 ml).
PRICE: Appetizers €5 to €8.50 (or €13.50 for a combo plate), mains €13.50 to €17.
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