Hoi An is renowned not just for its enchanting historical charm but also for its varied and flavorful cuisine. Here are eight dishes you absolutely should try while visiting Hoi An

1. Mi Quang

Mi Quang is a standout among the 8 must-try foods in Hoi An that every visitor should experience. This iconic dish features a delightful blend of ingredients, including rice noodles, shrimp, pork, chicken, and fresh vegetables. The distinctive yellow noodles, colored with turmeric, paired with a crispy rice cracker, create an explosion of flavor with each bite. Don’t miss out on this culinary highlight during your visit to Hoi An!

Where to find the best Mi Quang in town:

• Mr. Hai Noodles (6A Truong Minh Luong Street): 35,000 VND (around $1.5)
• My Quang Bich (272 Hung Vuong Street): 40,000 VND

2. Cao lau

Cao Lau is a point of pride in the culinary heritage of the ancient town. This dish tantalizes your senses with the texture of the noodles and the aromatic fish sauce. While it may look similar to other noodle dishes, the noodles in Cao Lau are crafted with meticulous attention. Only freshly harvested rice is used, and the white noodles are soaked in a blend of ash from Cham Island and water, giving them a unique smoky flavor and ivory hue

Recommended addresses to eat Cao lau:

• Thanh Cao Lau (26 Thai Phien Street): 30,000 VND
• Cao Lau Ba Le (49/3 Tran Hung Dao Street): 35,000 VND

  

3. Banh mi

Bánh mì is celebrated as one of the best sandwiches in the world, and the version in Hoi An is truly exceptional. As one of the 8 must-try foods in Hoi An, this bánh mì features a crispy baguette with a soft interior. Unlike traditional bánh mì, Hoi An offers a wider array of fillings, including tuna, beef, chicken, and even vegan options. What really distinguishes Hoi An’s bánh mì is the homemade sauce, bursting with flavor and a hint of spice, leaving you craving more with every bite

Some suggestions for you to enjoy the banh mi:

• Banh Mi Phuong (2B Phan Chu Trinh Street): 30,000 VND
• Madam Khanh (115 Tran Cao Van Street): 30,000 VND

4. Com ga

It’s commonly said that if you haven’t tasted cơm gà (chicken rice), you haven’t truly visited Hoi An. As one of the 8 must-try foods in Hoi An, cơm gà features tender free-range chicken and high-quality rice sourced from the banks of the Red River. This dish is typically served as a set, including steamed rice, chicken salad, a flavorful soup made from the chicken broth, and a special fish sauce. This delightful combination offers both a satisfying taste and a hearty meal, perfect for recharging after a long day of exploration

Recommended addresses to eat com ga:

• Com Ga Ba Buoi (22 Phan Chu Trinh Street): 35,000 VND
• Com Ga Nga (08 Phan Chu Trinh Street): 50,000 VND

  

5. Banh dap

Bánh đập (smashed rice paper) gets its name from the way locals enjoy this unique snack. As one of the 8 must-try foods in Hoi An, bánh đập is made by mixing rice flour with water, spreading it thinly in a steamer to create three layers: a soft sheet of steamed rice and two crispy rice crackers. To eat it, the cake is smashed into small pieces, perfect for scooping up stir-fried mussels. This delicious snack is usually served with a side of fermented fish sauce and topped with crispy fried purple onions, making it a must-try during your visit.

Suggested places to try banh dap:

• Banh Dap So 9 (V8CM+H4P, Cam Nam Ward): 25,000 VND
• Cam Nam Quan (99 Nguyen Tri Phuong): 25,000 VND

  

6. Banh xeo

Unlike the typical Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) seen on Vietnamese cooking shows, the pancakes in Hoi An are smaller and crispier. Freshly cooked and served at the table, it is always hot and fragrant. To eat, simply take a mustard green leaf, add a piece of banh xeo- one of 8 must-try foods in Hoi An , a rice cracker, and some herbs, wrap everything up, and dip it in the mixed fish sauce before enjoying.

If you want to try it out, check out the restaurants that we recommend:

• Co Anh – Banh Xeo Song Hoai (32 18/8 Street): 35,000 VND
• Quan An Hai Dao (160 Ly Thai To Street): 40,000 VND

  

7. Che

After sampling the main dishes, it’s time to indulge in something sweet, and Hoi An truly shines in this area. Chè is a general term for various sweet soups commonly found at street corners, sold by local vendors. There are countless combinations of chè, typically featuring a blend of sweetened beans, jelly strands, seaweed, and coconut milk. Another delicious dessert option is tàu hủ (or tàu phớ), made from soybean milk, giving it a silky tofu texture and flavored with ginger and caramel sauce. These subtly sweet soups are perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings. Here are some recommended places to enjoy chè in Hoi An:

• Ba Tho (03 Nguyen Hue Street): 15,000 VND
• Ba Muoi (04 Hoang Dieu Street): 15,000 VND

  

8. Banh beo

Banh beo, also known as duckweed cakes, are made from rice flour that is poured into small bowls and steamed in a large pot. The white rice flour bottom is topped with cooked minced shrimp and pork. Banh beo is traditionally served with a light fish sauce. To fully enjoy the flavors of this delicious snack, add a couple of spoonfuls of fish sauce to the bowl and eat it in one bite. Although banh beo is typically consumed as a breakfast food, it is now available to be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Recommended addresses to eat banh beo:

• Banh Beo Ba Bay (2 Hoang Van Thu Street | 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM): 35,000 VND
• Banh Beo Chen (48 Tran Phu Street): 35,000 VND

  

Above is a list of 8 must-try foods in Hoi An, Quang Nam, Viet Nam you should try. We hope you have a wonderful experience with Vietnamese foods!