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Top 5 best street food Hoi An
Jul
What are the must-try street foods in Hoi An? Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled along the Thu Bon River, is a captivating blend of local and international influences, creating a unique cultural tapestry. This charming town is a highlight of any trip to Vietnam, and its street food scene is a major draw. When you visit Hoi An, be sure to indulge in its delectable offerings and experience the best street food Hoi An has to offer. If you’re eager to discover the best street foods Hoi An has to offer, you’re in for a treat. Let’s explore the culinary delights of Hoi An!
About Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam Province was a well-preserved trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries. Despite its decline in the 19th century, its traditional urban fabric has remained largely intact. The town is a remarkable fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures, primarily Chinese and Japanese, with notable European influences. Hoi An serves as a living museum, showcasing the Southeast Asian seaport of the 15th-19th centuries, with over 800 ancient buildings meticulously preserved.
Even with modern urbanization, the original street plan and architecture have been maintained. Vietnamese culture, deeply influenced by Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and French elements, adds to the town’s unique charm.
Today, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a magical environment where Japanese, Chinese, French, and Vietnamese architecture blend harmoniously. To enhance your experience, exploring the best street food Hoi An has to offer is a must. Understanding Vietnamese culture can enrich your visit, making Hoi An Ancient Town a standout destination in Vietnam.
Hoi An Culinary Delights
Hoi An, a bustling international trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, is celebrated for its rich and diverse culinary culture. The city’s significant Chinese population has preserved their culinary traditions, often preparing their own dishes during holidays, Tet, and weddings. Hoi An cuisine is renowned for its traditional and mouth-watering delicacies, particularly its street food. This cuisine has evolved over time, blending Chinese, French, and Japanese influences, yet remains unique with local recipes and flavorful ingredients. Hoi An street food is considered the most iconic and rewarding, offering classic specialties at reasonable prices. We’ve rounded up the best street food Hoi An has to offer and one of the best places to enjoy them to enrich your culinary adventure in this cultural city.
Hoi An’s restaurants provide delicious dishes, beautiful decorations, professional service, and unique atmospheres. Old town restaurants are adorned with vintage paintings, flower pots, ornamental plants, and handicrafts. Traditional names and shops are passed down through generations. In addition to traditional Hoi An cuisine, dishes from France, Japan, and the West are worth trying, enriching the culinary culture and catering to the diverse needs of tourists.
Readmore: Rent a car to My Son tour from Hoi An at the lowest price from 24$
Top 5 best street food Hoi An
Cơm gà (chicken rice)
Another name on the list of Hoi An street food is Cơm Gà. Cơm Gà Hoi An (Vietnamese Chicken Rice) is a signature dish from Hoi An, a charming ancient town in Central Vietnam. This dish features shredded chicken mixed with Vietnamese coriander, onions, and lime juice dressing, all served with turmeric rice cooked directly in chicken stock. Originating from Chinese traders during the feudal age, this dish has become popular in Central Vietnam, particularly in Tam Ky, Quang Nam.
While it was traditionally served by street vendors, it is now available in big restaurants as well. The dish is made with well-steamed rice and chicken, infused with the aroma of pineapple leaves and the vibrant color of turmeric powder. It is served with a bowl of broth made from boiling chicken and eggs, accompanied by a sweet and sour sauce. Often, the dish is complemented by a salad of shredded green papaya, carrot, and herbs from the nearby Tra Que vegetable village.
Where to eat the best Com Ga in Hoi An?
Com Ga Ba Thuan Hoi An
Address: No. 17/4, Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An
Opening hours: 7 am – 10 pm
Price range: VND 25,000 – 100,000
Com Ga Xi Hoi An
Address: No. 47/2, Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An
Opening hours: 9 am – 9 pm
Price range: VND 20,000 – 50,000
Com Ga Ba Buoi Hoi An
Address: No. 22, Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening hours: 11 am – 7 pm
Price range: VND 35,000 – 50,000
Com Ga Ty Hoi An
Address: No. 27, Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening hours: 9 am – 9.30 pm
Price range: VND 30,000 – 44,000
Cao Lau Noodles
Cao Lầu is hailed as one of the best street food Hoi An. Unlike vermicelli or pho, Cao Lầu features a distinctive preparation method and unique flavor, setting it apart despite its similarities to Quang noodles. This Hoi An specialty is a culinary fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese influences. Cao Lầu, often referred to as “High Storey,” remains a mystery due to its unusual taste and appearance, with its origins debated among Chinese and Japanese cultures.
Traditionally served to foreign visitors, Cao Lầu comprises signature noodles, barbecued pork slices, crispy pork cracklings, bean sprouts, lettuce, and fresh herbs, all topped with a spoonful of savory stock. Locals commonly enhance it with lime juice and chili paste. The noodles are crafted from locally sourced rice, and the dish’s authentic taste relies on water drawn from the Ba Le well, making it impossible to replicate outside of Hoi An. Despite its enigmatic origins, Cao Lầu remains a distinctive delicacy exclusive to Hoi An.
Where to find the best Cao Lầu in Hoi An?
Bon Restaurant
Address: 474 Cua Dai
Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m
Price range: VND 30,000 – 60,000 (approximately $1.50 – $3)
Ba Le Restaurant
Address: 49/3 Tran Hung Dao Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City
Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m
Price range: VND 20,000 – 45,000 (approximately $1 – $2)
Miss Lien’s Restaurant
Address: 16 Thai Phien Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
Opening hours: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m
Price range: VND 25,000 – 45,000 (approximately $1 – $2)
Mrs. Be Restaurant
Address: Hoi An Market, Tran Phu Ward, Hoi An City
Opening hours: 2:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m
Price range: VND 20,000 – 45,000 (approximately $1 – $2)
Mrs. Thanh Restaurant
Address: No. 26 Thai Phien Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m
Price range: VND 30,000 – 45,000 (approximately $1.50 – $2)
Banh mi
When discussing the best street food Hoi An, Bánh Mì undoubtedly comes to mind. Bánh Mì is one of the most internationally acclaimed Vietnamese dishes. This crusty baguette is filled with a variety of ingredients, such as pickled vegetables, roast pork, or meatballs in tomato sauce. Originally influenced by French colonialism, the Bánh Mì sandwich has evolved into a symbol of Vietnamese culinary pride.
Over the 20th and 21st centuries, the Bánh Mì underwent numerous transformations due to historical events, transportation challenges, and the rise of mass production. The 1950s marked a period of innovation with the introduction of mass-produced cheese, mayonnaise, and pâté, combined with Asian-seasoned meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh cucumber and cilantro. The Bánh Mì revolution began in Saigon, with Hoa Ma being one of the pioneering bakeries. Today, Bánh Mì vendors follow a classic approach: warm, crusty bread filled with savory ingredients, pickled and fresh vegetables, and an array of condiments.
Where to enjoy the best Bánh Mì in Hoi An?
Bánh Mì Phương
Address: 2b Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6:30 a.m – 9:30 p.m
Price range: VND 15,000 to 35,000 (approximately $0.65 – $1.50)
Phi Bánh Mì
Address: Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Opening Hours: 8 a.m – 8 p.m
Price range: VND 15,000 to 35,000 (approximately $0.65 – $1.50)
Madam Khanh – The Bánh Mì Queen
Address: 115 Tran Cao Van Street, Hoi An, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m
Price range: VND 20,000 – 40,000 (approximately $0.85 – $1.60)
Bánh Mì Lành
Address: 430 Cua Dai, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6:00 a.m – 9:30 p.m
Price range: VND 20,000 – 40,000 (approximately $0.85 – $1.60)
Banh Xeo
Bánh Xèo is a beloved Vietnamese dish that ranks among the best street food Hoi An. This crispy crepe is wrapped in lettuce and garnished with cilantro and basil. Its vibrant, pale yellow appearance comes from turmeric powder and coconut milk, and it is filled with a flavorful mix of bean sprouts, prawns, boiled pork, taro, and carrot, all typically drizzled with fish sauce. The dish is served round and sliced into triangular portions, presenting a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
In Central Vietnam, Bánh Xèo is larger and more robust, often accompanied by sweet and sour fish sauce and fresh vegetables. In Hoi An, the local variant, known as “bánh khoai,” features a smaller, thinner crepe filled with unique ingredients such as fennel, sour star fruit, green banana, and a rich soy sauce. These crepes are commonly served at birthday parties and festivals. Northern variations may include special fillings like Indian taro and manioc, while Southern crepes are celebrated for their thin, crispy texture and are served fresh from the frying pan. Bánh Xèo has firmly established itself as one of the top street foods in Hoi An.
Where to savor the best Bánh Xèo in Hoi An?
Bánh Xèo Quán Giếng Bá Lễ
Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An City
Opening hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m
Price range: VND 15,000 – 44,000 per portion (approximately $0.60 – $2)
Bánh Xèo Hải Đảo
Address: 160 Ly Thai To Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City
Opening hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m
Price range: VND 20,000 – 40,000 per portion (approximately $1 – $2)
Bánh Xèo Hải Nam
Address: 409 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Son Ward, Hoi An City
Opening hours: All day
Price range: VND 10,000 – 30,000 per portion
Bánh Xèo Cô Anh
Address: Thoai Ngoc Hau Street, Hoi An City
Opening hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m
Price range: VND 20,000 – 50,000 per portion (approximately $1 – $2)
Mi Quang noodles
Our final recommendation for the best street food Hoi An is Mì Quảng. Also known as Quang noodles, Mì Quảng hails from Quang Nam province in Central Vietnam and has its roots in the mid-16th century, when foreign merchants introduced their native dishes to Hoi An. This dish embodies a blend of Chinese and Vietnamese culinary traditions, featuring rice noodles made from rice flour and cut into flat, wide strands.
The rich, flavorful broth is created using cooked chicken or pork bones, often with added steak or shrimp to enhance the sweetness. Toppings typically include a choice of chicken, pork, shrimp, or fish, complemented by fresh vegetables such as lettuce, basil, aromatic knotweed, coriander, bean sprouts, water morning glory, onions, and thinly sliced banana flowers. The noodles are available in various colors, including yellow from turmeric powder, white from pure rice, or brown from red rice. Mì Quảng engages all the senses: its vibrant colors appeal to the eyes, the aroma of meat and peanuts entices the nose, the flavors delight the tongue, and the textures—soft, hard, chewy, and flexible—are felt in the mouth.
Where to enjoy the best Mì Quảng in Hoi An?
Mì Quảng Cô Vân
Address: 329 Nguyen Duy Hieu Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Opening hours: Variable
Price range: VND 25,000 – 50,000
Mì Quảng Chị Hà
Address: No. 2 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m
Price range: VND 15,000 – 20,000
Mì Quảng Cô Bích
Address: 272 Hung Vuong Street, Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Opening hours: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m
Price range: VND 15,000 – 40,000
Conclusion
The top five street foods listed above are essential culinary experiences when visiting Hoi An. If you find yourself in this charming ancient town, make sure to indulge in these must-try specialties, which represent the best street food Hoi An has to offer. Hoi An’s vibrant food scene is a highlight of any trip to Vietnam, offering flavors and dishes that capture the essence of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
To ensure a memorable tour and experience the most delicious and enticing local specialties, you can contact Danaviour to book and rent a vehicle. With our dedicated and experienced staff, we will provide you with the best experiences. Thank you for reading the article.
