9 Best Local Dishes in Hoi An

Famous Food Locals Love to Eat in Hoi An

Hoi An, once a bustling Vietnamese trading port, boasts an exquisite array of local delicacies crafted from fresh greens, herbs, fish, meat, and even water sourced from nearby islands and farming villages like Cham Island, Tra Que Vegetable Village, Ba Le Well, and Cam Nam Village. Influenced by Chinese, French, and Japanese culinary traditions, the city offers a delightful blend of flavors.

Exploring the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town reveals a diverse dining scene, from upscale Vietnamese eateries to charming riverside food stalls. Below, discover the must-try dishes and beloved favorites cherished by locals in this extraordinary city, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

1. Cao Lau

Cao Lau is a traditional noodle dish originating from Quang Nam, Vietnam, and is considered a specialty of the city of Hoi An.

Historical records indicate that the origins of Cao Lau date back to the 17th century when Chinese and Japanese merchants frequently visited the port of Hoi An. It is said that Cao Lau was often served at two-story eateries, earning it the nickname "ascending to the upper floor," later shortened to just "Cao Lau."

This enticing noodle dish consists of shiny golden-yellow noodles, topped with succulent slices of savory pork (made from tender and fragrant fresh pork), crispy fried rice crackers, blanched vegetables, aromatic herbs from Tra Que, and a delicious broth infused with the flavors of the pork.

However, this dish still offers diners an unforgettable culinary experience, truly embodying the essence of Hoi An for every visitor.

2. Banh Bao Banh Vac (White rose dumplings)

With their petite and charming appearance resembling white roses, bánh bao and bánh vạc are affectionately given the beautiful and endearing name of "white rose." This renowned delicacy is distinctive and delicious, a hallmark of Hoi An's ancient town, commonly found on the menus of restaurants in Hoi An. Bánh bao and bánh vạc offer a delightful blend of sweetness from the shrimp filling, the fragrant aroma of white rice, and the rich, fatty crunch of fried shallots, complemented by a spicy kick from chili. Don't miss out on savoring this famous delicacy in Hoi An.

Read more: The Specialty of White Rose Dumplings in Hội An

3. Com ga (Chicken rice)

Com ga is a hearty ensemble of fragrant rice, shredded village chicken, fresh herbs, black pepper, and chili jam. Originating from China, it’s a very common dish in Southeast Asia, but Hoi An is said to utilize only top-quality rice and farm-raised chickens.

The rice is also cooked in a mixture of pandan leaves, chicken stock, and turmeric in wood-fired clay ovens, resulting in its distinctive pale yellow exterior. Each plate of chicken and rice comes with a small bowl of clear soup, dipping sauces, and pickled green chilies.

4. Mi Quang (Quang Noodles)

If anyone has ever set foot in Da Nang, Quang Nam, they definitely cannot forget a simple, rustic dish of this place - Quang noodles.

Quang noodles are 5 - 10mm thick, made from finely ground rice flour mixed with water mixed with gardenia seeds and eggs. On top of the noodles are pork or snakehead fish, chicken, shrimp, frog, boiled quail eggs, and stewed with pork bone broth. In addition, people also add roasted peanuts, chopped green onions, red peppers, herbs, etc. to the bowl of noodles to make the dish more flavorful.

5. Banh xeo (Crispy pancake)

Banh xeo is a typical Vietnamese snack or appetizer. It is made of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, filled with ingredients such as vermicelli noodles, chicken, pork or beef slices, shrimp, sliced onions, beansprouts, and mushrooms.

Banh xeo is sold at roadside stalls, markets, and restaurants in Hoi An. Eat like the locals by wrapping the crispy pancake in mustard leaf, lettuce leaves or rice papers together with nem lui (lemongrass pork skewers), mint leaves, and basil, then dip it in fermented peanut sauce.

6. Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette)

It is no coincidence that the bread in Hoi An is known as the most delicious in the world. Because the bread here uses thick bread, the outside is often crispy and hot.

In terms of appearance, the filling is made up of many ingredients such as sauce, pate, meat, sausage, cheese, and raw vegetables. In addition, the bread is baked in the oven with butter so the outside layer turns golden yellow, making it look very eye-catching.

In addition, the meat inside the bread is marinated according to a traditional recipe, so when you eat it, you will feel soft and juicy. To help people not feel sick, the bread is also sandwiched with a little papaya salad and green vegetables. According to many tourists in Hoi An, the bread here is the most delicious of all the types of bread they have ever eaten.

7. Banh uot cuon thit nuong (Wet cake rolled with grilled meat)

Coming to Hoi An, in addition to chicken rice and bread, we cannot miss Wet cake rolled with grilled meat! Grilled meat marinated according to this indigenous recipe will have a very unique flavor, eating it once will make you remember it forever.

Wet cake rolled with grilled meat includes thinly coated wet cake with a light chewiness, combined with delicious meat skewers and rich dipping sauce. These are the ingredients that create delicious dishes typical of Hoi An.

9. Banh dap - Hen xao (Banh dap - stir-fried mussel)

Hoi An dam cake is a type of cake consisting of 2 layers of grilled rice paper sandwiched with a layer of wet cake in the middle. What makes this dish "soul" is the bowl of fish sauce dipping sauce. A premium dipping sauce with an irresistibly delicious flavor.

Before enjoying, you will use your hand to press the middle of the cake until it breaks into many pieces. Then dip it into the bowl of divine dipping sauce. It is often eaten with stir-fried mussels, also known as stir-fried mussel cake. This is a rustic dish, not a delicacy but extremely delicious.

With this dish, you will have the opportunity to feel the crispiness of grilled rice paper, accompanied by the toughness and flexibility of the wet cake sandwiched inside. Blended into that is the sweet, salty, and spicy taste of the stir-fried mussels. Everything blends into one, extremely attractive.

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