Hanoi is going through a relentlessly hot summer this year and there doesn’t seem to be any signs of a cool down just yet. Residents and visitors to Hanoi will have no choice but to put up with the heat until August when things start to cool down… but it will still be pretty warm until October at the earliest! There are many tricks to beat the heat, such as avoiding walking around in the middle of the day, wearing light clothing, and taking tactical breaks in air conditioned environments.
It’s also worth investigating the huge number of Vietnamese foods available to help people cool down. Many westerners will agree that there is nothing better than a fresh and light salad to cope with the heat- but the fresh spring rolls available in Vietnam work just as well. Here we choose the three best rolls to keep you cool at Cau Go Restaurant–
Cuon Diep
Cuon Diep is one of the more unusual roll types offered in Vietnamese cuisine and Cau Go Restaurant is one of the few places in Hanoi to offer it. Shredded vegetables are rolled in a mustard leaf and then topped with a lightly cooked prawn. The texture is crunchy from the salad but soft from the shrimp, and the dish is flavored by fresh mint and a sweetened fish dipping sauce.
Pho Cuon
Pho Cuon is a Hanoi speciality and while most places use beef, we prefer to use pork as it lends the dish a sweeter flavor. Find our full article on these little parcels of deliciousness here.
Goi Cuon
Goi Cuon is more popular in the south and are virtually impossible to find in Hanoi. Dry rice paper is stuffed with lightly cooked shrimp, noodles and some soft greens. It is served slightly chilled or at room temperature and with a delicious dipping sauce on the side. If you’re not making it down to Southern Vietnam then be sure to try this world famous Vietnamese roll at Cau Go Restaurant.
Cau Go Restaurant 