Hội An, recognized as one of the world’s top 25 most popular travel destinations in 2022, is famous for its rich and diverse food scene, offering a true taste of Vietnam’s culinary gems. With so many unique and delicious dishes to try, how do you make the most of your 48 hours in this charming town? Join us at Moodhoian Resort to discover the must-try local food in Hoi An and the best places to try them!
There’s a traditional saying goes ‘“Anyone who passes through Hội An’s ancient town, should visit Phúc Kiến and try Cao Lầu” (“Ai qua phố cổ Hội An/ Ghé thăm Phúc Kiến mà ăn cao lầu”). The people of Hội An often share that Cao Lầu first appeared in this area in the 17th century, when the Hội An port was opened, allowing foreign trade ships to dock and exchange goods. As a result, Cao Lầu is a dish that represents the fusion of various culinary cultures.
Cao Lầu from Hội An is neither rice noodles nor pho. While it shares some similarities with Quảng-style noodles, the preparation is much more intricate, and the flavor is distinct. Cao Lầu features golden noodles served with pork slices, shrimp, crispy pork skin, and a variety of fresh herbs.
A visual representation of cao lầu dish, with charsiu and crispy crackers as toppings.
To achieve the authentic Hội An flavor, the noodles must be golden, crispy, chewy, and dried over wood ash from the special Tràm wood found on Cù Lao Chàm island. The rice water used to make the noodles must also come from the Bá Lễ well, an ancient well known for its pure, cool, and non-acidic water.
To complete the famous Cao Lầu dish, chefs often add a bit of crispy pork skin, fried Cao Lầu noodles, roasted peanuts, fresh herbs from Trà Quế, and chili. The dish is usually served with the signature broth of the region. Locals and visitors alike are familiar with its rich flavor, and it can be enhanced with a little fish sauce to suit your taste.
Best cao lầu places to visit in Hội An:
Mì Quảng is special because of its adaptability; each flavor is transformed differently when combined with various ingredients. Mì Quảng is delicious when cooked with chicken or pork, flavorful when made with shrimp, and unique when combined with snakehead fish or jellyfish. Most notably, when made with crab, it can even win over the most discerning eaters. Depending on the season and available ingredients, chefs can easily prepare a bowl of Mì Quảng at any time. For those who enjoy this Hội An specialty, just a sip of the clear broth is enough to bring peace to the soul, offering a sense of comfort and a kind of "healing."
>>> Explore more: Best Way to Design a Wellness Trip to Hoi An
The eye-catching mi quang that leaves a lasting impression
What really makes Mì Quảng stand out lies in something seemingly simple – the vegetables. Vegetables have always been a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, and they are an indispensable part of Mì Quảng. This culinary tradition is particularly evident in the dish.
In fact, when considering its nature and presentation, Mì Quảng could even be called “vegetable noodles.” The vegetables in Mì Quảng are often “utilized” ingredients, like young banana tree stalks, banana buds, bitter herbs, or shredded water spinach. A visually appealing basket of fresh vegetables can signal that you’re about to enjoy an enticing bowl of Mì Quảng.
The best mì quảng spots in Hội An:
If you're tired of wondering what thing to do in Hội An, why not take a food tour around the ancient town and taste some of its signature dishes in just one day? While strolling around, you’ll be easily attracted to the small street vendors selling bánh ướt (wet cake rolls) along the streets or by the Hoài River.
“Bánh ướt cuốn thịt nướng” is a type of Vietnamese street food consisting of soft, delicate rice cakes (bánh ướt) wrapped around savory grilled pork (thịt nướng) and fresh herbs. The rice cakes are made from a thin, smooth layer of rice flour, which gives them a soft, chewy texture that pairs wonderfully with the grilled meat and aromatic herbs. The dish is typically served with a flavorful dipping sauce made of soybeans and peanuts, adding depth and richness to the meal.
Bánh ướt is skillfully rolled and dipped into rful sauce to soak up the spices
The key to a truly satisfying bánh ướt cuốn thịt nướng lies in the grilled meat. The pork is carefully selected to have the perfect balance of lean and fat, which ensures it remains tender and juicy when grilled. The seasoning for the meat must include all five essential spices: pepper, lemongrass, shallots, honey, and sometimes a splash of white wine to enhance the aroma. Once grilled, the meat is placed inside the rice cake and rolled up with fresh vegetables, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
In addition, the dipping sauce is the soul of the dish. The locals of Hội An often use a mix of peanut paste and fermented soybeans or add toasted sesame seeds to give it thickness and spice. Slowly dipping the perfectly rolled bánh ướt into the sauce and taking a bite, you’ll experience a harmonious blend of savory, spicy, and earthy flavors, complemented by the vegetables and spices.
The most memorable shops for grilled pork and wet cake in Hoi An:
You can find bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) everywhere in Vietnam, but bánh mì Hội An stands out for its unique characteristics, loved by both domestic and international visitors. It uses a special type of bread with a crispy crust, giving it a satisfying crunch. When you take a bite, you can savor the full, balanced combination of flavors: the richness from the sauce and pâté, the savory taste of sausages, tender roast pork, the fragrant cheese, and the refreshing crunch of pickled papaya or fresh vegetables.
The bread is baked with butter, expanding to a golden color, and releasing an irresistible aroma. Each ingredient, with its unique color, harmoniously blends together, making bánh mì Hội An even more appealing and irresistible.
Must visit bánh mì shops in Hoi An:
Bánh mì Hội An - the most authentic and rustic dish in Hoi An
Bánh xèo, named after the sizzle it makes when the batter hits the hot pan, is a beloved Vietnamese dish that engages all your senses. The sound of "sizzling" fills the air as the crispy pancake cooks, tempting you to taste and enjoy the unique flavors of this crispy treat.
The rice used to make bánh xèo must first be soaked in water to soften it. The batter needs to be mixed just right to ensure the pancake is both crispy and chewy. If the batter is too thick, the pancake will be dry and tough. If too runny, it will be soggy and stick to the pan.
The filling is made with carefully chosen ingredients: tender pork belly and fresh natural shrimp. These are marinated with fish sauce, salt, and a blend of spices, then lightly stir-fried to bring out their flavor.
The resulting bánh xèo is golden and packed with generous fillings of meat and shrimp, often served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and other fresh vegetables.
Golden, crispy Hội An pancakes with a full and generous filling
To make bánh xèo, the cook must constantly attend to the sizzling pan, which can be exhausting, especially during hot weather. Therefore, the rainy season is considered the best time to enjoy this dish.
Once the ingredients are prepared, the pan is heated and a small handful of minced shallots is fried in oil to coat the pan, followed by placing a shrimp and a slice of pork. The batter is then poured into the pan, followed by a handful of bean sprouts, and the pan is covered to cook the pancake until it’s crispy and golden. The result is a beautifully crispy bánh xèo, its tempting fragrance filling the air.
If you’re craving bánh xèo in Hoi An, here are a few local spots to check out:
Bánh đập is a humble yet beloved dish that is a must-try when you’re in Hội An. It’s made from thin rice flour, resembling bánh ướt, but with an additional crispy layer on the outside. The name "bánh đập" means "crushed cake" because you gently tap the crispy outer layer to break it and create a perfect blend with the soft bánh ướt inside.
Bánh đập - a rustic that dish that guarantees leaving you an impression
Bánh đập is typically served with a signature dipping sauce made of fermented fish sauce and fried onions. The fried onion slices add a delightful crunch and rich aroma that complements the sauce’s salty and savory flavor. When paired with stir-fried clams from Hội An, this dish becomes even more irresistible. The tender clams, combined with the crispy bánh đập and the fragrant fried onions, create a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more.
For an unforgettable bánh đập experience, visit these places in Hội An:
With their small, delicate shape and white color resembling roses, Bánh Bao and Bánh Vạc are often lovingly called “White Roses.” Although they are two distinct types of cakes with different names, they are always served together on the same plate. While Bánh Bao retains the familiar round shape, it is smaller than typical bao buns and has a petal-like opening, resembling a rose. On the other hand, Bánh Vạc looks like the flower’s stem or the flower itself.
The cake that is named as the “white rose”
The key ingredient that makes these cakes special is the rice. Only the best, clean, sticky, fragrant, and perfectly white rice is used for these delicacies, grown in clean fields. The filling of Bánh Vạc is made from ground shrimp, mixed with a little pepper, garlic, onion, and lemongrass. The Bánh Bao filling is a mix of pork, wood ear mushrooms, and finely chopped green onions. What truly makes these cakes irresistible are the unique spices and secret recipes passed down through generations.
Best places to try the white rose dumplings in Hoi An:
Bánh Bèo in Hoi An consists of two parts: the rice cake itself and the filling. The rice cake is made from rice flour, and the filling is a mix of shrimp and meat. When customers order, the vendor adds the filling to the center of each small rice cake dish. In some places, they add a little fried shallots, and some also add finely sliced crispy bread. Bánh Bèo in Hoi An is often eaten with fish sauce and if you’re into some heat, add some chilli to enhance the flavours.
Bánh bèo Hội An - dậy hương và vị trong từng chén
When you take a bite of the savory, fragrant Bánh Bèo, you’ll experience a harmonious blend of flavors. The richness of the shrimp and meat filling, the freshness of the smooth rice cake, and the salty depth of the fish sauce all come together beautifully.
The perfect combination of color, fragrance, and taste makes Bánh Bèo a dish that will make you want to go back for more without getting tired of it.
Must-try bánh bèo spots in Hoi An
Voted as one of the top 5 most loved specialties in Hoi An’s Ancient Town, this rustic dish may seem simple, but creating the authentic Hoi An chicken rice flavor is no easy task. The rice used for chicken rice must be of high quality, fragrant, and sticky. It is carefully selected, marinated with seasonings, and then cooked with chicken broth and pandan leaves over a wood fire.
The chicken used is a tender, local breed, with soft, flavorful meat that isn’t too dry or tough. After boiling, the chicken is shredded and mixed with onions, fried shallots, salt, pepper, and Vietnamese coriander. The chicken rice is then served on a plate, accompanied by onions, pickled papaya, herbs from Tra Que, and a visually appealing, irresistible soy sauce. In addition, a bowl of soup with chicken heart, liver, and gizzards is served alongside.
Cơm gà Hội An - a legendary specialty of the Ancient Town
With meticulous attention to detail in the cooking process, the people of Hoi An have created a unique chicken rice dish that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
Here are some cannot-miss spots for the best chicken rice in Hoi An:
Hoi An corn sweet soup is special because it is made with golden, soft, and fragrant corn grown in Cẩm Nam, Hoi An. The soup is sweet, with a delicate and natural corn fragrance. Unlike the sweet soups of the south, Hoi An corn sweet soup isn’t made with coconut water, which allows the pure corn flavor to shine. Only when serving does a little coconut milk get poured on top to add richness.
Corn sweet soup - a sweet, fragrant treat in Hoi An
Under the warm golden sun of Central Vietnam, enjoying a refreshing bowl of cool corn sweet soup will surely be an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Best sweet soup shops in Hoi An for you to check :
To meet the demand for authentic Hoi An specialties, moodbistro by moodhoian esort has crafted a diverse menu featuring the Hoi An old town’s famous dishes. With unique recipes, the chefs at Mood Bistro have created mouthwatering dishes that preserve traditional flavors while adding a special twist, bringing the spirit of a modern Hoi An with fresh culinary experiences.
Try the signature Mì Quảng from the Ancient Town, cooked with shrimp to make the broth even sweeter and more flavorful, served with tender pork slices, quail eggs, sesame rice paper, and a side of fresh vegetables – all making it a perfect bowl of Mì Quảng!
The mì quảng bowl made by moodbistro, at moodhoian with shrimps, porks, quail eggs, sesame rice paper, and fresh vegetables
Hoi An Fried Wontons at Moodhoian, crispy with shrimp and pork filling, topped with a perfectly balanced sweet and sour sauce.
And then, there’s the Bánh Xèo – simple yet crispy, lively, and warm-hearted, just like the people of Hoi An. The filling is made from tender pork belly and naturally sourced shrimp, stir-fried just right and served with bean sprouts, fresh vegetables, and rice paper rolls. It's delicious without being overwhelming.
Bánh Xèo at Moodhoian, crispy and flavorful, with shrimp and pork filling, aromatic and tasty.
At Moodhoian, we are always here to help you explore and enjoy the beauty of Hoi An. From ideal destinations, breathtaking landscapes, to the essence of Hoi An's culinary charm. Follow us regularly to never miss any advice or insights from Moodhoian Resort!
Hoi An’s cuisine isn’t just about a bowl of Cao Lầu, a plate of Bánh Xèo, or a cup of Chè Bắp; it’s about the emotions, the stories told through every flavor, and the way meals are shared together.
At Moodhoian Riverside Resort & Spa, you can continue this culinary journey in your own unique way throughout the day:
Amid the peaceful nature and slow-paced life of Cẩm Thanh village, each meal at Moodhoian is not just about filling your stomach – it nurtures your emotions, heals your spirit, and reminds you of a Hoi An you’ll always want to return to.
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