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Top 09 Must-try Foods In Hoi An

Monday, July 31, 2023 Food & drink Anna

Welcome to Hoi An, the culinary paradise in Vietnam! If you are a food lover, Hoi An will be an ideal place to help you discover and enjoy delicious food. From savory street food to delectable desserts, this ancient city will make every foodie's dream come true. Join us on a culinary journey to discover the top 9 must-try foods in Hoi An. Hoi An will surely make us not only captivated by the majestic landscapes and historical and cultural relics but also surprise us with its rich cuisine!

1. Cao lầu - one of the must try signature dish in Hoi An
2. Mì Quảng
3. Mót Hội An
4. Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (White rose dumplings)
5. Bánh đập (Smashing Rice Paper)
6. Bánh ướt thịt nướng (Wet cake with grilled meat)
7. Bánh bèo
8. Bánh mì Phượng Hội An
9. Bánh xèo

1. Cao lầu - one of the must try signature dish in Hoi An

Best places to try:
- Cao Lầu bà Bé: 19 Trần Phú, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
- Cao Lầu Thanh: 26 Thái Phiên, Minh An, Hội An
- Ong Hai (Mr. Hai Restaurant): 6A Trương Minh Lượng, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Price: 30,000 VND - 50,000/ bowl

If Hanoi specialties have pho, when mentioning Hoi An, tourists will recall Cao Lau. This dish can be found in almost every corner of Hoi An, both on bustling streets and quiet alleys. Cao Lau first made an appearance in the 17th century. Cao Lau is often mistaken for a Chinese dish, but it is indeed a unique Vietnamese delicacy, renowned in the Central region. The name "cao lau" literally translates to "high floor food," as it was traditionally enjoyed on elevated terraces, offering a view of Hoi An's vibrant streets from above.

What makes Cao Lau truly exceptional is not only its name but also its distinct recipe, ingredients, and broth. The chewy yellow noodles are crafted from pure rice sourced from Quang Nam, while the rice water is obtained from Cu Lao Cham Cao. This dish is typically served with shrimp, char siu meat, pork skin, fresh herbs, and flavorful broth.

The best way to enjoy Cao Lau is when it's served hot and well-mixed, as the combination of sour, spicy, bitter, and sweet flavors delights the taste buds. Missing out on trying Cao Lau during your visit to Hoi An would be a regrettable omission, as it truly encapsulates the essence of this charming city.

2. Mì Quảng

Best places to try:
- Mì Quảng Dì Hát: 81 Phan Chu Trinh, Minh An, Hội An
- Mì Quảng Ông Hai - Mr. Hai Noodles: 6A Trương Minh Lượng, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
- Mì Quảng Bà Minh: Cẩm Hà, Hội An
Price: 15,000 VND - 50,000/ bowl

Quang noodles originate from the Quang Nam province in central Vietnam. Like pho, Quang noodle is made from rice but has its own unique flavor. Quang noodles are soft, not too flexible nor too dry and special, milky white in color and especially retain the aroma of rice mixed in rich broth. To make Quang noodles, we have to prepare ingredients such as: shrimp, quail eggs, pork, chicken,...

Like many Vietnamese dishes, Quang Noodles can be found in various regional and personal variations. For the traditional Quang noodles, the broth incorporates natural shrimp and fresh pork. Some regions might use different types of meat or add additional vegetables, while others may adjust the seasoning or the thickness of the broth.

Currently, Quang noodles are now one of 12 Vietnamese dishes recognized for its culinary worth in Asia. So, if you come to Hoi An without savoring this specialty, it will be a regret.

3. Mót Hội An

Address: 150 Trần Phú, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ua4YB2ghykufJySGA
Price: 10,000 VND - 25,000 VND/ cup

Mot Hoi An is a famous brand of herbal tea shop that anyone coming to Hoi An should visit. This herbal tea shop is run by Mr. Nguyen Huu Xuan and is famous for its 100-year-old heirloom tea recipe.

This tea is made from completely natural ingredients such as: chrysanthemum flower, green tea leaves, cinnamon, licorice, lemon, lemongrass, honey, cinnamon, etc. All the flavors of these herbs blend together, creating a refreshing, sweet-tasting cup of tea. Although the price is quite cheap, Mot tea is very beneficial for health and bears the imprint of Vietnamese culture.

A cup of Mot tea will be a refreshing drink, helping you regain energy while exploring Hoi An. Thanks to the use of paper cups and bamboo straws, the image of Hoi An also becomes more friendly and impressive in the eyes of visitors.

4. Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (White rose dumplings)

Best places to try:
- White Rose Restaurant: 533 Hai Bà Trưng, Cẩm Phổ, Hội An
Price: 50,000 VND - 100,000 VND

Banh Bao Banh Vac, also known as white rose dumplings, is one of the specialties of Hoi An. White rose dumplings are not only a culinary delight but also have cultural significance. This dish is made from rice flour, filled with minced shrimp and pork.

Traditionally, White Rose Dumplings are often served with a savory dipping sauce made with fish sauce, fried onions, garlic, chili, and lemon. The combination of dipping sauce and cake will help you feel the sweetness of the shrimp, the meat, the chewy fatty aroma of white rice flour, the greasy taste of fried onions and the pungent flavor of chili.

In Hoi An, you can find White Rose Dumplings at local restaurants, eateries, and street food stalls. However, to enjoy the most authentic and best-tasting dumplings, it is recommended to try at well-known establishments that have many years of experience.

5. Bánh đập (Smashing Rice Paper)

Best places to try:
- Bánh đập Bà Già: Cẩm Nam, Hội An
- Bánh đập Hường: 82 Nguyễn Tri Phương, Cẩm Nam, Hội An
- Bánh đập Có Ngay: Nguyễn Tri Phương, Cẩm Nam, Hội An
Price: 15,000 VND - 50,000 VND

Banh Dap is a dish associated with the history and tradition of Hoi An. This dish used to be eaten in place of fish meat in the past. Banh Dap consists of 3 layers: 2 layers of dry crispy rice paper outside and a layer of soft rice paper in the middle. All are made from white rice, which is mixed with water. Baking rice paper is also an art, the cake must be flipped continuously so that it does not burn, the cake is cooked evenly and crispy when baked.

When eating Banh Dap, people have to use their hands to break the outer layer of rice paper, so that they can stick to the wet cake inside. The cake is usually served with dried shrimp, onion fat, ground shrimp, dipped with fish sauce or spicy chili sauce. The flavor of this cake is the perfect combination between the sweetness of rice flour, the salty taste and aroma of fish sauce, along with the crispiness of the crust.

6. Bánh ướt thịt nướng (Wet cake with grilled meat)

Best places to try:
- Bale Well Restaurant: 51 Trần Hưng Đạo, Minh An, Hội An
- Sidewalk stalls next to Kazik Park: 13 Trần Phú, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
- Bà Hường: 31 Tiểu La, Minh An, Hội An
- Cô Hợi: 31 Tiểu La, Minh An, Hội An
Price: 10,000 VND - 50,000 VND

Wet cake with grilled meat consists of two main ingredients: wet cake, grilled meat. Hoi An grilled meat wet cake is quite similar to Hanoi roll cake.

The wet rice paper is a soft, thin, and translucent rice paper that is usually used to wrap various ingredients. It is made from rice flour mixed with water and then steamed until it becomes smooth and slightly sticky. The meat used is thinly sliced lean and fatty pork, marinated in spices, then skewered on a stick, grilled on a charcoal stove.

When eating this dish, you will pick up a piece of wet cake, put the meat in the middle with some fresh herbs like lettuce, mint, and perilla leaves, along with slices of cucumber and bean sprouts, then roll the rice paper.

Wet cake with grilled meat is usually eaten with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice, garlic and chili. This dish has both the aroma of meat, the softness of wet cake and the sweet and sour taste from the dipping sauce. If you come to Hoi An, remember to try this dish.

7. Bánh bèo

Best places to try:
- Bánh bèo Bà Bảy: 2 Nguyễn Thái Học, Hội An
- Bánh bèo 17: 17 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hội An
Price: 10,000 VND - 15,000 VND

Banh beo Hoi An is one of the rustic dishes and a specialty of Hoi An ancient town. This dish consists of two main parts - the rice cake and the filling. The cake is made from rice flour and the filling is a mix of shrimp and meat. Banh beo is served in small and flat bowls. The dipping sauce of this cake is made from shrimp broth, seasoned with a little sugar and salt.

When eating banh beo, you'll feel the refreshing taste of the smooth beo cake blending with the flavorful shrimp and meat, complemented by the savory taste of fish sauce. These flavors form the perfect combination that makes banh beo a signature dish. If you've eaten a bowl of banh beo, you'll want to eat more.

8. Bánh mì Phượng Hội An

Address: 2b, Phan Chu Trinh, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4SExE6swJ9nzQtz17
Price: 20,000 VND - 40,000 VND

When coming to Hoi An, visitors must definitely eat Phuong bread. Bread is made from whole wheat flour, mixed with yeast imported from France, so it is always crispy and better than many other places. The bread is made fresh daily so it has a crispy crust and a soft, chewy inside.

Visitors can enjoy bread with different fillings such as sausages, spring rolls, pate, ham, cheese... Banh mi Phuong is usually served with fresh vegetables, cucumbers, onions. ... The secret to creating the special flavor of Phuong bread is the sauce according to the heirloom recipe. Any bread filling when combined with the sauce will bring out the perfect flavor.

Banh mi Phuong is not only remembered for its delicious taste but also for the ingenuity of its makers. Come to Hoi An, don't be afraid to queue to savor this bread.

9. Bánh xèo

Best places to try:
- Bánh Xèo Cô Anh, Sông Hoài: 59/32, 18/8 Minh An
- Bánh Xèo Minh Tú: Hội An market
Price: 10,000 VND - 30,000 VND

Hoi An cuisine is famous for its diversity and richness, including banh xeo - a specialty of Hoi An. The word "xèo" describes the sizzling sound when the rice flour is poured into a hot pan.

Unlike pancakes in other regions, Hoi An pancakes are quite small in size, so one person can eat many cakes. Banh xeo has a yellow outer layer and inside is pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and green onions. Banh xeo can be eaten with chopsticks, however, if you want to feel the full flavor of this dish, you should enjoy it with your hands. When eating, you take a piece of banh xeo and put it on top of the rice paper, then add fresh vegetables (lettuce leaves, perilla, basil) and then roll it up tightly. Banh xeo when dipped with sauce will bring unforgettable taste. On cold days, eating banh xeo is a culinary experience not to be missed.

In conclusion, Hoi An's culinary delights are a true reflection of its rich history and cultural diversity. From the iconic Cao Lau to the delectable White Rose Dumplings and mouthwatering Banh Mi, each dish tells a unique story and brings together the flavors of Vietnam in one remarkable destination. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, exploring the vibrant food scene in Hoi An is an absolute must. So, don't miss the opportunity to savor these top 9 must-try foods and immerse yourself in the gastronomic of this enchanting city!