Hoi An Food Guide: 15 Best Dishes & Where To Eat in Ancient Town

Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Vietnam, is not only famous for its lantern-lit streets and charming architecture but also for its exceptional food scene. The city’s cuisine is a delightful mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences, shaped over centuries of cultural exchange.

From the chewy Cao Lau noodles to the world-famous Banh Mi Phuong, Hoi An food is a feast for the senses. In this guide, you’ll discover the 15 best dishes to try and the top spots to enjoy them.

Why Hoi An is a Food Lover’s Paradise

Hoi An’ s strategic location along ancient trade routes brought a variety of culinary traditions together. Local ingredients, fresh herbs, and unique cooking methods make its dishes stand out. whether you’re enjoying street food at the night market or dining at a riverside restaurant, each bite tells a story of heritage and flavor.

The beauty of Hoi An food lies in its balance of sweet, salty, sour, and umami, all dance together in harmony. Plus, the prices are incredibly affordable, so you can taste more without breaking the bank.

Top 15 Hoi An Foods You Must Try

1. Cao Lau Noodles

When mentioning the specialties of Hoi An, one cannot fail to mention Cao Lau. This noodle dish features yellow noodles, served with shrimp, pork, various fresh herbs, and very little broth. The yellow color of the noodles comes from being mixed with ash from a local tree. When visitors enjoy Cao Lau, they will experience the crunchy texture of the noodles, along with flavors of sour, spicy, slight bitterness, and sweetness from the fresh herbs which is truly unique. The price for a bowl of Cao Lau is around 25,000 – 30,000 VND.

Where to try:

• Cao Lau Trung Bac Restaurant
  Address: 87 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Cao Lau Thanh Restaurant
  Address: 26 Thai Phien, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Cao Lau Ba Be
  Address: Hoi An market, 19 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Cao Lau Khong Gian Xanh
  Address: 687 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

2. Quang Noodles Hoi An

In a bowl of Quang noodles, there is usually pork, shrimp, chicken (sometimes there are boiled eggs depending on the eaters’ preferences) along with broth made from pork bones. Usually, the broth of Quang noodles is very little, giving the feeling of eating a mixed dish. Quang noodles taste better when eaten with roasted peanuts, rice crackers, aromatic herbs, and chopped onions. Quang noodles are priced at 25,000 – 40,000 VND per bowl.

Where to try:

• Di Hat Quang Noodles
  Address: 4 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An.
• Ong Hai Quang Noodles
  Address: 6A Truong Minh Luong, Cam Chau, Hoi An.
• Ba Minh Quang Noodles
  Address: No. 61, 18/8 Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An.
• Muoi Restaurant
  Address: 80 Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Cam Son, Hoi An.

3. Banh Canh

The Banh Canh noodles are usually made from rice flour or wheat flour and are a popular rustic dish loved by many. Banh Canh can be prepared in various ways, such as Banh Canh with pork leg, Banh Canh with crab, Banh Canh with fish cake… it is a delicious dish you should try when traveling to Hoi An.

Where to try:

• Banh Canh Ba Quyt
  Address: 51 Thanh Hoa, Tan An, Hoi An.
• Banh Canh Co Luon
  Address: 276 Ly Thuong Kiet, Minh An, Hoi An

4. Hoi An Wonton

Hoi An wonton is a dish that originated from China, but over time, wontons have been adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes and have become a famous delicacy in Hoi An. The filling of the wontons can include many types: shrimp, pork, wood ear mushrooms, and others. The dough is rolled out thinly and has a fragrant rice aroma. Wontons can be enjoyed steamed or fried, depending on personal preference.

Where to try:

• Wonton Noodles Anh Ba
  Address: Alley 109 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An.
• Nguyen Loi Noodle Shop
  Address: 78 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An.
• Hoang Ky Wonton Noodles
  Address: 67 Tran Phu, Hoi An.

5. Vietnamese Wet Cake with Grilled Meat

To make the delicious specialty of grilled meat wrapped in wet cakes from Hoi An, the chef must choose fresh pork, marinated with five spice powder, onions, and lemongrass. After being steamed, the wet cakes should be placed immediately on a clean plate to cool, sprinkled with a little sesame to make the cakes fragrant longer. The skewered meat is very affordable, only 5,000 VND/skewer.

Where to try:

• Mrs. Huong’s Restaurant
  Address: 31 Tieu La, Minh An, Hoi An.
• Grilled Meat Wet Cake Stall of Ms. Hoi
  Address: 3 Nguyen Hue, Hoi An.
• Bale Well Restaurant
  Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao, Minh An, Hoi An.

6. White Rose Dumpling

When mentioning the delicious dishes of the ancient town of Hoi An, one cannot forget to mention the white rose dumpling. white rose dumplings are wrapped very delicately, with thin dough encasing a filling of shrimp and pork, formed into a gentle, shy flower shape. White rose dumpling are a dish that is both modern and traditional, highly appreciated by many visitors.

Where to try:

• White Rose Restaurant
  Address: 533 Hai Ba Trung, Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Trung Bac Restaurant
  Address: 87 Tran Phu Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Trong Com Restaurant
  Address: 92 Bach Dang Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

7. Hoi An Water Fern Cake

Water Fern Cake are considered a specialty of Hoi An that leaves many tourists nostalgic. These rice cakes are served in a small bowl, and the cake is made from rice flour. The filling usually consists of the main ingredients of shrimp and pork. The price for a bowl of steamed rice cakes is only 5000 VND.

Where to try:

• Ba Bay Water Fern Cake
  Address: 2 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Water Fern Cake 17
  Address: 17 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

8. Crispy Vietnamese Pancake

Hoi An pancakes are famous far and wide, with a crispy golden shell, soft meat and shrimp filling that creates a unique dish here. The soul of this dish is the dipping sauce, which is meticulously prepared and can hardly be replicated anywhere else, consisting of crushed peanuts, sesame, and liver which is then boiled. The pancakes are priced at 10,000 VND each and are commonly sold at many famous tourist spots in Hoi An.

Where to try:

• Ba Tien
  Address: 409 Hai Ba Trung, Cam Son, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Hoi An Bale Well
  Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Hai Nam Hoi An
  Address: 103 Ly Thai To, Cam Son, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Spring Roll Hoi An
  Address: 87 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

9. Banh Mi Phuong Hoi An

Banh Mi Phuong has existed for 20 years, located at 2B Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An ancient town. The Banh Mi Phuong has more than 20 different types of fillings such as assorted, beef stew, spring rolls, providing a diverse choice for diners. It is not by chance that Phuong bread is famous far and wide, chosen by many tourists both domestically and internationally. The fragrant and crispy bread still retains its original flavor after many years, served with meat, vegetables, and sauce, creating a harmonious and novel experience. One small tip for you is to go buy it early, otherwise, you will have to spend quite a bit of time waiting in line.

Where to try: 

• Banh Mi Phuong
  Address: 2B Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

10. Crushed Rice Cracker in Hoi An

Hoi An ‘s Banh Dap (crushed rice cracker) is just like its name, you will use your hand to press down the cake until it breaks into many pieces. Then, separate each piece and dip it into the dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is made from fish sauce with the main ingredients being anchovies and shallots. You can eat a lot of banh dap at a very reasonable price, only 20,000 – 25,000 VND.

Where to try: 

• Co Ngay
  Address: 76 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Cam Nam
  Address: 679 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Ni Ba Gia
  Address: 34 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Hoi An Phuc
  Address: 88 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

11. Hoi An Chicken Rice

Hoi An chicken rice is highly regarded among the specialties in Hoi An. Some delicious chicken rice places you can try include: Ba Buoi Chicken Rice, Ba Nga Chicken Rice, Anh Xi Chicken Rice. The chicken rice dishes are all delicately prepared, with soft and sticky rice and the chicken meat selected for its freshness, creating a famous chicken rice dish that is known far and wide.

Where to try: 

• Ba Ho
  Address: 16 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Ba Nga
  Address: 8 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Xi Chicken Rice
  Address: 47/2 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Huong Chicken Rice
  Address: 56 Le Loi, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

12. Baby Basket Clams Rice

Hoi An clam rice is uniquely prepared, with clams that have a sweet taste and no fishy smell. The unique flavor of clam rice will definitely make you “fall in love at first sight”. Clam rice is usually served with fresh vegetables made from thinly sliced banana blossom, herbs, pineapple, banana stems, small starfruit, and water morning glory to enhance its rich flavor.

Where to try: 

• Cam Nam
  Address: 679 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Ba Gia
  Address: Village 1, Cam Nam Commune, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Ben Tre
  Address: 98/1 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

13. Hoi An Broken Rice

A bowl of Hoi An broken rice costs between 25,000 – 40,000 VND. Especially, the famous Hoi An broken rice dish with a huge piece of grilled pork marinated in flavorful spices, fragrant, accompanied by a layer of fatty green onion oil, a sunny-side-up egg, and chewy pork skin. Additionally, each serving of rice at the restaurant also comes with a bowl of refreshing soup that helps make your meal less greasy and more complete.

Where to try: 

• Moc Hoi An
  Address: 210A Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Thang Bom
  Address: 623 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Ba Ghien
  Address: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Sister Nguyet’s broken rice
  Address: 99/9 Hung Vuong, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

14. Hoi An Sweet Soup

Walking on the ancient streets of Hoi An, visitors cannot help but be captivated by the sidewalk sweet soup stalls and small sweet soup shops hidden in the alleys. Hoi An sweet soups are sweet soups with the traditional flavors of the ancient town, made from local ingredients and cooked in their own way. Some special sweet soups of Hoi An include black sesame sweet soup, red bean sweet soup, lotus seed sweet soup, and mixed sweet soups with a variety of ingredients.

Where to try: 

• Mr. Thieu’s black sesame sweet soup
  Address: Opposite 118 Nguyen Truong To, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Lotus seed sweet soup
  Address: 1 Hoang Van Thu, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
• Xiu sweet soup
  Address: 157 Tran Hung Dao, Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Miss Hiep’ s sweet soup
  Address: 24 Le Loi, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

15. Mot Hoi An (Mot Herbal Tea)

The recipe for Mot herbal tea is very simple, just herbal tea with a little ginger and lemongrass, creating a drink that both refreshes and protects health. Mot herbal tea is a special drink of Hoi An that many tourists love because of its simple, rustic appearance but gentle fragrance that helps relieve all stress for visitors.

Where to try:

• Mot Hoi An
  Address: 150 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam

Best Street Food Spots in Hoi An

• Hoi An Night Market – Nguyen Hoang Street
• Riverside Vendors – along Bach Dang Street
• Cam Nam Island – famous for Banh Dap and Che Bap

If you want to taste these dishes in their most authentic form, head straight to Hoi An’s bustling street food hubs. The vibrant Hoi An Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street is a must-visit, where dozens of stalls serve everything from grilled pork skewers to sweet coconut desserts. For a more relaxed riverside vibe, wander along Bach Dang Street and sample local snacks from friendly vendors. And if you’re up for a short stroll or bike ride, cross over to Cam Nam Island, a hidden gem famous for its crunchy Banh Dap and sweet corn pudding (Che Bap).

Hoi An food is more than just a meal, it’s an experience that connects you to the city’s history, culture, and warm-hearted people. Whether you’re savoring a bowl of Cao Lau or strolling through the night market, every bite is a journey into the soul of Vietnam.