What to eat in Hoi An: 10 Must-try dishes & best restaurants (2025)

For those short on time, the absolute must-eat in Hoi An includes iconic local dishes like Cao Lầu, Mì Quảng, and Cơm Gà (Hoi An Chicken Rice). With its unique culinary world, knowing exactly what to eat in Hoi An can be overwhelming. This guide dives deep into 7 other essential dishes, complete with updated 2025 recommendations for the best restaurants to experience the authentic Hoi An food scene.

1. TOP 10 famous foods in Hoi An

1.1 Hoi An's Signature Noodles

When deciding what to eat in Hoi An, Cao Lầu is the definitive answer. This iconic noodle dish features unique, chewy noodles made with local well water, savory char siu pork, fresh greens, and crispy croutons. It’s a flavor combination you can only find in this ancient town.

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You haven't truly experienced Hoi An food until you've had a bowl of Cao Lầu. As the most famous food in Hoi An, this dish is more than just a meal; it's a piece of the town's history and its culinary soul. Unlike Phở or Bún, Cao Lầu is not a soup but a "mixing" noodle dish with very little broth.

What makes it an absolute must-eat in Hoi An is its collection of unique components:

• The Noodles: The star of the show. These are thick, chewy, udon-like noodles with a distinctive yellow-brown hue. Legend says that authentic Cao Lầu noodles must be made using water from one specific ancient well in town, the Bá Lễ well. The water is then mixed with ash from a specific tree on the Cham Islands, giving the noodles their unique color and texture.
• The Toppings: Slices of savory and tender char siu (Chinese-style barbecue pork) sit atop the noodles, alongside a handful of fresh local greens like lettuce, mint, and basil.
• The Crunch: Instead of bread croutons, the dish is finished with crispy squares of deep-fried noodle dough, adding a delightful crunch to every bite.

This combination of smoky pork, refreshing herbs, savory broth, and crunchy croutons creates a textural and flavorful masterpiece you won't find anywhere else in Vietnam.

While you'll find Cao Lầu on many menus, these two spots offer standout experiences for your Hoi An what to eat list.

1.2 Bánh Mì (The World's Best Sandwich?)

Bánh Mì Hội An is an absolute must-eat in Hoi An, even if you've had it elsewhere. The local version stands out with an incredibly crispy baguette, a generous mix of fillings like pork, pâté, and fresh herbs, all tied together with a secret, savory sauce. The two legendary stalls to try are Banh Mi Phuong (made famous by Anthony Bourdain) and Madam Khanh (The Banh Mi Queen).

So, what makes this Hoi An, Vietnam food staple so special?

• The Baguette: Unlike its counterparts elsewhere, the Hoi An baguette is lighter, airier, and has a crust that shatters with an audible crunch upon the first bite.
• The Fillings: It’s a flavor explosion. Inside the perfect crust, you’ll find a symphony of textures and tastes: rich pâté, succulent slices of char siu pork, Vietnamese sausage, fresh cilantro, tangy pickled papaya, and a hint of chili.
• The Secret Sauce: This is the magic element. Each vendor has their closely-guarded recipe for a special sauce that moistens the bread and marries all the ingredients together into a harmonious whole.

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1.3 Cơm Gà (Hoi An Chicken Rice)

Hoi An chicken rice is a deceptively simple but incredibly flavorful dish you must try. It consists of fragrant rice cooked in turmeric and chicken broth, topped with shredded, free-range chicken and fresh herbs. This is a beloved local classic and a staple food in Hoi An.

The magic lies in how each component is prepared:

• The Rice: The foundation of the dish. Instead of plain white rice, the rice is cooked in a rich chicken broth infused with turmeric, giving it a beautiful golden-yellow color and a deeply savory flavor.
• The Chicken: Only carefully selected, free-range chickens are used, resulting in meat that is tender yet firm and flavorful. The chicken is boiled, shredded by hand, and mixed with thinly sliced onions, salt, and pepper.

1.4 Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (White Rose Dumplings)

White Rose Dumplings (Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc) are delicate, steamed dumplings with a translucent wrapper, filled with minced shrimp and shaped to resemble a flower. This unique Hoi An food comes from a secret family recipe, and the one essential place to try it is at the source: White Rose Restaurant.

What makes this dish truly unique is its story. The recipe is a closely guarded secret, held by just one family in Hoi An. For three generations, this family has been the sole producer and supplier of White Rose dumplings to nearly every restaurant in the Ancient Town.

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1.5 Mì Quảng (Turmeric Noodles)

Turmeric noodles - Mì Quảng is a beloved regional noodle dish, distinct from Cao Lầu. It features wide, turmeric-infused rice noodles served with a small amount of rich broth and a variety of toppings like shrimp, pork, peanuts, and a large crispy rice cracker. Trying it is essential to understanding the full scope of Hoi An Vietnam food.

Here’s how Mì Quảng sets itself apart:

• The Noodles: The noodles are wide, flat, and soft, made from rice flour and colored a vibrant yellow with turmeric powder. They are distinct from the chewy, brown noodles of Cao Lầu.
• The Broth: Unlike a soup, Mì Quảng is served with only a small amount of highly concentrated and flavorful broth at the bottom of the bowl, just enough to coat the noodles.
• The Toppings & Texture: A bowl is generously topped with ingredients like river shrimp, slices of pork, and hard-boiled quail eggs. Crucially, it's finished with roasted peanuts and served with a large, toasted sesame rice cracker (bánh tráng mè), which you break into the bowl for a fantastic crunch.

Where to Try Authentic Mì Quảng? The top local recommendation is Mì Quảng Ông Hai. This spot is a local legend, often found bustling with residents rather than tourists. It offers an incredibly authentic and delicious bowl of Mì Quảng, showcasing the dish exactly as it's meant to be enjoyed. It's a genuine taste of the region.

1.6 Hoành Thánh Chiên (Fried Wontons)

Often called "Hoi An Pizza," Hoành Thánh Chiên are crispy, deep-fried wontons used as a crunchy base. They are topped with a savory, salsa-like mixture of minced shrimp, pork, and tomato. This delightful appetizer is a perfect example of the creative food in Hoi An.

Forget everything you know about traditional wontons. In Hoi An, they are brilliantly transformed into a crispy, open-faced delight that is a must eat in Hoi An. The "Hoi An Pizza" nickname is surprisingly accurate.

You'll often find Hoành Thánh Chiên on the same menu as Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (White Rose), making for a perfect appetizer combination.

1.7 Bánh Xèo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake)

Bánh Xèo in Hoi An are small, extra-crispy savory pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. A key part of the Hoi An food experience is wrapping the hot pancake in rice paper with fresh herbs and dipping it in a special peanut sauce. It's a fun, delicious, and interactive meal.

The real joy of this dish is the hands-on experience. It's a ritual that makes this a strong candidate for the best food in Hoi An:

• You take a hot, golden-brown pancake.
• Place it on a sheet of dry rice paper.
• Load it up with a variety of fresh herbs like lettuce, mint, and perilla leaves.
• Roll it all up into a tight, fresh spring roll.
• Finally, you dip your creation into a thick, savory peanut and pork liver sauce that is unique to this region.

1.8 Thịt Nướng Cuốn Bánh Tráng (Grilled Pork Skewers)

Grilled pork skewers are one of the most iconic street foods to try in Hoi An. Lemongrass-marinated pork is grilled over charcoal on skewers until fragrant and smoky. You then take the meat off the skewer and wrap it yourself in rice paper with fresh herbs, creating a delicious roll to dip in sauce.

You slide the succulent, smoky pork off the bamboo skewer and onto a sheet of rice paper, add an assortment of fresh herbs and vegetables (like lettuce, perilla leaves, and sliced starfruit), roll it up, and dip it into that same amazing peanut sauce. This is a must eat in Hoi An experience, especially with the town's glowing lanterns as your backdrop.

1.9 Bánh Đập Hến Xào (Smashed Rice Paper with Clams)

Bánh Đập is a unique snack featuring a crispy grilled rice paper smashed onto a soft, steamed one, creating a dual texture. You break off pieces to dip in sauce or, even better, eat them with a side of savory stir-fried baby clams (hến xào). It's a textural delight and a true local Hoi An food.

While you can eat the resulting crunchy-chewy paper with a simple dip of mắm nêm (a pungent and flavorful fermented anchovy sauce), the dish is truly complete when served with hến xào. This is a savory stir-fry of tiny local baby clams with onions, chili, lemongrass, and peanuts. Scooping the clams with a piece of Bánh Đập makes for an incredible combination of textures and flavors, and a definite must-eat in Hoi An.

1.10 Chè Bắp (Corn Sweet Soup)

Chè Bắp is a simple, sweet, and comforting dessert soup, perfect for ending your Hoi An food tour. It’s made from sweet corn grown on the fertile local riverbanks, cooked into a pudding-like consistency, and often finished with a rich swirl of coconut milk.

After a day of exploring the complex and savory flavors on your Hoi An what to eat list, Chè Bắp offers a moment of simple, sweet relief. This classic Vietnamese dessert is particularly special in Hoi An.

2. A Foodie's Map: Where to Find the Best Food

To make your culinary adventure through the ancient town as easy and delicious as possible, Herbal Spa gathered all of our top recommendations into one convenient map and a detailed table. With this guide, you can spend less time searching for what to eat in Hoi An and more time enjoying every single bite.

3. FAQ: Your Hoi An Food Questions Answered

3.1 Is street food in Hoi An safe to eat?

Yes, generally speaking, eating street food in Hoi An is safe and is one of the most authentic ways to experience the local culture. However, it's always wise to be careful.

For the best and safest experience, follow this simple rule of thumb: eat where the locals eat. Here are a few more tips:

• Look for busy stalls: A busy stall with high turnover (especially with local customers) means the food is fresh and popular for a reason.
• Watch it being cooked: Choose vendors who cook the food fresh right in front of you. This ensures it's served hot and hasn't been sitting out.
• Trust your eyes: A clean and organized-looking stall is always a good sign.

Following these tips is the best way to safely enjoy the incredible street food that makes up so much of the Hoi An Vietnam food scene.

3.2 What is the one dish I absolutely cannot miss in Hoi An

If you can only try one dish from the entire list of what to eat in Hoi An, it absolutely must be Cao Lầu. Tasting Cao Lầu is tasting the history and soul of Hoi An itself, making it the ultimate must-eat in Hoi An. Its unique, chewy noodles are traditionally made using water from a specific ancient well (the Bá Lễ well), a process that gives them a texture and flavor that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

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