🍜 Hoi An Signature Dishes You Can’t Miss

Hoi An Food Guide would not be complete without highlighting its unique local dishes. Many are found nowhere else in Vietnam—here are the essentials:

• 🍜 Cao Lau: Hoi An’s most iconic noodle bowl. Thick noodles, pork slices, crispy croutons, and local greens in a lightly spiced broth. It’s said authentic cao lau can only be made with water from ancient Ba Le Well

• 🥟 White Rose Dumplings (Banh Bao Banh Vac): Delicate steamed rice dumplings filled with shrimp or pork, shaped like a flower, and topped with crispy shallots. A Hoi An specialty you won’t find elsewhere.

• 🍛 Com Ga (Hoi An Chicken Rice): Fragrant yellow rice, shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and a tangy homemade sauce. Served at many small restaurants and street stalls.

• 🥢 Mi Quang: Turmeric noodles in a light broth, topped with pork, shrimp, herbs, and crunchy rice crackers. A Central Vietnam classic popular in Hoi An.

• 🥖 Banh Mi Hoi An: Widely considered Vietnam’s best banh mi. Try Banh Mi Phuong (praised by Anthony Bourdain) or Banh Mi Madam Khanh.

🌮 Must-Try Hoi An Street Food Favorites

Hoi An’s street food scene is vibrant, cheap, and packed with flavor. The Hoi An Food Guide would be incomplete without these snacks:

• 🌮 Banh Xeo: Crispy rice flour pancakes filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Wrap them in rice paper with fresh greens and dip in spicy sauce.
• 🍢 Grilled Pork Skewers (Thit Nuong): Juicy, marinated pork grilled over charcoal. Often served with rice paper, herbs, and dipping sauce for DIY fresh rolls.
• 🍤 Prawn Crackers & Fried Wontons: Perfectly crunchy street snacks sold at night markets.
• 🍧 Che (Vietnamese Sweet Soup): Choose from dozens of variations—sweet corn, mixed beans, coconut jelly, and more. Great for a refreshing dessert.
• 🥤 Sugarcane Juice (Nuoc Mia): Freshly pressed and served over ice, this is a must-try refreshment, especially on hot days.

Where to Try: Explore the night market on Nguyen Hoang Street or visit street stalls in the Ancient Town. Ask locals or your Heera Travel guide for hidden gems.

🍽️ Best Restaurants & Local Eateries in Hoi An

Wondering where to eat for the best mix of quality, price, and authentic flavor? Here are some highly rated options :

• 🍽️ Morning Glory Original: A local institution for cao lau, com ga, and Hoi An favorites, set in a charming heritage building .
• 🍽️ Banh Mi Phuong: Legendary banh mi shop on Phan Chau Trinh St. Prepare for a line—it’s worth it!
• 🍽️ Ba Buoi Chicken Rice: Authentic com ga with a decades-old family recipe. Very popular with locals.
• 🍽️ Streets Restaurant Cafe: Delicious food with a good cause—this restaurant trains disadvantaged youth in hospitality .
• 🍽️ Reaching Out Tea House: Tranquil spot for local teas and handmade snacks, run by hearing-impaired staff. Perfect for an afternoon break.
• 🍽️ Com Ga Xi: Well-loved chicken rice spot for locals, tucked down a quiet street.

Note: Many popular spots are walk-in only. Avoid peak lunch and dinner times for the best experience.

🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan Hoi An Food Guide

Hoi An is surprisingly veggie-friendly, with plenty of creative meatless dishes. Here are some favorites and where to try them:

• 🥗 Mi Quang Chay: Quang noodles with tofu, mushrooms, fresh herbs, and a light veggie broth.
• 🥗 Vegetarian White Rose Dumplings: Look for versions at local chay (vegetarian) restaurants.
• 🥗 Tofu Claypot: Savory braised tofu with ginger, mushrooms, and local greens.
• 🥗 Com Chay (Vegetarian Rice Plate): Includes braised tofu, sautéed greens, pickles, and chili sauce.
• 🥗 Banh Xeo Chay: Vegetarian crispy pancakes, stuffed with mushrooms and bean sprouts.

🌱 Where to eat: Quan Chay Dam (Trần Cao Vân St.) is the city’s most popular vegetarian restaurant, while many local eateries offer chay options on Buddhist days.

🥟 Markets & Local Snacks in Hoi An

No Hoi An Food Guide would be complete without a visit to the city’s lively markets. Here’s where to find the freshest snacks and true local flavors:

• 🥟 Hoi An Central Market: Bustling in the morning, it’s a paradise for foodies. Try freshly made cao lau, mi quang, or sweet treats at the indoor food court. Watch local women hand-roll rice noodles and spring rolls.
• 🥟 Night Market (Nguyen Hoang St.): Famous for lanterns and souvenirs, but also excellent for snacks like grilled skewers, banana pancakes, and che (sweet soup).
• 🥟 Cam Nam Island: Cross the footbridge for off-the-beaten-path stalls serving unique dishes like banh dap (rice cracker smash), hen xao (baby clams), and che bap (sweet corn pudding).
• 🥟 Thanh Ha Market: Great for a more local, non-touristy experience, with cheap fruit, steamed cakes, and sticky rice.
• 🥟 Fruit stalls everywhere! Try mango, mangosteen, rambutan, or dragonfruit when in season.

Tip: Bring small bills and don’t be afraid to ask, point, or gesture if you don’t speak Vietnamese—locals are happy to help.

☕ Coffee, Desserts & Sweet Treats

Vietnam is world-famous for its coffee culture, and Hoi An is no exception. After eating your way through savory dishes, don’t miss these local favorites:

• ☕ Cà Phê Sữa Đá: Classic Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Try at any local café or riverside coffee shop.
• ☕ Egg Coffee: A creamy Hanoi specialty now popular in Hoi An. Rich, sweet, and satisfying.
• 🍮 Coconut Coffee: Iced robusta coffee with creamy coconut milk. Refreshing on hot days!
• 🍧 Che Bap (Corn Sweet Soup): A local favorite made from sticky rice, sweet corn, and coconut cream.
• 🍨 Bánh Flan: Vietnamese caramel custard, served cold as a perfect dessert.

🏠 Top places to try: Phin Coffee, The Espresso Station, Reaching Out Tea House, and random Old Town alley cafés.

🍹 Food Tours & Cooking Classes in Hoi An

Want to go deeper? A food tour or cooking class is the best way to discover Hoi An’s culinary secrets. Options range from classic street food walks to market tours and hands-on Vietnamese cooking lessons.

• 🍹 Food Tours: Join a guided group or private tour (with Heera Travel or another reputable operator). Sample multiple dishes, get cultural insights, and access hidden gems only locals know.
• 🍳 Cooking Classes: Visit the market, learn about local ingredients, then cook Hoi An specialties with expert chefs. Most classes include recipes for cao lau, banh xeo, and more.
• 🍹 Vegan & Vegetarian Tours: Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s best places for plant-based travelers. Ask about dedicated vegetarian food walks or classes.

Book with Heera: Contact Heera Travel for tailored food tours, private experiences, and cooking classes with English/Chinese/Vietnamese-speaking guides.

💡 Local Tips for Eating in Hoi An

• 💡 Eat where locals eat. Small, busy restaurants or food stalls with lots of Vietnamese customers are usually a safe bet for quality and value.
• 💡 Mind the spice! Hoi An food is usually mild, but always ask if you don’t like chili—“không cay” means “not spicy.”
• 💡 Cash is king. Bring Vietnamese dong for markets and small eateries. Some big restaurants accept cards, but most do not.
• 💡 Vegetarian? Look for signs with “chay” (vegetarian) or ask staff—most will accommodate if you explain politely.
• 💡 Drink bottled or filtered water. Ice is generally safe at established restaurants and coffee shops, but avoid street ice in remote areas.
• 💡 Download the Grab app for quick, cheap rides between food spots (see more in our Hoi An Travel Guide).

🤝 Why Book Food Experiences with Heera Travel?

• 🤝 Local expertise: Heera Travel’s team are foodies and Hoi An locals who know all the best hidden gems and can customize your culinary adventure.
• 🤝 Multi-language support: We offer English, Chinese, and Vietnamese-speaking guides and 24/7 WhatsApp/LINE support.
• 🤝 Tailored tours & honest advice: No tourist traps—just real, authentic experiences and up-to-date recommendations.
• 🤝 Safe, hassle-free booking: Transparent pricing, secure payment, and local on-the-ground assistance if you need it.
• 🤝 Contact anytime: WhatsApp: +84 98 307 49 15 | LINE: anyaxiaoying | Contact us here

❓ Hoi An Food Guide FAQs

❓ What is the most famous dish in Hoi An?

Cao Lau is Hoi An’s most iconic dish, found only here thanks to its special noodles and local water.

❓ Are street food stalls in Hoi An safe?

Yes, as long as you choose busy stalls with high turnover. Look for local crowds and always eat food that’s cooked fresh and hot.

❓ Can I find vegetarian or vegan options?

Absolutely! Hoi An is very vegetarian-friendly with plenty of “chay” restaurants and many regular eateries offering plant-based options.

❓ What’s the best time to eat at the markets?

Early morning or late afternoon is best for freshness and variety, but many market stalls serve great food all day and into the night.

❓ Should I tip in Hoi An?

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s appreciated for great service. Round up your bill or leave small change if you’re happy with your meal.