The Essential Hoi An Food Bucket List

Although Hoi An ancient town is just a small area, its food culture is still undeniably rich. That being so, even if you visited the whole old town, you could hardly enjoy all the specialties at the time. Let’s take a look at what makes “Culinary of Old Town Hoi An” so special and remark to use when you have a chance to stop over in! Here is the bucket list of the best foods in Hoi An that you have to eat.

1. Contents

   Hoi An Chicken Rice

It can be said that chicken rice is a Hoi An specialty that makes tourists extremely impressed and engaged when they are visiting there. As you know, chicken rice can be found anywhere but why is Hoi An chicken rice more famous and unique? It is all thanks to the skillful hands of the Hoi An women. Rice is well done then being cooled and roasted until dried out so as to make it full of  eye-catching colour of yellow. Besides, boiled chicken is made into strands then mixed with some spices, pepper, chilli to put on the plate with roasted rice along with fewer herbs. In addition, there is also a tasty bowl of broth served. I feel like I could see you are craving for the dish while reading this! So where can you taste this delicious?

Addresses:
1. Chicken Rice Ba Buoi (Cơm gà Bà Buội) – 22 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
2. Chicken Rice Huong (Cơm gà Hương) – Alley Sica, 48 Le Loi, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
3. Chicken Rice Xi (Cơm gà Xí) – 47/2 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
4. Chicken Rice Ba Lam (Cơm gà Bà Lắm) – Alley 51, Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

2. Cao Lau

When it comes to Hoi An, it is impossible not to mention Cao Lau because the dish is a unique food associated with the ancient town of Hoi An. Cao Lau is made from crispy noodles, not like normal squashy ones. You can mix noodles in the bowl comfortably without being afraid of crushing them. Specially, it is often eaten with herbs, pork fillet, a little broth, pork skin chips/pork rinds and a few other separate ingredients. Due to the difference in each person’s taste, some people will find this dish delicious but it might be not so good for others. So you want to know, try your own taste!

Addresses:
1. Cao Lau Ba Be (Cao Lầu Bà Bé) – In the market at Tran Phu, Hoi An, Quang Nam. (Only sell from 2:00PM daily)
2. Cao Lau Trung Bac (Cao Lầu Trung Bắc) – 87 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
3. Thanh Cao Lau (Thanh Cao Lầu) – 26 Thai Phien, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

3. Banh Mi Hoi An (Bánh Mì Hội An)

Banh Mi is a famous street food around the world thanks to its cheap price and convenience that you might not be unfamiliar with. Banh Mi in other places is not likely to become a specialty, but in Hoi An it is an extremely additctive dish. Many foreign tourists after returning home have also shared about Banh Mi Hoi An with compliments. Just ‘google’  “Best Banh Mi in Vietnam” and you can get exactly what I said. What is so special about this Hoi An folk food that is so popular with numerous people?  The answer lies in the crunchy crust bread with a variety of meat, herbs and unique sauce inside which makes the bread is not too greasy but enough nutrients. You may only eat once but once is not enough!

Addresses:
1. Banh Mi Phuong – 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam. (This is the best Banh Mi)
2. Banh Mi Madam Khanh – 115 Tran Cao Van, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

4. Bánh Ướt Cuốn Thịt Nướng (BBQ Pork rolled in steamed thin rice pancake)

The next flavored food you also have to try it once is ‘Banh Uot Cuon Thit Nuong’. The steamed thin rice pancake is like “Rolled Phở” in Northern Vietnam (can be found in Ha Noi) but thinner. When you eat, it will be accompanied by barbecue, herbs, cucumber and dotted with quite spicy sauce. The meat marinade is baked with charcoal so it really smells good, the sellers often grind the meat and then wrap the bamboo chopsticks to bake. The dish usually served with rich sauce brings unforgettable taste for visitors and you should be the next one to be served!

Addresses: You could go to the sidewalks along the Hoai River, the pavement at the crossroads between Hai Ba Trung and Tran Hung Dao or to Tran Phu street!

5. Banh Dap – Hen Xao (Bánh Đập – Hến Xào) Gridle-cake (rice paper) fold with steamed thin rice pancake inside and Fried baby basket clams

Banh Dap – Hen Xao is a palatable combination that local people have come up with to cater to the eating needs of tourists. The dish of “Banh Dap” has such a strange name because before serving it to the patrons, the innkeeper had to fold the baked gridle-cake and lay a thin layer of steamed rice pancake together allowing them to stick. To eat probably, you should break small pieces of Banh Dap and then mixed with Hen Xao to feel the “yummy”. If you want to take the right “Banh Dap – Hen Xao” in Hoi An, then come to the following addresses:

Addresses:
1. Quán Lân – Cao Lau & Banh Dap – Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
2. Quán Có Ngay – Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
3. Quán Bà Già – Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

6. Banh Bao – Banh Vac (Bánh Bao – Bánh Vạc/Steamed wheat flour cake – Vietnamese pork and shrimps Dumblings)

Banh Bao and Banh Vac are two types of cake with similar ingredients and usually served on the same plate. Banh Vac made from shrimps mixed with some pepper, garlic, onions, citronella and esoteric spice while Banh Bao made from pork, mushrooms, thinly sliced green onions and also with that esoteric spice. Perhaps this seasoning is also a reason why Banh Bao – Banh Vac could be only eaten way so good in Hoi An. Here is the place to eat delicious Banh Bao – Banh Vac in Hoi An.

Address: Quán Hoa Hồng Trắng – 533 Hai Ba Trung (Nhi Trung), Hoi An, Quang Nam.

7. Banh Beo (Bánh Bèo/Water fern cake)

Banh Beo is well-known as a special dish in Central Vietnam, so whether you travel to Da Nang, Hue or Hoi An, you can enjoy this cake. The cakes are usually placed in small cups and when guests want to eat, the owner will add a dimple of chopped, dried or fresh shrimp, scallions, mung bean paste, crispy fried shallots, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and oil above. If you are wondering why this dish in Hoi An is different from Da Nang or Hue, then come and taste!

Address: Quán Bà Bảy – Hoang Van Thu, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

8. Banh Can (Bánh Căn)

Banh Can is originated from Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan province, but unknown when it was “imported” to Hoi An. Banh Can Hoi An was remixed to better match the taste of the locals. Its sauce is considered as the “soul” of the dish. Depending on personal taste, you can add chili sauce or just use available fish sauce mixed with lemon, garlic, and chilli. With layers of fried crisp but not hard, fresh vegetables eaten with green papaya salad, indeed this is the common delicacy preferred by visitors.

Address: The first corner of Tran Cao Van, Hoi An, Quang Nam.