You will undoubtedly hear a lot about the cuisine of Hué while planning your trip—and for good reason, as this imperial court cuisine is highly renowned.
This cuisine somewhat overshadows the typical and traditional dishes of other central Vietnamese cities, such as Danang and Hoi An.
In this article, we aim to fill that gap by introducing you to four specific Hoi An dishes not to be missed during your visit to this charming fishing port.
Cao Lau (Noodles with Roasted Pork and Fresh Herbs)
This is THE signature dish that reflects the cultural blend of Hoi An. If there were only one dish to try during your stay in Hoi An, it should be this one.
This dish combines Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese influences, which can also be seen in the architecture of Hoi An’s Old Town. You’ll find noodles reminiscent of soba, the famous Japanese noodles, while the aromatic herbs come from Chinese and Vietnamese traditions.
The rice noodles used in Cao Lau are thicker than the bún or phở noodles commonly found in northern Vietnam. They are served with slices of roasted pork and a variety of herbs and salad leaves. Everything is mixed together in a light pork broth.
The rice noodles in Cao Lau, a dish from Hoi An. Photo credit: Parfum d’Automne.
Here are our top recommended places to try it:
- Cao Lau Lien ( No 9 Thai Phien ) –This is undoubtedly the most famous restaurant, serving only Cao Lau. The owner’s recipe remains a secret. All we know is that only organic ingredients from Tra Que village are used. Don’t hesitate—go for it!
- Cao Lau Thanh ( No 6 Thai Phien)
- Cao Lau Hoi An Trung Bac ( No 87 Tran Phu )
- Cao Lau không Gian Xanh ( No 687 rue Hai Ba Trưng)
A plate of Cao Lau costs around 40,000 to 50,000 VND.
Cơm gà Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice)
You probably already know that rice is the most popular staple in Asian countries. In Vietnam, from the North to the South, Vietnamese people eat rice at every meal. Whether it’s ordinary rice or sticky rice, there’s something to suit every taste! Each region has its own specialty: corbicula rice in Hué, rice cooked in small pots in the South, steamed rice in bamboo in the Northern mountains. All of these reflect the unique characteristics of Vietnamese cuisine.
However, once you taste Hoi An chicken rice, known as one of the three signature dishes of Hoi An cuisine, you will never forget its unique flavor.
This dish appears on the menu of almost every restaurant in the city. The dish is simple, as you can imagine—just rice and chicken—but remarkable for its distinctive flavor.
The rice chosen for this dish is fragrant and cooked with chicken broth, along with a pinch of fresh turmeric to give it a bright yellow color. The chicken used is the highest-quality Vietnamese chicken, with thin skin and tender, nutrient-rich meat. The chicken is shredded and mixed with onions, a little salt, dotted with pepper, laksa leaves, and spices. Once cooked, the chicken is aromatic and slightly spicy, yet it retains its original flavor. It is served with a sauce made from chili and soy.
Cơm gà Hoi An, Vietnam. Photo credit: Parfum d’Automne
Mi Quang (Wide Yellow Rice Noodles)
It is a typical noodle dish from the Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces in central Vietnam. It is often served for breakfast.
It is a rice noodle soup (with wide white or yellow noodles) served with meat (pork, beef, or chicken) or shrimp, along with a crispy rice cracker. Everything is served in a pork-based broth.
No fewer than nine aromatic herbs and condiments are needed to give Mi Quang its unique flavor: basil, coriander, Vietnamese knotweed, young spinach shoots, baby lettuce, soybean sprouts, scallions, banana flower, and onion.
Vietnamese people also like to add green chili to give it a spicy kick… definitely worth trying! Some even top it with peanuts and fried shallots for extra flavor.
My Quang, Hoi An typical dishes, Vietnam. Photo credit: Parfum d’Automne
Here are our top recommended places to try it:
- Mi Quang Mr.Hai à Hoi An ( No 6A Truong Minh Luong )
- Mi Quang Mrs. Hat (No 4 Phan Chau Trinh )
- Mi Quang Mrs. Minh ( Cam Ha , Hoi An )
The price of this dish is approximately 25,000 to 50,000 VND (around 1 to 2 euros).
Bánh xèo (rice flour pancake)
Bánh xèo can be found easily throughout southern Vietnam, but each locality has its own way of preparing it. Hoi An is no exception!
The name means “sizzling cake/pancake.” Why? Because that’s the sound the turmeric rice flour makes when it hits the hot pan filled with vegetable oil and pork fat!
The pancake is then folded in half and filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.
Banh Xeo in Hoi An, Vietnam. Photo credit: Parfum d’Automne
Here are our top recommended places to try it:
- Banh xeo Gieng Ba Le ( No 45/51 Tran Hung Dao)
- Banh xeo Hoi An Song Xoai ( No 59/32 street 18 Aout)
- Banh Xeo Hai dao ( No 160 Ly Thai To)
- Banh Xeo Hai Nam ( No 409 Hai Ba Trung)
The price ranges from 10,000 to 30,000 VND for a Banh Xeo.
You now know the must-try dishes of Hoi An!
All that’s left is for us to wish you… ENJOY YOUR MEAL!
