Food in Hoi An: A Journey through tradition and flavor
Hoi An is famous not only for its beautiful ancient town and rich history but also for its unique culinary scene. Food in Hoi An attracts visitors from around the world, with each dish combining traditional flavors and local cultural identity. From street food stalls to upscale restaurants, dining in Hoi An offers more than a taste experience; it is a way to discover the town’s culture, people, and culinary heritage.
Food in Hoi An at a glance
| Dish | Where to try it | Address | Open | Typical price |
| Cao lau | Quan Cao Lau Thanh | 26 Thai Phien | 7:00 am to 7:00 pm (Sun to 2:30 pm) | 35,000 to 50,000 VND |
| Banh mi | Banh Mi Phuong | 2B Phan Chau Trinh | 6:30 am to 9:00 pm | 25,000 to 50,000 VND |
| White rose dumplings | White Rose Restaurant | 533 Hai Ba Trung | 7:30 am to 8:30 pm | About 50,000 to 100,000 VND per plate |
| Mi Quang | Mi Quang 92 and Mi Quang Ong Hai | 112A Tran Cao Van; 6A Truong Minh Luong | 6:30 am to 8:00 pm; 8:00 am to 9:00 pm | About 40,000 to 45,000 VND |
| Chicken rice | Ba Buoi Chicken Rice | 22 Phan Chau Trinh | 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, 4:30 to 7:00 pm | Ask before you order |
| Banh xeo and grilled pork rolls | Bale Well Restaurant | 45/51 Tran Hung Dao | 10:00 am to 9:30 pm | Set menu, about 140,000 VND per person |
| Cooking class | Morning Glory Cooking School | 3 Nguyen Hoang | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Ask for the current price |
Introduction to Hoi An cuisine
Hoi An’s culinary identity reflects centuries of cultural exchange, shaped by its history as an international trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries. Vietnamese traditions blend with Chinese, Japanese and European influences, creating a food culture rooted in local ingredients and distinctive cooking techniques. Today, this heritage can be tasted in everything from family-run street stalls to riverside restaurants.
One of the town’s most distinctive dishes is cao lau, a noodle specialty made with chewy rice noodles, sliced pork, fresh herbs, crispy crackers and a small amount of richly seasoned broth. Its traditional preparation is closely associated with the water from Ba Le Well and the use of wood ash in processing the noodles (Source: vietnamtourism). Another local favourite, white rose dumplings (banh bao banh vac), features delicate rice-flour wrappers filled with shrimp, pork and mushrooms, then topped with crispy shallots. These dishes showcase how local ingredients and long-established techniques give Hoi An’s cuisine its distinctive character.
Hoi An’s culinary reputation also extends beyond its traditional dishes. Banh mi Phuong gained international attention after the late chef and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain featured it on his programme No Reservations in 2009. Its combination of crisp bread, savoury fillings, pate, sauces and fresh herbs illustrates how Vietnamese banh mi brings together influences from different culinary traditions. From a bowl of cao lau to a freshly made street-food sandwich, tasting local specialities offers a way to experience Hoi An’s history and everyday culture through its food.
Read more: Exquisite White Rose Cake: A symbol of elegance and delight
Hoi An’s signature dishes
Start with these seven. Each one comes with a real address, so you can go straight there.
Cao Lau
Cao Lau is one of the most typical dishes of Hoi An, closely associated with the history and culture of this land. This traditional noodle dish stands out with the harmonious combination of chewy and crispy noodles, thinly sliced pork, fresh vegetables and rich sauce. In particular, Cao Lau noodles have a unique flavor and texture thanks to being processed from Ba Le well water, an ancient underground well only found in Hoi An, making the dish a unique culinary symbol that cannot be found anywhere else.
- Where: Quan Cao Lau Thanh, 26 Thai Phien (4.6 on Google Maps from more than 2,600 reviews)
- Open: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Sunday until 2:30 pm
- Price: about 35,000 VND ($1.35) for a small bowl and 50,000 VND ($1.90) for a regular bowl
- Phone: +84 235 2211 909
Your bowl often arrives within a few minutes. The shop is small and can run out of food, so go before 1 pm. Visitors suggest a cold drink on the side if the spices feel strong.
Banh Mi Phuong
Banh mi is Vietnam’s iconic baguette sandwich, and Banh Mi Phuong is one of Hoi An’s best-known places to try it. For a first visit, order the mixed sandwich (banh mi thap cam), which combines pork, pate, egg, fresh herbs and pickled vegetables for a satisfying mix of savoury flavours and textures.
- Where: Banh Mi Phuong, 2B Phan Chau Trinh (rated 4.3/5 on Google Maps, with nearly 17,000 reviews)
- Open: 6:30 am to 9:00 pm daily
- Price: Around 25,000-50,000 VND ($1-$1.90)
- Phone: +84 905 743 773
The experience starts at the counter, where you place your order, collect a numbered receipt and wait for your sandwich to be called. Behind the counter, staff assemble orders at a brisk pace, and you can watch the baguettes being filled with meat, pâté, vegetables and house sauce. The shop is known for its crisp bread and rich, savoury fillings, with the mixed banh mi a popular choice among visitors.
Google Maps reviewers frequently praise the flavour and value for money, while many note that the queue moves surprisingly quickly despite the crowds. Seating is available upstairs, making it easier to enjoy your sandwich on the spot while the bread is still warm and crunchy. For a shorter wait, visit in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon rather than during the busy lunch period.
Quang noodles
Quang noodles are an indispensable dish when exploring Hoi An cuisine. Unlike many other types of noodles, Quang noodles do not have much broth, but are extremely rich, made from shrimp, chicken, pork and sometimes even quail eggs. This dish is often served with crispy grilled rice paper and fresh raw vegetables, creating a balance between the richness of the broth and the freshness of the vegetables.
At Mi Quang 92 the broth is light and the noodles have a slight chew. Add the fresh greens, a splash of fish sauce and a little chili, then taste again. The owner is happy to explain how to eat it, and there is a vegetarian bowl with tofu and mushrooms. A local restaurant owner interviewed by Time Out Asia named it the best mi quang in town.
- Where: Mi Quang 92, 112A Tran Cao Van (4.9 on Google Maps from nearly 1,500 reviews)
- Open: 6:30 am to 8:00 pm every day
- Phone: +84 935 704 030
For something quick, try Mi Quang Ong Hai. The menu has only two choices, mixed or pork. The lane is narrow, so a bicycle is easier than a car.
- Where: Mi Quang Ong Hai, 6A Truong Minh Luong (4.5 from about 1,800 reviews)
- Open: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm every day
- Price: about 40,000 to 45,000 VND ($1.50 to $1.70)
- Phone: +84 905 998 424
Read more: Quang Noodles: A must-try and soul food of Quang Nam
Banh bao – Banh vac
Banh bao – banh vac, also known by the beautiful name “white rose cake”, is a delicate cake with a small size, shaped like a flower. The cake’s filling is made from shrimp, meat, and fried onions, each cake is carefully hand-molded. When eating, diners will feel the sweetness of shrimp and meat and the softness of the rice flour layer on the outside, creating an elegant, light but very attractive flavor.
- Where: White Rose Restaurant, 533 Hai Ba Trung (4.3 on Google Maps from more than 2,500 reviews)
- Open: 7:30 am to 8:30 pm every day
- Price: about 50,000 to 100,000 VND ($2 to $4) per plate
- Phone: +84 799 000 700
The cooks make the dumplings on site, and you can watch them shape each one. Opinions are mixed: some guests call it the best white rose they have eaten, while one found the skin too thick. The easy way to judge for yourself is to order half steamed and half fried.
Hoi An chicken rice
Hoi An chicken rice is a simple but equally attractive dish, featuring a combination of rice cooked from chicken broth and shredded chicken, soaked in spices. The dish is often served with herbs, onions, and a little sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a balanced, harmonious flavor.
Ba Buoi Chicken Rice is one of Hoi An’s best-known destinations for com ga (chicken rice), serving the local speciality in a traditional, family-run setting. The signature dish features fragrant yellow rice topped with shredded chicken, fresh herbs and seasonings, accompanied by a bowl of clear broth. For a richer flavour, try the braised chicken giblets with quail eggs, or order goi ga (Vietnamese chicken salad) for a fresh, herb-filled alternative.
- Where: Ba Buoi Chicken Rice, 22 Phan Chau Trinh
- Open: 10:30 am-2:00 pm and 4:30-7:00 pm daily
- Phone: +84 905 767 999
The restaurant has earned a loyal following among visitors seeking a traditional taste of Hoi An. One Google reviewer, Piang M., praised the chicken salad, describing it as “full of flavor and absolutely delicious,” and recommended the restaurant for brunch. Another reviewer highlighted the establishment’s long-standing reputation as a legendary chicken rice spot on Phan Chau Trinh Street. The simple, nostalgic setting adds to the experience, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone wanting to try one of the town’s classic local dishes.
Banh xeo and grilled pork rolls
Hoi An’s banh xeo are smaller than the pancakes in many other places, and very crispy. Tear off a piece, wrap it in rice paper with fresh herbs and dip it in the sauce. Grilled pork skewers (nem lui) are rolled up the same way.
Bale Well Restaurant serves a set menu, with staff bringing all the dishes to the table at once and showing diners how to roll each bite. The meal ends with a small dessert, making for a complete dining experience. Google Maps reviewer Jessica summed it up as “So worth the money.” Tucked away in an alley, the restaurant has a rating of 4.3/5 from around 1,100 reviews. Portions are determined by the number of guests, so ask about a smaller set if you prefer a lighter meal.
- Where: Bale Well Restaurant, 45/51 Tran Hung Dao
- Open: 10:00 am to 9:30 pm every day
- Price: about 140,000 VND ($5.40) per person, as reported by visitors
- Phone: +84 905 131 911
Wonton
Wonton came to Hoi An with Chinese traders, and the town quietly made it its own. Here it appears in two main forms. In soup, thin dough wraps a filling of shrimp and pork and floats in a broth with a gentle sweetness. Fried, the same dumplings turn golden and crisp, often with a sweet and sour tomato-style sauce poured over the top. If you are unsure which to choose, order both and compare.
For soup, start at Hoanh Thanh Anh Dung, a simple breakfast shop on Ba Trieu Street. The owner is of Chinese descent, and the bowls keep a traditional flavor: char siu pork, spring onions, herbs and lettuce over springy noodles. Visitors praise the rich, lightly sweet broth and the homemade chili sauce, and the tip repeated in reviews is to order the large size.
- Where: Hoanh Thanh Anh Dung, 14 Ba Trieu (4.4 on Google Maps from 120 reviews)
- Open: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm every day, breakfast only
- Price: about 25,000 to 40,000 VND ($1 to $1.55) a bowl, as reported by visitors
- Phone: +84 235 3861 512
The shop closes at noon, so make it your first stop of the day. For fried wonton later on, head to White Rose Restaurant, which stays open until 8:30 pm and serves a plate of crisp wonton alongside its dumplings.
How to eat well and pay local prices
As a rough guide, a local dish costs 35,000 to 50,000 VND ($1.35 to $1.90), and a sit-down set menu is about 140,000 VND ($5.40) per person. These habits help you stay near those numbers.
- Ask the price before you order: Some busy places have no prices on the menu, and visitors have reported higher quotes for foreigners.
- Eat where locals eat: Market stalls and small family shops usually cost much less than the tourist streets by the river.
- Match the hour to the shop: Cao lau at Thanh is best before 1 pm, banh mi at Phuong after 1 pm, and Ba Buoi closes between 2:00 and 4:30 pm.
- Check opening hours on the day: The hours in this guide come from Google Maps, and small shops change them without notice.
Experience Hoi An culinary culture
Hoi An is an ideal destination for those who want to experience a diverse and rich culinary culture. Coming to Hoi An, you will enjoy delicious dishes and have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle, discovering the unique culture through each dish. Below are the culinary experiences not to be missed when visiting this city.
Eat at markets and street food stalls
Hoi An Market and Night Market are attractive destinations because of their hustle and bustle, the abundance of delicious dishes at affordable prices. Google Maps lists the Central Market Food Hall at 48 Bach Dang. Visitors describe cheap, fresh plates and warm stall owners. One reviewer recommended a stall run by Mrs Van, who has cooked in the market for more than 30 years. Pick the stall with the most local customers, and agree on the price before you sit down.
Join a cooking class: Make your own Hoi An flavors
This is a great opportunity for visitors to learn more about how to prepare local specialties, from fresh ingredients to traditional cooking techniques. Morning Glory Cooking School, at 3 Nguyen Hoang, runs classes that begin with a market tour. Guests who took the five-hour class say they cooked four to five dishes and ate them at the end. It is rated 5.0, but from only 12 reviews, so read the latest comments before you book. Phone: +84 235 3926 926. Enjoying the dishes you made in the ancient space of Hoi An will be an unforgettable memory.
Prefer to arrange a cooking experience through your resort? Guests staying at Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness can contact the travel desk for local experiences, including the Cooking Class & Basket Boat Tour and the Tra Que Farming & Cooking Class. Contact the team for the latest schedule, availability and prices.
Hoi An cuisine through festivals
Hoi An is home to many traditional festivals and cuisine is an indispensable part of these special occasions. Hoi An’s signature dishes often appear in major festivals such as the Lantern Festival or traditional Tet holidays. In the shimmering space of colorful lanterns, dishes such as Banh Bao – Banh Vac, Hoi An Chicken Rice, or Banh Xeo become the focus of attention of tourists.
In particular, during festivals, Hoi An people often organize culinary events, helping tourists to directly participate and experience traditional flavors combined with the joyful and bustling atmosphere of community cultural activities.
Read more: Wonton Hoi An: Hoi An favorite food
A one-day food plan from Bliss Hoi An
The resort runs a free shuttle bus to Hoi An. It leaves the resort at 10:00, 14:00, 15:30 and 18:00. It returns from Hoi An at 14:40, 16:00, 18:40 and 21:00. Book at least two hours ahead, and ask the front desk where it picks you up in town and how long the ride takes.
| Plan | Shuttle | What to eat |
| Lunch and afternoon | 10:00 out, 14:40 or 16:00 back | Cao lau at Thanh before 1 pm. Banh mi at Phuong after 1 pm. A second bowl of mi quang at Ong Hai if you still have room. |
| Dinner | 18:00 out, 21:00 back | White rose dumplings at White Rose Restaurant (open until 8:30 pm), or the set menu at Bale Well (open until 9:30 pm). |
| All day | 10:00 out, 21:00 back | Cao lau, banh mi, a market stop in between, then dinner. |
Prefer a guide? The Hoi An Street Food Tour leaves at 15:00 and lasts four hours. It costs 1,380,000++ VND (about $53) per person, for a minimum of two guests. Children under 6 are free, and children from 6 to under 12 pay half. The price includes entry fees, a guide, a car and bottled water. Ask the team which food tastings are included.
Perfect place to stay for a food in Hoi An
When planning a food to Hoi An, choosing a place to stay will help ensure your comfort throughout the trip. Located right on the poetic beach, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness is the perfect choice, offering a high-class resort experience combined with the opportunity to enjoy Hoi An’s quintessential dishes.
Prime location
Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness is located in one of the most ideal locations, both quiet and peaceful by the beach, not too far from Hoi An ancient town. With just a short journey, visitors can easily go to traditional markets, famous street food stalls to experience an authentic food tour.
Combining relaxation and cuisine
Bliss Hoi An is not only a place to stay but also offers visitors a rich culinary experience right on the resort grounds. The restaurant at Bliss Hoi An serves many Hoi An specialties, from Cao Lau, Mi Quang to delicately prepared street food. This is a great opportunity for you to relax in a luxurious space, while enjoying typical dishes without having to leave the resort.
Moreover, Bliss Hoi An also organizes short-term cooking classes, where visitors can prepare traditional dishes such as Banh Xeo, Wonton, under the guidance of professional chefs. This is an opportunity for visitors to better understand the unique culinary culture of Hoi An, bringing a sense of closeness and excitement when creating specialty dishes themselves.
Luxurious resort space close to nature
Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness impresses with its sophisticated design, combining modern and traditional styles. The rooms here all have views of the sea or the lush tropical garden, creating a space close to nature but still maintaining luxury and class. Every morning, you can wake up to the taste of the sea and the gentle sound of the waves, preparing for an energetic day of discovery and culinary enjoyment.
With a great location, high-quality service and unique culinary experiences, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness is truly an ideal place to stay for anyone wishing to have a complete food tour in Hoi An.
FAQs
What are the must-try dishes in Hoi An?
Must-try dishes include cao lau, mi Quang, white rose dumplings, Hoi An chicken rice, banh mi Phuong and banh xeo.
What makes Hoi An cuisine unique?
Hoi An cuisine combines Vietnamese traditions with Chinese, Japanese and European influences, using local ingredients and distinctive cooking techniques.
Where can you try local food in Hoi An?
Hoi An Market, the Night Market and local street food stalls are popular places to sample traditional dishes at affordable prices.
Can you join a cooking class in Hoi An?
Yes. Many cooking classes introduce local ingredients and teach visitors to prepare specialties such as cao lau, banh xeo and wontons.
Where should you stay for a food tour in Hoi An?
Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness offers a beachfront stay with dining options and cooking experiences, while providing access to Hoi An’s food scene.
Related Posts
Daniel & Kieran: A wedding memory where traditions meet the sea
Hoi An: The Best Destination in New Year 2027
Hoi An to Mui Ne: 3 Routes Compared for Travel, Scenery and Adventure
Hoi An Indochine Style Resort: How to Choose a Stay With Real Vietnamese Character
Private Chef Hoi An: Top 10 Chefs for a Personalised Dining Experience
