To tell you the truth, I have been to Hanoi many, many times before because of their terrific crabs! Luckily, the restaurant’s owner, Neneng Robillo treated us Mindanao Bloggers to a night of wonderful Vietnamese cuisine.

For starters, we had the Cha Nuong, which is sort of like a do-it-yourself pork and vegetable wrap. I prepared myself two helpings, it was really good! We also had their delicious fried spring rolls. Filled with shredded mushrooms and banana blossom, it is similar to the Filipino lumpia, but better. The refreshing citrus Goi Buoi salad featured pomelos, shrimp and pork.

Next up were the Beef Tenderloin with Tomatoes and Lapu-Lapu in Vermicelli with Mushroom & Vegetables. The Beef Tenderloin with Tomatoes is a staple in our family Hanoi outings. The combination of tender beef and sweet tomatoes makes it the perfect dish for meat lovers. The Lapu-lapu (grouper) cooked in sweet soy sauce and mushrooms was simply superb.

And it all came down to this. In true grand finale fashion, three steamy servings of Butter and Garlic crabs (pictured topmost) were placed right in front of us. The waiters had us wear Hanoi’s legendary bibs knowing that eating crabs can be a messy affair. The crabs were downright buttery and topped with heaps and heaps of garlic. If you love garlic, you can ignore the crab itself and have enough garlic (paired with rice) to count as a whole meal! But kidding aside, it would be hard to ignore the crabs. They were all large and plump with meat and fat. I appreciate that the staff really made sure we got the best of what they had in stock. That has always been the case anyway ever since. Hanoi isn’t just about great food, but topnotch service as well.

Check out Hanoi if you’re looking for a truly unique gastronomical experience.

Hanoi
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Entree Price Range: Php250.00 – Php400.00
Notes: Adjacent to a Japanese restaurant of the same owner. Dining area is spacious. You may order from both the Vietnamese and Japanese menus regardless of seating. Smoking is not allowed inside.
Hours: Open Mon-Sun; 11AM-2PM, 530PM-10PM
Address: J. Camus Street, Davao City
For reservations: (082) 225-4501