Hoi An Cuisine: Best Must-try food in Hoi An

The ancient city of Hoi An has always been known as a popular tourist attraction thanks to its rustic beauty of the yellow ancient houses with the vibrant paper flowers. However, the diverse cuisine of Hoi An is what really keeps the visitors stay for a long time and leaves unforgettable memories of this city. Here is a list of must-try food in Hoi An. 

1. Banh mi Hoi An (Hoi An bread)

In 2011, Oxford English Dictionary added ‘banh mi’ as an official word in the dictionary. Indeed, there is no such bread like banh mi in Vietnam. Unlike hamburgers or sandwiches, Viet Nam banh mi has a unique recipe with butter, eggs, meat, pate, chilli, pepper and vegetables. Among all kinds of Vietnamese banh mi, banh mi from Hoi An is a shining star. Even Vietnamese are fond of the renowned Banh mi Hoi An.

 

Banh mi Phuong (Phuong Bread)

When accompanying US President Barack Obama in Vietnam, Anthony Bourdain - a famous American chef described Banh mi Phuong as the best bread in the World. While banh mi is a popular food in Vietnam, which ingredients have added value to this Banh mi Phuong to make it become such a specialty of Hoi An?

Maybe it is the fact that bread is always freshly oven-baked when a customer comes. There are no leftovers. The crust is not too hard but is crunchy in a special way. On the other hand, the crumb is still soft and chewy. 

Then comes the tasty content of soft pork paste, seasoned fried char siu, slices of pork/ beef sausages, omelette, papaya salad with sweet and sour sauce. Parsley is also added to ensure that the bread is not greasy. 

Address: 2B Phan Chu Trinh, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Opening hours: 6:00 - 21:00
Price: ~ VND 30.000/ bread

Banh mi Thu Minh (Thu Minh Bread) 

This place only sells one type of bread which is roasted pork bread. The pork is marinated then roasted until the skin becomes crispy. For each bite, you can taste the tasty-flavored pork mixed in the soft crumb and crispy crust. The owner delicately adds just the right amount of sauce - not too much that it makes you all dirty while eating. 

Definitely a place for all meat lovers. 

Address: 248 Lý Thường Kiệt, TP Hội An
Opening hours: 6:00 - 21:00
Price: VND 10.000 - 15.000

Read more: Best 5 Hoi An Beaches To Visit In Vietnam

 

2. Com ga Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice)

Whenever mentioning Hoi An, Hoi An chicken rice will come up. If you visit Hoi An without trying this dish, it will be a huge mistake. The special thing about Hoi An chicken rice is that the rice is a little bit more yellow than the usual rice you will have. It smells better and it tastes stronger. This dish includes a bowl of yellow rice, shredded chicken, and papaya salad. You can choose to add soy sauce and chilli sauce into your dish.

 

Com ga ba Buoi (Ba Buoi Restaurant) 

This restaurant has now become a chain. It is also a famous national brand. The restaurant is not too big. Like many houses in Hoi An, it is an old and cozy house. However, there are always many customers at this restaurant. It is likely to wait when choosing to eat here. 

But it is worth it. The traditional recipe of the owner has successfully made a wonderful taste of rice with its appetizing colors of yellow. The rice has a mouthwatering smell of garlic, but there is no garlic clove found inside. Shredded chicken is firm, tasty with a strong flavor. The papaya salad is mixed with sweet, sour and chilli sauce. 

This restaurant has been serving since the 50s of the 20th century. At first, Mrs. Buoi was just a street vendor. But thanks to her cooking talent, she now owns more than one restaurant in Hoi An and a food chain in Vietnam. Yet, the original taste remains the same. 

Address: 22 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An, Hội An
Opening hours: 10:30 - 20:00 
Price: VND 30.000 - 55.000

Com ga ba Thuan (Ba Thuan Restaurant)

Admittedly, the rice at this restaurant is not as good as at Ba Buoi Restaurant. However, the chicken here is more delicious. The meat is more chewy with a tempting smell. Rice and chicken will be coated with the broth after boiling the chicken. There is also the iconic papaya salad with vegetables and onions served with sweet and sour sauce. 

If you like to eat a dish of strong flavor, this is your must-try restaurant. Free tea is also served.

Address: 17/4 Hai Bà Trưng, Hội An
Opening hours: 7:00 - 22:00
Price: VND 25.000 - 100.000

Read more: Best 25 Things To Do In Hoi An, Vietnam - 2020 Travel Guide

3. Cao lau Hoi An (Pork rice noodles) 

Cao lau Hoi An is the original specialty of this city. The type of noodles used for this dish is not rice vermicelli but it in fact looks a lot like phở. It is slightly yellowish and quite chewy. With slices of fried char siu, fresh vegetables and herbs with sweet and sour sauce and a slice of green lemon, you can now enjoy your Hoi An pork rice noodles.

 

Cao lau Trung Bac

This restaurant is now over 100 years old. It serves high-quality dishes, therefore it might be pricey at this restaurant. But as you get what you pay for, it can be said that the best cao lau Hoi An can be found here. Ingredients especially vegetables are always fresh. Seasoning is perfect. Char siu is soft and meaty. Besides cao lau, this restaurant also serves a variety of Hoi An dishes.

Address: 87 Trần Phú, Hội An
Opening hours: 9:00 - 21:00
Price: VND 50.000 - 110.000

Cao lau Lien 

This restaurant has been serving for around 30 years. The owner, Mrs. Lien, is an experienced woman who can wow you with a single bowl. This is a popular spot for mainly locals, but that is what makes this restaurant worth trying. 

All the ingredients are hand-picked by Mrs. Lien herself. She always makes sure that her customers can taste the freshest vegetables and high-quality meat.

Instead of preparing all the dishes before customers come, she only boils the noodles when there is an order. This way ensures the freshness and heat of the dish. Marinated char siu is one of the best in Hoi An. The pork skin is crispy as always. 

Address: 16 Thái Phiên, Phường Minh An, Hội An
Opening hours: 10:00 - 19:00
Price: VND 20.000 - 30.000