5 Must-try Dishes in Hoi An

The most tempting dish cherished by both visitors and Hoi An people must be Cao lau. The meaning "high floor" in its name tells the past story that diners are usually served this dish on the upper floor where they can admire the stunning old town.

First appearing in the 17th century when the trading port Hoi An was increasingly known by other nations, Cao lau also deeply exudes cultural interference via the ingredients but retains the distinct traditional traits via the elaborate and meticulous cooking method. The main ingredients are yellow rice noodles which are similar to udon noodles in Japan and sliced pork belly which is similar to char siu in China. However, the process of making firm and chewy noodles turns the dish into a cut above the rest. The most fragrant rice will be soaked in the water with wood ash from Cham Island, milled with the clear water from the famous Ba Le Well, and steamed a few times. Then, steamed rice is cut into thick strips and dried for later use.

Cao lau is served with crispy fried pork skins, fresh vegetables and herbs, dry pancake, and a little broth just enough to wet the noodles. Don't forget to add some lime juice and fresh chili, it will bring the dish to a new level for sure!

Best places to try:

• Cao lau Hoi An Ba Be: 1 Tran Phu Street
• Cao lau Hoi An Thanh: 26 Thai Phien Street
• Cao lau Hoi An Trung Bac: 87 Tran Phu Street

Coming from Quang Nam province - the homeland of Hoi An, Mi Quang (Quang Nam Noodles) attracts tourists with its eye-catching presentation and rich flavor from many fresh ingredients. It may remind you of Cao lau because the chewy and firm noodles are also yellow from turmeric, and served with fresh vegetables, sliced pork, crunchy rice crackers, and a small amount of broth. However, noodles in Mi Quang are not as complicatedly made from the unique ingredients as in Cao Lau, and people often add shrimp, boiled quail eggs, and roasted peanuts to the dish. Apart from that original flavor, you can also see Mi Quang with various meat such as frog, chicken, beef, pork rib, eel, fish, etc. This nutritious and healthy dish promisingly awakens your senses during your Hoi An culinary voyage.

Best places to try:

• Mi Quang Ong Hai - 6A Truong Minh Luong Street
• Mi Quang Di Hat - 81 Phan Chu Trinh Street
• Mi Quang Ba Minh - 137 Phan Chu Trinh Street

The culinary experience with Hoi An chicken rice will wow you for the first time. Selected rice is cooked with chicken broth and pandan leaves, making an eye-catching golden color and natural aroma. The chicken meat is not friable but perfectly tender from the young chicken. The cook shreds and mixes chicken with spices, some herbs, and sliced ​​white onions.

A portion of rice is neatly placed on the plate, served with chicken, pickles of carrots and green papaya, herbs, and a bowl of broth to complete the dish. The fatty chicken combined with the sweet and sour pickles and spicy chili sauce made an exceptional flavor that you will not forget in a moment. Try it and feel like the essence of Hoi An is captured in a simple dish.

Best places to try:

• Com ga Ba Buoi - 22 Phan Chau Trinh Street
• Com ga Ba Nga - 8 Phan Chau Trinh Street
• Com ga Xi - 47/2 Tran Hung Dao Street

While Vietnamese classic baguettes (Banh mi) can be found on almost every street throughout the country, Banh mi Hoi An made it global thanks to its secret sauces and diverse fresh ingredients. Especially, the bread itself sets it apart thanks to a thin, crispy crust outside and a thick but fluffy crumb inside. Whether you are a meat-lover or vegetarian, Hoi An bread can fulfill your palate with multiple fillings from meat (such as char siu, grilled pork, ham, beef, chicken,...), eggs, pate, or fresh vegetables, green papaya, tomato, cucumber, chili sauce, and sauce. With a very reasonable price from VND 15,000 to 35,000/baguette, Banh mi is well worth trying in your gastronomy adventure in Hoi An.

Best places to try:

• Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen - 115 Tran Cao Van Street
• Banh mi Ba Bua - 117 Nguyen Truong To Street
• Banh Mi Pho Co - 2 Le Loi Street
• Banh mi Phuong - 2b Phan Chu Trinh Street

White rose dumplings are the signature dish of Hoi An that you cannot miss. These dumplings stand out with their thin and soft skin crafted like rose-petal and the pure white color. Although similar to Chinese dumplings in ingredients and steaming process, white rose dumplings in Hoi An are made from rice powder instead of wheat flour, creating a softer texture and a more elegant look.

White rose dumplings come in two varieties called “banh bao” and “banh vac”. If “banh bao” is made from minced pork stir-fried with green onion, and wood fungus, “banh vac” is a blend of minced shrimp and meat mixed with pepper, green onion, lemongrass, and spices. Be sure to dip these dumplings into the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy sauce to grab a full flavor experience! You will never regret it.

Best places to try:

• Bong hong trang Restaurant - 533 Hai Ba Trung Street
• Trung Bac Restaurant - 87 Tran Phu Street
• Trong Com Restaurant - 92 Bach Dang Street