besHoi An Ancient Town, located in Quang Nam province, has become one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Vietnam. Besides the cultural values which were noted by UNESCO, Hoi An is also a heaven for all the food lovers who wish to discover the sophisticated culinary art of Vietnam. Once a major trading port of Southeast Asia, Hoi An food is a unique mixture of Chinese, Japanese and French influences. The exclusive savors of the city’s cuisine promise to satisfy all of the foodaholics in the world, even the most fastidious diners. Read on our top 5 Hoi An foods that shouldn’t be missed out:
Cơm gà (Chicken rice) – The most iconic Hoi An food
This Hoi An food has always left a strong impression on all the visitors of the Ancient Town. The ingredients are carefully selected. Chefs generally give preference to home-raised chickens, which ensures the tenderness and juiciness of the meat. After being boiled, the chicken is shredded into small pieces. Then chefs mix them well with spices, onions, coriander, and lime juice. The jasmine rice is cooked with chicken broth for it to absorb the meat’s, specific sweetness. The harmonious combination of these flavors makes a perfect bowl of chicken rice, the pride of Hoi An food.
Recommended locations: Cơm gà Bà Buội at No. 22, Phan Chau Trinh Street; Cơm gà Bà Ty at No. 25-27, Phan Chau Trinh Street and Cơm gà Bà Hương (Kiệt Sica) at no. 48, Lê Lợi Street.
Price: 35,000 – 50,000 VND/plate depending on requirements.
Cao lầu (Noodles with shrimps and roasted pork) – The most traditional Hoi An food
Cao lầu is a name that even the Vietnamese natives are unfamiliar with. It is one of the foremost Hoi An foods. A bowl of Cao lầu consists of chewy yellow noodles, shrimps, pork and a variety of herbs. Besides that, unlike other kinds of noodle, Cao lầu is served with very little char siu stock. People can also choose to add more fish sauce and pepper to deepen the savory flavor of this Hoi An food, depending on their preferences.
Recommended locations: Thanh Cao Lầu at No. 26, Thai Phien Street; Cao Lầu Không Gian Xanh at No. 687, Hai Ba Trung Street and Ms. Vy’s Morning Glory Restaurant at No. 106, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.
Price: 20,000 – 40,000 VND/bowl depending on requirements.
Mì Quảng (Quảng style noodle) – The unique Hoi An food
Mì Quảng is another must-try specialty when exploring Hoi An food. People tend to mistake mì Quảng for Cao lầu because these two dishes are very similar. The main ingredients are rice noodles, meat, and herbs. It is most commonly served with a small amount of meat or bone broth. The broth is infused with turmeric to give it a yellowish color. Customers can choose whether the meats in their dish may include one or more of the following: shrimp, pork, chicken, beef, etc. Toasted sesame rice crackers called “bánh tráng mè” are often used to garnish atop a serving. This “feature” is also the highlight of this Hoi An food. There are two types of Mì Quảng: served with broth or served as a salad (Mì Quảng trộn).
Recommended locations: Mì Quảng Ông Hai at No. 6A, Truong Minh Luong Street; Phố Xưa at No. 35, Phan Chau Trinh Street and Mì Quảng Bích at No. 272 Hung Vuong Street.
Price: 15,000 – 40,000 VND/bowl depending on requirements.
Bánh mì Hội An (Hoi An’s sandwich) – The pride of Hoi An food
Vietnam is famous all over the world for “bánh mì.” Unlike others, bánh mì Hội An has been substantially “upgraded” by the locals to make it “one of a kind.” A quality serving of bánh mì should be appetizing inside and out, especially the filling. The stuffing is of abundant ingredients. Take a bite, and you will feel as if you can appreciate a diversity of flavor from all over the world harmonized into one: from the featured Asian taste of grilled meat and Chinese sausage to the delicate Western cuisine of jambon, paté, bacon, etc. As a final touch, bánh mì Hội An is sprinkled with fried shallots, basils, and pickled cucumbers. This Hoi An food will undoubtedly leave an unforgettable aftertaste that lingers in the minds of tourists.
Recommended locations: Bánh mì bà Phượng at No. 2B, Phan Chau Trinh Street and Bánh mì Madam Khánh at No. 115, Tran Van Cao Street.
Price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/loaf depending on requirements.
Bánh ướt cuốn thịt nướng (Grilled meat wrapped in wet rice cakes) – The most well-known Hoi An snack
The last recommendation in the list of top 5 must-try Hoi An foods is bánh ướt cuốn thịt nướng. It is a favorite and typical sidewalk snack of the Ancient Town. Customers sit on small plastic tables and chairs on the pavements of the streets to enjoy the delicious charcoal-grilled meat sticks wrapped in wet rice cakes. According to the owners, the meat comes from the shoulder part of the pig, which has a certain tenderness and juiciness. Aside from the basic spices like salt and pepper, the pork is also marinated with ngũ vị hương (five-spice powder), shallots, lemongrass, honey, and even rice wine. A roll includes a meat stick, fresh lettuce, cucumber slices wrapped in a thin wet rice cake. The spicy dipping sauce also helps to create the exquisite flavor that only this Hoi An food can deliver.
Recommended locations: small sidewalk eateries along the banks of the Hoài river.
Price: 5,000 VND/skewer.
Apart from the five Hoi An foods mentioned above, there are also countless others available for discovery. Rich in diversity and budget-friendly, the excellent cuisine of Hoi An proves to be one of the most critical factors in attracting the Globetrotters to explore this Ancient Town, a brilliant gem in the travel industry of Vietnam. Join our ultimate Hoi An food tour now and have a satisfying culinary experience of your own!
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