There are so many amazing sites to explore in Hoi An to get an authentic cultural experience like colorful alleys of antique houses or attractive multicolored lanterns at night. But if you miss Hoi An’s signature dishes – an art of harmony and moderation, you will be kicking yourself later. So, don't leave Hoi An if you have not tried these dishes yet.
Chicken rice – a special treasure you should try during your Hoi An private tours
Hoi An’s cuisine is shaped with the two most famous dishes: cao lau and chicken rice. The rice is cooked with chicken broth and a little chicken fat, giving it the attracting aroma while the chicken is boiled with a mysterious recipe, making the meat really soft but the skin still crispy. A killer plate of chicken rice that is known for being tender and juicy — and best completed with a small bowl of soup containing some chicken giblets like heart and liver will make all of you eye-popping and jaw-dropping.
A dish pleasantly yellowed rice luxuriously topped with hand-shredded chicken and herbs, cơm gà is the one culinary event you definitely should not skip on your Hoi An private tours, no matter how long your trip is.
Cao Lau - pride of Hoi An cuisine
No need to consider. This is absolutely my No1. Tell me who comes to Hoi An without trying this specialty! (I mean if you’re not a vegetarian)
This is another kind of noodles with pork, just like hundreds of noodles out there? Don’t let it fool you. This dish is clearly a great symbol of Hoi An’s cuisine.
Cao lau includes a unique noodles that can only be found in Hoi An, Quang Nam, char siu (roasted pork), some local greens, just a little soup and topped up with rice crackers and the signature chili paste (at your preference).
Mì Quảng (Quang style noodles) – what to eat before leaving Hoi An
Hoi An is known for its Quang style noodles, also known as Central Vietnamese noodle dish. It is a dish of thick rice noodles mixed with the broth made by simmering meat (typically chicken, shrimp, or pork) in water or bone broth with fish sauce. The yellow broth – a mixture of peanut oil fried with onion is then seasoned with black pepper, shallots, and cu nen – a pungent, garlic-type vegetable.
The richness of protein ingredients like hard-boiled quail eggs, snails, chicken, fish, squid, and even frogs brings out the sweet and savory flavors of the broth that perfectly compliment the thick flat rice noodles. All locals know Hoi An has the best Mì Quảng— you will not only eat the noodles but experience the ritual. It is served in a giant bowl with flavorous broth ladled about 1-2 cm deep and garnish, like peanuts, rice cracker, green chili, basil, mint, and Vietnamese coriander. To make the mì quảng authentic, Grab your chopsticks in solidarity and squeeze some lemon/lime juice!
Bánh xèo Hội An (Hoi An sizzling cakes) – a perfect snack in cold season
Hoi An’s bánh xèo (sizzling rice pancake) is smaller yet stronger in flavor compared with its Southern cousin.
As these thin crispy bánh xèo arrive, ask your servers to demonstrate how to fold these up into bite-size packets of pancakes and fresh lettuce leaves—which can then be eaten by hand. It is important to eat it when it is hot so that the “pancake” stays fatty and crunchy. Yes, it is fair to say that there will be a good bit of smiling as you eat bánh xèo on your Hoi An private tours. For a traditional dish like this, it makes sense to head to a more traditional part of the ancient town like street vendors and little eateries.
Needless to say, hundreds of exceptional dishes and snacks in Hoi An can make you confused about where to start and choosing where to eat a daunting task. Besides picking out the dishes we think best represent food in Hoi An, we also give suggestions for where to eat them. Whether you are a first-time travelers or an experienced foodie, they are absolutely must-not-miss dishes on your Hoi An private tours.
