Hoi An, a UNESCO Globe Cultural Heritage Site, is well known around the globe for its ageless charm and stunning scenery. However, its gastronomic wonders – Hoi An Food are also gaining recognition. Follow Vietnam Tour 247 to discover the top 13 most delicious food in Hoi An
Top 13 best food in Hoi An
Food in Hoi An is one of the most important things that all visitors want to try. Fresh greens, herbs, seafood, meat, and even water from nearby agricultural communities and islands are used in the greatest Hoi An local cuisine. There are many different places to eat in Hoi An Ancient Town, from fancy Vietnamese restaurants to streetside food vendors. Continue reading for our selection of Hoi An’s greatest regional cuisine as well as the well-known foods that residents of this amazing city and UNESCO World Heritage Site adore eating.
1. Cao Lầu (pork rice noodles)
Hoi An is known for its distinctive noodle dish, Cao Lau. Cao Lau, which is served over rice noodles with marinated roast pork pieces and fresh green veggies, appears to be a traditional Vietnamese cuisine on the menu.
However, because of the unique native ingredients – the noodles – that are exclusive to this area, Cao Lau is rarely available anywhere else in Hoi An.
It’s not just any rice noodles that are utilized in Cao Lau. It has been steeped in a solution of ashes from nearby trees on Cham Island and calcium-rich water from the local well. As a result, the noodle has a harder texture and a yellowish tint compared to other rice noodles. Even the old town of Hoi An has an old well known as the Ba Le well, which is supposed to be the source of the Cao Lau water needed to make noodles with the right texture.
Where to eat Cao Lau in Hoi An
- Cao Lầu bà Bé: 1 Tran Phú, Cam Chau
- Quán Cao Lầu Thanh: 26 Thai Phien, Minh An
- Morning Glory Original: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An
- Ong Hai (Mr. Hai Restaurant): 6A Truong Minh Luong, Cam Chau
2. Bánh Mì Thập Cẩm (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
Banh Mi Viet Nam is one of the best food in Hoi An Viet Nam. A banh mi is a Vietnamese-style sandwich that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including liver pate, minced beef, and fresh veggies like cucumbers, pickled carrots, and lettuce.
The bread of banh mi is intriguing since it resembles a French baguette a lot, which is a clear indication of French colonial influence in the area. However, banh mi is much shorter and fits well in your hands, in contrast to a baguette, which is often somewhat lengthy.
One banh mi is often served for breakfast by local Vietnamese. At 20,000 VND (US$0.86), it’s a cheap, wholesome, and convenient way to start the day.
Where is the best Banh Mi in Hoi An?
There are a few places in Hoi An where you can get banh mi (the best food in Hoi An), but the most well-known shops have to be Banh Mi Phuong (which is said to sell 3,000 banh mi daily) and The Banh Mi Queen Madam Khanh (which sells 1,000 banh mi daily).
- Bánh Mì Phượng: 2B Phan Chu Trinh, Cam Chau
- Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen: 115 Tran Cao Van,Minh An
3. Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (White Rose Dumpling)
Another food that is exclusive to Hoi An is Banh Bao Banh Vac, often known as the White Rose Dumpling. This is a straightforward steamed dumpling, rice flour and the same well water used for cao lầu are utilized to make the steamed dumplings. It is stuffed with shrimp, mushrooms, and minced pork. and garnished with crispy shallots and spring onions.
Similar to Cao Lau, it is stated that Ba Le well water is required for making the skin of White Rose dumplings.
Where to eat White Rose Dumpling in Hoi An
- White Rose Restaurant (run by the family who specializes in these dumplings): 533 Hai Ba Trung, Cam Pho
- Morning Glory Original: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An
4. Cơm Gà Hội An (Hoi An Chicken Rice)
Similar to its neighbors in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, Vietnam too saw a surge in popularity for the well-known Hainanese chicken rice, particularly in Hoi An. Vietnamese chicken rice, known as Com Ga, is served with shredded chicken, in contrast to chicken rice seen in the bordering nations.
The rice at certain restaurants has a tint of turmeric added to it, giving it a little yellower color than other chicken rice in the area. The rice is still seasoned with chicken broth, just like other chicken rice. Naturally, it is served with fresh greens and herbs on the side, as befits Vietnamese cuisine.
In my opinion, Com Ga tastes far fresher and lighter than the Hainanese chicken rice that is available in Singapore. Delicious!
Where to eat Com Ga in Hoi An
- Cơm Gà Bà Buội: 22 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An
- Hoi An chicken rice: 47/2 Tran Hung Dao
Read more: Travel Agency Vietnam: Best Travel Agency for Vietnam Tours
5. Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Pancake)
Bánh xèo translates to “sizzling pancake” in literal terms. This term originates from the cooking process, namely from the loud sizzling sound produced when the hot pan is filled with rice batter.
Although Banh Xeo is a delicacy across Vietnam, I didn’t realize that each area had its own unique version of the dish until I traveled to Hoi An, or more accurately, Central Vietnam.
Banh Xeo is often significantly larger in the south, around the size of a dinner plate, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. They are smaller here in Central Vietnam, roughly the size of a quarter of a dinner plate.
When your pancakes are ready, cut them into thin slices and bundle them up with some greens and herbs in the dry rice paper that comes with them. Next, plunge into the sauce.
Unquestionably one of my favorite foods on this extensive list of delicious foods.
Where to get Banh Xeo in Hoi An
- Bánh Xèo Cô Anh, Sông Hoài: 59/32, 18/8 Minh An
- Bánh Xèo Minh Tú Chợ Hội An: Chợ ẩm thực, Old Town
6. Bún thịt nướng (grilled pork over vermicelli rice noodles)’
When I think of Vietnamese food, I usually think of Bun thit nuong. Basically, it’s a cold rice noodle salad with lots of vegetables and sliced BBQ pork. Although it isn’t exclusive to Hoi An, this meal is well-known across Vietnam and is a must-try when visiting!
This platter is tasty and cool on a hot day. Bun Thit Nuong has such a delightful texture. You get the crunch from the vegetable, the wetness from the sauce, and the softness from the noodles. I adore them so much.
Where to get Bun thit nuong in Hoi An
- Bún Thịt Nướng: 81 Tran Cao Van, Cam Pho
- Cô Bảy Hội An: 12 Tran Quang Khaii
- Ty Ty Quán: 17/6 Hai Ba Trung, Minh An
Read more: Best Of The Central Vietnam From Hoi An | Authentic Discovery – 06 Days
7. Mì Quảng (Quang Seafood Noodle)
Mi Quang is a well-known noodle dish that comes from Quang Nam province, which includes Hoi An (One food in Hoi An). Since there isn’t much broth in the dish – again, I can attest to how hot it can get in this area of the world – it is a favorite during the summer months when it’s too hot to have any kind of noodle soup.
While each restaurant and home makes Mi Quang differently, eggs, marinated pork, and shrimp are common toppings.
Where to get Mi Quang in Hoi An
- Mì Quảng Dì Hát: 81 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An
- Mì Quảng Ông Hai – Mr. Hai Noodles: 6A Trương Minh Lượng, Cẩm Châu
- Mì Quảng Hát: 4 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An
8. Bánh Khọt Trứng Cút (Mini Pancake with Quail Eggs)
A little pancake, Banh Khot is a popular Vietnamese street dish prepared with wheat, eggs, and basic toppings. The version with quail eggs, known as Banh Khot Trung Cut, is my favorite; otherwise, they are usually topped with shrimp.
These little morsels are placed directly into your mouth, and you relish. Without a question, the best thing I found on my trip was Banh Khot. I still ponder on it frequently.
Where to eat Banh Khot in Hoi An
- Mrs Tuat Banh Can: 8 Tran Phu, Cam Chau
- I also had this during the Hoi An food tour I accidentally booked on my first night in Hoi An.
9. Thịt Xiên Nướng (Grilled Pork in Rice Paper)
When coming to Vietnam, Thit Xien Nuong is one of the best food in Hoi An that you must try in Hoi An food tour. It is regarded as street food, despite its substantial size that can fill you up even after just a few bites! Additionally, it has elements that might make up a whole meal: dry rice paper, veggies, and meat!
The rice paper that came with the skewers was not the same as the rice paper I usually get. These rice sheets are crisp and dry, unlike regular rice papers that need to be soaked in water before being used as a spring roll wrapper.
Where to eat Thit Xien Nuong in Hoi An?
- Bale Well Restaurant: 51 Tran Hung Dao, Minh An
- Sidewalk stalls next to Kazik Park: 13 Tran Phu, Cam Chau
- Bà Hường: 31 Tieu La, Minh An
10. Bánh xoài (mango cake)
Would you like anything sweet? An absolutely wonderfully chewy “mango” cake is a safe choice. No, despite being called for its shape, it doesn’t contain any mango. However, it does contain brown sugar, crushed peanuts, and glutinous rice flour. Some people liken it to Chinese tang yuan rice balls or Japanese mochi.
Where to eat Mango Cake in Hoi An?
- Hoi An Market: 9 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau Ward
- The street vendor stalls close to the Japanese bridge.
11. Hoành thánh chiên (Wonton)
Chinese traders brought wontons, sometimes called Hoi An pizza (Hoành thánh chiên), and they were later customized to suit local tastes. Unwrapped deep-fried wontons with a salsa-like mixture of shrimp, husked pork, chopped onions, veggies, and other spices are the main ingredients of the Hoi An wonton. Dipping the dumplings in a concoction of vinegar, soy sauce, and chili sauce balances off the richness of the dish.
Where to eat Hoanh thanh chien in Hoi An?
Van Loc Restaurant: 27 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward
12. Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk)
Besides the attractive food in Hoi An, there will be a very delicious drink in Hoi An. In Vietnam, drip-filter coffee is the norm. There are several methods to serve Vietnamese coffee, but Cà Phê Sữa Đá, or iced coffee with condensed milk, is the most widely used method. However, you are free to exclude the ice, sugar, and condensed milk if you want! It is essentially customizable to your preferences.
Here are the many variations of Vietnamese coffee:
- Cà Phê Sữa Đá – Iced Coffee with condensed milk
- Cà Phê Đen Đá – Iced Black Coffee with sugar
- Cà Phê Đen Không Đường – Iced Black Coffee without sugar
- Cà Phê Sữa Nóng – Hot Coffee with Condensed Milk
- Cà Phê Nóng – Hot Black Coffee with sugar
- Cà Phê Đa Không Đường – Hot Black Coffee without sugar
Vietnamese coffee may be enjoyed in the same way as any other form of coffee: first, grind some dark roast Vietnamese coffee and place it into a tiny, individual metal drip filter. After that, you place the filter on top of a cup and slowly pour hot water through it into the cup, which if desired already contains condensed milk at the bottom. After the coffee has stopped leaking, whisk the mixture to combine the condensed milk and coffee, then transfer it to an ice-filled glass and savor!
Where to have Coffee in Hoi An
- Hoi An Roastery: 84 Tran Van Cao – this is just one of the locations, there are plenty of them in the old town
- The Chef Restaurant & Cafe: 166 Tran Phu, Minh An – head to the rooftop for sunset!
13. Nước Mót Hội An (Mot water)
Nước Mót, which means “Mot water” and is named for its youthful inventor, is a type of herbal tea. Enriched with a blend of medicinal herbs such as ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, licorice, and lemon, along with green tea, chamomile, and monk fruit, nước Mót is regarded as having health benefits. It’s good that the drink has this additional medical benefit because it’s refreshing.
Come have a hot or cold nước Mót to beat the heat on a hot Hoi An day, or be warm and cozy during the rainy and freezing winter months. The drink’s namesake, Mr. Mot, used to be a street vendor but is now an indoor establishment with seating. The majority of Americans still favor takeout, though. Take a nước Mót with you and go exploring the city’s alleyways or unwinding by the river while holding a drink topped with a pink lotus flower to create the perfect atmosphere.
Where to have Nuoc Mot in Hoi An?
Mót: 150 Tran Phu, Cam Chau
Discover the Culinary Delights of Hoi An with Vietnam Tour 247!
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We at Vietnam Tour 247 offer experiences rather than just travel. Come discover Hoi An’s fascinating history, lively culture, and, of course, its amazing food in Hoi An with us. Take each mouthwatering bite as your taste sensations lead you through the historic alleyways of Hoi An. Discover why Hoi An is a genuine gastronomic heaven by scheduling your tour now!
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