Hanoi Restaurants

Cha Ca La Vong

#266 of 266 things to do in Hanoi

#6834 of 6835 restaurants in Asia

6 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Budget Travellers, Solo Travellers, Families, Nothing, Romance

Not good for: food, service, atmosphere, Foreigners., Foreign visitors

  • Address
    • 14 Pho Cha Ca Old Quarter
  • Phone
    • 04 3825 3929
  • Price
    • cha ca 80,000d
  • Hours
    • lunch & dinner

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Lonely Planet review for Cha Ca La Vong

The antiquated atmosphere here is legendary, and its rickety floors, overcrowded tables and gruff wait staff live up to the billing. Head straight upstairs for the full-on experience, and leave behind all expectations of a relaxed midday repast. It's a one-dish sweatshop, specialising in cha ca (fish grilled on your table with turmeric and dill, served with cold noodles and peanuts).

 

Traveller reviews for Cha Ca La Vong (6)

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    Bad experience

    almerinda does not recommend this,

    We were over charged. We were billed 150,000 per person for the food which only worths about 70,000. I will never recommend this place to anyone. Please read all other reviews also. Furthermore, the place offers only one dish - the overcharged grilled fish and The portion was small and there were hardly any services. Never,never go to this place if you are a visitor.

    Good for: Nothing

    Not good for: Foreigners., Foreign visitors

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    Total Rip Off

    kimjennifer does not recommend this,

    We came here upon recommendation from a friend who has been living in Hanoi for the past couple of years. In fact he came along w/ us and knows the people who work there. There were 3 of us for lunch. You can only order the cha ca which is charged on a per person basis. So we got 3 orders, 1 soda and 2 beers. Total bill? 450,000 VND! That is exorbitant by Vietnamese standards. You would think being w/ someone who's been and knows one of the managers would help but no. In fact last time he was there alone they charged him about 80,000 VND (I only learned this after asking him later since we picked up the bill). Portions were really small - it was more like a healthy portion for 1.5 people. Food was good but not awesome. For the money, there are plenty of other options with better food for a 'fair' price. The cost is trivial but the principle of ripping tourists off more than triple is ridiculous esp for what they gave us. I don't believe in supporting businesses that rip people off.

    Good for: Romance, Budget Travellers, Solo Travellers, Families

    Not good for: food, service

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    Tourist rip-off!!

    singalingaling does not recommend this,

    We followed our guide book and found this place and right the moment we sat down at the table, a lady handed us a luminated sheet reading "Only One Dish in this Restaurant - Fried Fish. VND100,000 per person". I was a little surprised when I saw the price because 100,000VND was a lot in Hanoi's standard and don't forget this is only a street food restaurant.

    The VND100,000 dish was apparently a pan of VERY OIL fried fish fillets with herbs - totally not worth the money. What really pissed me off was that I saw a local family of 3 paying VND 7,000 (total amount for 3 persons) for the very same dish! A total tourist rip-off.

    Service was bad and the place was awful. Just imagine the amount of carbon monoxide released from 8 tables of burning charcoal indoor - not a very smart idea.

    I urge LP to remove this low standard restaurant from the guidebook. This store is no good for any travelers.

    Not good for: atmosphere, food, service

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    Very disappointed!

    cxx927 does not recommend this,

    not worth the money at all! i believe if local ppl come, the charge must be less than VND40,000, but local ppl wont go paying VND40,000 for the food and service I believe. But for foreigners, it's VND100,000 per person and the food is very close to rubbish...

    Not good for: atmosphere, food, service

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    Its Rubbish!!

    wizemen2 does not recommend this,

    Everythin LP says is right, its quaint, but paying VND 10,000 for food scraps worth maybe VND 500 is to me a restaurant making hay while the sun shines.
    If the meal was maybe VND 2,000 I would have no complaint, but otherwise its a total theft flogging unsuspecting tourists..
    What LP does not mention though is that the place is in my opinion a Fire trap!!
    Fire burning on every table in a wobbly cooking brazier in a ricckety dry timber building with a steep attic type staircase the only way to access the upstairs dining area is an accident waiting to happen.
    Only twice the amount asked at this establishment for a feed of scraps will get you a fine Buffet at a 5 star hotel with a range of over 100 different dishes,so how does that make sense!/

    Not good for: atmosphere, food, service

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    Eating tradition

    larryboy recommends this,

    Went to one of the best eating place in Hanoi. I m not a great fan of fish but I love every bit of the dish served here. Having read it on the guide books, I went searching for this place, but went passed it as it looks like any other antique shop. I tried again the next day and got lucky, the eating place is upstairs. Heading up tiny steps, we finally made it there. It was very traditional and the food was soon on its way. Fish cooked hot on a small stove at your table...eat the fish with Pho and peanut oil and sauce...yummmy...don't miss it when you are in Hanoi.

    Good for: food, Budget Travellers, Groups, Solo Travellers, service, Families

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