Hoi An Food Guide 2026

Cao Lau is the single dish most uniquely associated with Hoi An — it exists nowhere else in Vietnam. Thick, chewy rice noodles (closer to Japanese udon than Vietnamese pho) are topped with slices of char siu barbecued pork, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and crispy croutons made from the same noodle dough, served with a small amount of intensely savory broth. The legend says authentic Cao Lau noodles must be made with water drawn from the ancient Ba Le Well in the Ancient Town, and the lye used to give the noodles their distinctive yellow color and firm texture traditionally came from ashes of a specific tree on the Cham Islands. Whether the legends are entirely true, the result is unmistakable — a deeply flavored dish that reflects Hoi An's history as a trading port where Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese culinary traditions merged over 400 years.

Also good at: Trung Bac Restaurant (87 Tran Phu), Morning Glory (106 Nguyen Thai Hoc)

Hoi An makes the strongest claim to the best banh mi in all of Vietnam. The Hoi An version features a shorter, crustier baguette than the Saigon style, packed with pate, mayonnaise, grilled or cold-cut meats, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and chili. Banh Mi Phuong, at 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street, gained international attention after Anthony Bourdain featured it on his show. The shop has become very touristy since — locals now tend to prefer Madam Khanh for a quieter experience and more consistent quality. Madam Khanh (The Banh Mi Queen) at 115 Tran Cao Van has been serving from her tiny shopfront for decades — the queue stretches down the block every morning. At 15,000-30,000 VND ($0.59-1.18), a Hoi An banh mi may be the best meal-per-dollar ratio on the planet.

Also good at: Banh Mi Phuong, 2B Phan Chu Trinh (Anthony Bourdain's pick)

Translucent shrimp dumplings shaped like delicate white roses, a dish so unique to Hoi An that only one family in the entire city has the recipe. The Tran family has been making Banh Bao Banh Vac for generations at their workshop on Hai Ba Trung Street, and every restaurant in Hoi An that serves White Rose dumplings buys from this single source. The wrapper is pounded rice flour stretched to near-translucent thinness, filled with fresh shrimp and spices, steamed, and topped with crispy fried shallots and a light dipping sauce. The fact that one family supplies all of Hoi An's White Rose dumplings — and that the recipe has never been shared. Though a few former Tran family workers have started their own operations, the original workshop at 533 Hai Ba Trung remains the primary source and most authentic version — is a remarkable food story.

Also good at: Morning Glory (106 Nguyen Thai Hoc), Cargo Club (107 Nguyen Thai Hoc)

Hoi An's version of chicken rice is distinctive from the Hainanese chicken rice found elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Turmeric-infused rice gives the dish its signature golden color, topped with shredded free-range chicken, fresh Vietnamese herbs (mint, basil, coriander), pickled papaya, and crispy rice crackers on the side. The turmeric and herb emphasis gives it a distinctly Vietnamese character. Com Ga Ba Buoi on Phan Chu Trinh Street is the most famous — the family has been serving this dish since the 1960s, and locals have fierce opinions about which shop makes the best version.

Also good at: Com Ga Ba Nga (Thai Phien St), Central Market stalls

The signature noodle dish of Quang Nam province. Wide, flat turmeric-yellow rice noodles sit in a small amount of rich, concentrated broth (unlike soup-heavy pho), topped with pork, shrimp, quail eggs, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, and crispy rice crackers. The broth is intensely flavored from turmeric, shrimp paste, and pork bones. Mi Quang is breakfast food in Hoi An — the best stalls sell out by mid-morning. Mi Quang Ong Hai on Ly Thai To Street is revered among locals, though it has no English sign.

Also good at: Central Market stalls (before 9 AM), local breakfast stalls on Ly Thai To

Hoi An's Chinese trading heritage shows most clearly in its wonton tradition. Hoanh Thanh are available in two distinct styles: deep-fried crispy wontons topped with a tomato-based sauce and fresh herbs (a Hoi An original found nowhere else in Vietnam), and traditional wonton soup with pork-filled dumplings in clear broth. The crispy version is the distinctly Hoi An dish — the contrast between shattering crunch and tangy, slightly sweet tomato sauce is addictive. Order one of each to compare. Like White Rose and Cao Lau, Hoi An wontons reflect the town's position at the crossroads of Vietnamese and Chinese culinary traditions.

Also good at: Ancient Town restaurants along Tran Phu Street

Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer, and Hoi An's cafe culture is a real pleasure. Ca phe sua da (strong, dark-roasted robusta coffee brewed through a metal phin filter into sweetened condensed milk, poured over ice) is a daily ritual. The phin filter takes 3-5 minutes to drip, but the wait produces an intensely concentrated coffee that bears no resemblance to Western drip coffee. Reaching Out Tea House on Nguyen Thai Hoc is Hoi An's most unique cafe — a silent cafe staffed entirely by deaf and mute employees where you order by writing on paper. Egg coffee (ca phe trung), originally from Hanoi, is also widely available.

Also good at: Rosie's Cafe, The Espresso Station, any street-side phin cafe

Che is the catch-all term for Vietnamese sweet soups, puddings, and iced desserts. In Hoi An, the most popular versions include che bap (sweet corn pudding with coconut milk), che dau xanh (mung bean dessert), and che ba mau (three-color dessert with beans, jelly, and coconut milk over ice). The Central Market vendors display offerings in large glass jars — you can mix and match ingredients. Che is the perfect cool-down after walking the Ancient Town in 35-degree heat. Cam Nam Island across the bridge has the best and cheapest che stalls in Hoi An.

Also good at: Central Market vendors, Ancient Town street carts

Riverside, Ancient Town | Open 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The best place for authentic, no-frills Hoi An food at the lowest prices. Market stall Cao Lau costs 35,000 VND ($1.37) — the same dish at tourist restaurants costs 100,000-150,000 VND. The market serves steaming bowls of Cao Lau, Mi Quang, Com Ga, and Banh Mi to a crowd that is 80% local. This is where Hoi An's residents eat, and the quality reflects their discerning palates. Arrive before 8 AM for the best food and liveliest atmosphere.

South bank of Thu Bon River, via bridge from Ancient Town

Cross the bridge from the Ancient Town and prices drop immediately. Cam Nam Island restaurants cater primarily to Vietnamese diners — lower prices, larger portions, and dishes you won't find on tourist menus. The island is known for banh dap (crispy rice cracker with steamed rice sheet), local Mi Quang, and fresh river seafood. Riverside restaurants on the northern edge offer views back at the illuminated Ancient Town at night — the same view at a fraction of the price.

Within the UNESCO old quarter

The Ancient Town has the highest concentration of restaurants but also the highest prices. For the quality, stick to the established names: Morning Glory (106 Nguyen Thai Hoc, 150,000-400,000 VND/$5.88-15.69), Cargo Club (107 Nguyen Thai Hoc), and Mango Rooms. Avoid restaurants with menus in 6 languages near the Japanese Bridge — these have the worst food-to-price ratio in town. The side streets one block off Tran Phu hide more authentic, affordable options.

4 km east of Ancient Town | Best at lunch and sunset

An Bang Beach restaurants serve excellent grilled seafood, garlic prawns, and crab in tamarind sauce alongside cold beers and ocean views. The casual sand-floor atmosphere makes for some of Hoi An's most enjoyable meals. The back lanes behind the beach have small Vietnamese restaurants at local prices. Soul Kitchen and Shore Club are the best-known beach restaurants.

Nguyen Hoang Street, south bank | Open from 5 PM nightly

The food section of the An Hoi Night Market serves grilled meats, seafood skewers, Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes), Cao Lau, spring rolls, and sweet desserts at prices lower than the sit-down Ancient Town restaurants. The atmosphere is lively with lanterns strung overhead. Cross the An Hoi Bridge after dinner in the Ancient Town for the market, then walk back through the lantern-lit streets.