The East

We had a memorable dining experience at The East in Hanoi — a refined yet welcoming spot that offers a beautiful showcase of Indochine cuisine. While the restaurant seems to attract mostly travelers and foreigners (as was the case during our visit), it didn’t take away from the authenticity or quality of the experience. In fact, it made the atmosphere feel globally appreciated and relaxed. We had The East Salad, the Fresh Spring Rolls, the crispy duck and the beef in bamboo for something a little more unique. We finished off our meal with the Vietnamese flan. Service was attentive and gracious. It was perfect for a relaxed evening out.

On the recommendation of a friend, we decided to try The East – Taste of Indochine in Hanoi, and we’re so happy we did! First of all, the service was outstanding. The staff took the time to explain the menu, listened carefully to our dietary restrictions and allergies, and suggested suitable options for us to try. The duck dish was definitely the highlight — incredibly flavorful and beautifully presented. Our son couldn’t stop talking about the soup, which quickly became his favorite meal of the trip. What truly stood out was the care and kindness of the staff. When we finished dinner, it had started to rain outside. One of the team members kindly walked with one of us, holding an umbrella, to help pick up ponchos. Such a thoughtful gesture — it really made our evening unforgettable. Highly recommended for both the food and the warm, personal service!

We made our way to this restaurant for lunch after our morning coffee class, and again used the michelin guide for recommendations. The place is a little hidden and requires some walking from the main road. It was not packed at lunch at all, so we could easily get a table. The East serves northern vietnamese cuisine, and we were curious to try. We ordered stir fried morning glory leaves, fried crab spring rolls, and grilled beef in bamboo tubes. We also ordered jasmine rice to go with the dishes and hanoi lotus tea which was for detox. It was our first time eating northern vietnamese food, and it really is delicious! There are different styles of stir fried morning glory leaves, and we are familiar with chinese style but the northern vietnamese one managed to surprise us with its flavour. The grilled beef was soft with refreshing taste of ginger flower, and the fried crab spring rolls were really delicious. For dessert we ordered the mango flan. Overall, the flavours of the food here is different and good. Worth the time and money to try.

Just strolling for a bite and saw the Michelin sign so decided to pop in. Had a fresh juice that was pineapple ginger lime something else. It was double the prices of juices elsewhere and it was fantastic. Ok with this splurge. The roasted aubergine was awesome. Great flavour palette. Well balanced. Would order again in a heartbeat. The tofu lacked a defining flavour. The batter wasn’t seasoned and the garnish wasn’t strong enough to provide a good flavour. The batter itself, the fried, the presentation were all fantastic so it was a bit disappointing when the taste didn’t pop compared to the aubergine which was a star. Nice jazz music. Peaceful ambiance. Glad I tried it and staff was very nice as well.

They ask you to write a review in return for a “gift”. Firstly, wayyyy overpriced. I understand this is probably due to the michelin recommendation, but its just not worth it. The food itself was good, but not fantastic. The atmosphere was just a bit strange; we were the only customers there on a Saturday night, but at least the service was fast. The staff themselves were lovely but at the end of the meal they asked us to write a good review, which just feels a bit odd for a “nice” restaurant. They were good with allergies though. Overall, good food but nothing incredible.

Good food and service. Best visit during off hours to be able to be served quickly. Our server Alex was extremely attentive. They understand and speak English well. The crispy duck is a must order

Nice Vietnamese restaurant, perfect location, polite staff, good for lunch. Of you are a tourist this is definitely a safe place for you to experience Vietnamese food. Try pho rolls, a Vietnamese dish that combines the flavors of pho and fresh spring rolls.

We had an excellent meal at The East. In addition to the items photographed, we ate the Bun Cha Ha Noi. All of our mains and appetizers were excellent. The banana for dessert was decent - it lacked some depth of flavor though. Service was perfect.