Madame Hien - Vietnamese Restaurant Hanoi

The food was excellent. We opted for a lunch set, where you can choose one starter and one main dish, which made for a well-balanced meal. Since it wasn’t busy when we arrived, we had the freedom to select our preferred seating, which was a nice touch. The ambiance was pleasant, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating, ensuring a comfortable dining experience. All in all, we had a lovely and relaxing time…….

Tucked away behind the lively streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Madam Hien offers a charming, authentic escape — both in atmosphere and on the plate. We visited twice for lunch, each time greeted by a special, curated menu offering a smaller but thoughtful selection of dishes. What struck us immediately was the unwavering freshness of the ingredients and the brilliant balance of flavors: every bite felt like a true homage to traditional Vietnamese home cooking. There was a feeling, almost unmistakable, that you had stepped into a beloved grandmother’s kitchen — where simplicity, heart, and flavor reign above all else. The dishes ranged from vibrant green mango and pomelo salads — bursting with crunch, acidity, and a whisper of sweetness — to perfectly fried prawns, light yet rich, layered over herbaceous notes of mint, cilantro, and roasted peanuts. The presentation was elegant yet honest, often using banana leaves and simple, earthy bowls that reinforced the unpretentious spirit of the restaurant. The setting adds even more to the experience. The small courtyard is peaceful and secluded, a rare find in the high-energy chaos of Hanoi. Inside, the interiors are simple, traditionally styled, and welcoming without feeling staged or overly decorated. Service was warm and efficient, echoing the care and hospitality we found across much of Hanoi but with a slightly more polished edge here. Value for money is excellent: quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a charming setting — all at a price point that feels more than fair for the experience delivered. Overall, Madam Hien is not a show-off restaurant. It doesn’t need to be. It delivers what truly matters: real Vietnamese flavors, a cozy, welcoming setting, and a meal that lingers in your memory long after the table is cleared.

This Vietnamese restaurant is a true hidden gem! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor is simple yet charming, creating a cozy and comfortable dining experience. The food was absolutely outstanding. The banana blossom salad was beautifully balanced, with crisp textures and a refreshing, tangy dressing. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted, making the wait completely worthwhile. The flavors were authentic and every dish was beautifully presented. Every ingredient tasted fresh, and the portions were generous. The staff was friendly and attentive, always making sure we had everything we needed. If you’re looking for a place where quality takes priority over speed, this restaurant is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

I visited this place exactly ten years ago. At the time, I was on a business trip and stumbled upon it while walking through the streets of Hanoi looking for a place to eat. The unique design of the entrance instantly caught my eye, and since I had always been fascinated by Vietnamese home-style cuisine, I walked in without hesitation. Back then, I didn’t have much knowledge of Vietnamese food, and restaurant reviews weren’t as accessible as they are now. So, I just had to take my chances and order randomly. But the food turned out to be absolutely incredible. The clean presentation and warm service left such a lasting impression that I could never forget the experience. So naturally, when I had the chance to visit Hanoi again for the second time, this restaurant was at the top of my list. Thankfully, I was able to find it easily on Google Maps. However, when I arrived, the exterior looked different and made me wonder if I had come to the right place. A staff member explained that they had moved to this new location during the pandemic. When I showed them a photo from my visit ten years ago and told them I had returned, they welcomed me with genuine warmth. As I sat down to order, they kindly offered a photo menu, which made ordering very easy. Since I was alone, I couldn’t try too many dishes, but I still managed to enjoy as much as I could—from starter to dessert. The highlight for me was the mushroom and shallots. They were so soft, so flavorful, that for a moment, I was tempted to cancel everything else and order just that, over and over again. From the first bite to the last spoonful of the green tea ice cream dessert, I was simply happy. To be honest, I enjoyed this meal even more than the one I had at a Michelin 3-star restaurant during this trip. It was more delicious and far more satisfying. I can say with confidence: the next time I come to Hanoi, I will definitely visit Madame Hien again. In fact, I might come back to Hanoi just to dine here. P.S. If you meet the kitten(boy), plz say hello. But he won’t play with you. He is a CAT :p

We had a special evening in a charming place, here, in Hanoi. We felt very good, the ones who received us and served us are very kind, careful and attentive. We learned about the gastronomic culture of Vietnamese, of Vietnamese women, how this restaurant was born, who was the distinguished Mrs. Hien. Respect and consideration for all Vietnamese, Asian women in general! We saw how dedication, devotion, hard- working cook delicious preparations right in the street. We had a special menu, Hanoi, 36 Streets, Menu composed of several dishes, including dessert. Everything was delicious! ( I forgot to make a picture with fish 😀) Chapeau! 🎩 Congratulations, you're doing an extraordinary job! 💯👏👍🫶🙏

The restaurant is located in an old French building with traditional Vietnamese and Hanoi foods. The foods are delicious with nice decoration. The services are very friendly, professional, attentive. Many foreign customers. Set lunch menu is available. Very satisfied !

Wonderful ambiance in a classy but warm haven of peace, right in the middle of the Old Quarter. Delicious dinner; special mention of the crab curry rice pancakes, the mango shrimp salsa wrap, the soft chocolate cake with fresh cinnamon icecream and the passion fruit sorbet! Smily Ms Yen a warm hostess. Many thanks to her, to the chef and to their team for their passion and devotion!

We were there for lunch at weekend near the lunar new year. It's located in the old quarter of Hanoi so it was quite hard for us to find the way there and park the car. The street in front was small so we decided to park the car in a nearby area which cost VND 50,000. The restaurant is inside an old house of Hanoi which looks very nostalgic. The outside area is bright with colorful tables and chairs. The inside was quite dark just like an old house it is. We booked a table in advance, a week before we started our trip. Everything looked very nostalgic including the cutlery and the decorations. We had 4 people. At first it was quite hard for us to order because we wanted to taste everything. Then we decided to order 2 sets : Madam Hien and Signature. Those looked quite small but it was not small at all. We also ordered Seasonal pomelo salad which was tasty. The prawns were big and fresh, covered with a crunchy layer of black sesame, the pomelo was sweet and sour, balanced with the sauce, herbs and dry shrimps. Duck 3 ways and Pho foie gras were must-try dishes of the day. Pho was hot with sweet broth and greasy foie gras. Duck 3 ways were super tasty and almost perfect. However, the satay duck was too small and quite dry. I also enjoyed the starter of 2 sets, very colorful with different tastes and different small dishes to try. The main dishes were delicious. However, we didn't like coconut rice, it was bland and too wet. Stir fried seafood was not my taste, either. We also liked the desserts. The staff was friendly and helpful. After the meal, they came to our table to ask for our opinions to improve the quality.