What to Eat in Hoi An Ancient Town? A List of 10 Specialties That Captivate Food Lovers

Cao lầu is the first dish you must try when setting foot in Hoi An. Originating in the 17th century, this dish was influenced by Japanese and Chinese cuisine, but has been adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes. The noodles are made from rice flour soaked in ash water made from melaleuca wood from Cham Island, creating a characteristic chewy and crispy texture with a shiny golden color. The toppings include fresh shrimp, char siu pork, crispy pork cracklings, fresh herbs (basil, coriander), and a rich savory broth simmered from pork bones. When eating, you will taste the crispness of the noodles, the sweetness of the shrimp and meat, and the gentle tartness of the fresh herbs.

Price: 30,000 - 40,000 VND/bowl.

Famous eateries:

• Cao Lau Lien (16 Thai Phien)
• Thanh Cao Lau: 26 Thai Phien, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Cao Lau Ba Le: 49/3 Tran Hung Dao, Minh An Ward, Hoi An

Mi Quang is a Quang Nam specialty that cannot be missed on the list of what to eat in Hoi An Ancient Town. This dish has a long history, closely tied to rural life, but has now become a culinary symbol of the ancient town. The milky white or turmeric yellow noodles made from rice flour are soft yet chewy, served with shrimp, pork, quail eggs, roasted peanuts, crispy rice crackers, and a rich variety of fresh herbs. The broth is served sparingly, rich and flavorful from simmered pork bones, giving it the feel of a mixed noodle dish rather than a soup. There are many variations such as chicken Mi Quang, shrimp and pork Mi Quang, or more uniquely, frog Mi Quang braised in a ceramic pot.

Price: 25,000 - 50,000 VND/bowl.

Famous locations: 

• Mi Quang Ong Hai: 6A Truong Minh Luong, Cam Chau, Hoi An
• Mi Quang 92: 112A Tran Cao Van St., Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Mi Quang Ba Minh: No. 61 18/8 Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An

Banh mi Phuong put this Hoi An specialty on the world culinary map, once praised by chef Anthony Bourdain. The crispy baguette is packed with over 20 types of fillings: homemade pate, Vietnamese ham, cold cuts, aromatic herbs, pickles, and a signature sauce. The history of Hoi An banh mi dates back to the French colonial period, but local people have creatively tweaked it to produce a rich, taste-harmonious version.

Price: 20,000 - 30,000 VND/loaf.

Famous eateries:

• Banh Mi Phuong: 2b Phan Chu Trinh St., Cam Chau, Hoi An
• Banh Mi Co Ba: 40/14 Tran Cao Van St., Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Banh Mi Madam Khanh: 115 Tran Cao Van St., Minh An Ward, Hoi An

Hoi An chicken rice differs from Southern chicken rice thanks to firm, chewy free-range chicken, shredded and tossed with onions, Vietnamese coriander, and spices. The rice is cooked in chicken broth, highly fragrant, served with sweet and sour pickled cucumbers and hot broth. This dish originates from Quang Nam family cuisine and has now become a famous specialty of the ancient town.

Price: 35,000 - 50,000 VND/portion.

Famous eateries:

• Ba Buoi Chicken Rice: 22 Phan Chu Trinh St., Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Ba Thuan Chicken Rice: 685/4 Nhi Trung, Minh An Ward, Hoi An

Banh vac (also known as white rose cake) is a dish reminiscent of dim sum, featuring a thin, translucent outer skin made from filtered rice flour wrapping around ground shrimp and pork filling, shaped like a small blooming flower. Although influenced by Chinese cuisine, through the hands of Hoi An locals, white rose cake has become delicate, lighter in flavor, and perfectly suited to the local palate. This dish is usually served with sweet and sour fish sauce and fried shallots, creating a balance of sweet, savory, and subtle richness.

Reference price: about 30,000 – 50,000 VND/portion

Famous eateries:

• White Rose Restaurant: 533 Hai Ba Trung St., Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An
• Trung Bac Restaurant (87 Tran Phu)

Hoi An wonton originated from Chinese cuisine, but upon entering the ancient town, it was modified to suit local tastes. The skin is fried or steamed just right—soft golden, slightly chewy—with a generous filling of shrimp, pork, pork liver, and sometimes served with soft-boiled eggs, creating a rich and savory taste without being greasy. Wonton in Hoi An can be enjoyed in various ways: crispy fried dipped in rich chili sauce, or hot steamed dipped in soy sauce, each style bringing its own unique charm.

Reference price: about 30,000 – 150,000 VND/portion, depending on the type and preparation method

Famous eateries:

• Anh Dung Wonton: 14 Ba Trieu, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An
• Hy - Vietnamese Restaurant: 10/15 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Minh An Ward, Hoi An

Crushed rice paper with sautéed baby clams is a rustic dish associated with Cam Nam – Hoi An, highlighted by an interesting combination of banh dap (crispy grilled rice paper pressed over soft wet rice paper) and sautéed baby clams. Clams harvested from the Hoai River are sautéed with Vietnamese coriander, fried shallots, peanuts, and balanced seasonings, delivering a rich, fragrant, and nutty flavor without feeling heavy. When eating, break off pieces of the crushed rice paper and scoop up the hot clams to enjoy the harmonious combination of crunchy, soft, and rich flavors in one bite.

Reference price: about 20,000 – 25,000 VND/portion

Famous eateries:

• Ba Gia Eatery: 34 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam, Hoi An
• Banh Dap Eatery No. 9: Cam Nam, Hoi An

Black sesame sweet soup, also known as Hoi An xi ma sweet soup, is a traditional dessert originating from the Chinese community living in the ancient town. The dessert is cooked from finely ground black sesame seeds combined with tapioca starch and sugar, creating a distinctively smooth texture with a subtle hint of Chinese herbal aroma. The soup is gently sweet, mildly rich, and warm, often consumed by locals to cool down and promote health.

Reference price: about 10,000 – 15,000 VND/cup

Famous eateries: Ong Thieu's Sweet Soup (66 Tran Hung Dao)

Mot Herbal Drink Hoi An is a familiar herbal beverage of the ancient town, brewed from lemon, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, lotus, and honey, creating a refreshing and easy-to-drink flavor. Neither overly sweet nor overpowering in scent, Mot drink is often chosen to refresh and soothe the body after strolling through the warm weather of Hoi An. A small cup, simply decorated with a lotus leaf or dried flower, perfectly embodies the slow, gentle spirit of the ancient town.

Reference price: about 10,000 – 15,000 VND/glass

Famous eateries: Mot Shop (150 Tran Phu)

Grilled pork skewers wrapped in wet rice paper is a popular snack in Hoi An, simple yet addictive. Pork is grilled over charcoal until lightly charred on the outside and infused with smoky aroma, then wrapped in thin wet rice paper sprinkled with sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and dipped in a mildly spicy, rich garlic-chili fish sauce. The dish is unpretentious yet perfectly balances richness, softness, and aroma, making it ideal for snacking while wandering the streets.

Reference price: about 5,000 VND/skewer

Famous eateries:

• Co Loan Eatery: 36/75 Hung Vuong, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An
• Co Loi Eatery: 03 Nguyen Hue, Cam Chau, Hoi An

Deciding what to eat in Hoi An Ancient Town is actually not difficult, because every dish here is tied to the unique rhythm of life and habits of the local people. From filling main courses to rustic snacks and drinks, the 10 Hoi An specialties on this list not only help you savor authentic flavors but also help you understand a part of ancient town culture through every taste. As you walk through the small streets, take time to pause, eat slowly, and feel the experience, because Hoi An cuisine is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace, in true keeping with the spirit of this heritage town.