Hoi An cuisine, one of the top culinary destinations in Vietnam, is an exquisite blend of local culinary culture and influences from various other cultures. Known for its diversity and richness in preparation methods, Hoi An cuisine is not just a taste experience but also a journey of cultural exploration. Let’s explore the culinary background of Hoi An with Ula Travel to see what makes it so unique and appealing to travelers!
I. Distinctive Features of Hoi An Cuisine
Hoi An cuisine is incredibly diverse and varied, yet it all carries the unique characteristics of the Central Vietnam. The specialty dishes of Hoi An utilize a wide range of ingredients from the mountains, plains, and sea.
In addition to traditional dishes, we often encounter dishes with Chinese and Western culinary styles when visiting Hoi An.
If you are someone who loves to travel and frequently learns about Hoi An, you will notice that the food arrangement here is very simple yet deeply traditional: rustic and straightforward. The food vendors and servers here are also extremely humble and friendly. Therefore, when enjoying the delicious dishes in Hoi An, you will always feel very comfortable.
II. Top 10 must-try dishes of Hoi An cuisine
1. Cao lau
Cao lau is enjoyed with slices of pork, a savory broth, crispy pork rind, fresh herbs, and vegetables. Particularly, the noodles are made from a superb type of rice from Quang Nam, soaked in water from the wells of Ba Le. After soaking, the rice takes on a golden hue akin to turmeric, and the broth is made from the water drawn from the ancient well of Ba Le.
The dough is kneaded to a chewy texture, rolled thinly, steamed, and then sliced into strands. The pork in cao lau is lean meat, marinated with various spices, and gently simmered over low heat. Once the pork is tender, it’s removed from the broth and served with tomatoes, onions, finely ground peanuts, and a flavorful sauce.
Recommended eateries:
- Thanh Cao Lau is at 26 Thai Phien, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 33,000 VND.
- Lien Cao Lau is at 120 Tran Cao Van, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 VND.
- Hoi An Ba Be Cao Lau is at 19 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 44,000 VND.
Start your journey with: Vietnam Horizon Hanoi to Hoi An
2. Hoi An Chicken Rice
Chicken rice can be found almost anywhere, but when enjoyed in Hoi An, it guarantees an unforgettable flavor. Hoi An chicken rice is renowned for its vibrant golden color and fragrant and sticky rice, served alongside glistening golden chicken pieces, pickles, and enticing herbs. Just looking at it will make you fall in love!
Hoi An chicken rice originates from Tam Ky, a land famous for its delicious chicken in Quang Nam. The rice is cooked from fragrant sticky rice grown along the Thu Bon River and is a must-try dish when visiting Hoi An.
Hoi An chicken rice has an incredibly unique flavor, perfect for those who love richness and depth. The tender and chewy chicken is shredded and mixed with onions, spices, salt, pepper, coriander, and lime juice, ensuring a delightful blend of flavors.
Recommended eateries:
- Ba Buoi Chicken Rice at 22 Phan Chu Trinh, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 45,000 VND, is open from 10:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00.
- Xi Chicken Rice at 47/2 Tran Hung Dao, with prices ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 VND, is open from 12:30 to 20:00.
- Ba Thuan Chicken Rice at 17/4 Hai Ba Trung, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 45,000 VND, is open from 12:00 to 19:30.
You will be like: Flavors of Central Vietnam
3. Hoi An Bread
Hoi An bread makes tourists miss it with its super unique flavor and a variety of types, such as chicken bread, pate bread, burgers, etc. This dish easily conquers even the most demanding diners.
Hoi An bread is the most attractive street food in Hoi An. The super delicious sauce is prepared according to a family recipe, and the rich filling and crispy, delicious crust will definitely make you fall in love.
Suggested delicious places to eat:
- Ms. Lanh’s Bread, 430 Cua Dai Street.
- Than’s Bread, 227 Ly Thuong Kiet Street.
- Minh Thu’s Bread, 248 Ly Thuong Kiet Street
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4. Hoi An Quang Noodles
When in the Central region, you must try Quang noodles. Simple yet sophisticated, quang noodles have become a beloved dish among food enthusiasts. The translucent white noodles are soft and chewy. The fragrant aroma of rice blends with the rich, savory broth, complemented by fresh vegetables, roasted peanuts, shrimp, meat, and boiled eggs. It is truly exquisite. Eating it with crispy rice crackers completes the experience.
Here are some of the best-reviewed Quang noodle shops in Hoi An:
- Mr. Hai’s Quang Noodles is located at 6A Truong Minh Luong, Hoi An City, Quang Nam, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 VND and opening hours from 07:30 to 21:00.
- Aunt Hat’s Quang Noodles at 4 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City, Quang Nam, is open from 08:00 to 22:00 with prices ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 VND.
- Mrs. Minh’s Quang Noodles at Cam Ha Street, with prices ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 VND and opening hours from 07:00 to 21:00.
Learn more about: Fabulous Journey to Central Vietnam
5. Bun Gio
Bun gio is an extremely famous dish in the ancient town area that surely many travelers have heard of. Hoi An bun gio captivates diners with its’super-sized’ piece of gio (pork knuckle or hock), which looks enticing at first sight.
The broth is perfectly seasoned, combined with soft, white rice vermicelli noodles, accompanied by a few slices of pork and fresh vegetables. When you’re in Hoi An, be sure to quickly experience this amazing dish!
The best-reviewed bun gio eatery in Hoi An is Bun Gio Cha Hoi An at 99 Nguyen Truong To, priced at 30,000 VND and open from noon till evening.
Click here to: EXPLORE CENTRAL VIETNAM
6. Hoi An Pancakes
Hoi An pancakes are a popular local delicacy loved by many. Pancakes in Hoi An are smaller in size compared to those in other places, so you can continuously eat several at once.
The golden, crispy pancakes are filled with a variety of ingredients, such as bean sprouts, shrimp, minced meat, and onions. A hot, crispy pancake paired with a flavorful dipping sauce and fresh, delicious herbs will surely be a memorable culinary experience for diners.
To enjoy authentic Hoi An pancakes, you can visit one of the following eateries:
- Ba Bay Pancakes at 2 Nguyen Thai Hoc, priced at 3,000 VND per bowl, are usually open from afternoon until evening.
- Pancakes 17 at 17 Dinh Tien Hoang, priced at 10,000–15,000 VND, is open all day from 7:00 to 22:00.
- Mrs. Lan’s Pancakes on Phan Dinh Phung Street, only open from morning until early afternoon, is priced at 10,000–15,000 VND per person.
7. Rice Noodles with Barbecue
Those eager to delve into Hoi An’s culinary scene must not overlook the renowned dish of rice noodles with barbecue. Marinated with a blend of spices, the grilled meat offers a tantalizing aroma and tender texture. Served atop delicate white vermicelli noodles, complemented by fresh vegetables and a flavorful dipping sauce, this dish can only be described as ‘exquisite’!
To savor this culinary delight, you can explore some of the following venues:
- Mrs. Bay’s Rice Noodles with Barbecue at Hoi An Market, priced at 30,000 VND per serving, operates from 07:00 to 18:00.
- Ty Ty Restaurant on Hai Ba Trung Street (next to Tam Quan Ba Mu Pagoda), priced at 45,000 VND per serving, is open from 07:00 to 22:00.
- Rice Noodles with Barbecue at 01 Hoang Van Thu Street, available for only 15,000 VND per serving, are open from 16:00 to 21:00.
8. Hoi An Sweet Soup
What else does Hoi An’s cuisine have to offer? Try the various desserts here to find out. Sweet lovers must be prepared, as they may get “lost” at any time amidst a “forest” of desserts here, such as:
- Lotus Seed Sweet Soup: Famous for its rich and delightful flavor, this dessert is packed with nutrients, promoting nourishment and relaxation for the body.
- Red Bean Sweet Soup: Interestingly, red bean sweet soup is prepared differently depending on the summer or winter seasons. In the summer, it’s refreshing and cool, while in the winter, it brings a warm and comforting feeling.
- Corn Sweet Soup: Fragrant and chewy, with coconut milk adding a creamy richness. Adding a bit of ginger enhances the flavor even more.
- Black Sesame Sweet Soup: Made from black sesame, glutinous rice flour, arrowroot flour, and sugar. The taste of this dessert heavily relies on the skill of the cook. When eaten, you’ll immediately sense its sweet, refreshing, and aromatic flavor.
Here are some recommended sweet soup spots you can try:
- Mrs. Muoi’s Sweet Soup at 4 Hoang Dieu Street, priced from 8,000 to 15,000 VND, is open from 9:00 to 21:00.
- Mrs. Sau’s Assorted Sweet Soup at 18 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, priced from 8,000 to 10,000 VND, is open from 8:00 to 21:00.
- Mr. Thieu’s Black Sesame Sweet Soup, opposite 118 Nguyen Truong To Street, priced from 5,000 to 8,000 VND, is open from 7:00 to 21:00.
9. Wonton
Wonton originated in China. After a long period of time, wontons have been adapted to better suit the tastes of the Vietnamese people.
In Hoi An, wontons come in two parts: the outer dough and the meat filling. There are three types of wontons for tourists to choose from:
- Steamed wontons: the most popular type, small wontons are kneaded and then steamed, served with broth, and garnished with spring onions.
- Fried wontons: the dough is fried in a pan filled with oil, resulting in a shiny golden color, and served with tomato sauce or soy sauce.
- Wonton noodles: thin noodles served with wontons, topped with eggs, pork…
Recommended eateries:
- Anh Dung Wontons, 14 Ba Trieu Street.
- Hoang Ky Noodle, 67 Tran Phu Street.
- Thanh Thanh Wonton Restaurant, 152 Tran Phu Street.
10. Grilled Pork Rice Paper Rolls
Grilled pork rice paper rolls in Hoi An, the seasoned grilled meat is cooked until tender, then placed on a plate of fresh vegetables while still sizzling with fat. The difference from Da Nang lies in using grilled meat instead of boiled pork.
Grilled pork rice paper rolls is served with fresh vegetables, sour star fruits, or pineapples, rolled in thin rice paper with a bit of vermicelli and dipped in fish sauce or fermented fish sauce, offering a unique and unforgettable taste for tourists visiting Hoi An.
Make sure to note down the following addresses to enjoy grilled pork rice paper rolls in Hoi An:
- Grilled skewers by Sister Suong at 138 Tran Phu Street,
- Mrs. Huong Hoi An eatery at 31 Tieu La Street,
- Grilled hotpot by Mr. Boa at 11 La Hoi Street.
Prices start at 5,000 VND per skewer of grilled meat or 30,000–50,000 VND per serving of grilled meat wrapped in rice paper.
With a passionate heart for cuisine and culture, Hoi An is not just a destination but an extraordinary experience, leaving every visitor with beautiful and profound memories of unique flavors and memorable moments. Come to Hoi An and experience firsthand the richness and diversity of the city’s distinctive cuisine. Hoi An cuisine will forever be a highlight on your journey to discover Hoi An.
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