Hoi An Food: 16 Best Street Food Dishes You Have to Try
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Hoi An has a reputation as one of the best food cities in Vietnam. We spent 3 months in Hoi An, and I can say that I think it deserves that reputation.
This was the first place that I visited in Vietnam, and as a long-time lover of Vietnamese food, my expectations were high. Luckily, Hoi An did not disappoint. Hoi An is packed with street food stalls, family-run eateries, and markets serving delicious, authentic Vietnamese food.
From Hoi An’s signature dish of Cao Lau to perfectly grilled Banh Mi, sweet black sesame porridge, and regional noodle dishes. Eating out is for sure one of the best things to do in Hoi An.
While there are plenty of sit-down restaurants in town, the best Hoi An food is on the street. In South East Asia and Vietnam, I always find that my favourite meals are served while I am on a tiny plastic chair on the side of the road.
So in this guide, I will share with you my 15 favourite Hoi An street food dishes you have to try.
Hoi An Food Map
Below is a map of all the Hoi An Food spots included in the article.
1. Cao Lau (Hoi An’s Signature Dish)
Cao Lau is the signature dish of Hoi An and my absolute favorite thing to eat there. It is the best food in Hoi An if you want to try something truly unique.
The noodle dish is made with thick, chewy noodles topped with flavorful pork, fresh herbs, sprouts, and crunchy deep-fried noodles.
At the bottom, there’s also a small amount of rich broth – not enough to turn it into a soup, but just enough to add some amazing flavour.
The noodles in Cao Lau are unique because they are soaked in lye water. Lye water is water mixed with the ashes of certain trees grown on islands near Hoi An.
This gives the noodles their distinctive texture and color. It’s quite a strange technique, if you ask me! People always seem to find the most bizarre ways to prepare food.
If Cao Lau is made according to the strictest rules, the water for the noodles must come from a particular well in Hoi An.
I’m not sure how many people still use the well water, but it’s an interesting tradition.
TIP : Cao Lau is usually served for breakfast, so make sure you add this dish to your Hoi An itinerary early in the day.
CAO LAU FLAVORS
The first time we tried Cao Lau, we were hooked. The variety of flavors and textures was amazing.
It was the perfect mix of crunchiness from the deep-fried noodles, the chewiness of the soft noodles, and the fresh, crisp herbs and sprouts on top.
When you receive a bowl of Cao Lau, the server will most likely tell you to “mix, mix.” This is because there’s a small amount of tasty broth at the bottom that needs to be combined with all the other ingredients to bring the flavors together perfectly.
It’s hard to describe exactly what Cao Lau tastes like, it’s fresh, herbal, and a bit zesty. The pork is sliced very thin and full of flavor, making a great pairing with the rice noodles, which have a firm but soft texture at the same time.
WHERE TO EAT CAO LAU IN HOI AN?
TIỆM ĂN SÁNG CÔ NH – was our favorite place to eat Cao Lau. It was by far the best place that we tried. The lady who runs this stall is such a character; she is always laughing and was always so happy to see us.
Plus, all of her food is amazing, so we cannot recommend her enough. I lost count of the number of times we ate at her stall. Eating at her stall was one of our favorite things to do in Hoi An.
The only problem is that it is a long way from the old town. But if you want a local experience and one of the best, cheapest Cao Lau’s, 25,000 VND, in Hoi An I suggest making your way out here.
If you are looking for a Hoi An Food Guide, I also recommend booking with Phuc. He is the son of the lady who runs this restaurant. He is super friendly, speaks great english and is passionate about food.
Where To Eat Cao Lau In Hoi An?
Cao Lau Mi Quang Loc Hội An – was my second favorite Cao Lau in Hoi An. It is a street food stall located close to the old town. The lady running the place is super nice, and she makes a good Cao Lau.
Hoi An Market – the Hoi An Food market is also another decent choice to try Cao Lau. It is a little touristy however so expect to have lots of vendors trying to get your attention.
2. Mi Quang (Regional Speciality)
Mi Quang is another must-try Hoi An specialty that is eaten across Quang Nam province in Vietnam.
At first glance, Mi Quang looks very similar to Cao Lau. It features a bed of noodles served with a small amount of broth, then topped with your choice of protein such as pork, chicken, or prawns.
What sets Mi Quang apart from Cao Lau is the addition of crispy sesame crackers and a hard-boiled quail egg.
The texture of Mi Quang is great. I like the crunchy sesame crackers, soft noodles and tender meat together. It is very similar to Cao Lau, just with a different flavor profile.
In terms of flavor, I definitely prefer Cao Lau. But Mi Quang is also a street food dish you have to try in Hoi An.
WHERE TO EAT MI QUANG IN HOI AN?
Cao Lau Mi Quang Loc Hội An – makes great Cao Lau and Mi Quang you can sample both dishes at the same time if you like.
Mì Quảng 92 – Mì quảng cá lóc, bò, mì tôm thịt – is another great place to try Mi Quang. They have tonnes of fresh veggies on their Mi Quang for the rabbits out there.
3. Bun Thit Nuong (Vietnamese Noodle Salad)
Bún Thịt Nướng is a popular Southern Vietnamese dish that is served all across Vietnam.
The dish consists of smoky charcoal-grilled pork on top of cold vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and Vietnamese dipping sauce.
I loved the contrast between the hot, smoky grilled pork and the cool noodles and fresh herbs. It’s another simple dish that you could eat day after day.
If you want a dish that won’t make you sweat up a storm, then this is a great option.
WHERE TO EAT BUN THIT NUONG IN HOI AN?
TIỆM ĂN SÁNG CÔ NH – this was our favorite place to eat in Hoi An and you will see it multiple times on the list. Every dish on their menu is delicious, and the Bun Thit Nuong is no exception.
4. Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
No list of the best Hoi An food would be complete without Bánh Mì. We’ve said it in other articles, but I’ll say it again: in my opinion, the best Bánh Mì in Vietnam is found right here in Hoi An.
Hoi An has truly perfected the Bánh Mì. The baguette is always perfectly crispy from being toasted over a charcoal grill, while remaining soft and airy inside.
The homemade chili sauces and pâté give the Bánh Mì the perfect amount of rich and spicy flavors. Add delicious meats and fresh, locally grown herbs and vegetables, and you have the perfect sandwich.
We ate so many Banh Mis in Hoi An, and we were almost always disappointed by Banh Mis in other parts of Vietnam.
So make sure to fill up on as many as possible while you’re in Hoi An!
WHERE TO EAT BANH MI IN HOI AN?
There are many great spots to grab a Bánh Mì in Hoi An, but my favorite has to be Bánh Mì Queen. It’s probably the most touristy place in town and often has a long line of visitors — but that’s simply because it’s the best. If you would like to read more about all the best Banh Mis in Hoi then make sure to read our article here.
5. Banh Mi Op La (DIY Egg Sandwich)
Bánh Mì Op La is a very popular breakfast dish all over Vietnam and it’s my favorite breakfast in Hoi An.
This dish is another fusion of Western and Vietnamese flavors, featuring a baguette served alongside a sizzling plate of eggs, luncheon meat, pâté, and pickled vegetables.
Locals like to tear the baguette apart and dip it into the sauce and eggs, but I prefer to open up the baguette and fill it to make a sandwich.
Of course, you can enjoy it whichever way you choose!
I especially loved the super-hot metal plates the eggs were served on, it almost felt like dining at a fancy restaurant, even though I was sitting on tiny plastic chairs by the roadside.
If you are looking for a solid hearty breakfast to fuel you for the day this is it.
Fact : Op La comes from the french “œufs au plat” pronounced uh oh plah which means eggs on a plate.
WHERE TO EAT BANH MI OP LA IN HOI AN?
Ốp la Đông – Fried Egg, Beef Stew, Bun for breakfast – this is the only place that I tried Banh Mi Op La in Vietnam. But if you love street food you will love this place. The people who run the stall are very friendly, and the food is delicious.
6. Com Ga (Chicken Rice)
Com Ga is a classic Vietnamese dish that is often one of the cheapest meals you can buy.
Com = Rice and Ga = Chicken. It is a super simple dish but when done well can also be quite delicious.
To be honest, I ate some very average Com Ga while I was in Vietnam. This may come as a shock to some people, but there is bad food in Vietnam!
You can find Com Ga all over Vietnam, but Hoi An has a special style. In Hoi An the chicken is shredded and is mixed with onions, scallions, and other herbs and spices.
You also get a small bowl of chicken broth served with your meal. I always like having broth served with the meal because it gives you extra nutrition and it feels like you are having a mini pho.
I really think that Hoi An has some of the best Com Ga in Vietnam. The flavor of the chicken is much more interesting. In other parts of Vietnam, I found the Chicken to be very bland and flavorless.
WHERE TO EAT COM GA IN HOI AN?
Quán cơm Sơn Phạm – the best Com Ga I tried in Hoi was at Quan com Son Pham. It is also one of my favorite restaurants in Hoi An for pho and pork dishes. So make sure you head to Quan com Son Pham for some of the best Hoi An food outside of the touristy center.
7. Com Tam (Pork Broken Rice)
Cơm Tấm is a well-known dish throughout South Vietnam. It’s called “broken rice” because it uses the small pieces of rice that break during the milling process.
This rice used to be considered inferior, so peasants ate it because it was cheaper.
But over time, people discovered that broken rice soaks up flavors much better. What was once poor people’s food has become somewhat of a delicacy.
Although “Cơm Tấm” refers only to the rice, it is usually served with grilled pork, pickled vegetables, salad, and a small bowl of soup.
Cơm Tấm is quite similar to Cơm Gà because it’s a simple dish. But when done well, it’s a delicious and filling meal you can enjoy over and over again.
I loved eating Cơm Tấm because I could get a decent-sized piece of meat for a low price, which can be hard to find in Vietnam. Pho and many other meals often come with only tiny pieces of meat.
But what I also enjoyed were the pickled vegetables, the soup, and the wonderfully flavored rice. It gave the dish a wide range of textures and flavors for such a simple meal.
WHERE TO EAT COM TAM IN HOI AN?
Quan com Son Pham – sorry to repeat this restaurant again but it was also my favorite for Com Tam. They do all of the simple things right. Their meat and rice are always perfectly seasoned. A plate of Com Tam costs 40,000 VND.
8. Banh Beo (Steamed Rice Cakes)
ánh Bèo is a popular snack in Hoi An, even though it originally comes from Hue. You’ll often see locals gathered around trays of these tiny steamed rice cakes throughout the city.
Each cake is soft and topped with shrimp, scallion oil, crispy pork skin, or mung bean paste. You pour a little fish sauce over the top and eat it in one bite to combine the flavors.
Personally, this wasn’t my favorite dish. I found the texture a bit too soft, and the flavors just didn’t quite work with the texture for me. That said, they’re extremely cheap, very local, so they’re still worth trying at least once.
WHERE TO EAT BANH BEO IN HOI AN?
We tried Banh Beo at TIỆM ĂN SÁNG CÔ NHỊ which is our favorite Cao Lau spot. But you can try Banh Beo at many restaurants around town.
9. Thit Nuong Xien (BBQ Skewers)
I would call Thịt Nướng Xiên the most fun Hoi An food to eat.
You will be given juicy BBQ skewers, soft rice paper, fresh herbs, homemade chilli sauce, and a delicious peanut sauce. Your job is to combine all the ingredients without tearing the rice paper. It is a little trickier than it sounds!
When we first visited, we were a bit confused about what we had to do. But the ladies at the restaurant were super friendly and quickly came over to show us how it was done.
Preparing your skewers takes a bit of practice since the rice paper is very easy to tear. But that’s what makes Thịt Nướng Xiên so much fun to eat—it’s not easy to get it right the first time. But once you get it right, the combination of textures and flavors is amazing.
I loved the smoky, charcoaled meat combined with the home made chilli sauce and herbs. Like so many other dishes in Hoi An it was amazing mixture of different flavors and textures.
What I always appreciate about Hoi An food is the fresh, locally grown herbs and homemade chili sauces. They’re always packed full of flavor and make even the simplest dishes taste incredible.
WHERE TO EAT THIT NUONG XIEN IN HOI AN?
Co Thu BBQ Restaurant – is a great place to try BBQ skewers. There are many friendly ladies who are always happy to guide you through preparing your skewers. I love their peanut and chilli sauces so make sure to use a lot! A plate of six skewers costs 60,000 VND or 2.35 USD.
10. Pho Bo/Ga (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
No trip to Vietnam would be complete without a bowl of pho, and Hoi An has quite a few great spots to enjoy some.
The rich umami flavor of Pho is hard to beat, but its also not an intense flavour. So you can eat it day after day and I really enjoyed having it for breakfast.
My favorite part of having Pho in Hoi An is the mountain of fresh herbs you receive such as basil, cilantro, mint and more.
You are much more likely to get more herbs in the South in Vietnam. But in Hoi An they go the extra mile.
I loved stuffing all the different herbs into the broth because it gives the Pho such an aromatic herbal flavor. But if you prefer to focus on just the broth, you do not have to add them.
That is one of the great things about Pho – you can customize the flavours just how you like it.
WHERE TO EAT PHO IN HOI AN?
We ate Pho at many different places during our month in Hoi An. So check out our Best Pho In Hoi An article for an in-depth guide to our favorite Pho’s in Hoi An.
11. Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup)
Before arriving in Vietnam, I had never heard of Bún Bò Huế. But after seeing signs for the soup everywhere, I decided I had to try this spicy beef noodle soup, and now I think I like it even more than Pho!
One morning, while eating a Bánh Mì Ốp La, I spotted a sign for Bún Bò Huế across the road and decided it was time for round two. Best second breakfast I have ever had.
I was hooked from the first sip. Unlike Pho, which is a delicate, subtle broth, Bun Bo Hue packs a punch. The broth is made with chilli, fermented shrimp paste, and lemongrass. You will not get a mountain of herbs with your Bun Bo Hue, and it is not needed. The broth packs more than enough flavor.
Some people might prefer Pho for its more subtle flavor, but if you like your food rich and spicy, then this is for you.
WHERE TO EAT BUN BO HUE IN HOI AN?
Bun Bi Hue O Gai – I tried two Bun Bo in Hoi An, and this stall really stood out. It is just a simple roadside stall, but the broth was full of flavor and the portion was generous.
12. Bun Cha (Grilled Pork Vermicelli)
Bún Chả is a Hanoi specialty made with charcoal-grilled pork, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and a sweet dipping sauce.
This is another Vietnamese dish that has many different flavors and textures. The pork is smoky and fatty, the herbs are refreshing, and the sauce is tangy and sweet.
I liked the smoky pork and fresh herbs, but the sauce was a little too sweet for my taste. If you enjoy sweet-and-savory flavors, you’ll probably love it more than I did.
It’s still a solid dish and a nice change if you’ve been eating a lot of noodle soups.
WHERE TO EAT BUN CHA IN HOI AN?
Bún chả Gia Hưng – many reviews claim this is some of the best Bun Cha in Vietnam. Although nearly every restaurant in Hoi An has reviewers claiming they have the best food in Vietnam! Still the food here is very good and you can get a bowl of Bun Cha for 40,000 VND.
13. Xi Ma (Sesame Porridge)
One of the most interesting and unique Hoi An street foods you have to try is Xi Ma.
It’s a sweet black sesame soup that might not look very appetizing at first glance, it looks like black sludge. But trust me, it is really tasty!
The soup is made from black sesame seeds blended with sweet potato starch and other medicinal herbs.
The herbs give it a very unique, almost medicinal flavor, and because it’s not too sweet, it’s definitely a healthy dessert. Apparently it is also supposed to be good for gut health.
I really enjoyed Xi Ma because it was so unique and unlike any other dessert I had tried anywhere else in the world. They way it looks might through you off but the flavor will win you over.
WHERE TO EAT XI MA IN HOI AN?
We tried Xi Ma at Xi Ma Phu. This is a little road side cart where you can enjoy your Xi Ma on little plastic stools on the side of the road. True Vietnam style! It should only cost about 10,000 VND.
14. Banh Xoai (Mango Cake)
Banh Xoai, or Mango Cake, is another doughy sweet snack to try on the streets of Hoi An. That doesn’t even have any mango in it!
We were pretty confused the first time we tried Mango Cake. For weeks, ladies on the roadside kept trying to sell it to us, so we finally gave it a go, only to find it tasted mostly like peanuts?!
Hoi An’s Mango Cakes are made from glutinous rice, peanuts, and sugar. I really enjoyed the peanut flavor — nice and gooey, and not too sweet.
Locals say it’s called Mango Cake because it’s shaped like a mango. Honestly, I don’t really see the resemblance—it looks more like a potato to me. But hey, it tastes good, so who cares!
WHERE TO EAT MANGO CAKE IN HOI AN?
You’ll find plenty of vendors selling Mango Cakes around the streets of the Old Town. Just wander around and grab one that looks good.
A quick tip: watch out for prices. Some sellers in the touristy areas might try to charge more than usual. It should only cost about 10,000 VND per piece.
15. Kem Bo (Avocado Ice Cream)
We were always melting in the heat while walking around the streets of Hoi An. So when we spotted a sign for avocado ice cream, I had to try one as I love avocados.
Traditional Kem Bo is made with creamy mashed avocado, coconut ice cream, and sometimes layered with condensed milk and coconut flakes.
Since avocados are creamy, they blend well with ice cream. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the avocado flavor paired with the sweetness of ice cream. Avocado is more of a savory flavor to me, and I don’t really like it with something sweet. I think Avocado should stay on toast and salads.
That said, it’s a unique Hoi An food you should try because many people really love it!
WHERE TO EAT AVOCADO ICE CREAM IN HOI AN?
Kem Bơ Hội An (Hoi An Avocado Ice cream) – is a lovely spot to enjoy an Avocado Ice Cream while exploring downtown Hoi An. It is an alleyway just off a main walking street with plenty of seats to enjoy your ice cream.
Best Hoi An Street Food Tour
If you are short on time joining a street food tour can be a great way to try multiple dishes in one outing.
Plus if you are a bit worried about the language barrier it is great to have someone to translate everything for you.
This Hoi An food tour with GetYourGuide costs 25 USD and has excellent reviews. You will get to sample 7 different food and the group size is limited to 8 people.
Best Hoi An Cooking Class
If you really want to get hands on and learn how the locals make such delicious food then you can try a cooking class.
In Hoi An many cooking classes are combined with a coconut boat rides. Which is another very popular thing to do in Hoi An.
You can book a Hoi An: Local Market, Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class Tour for 19 USD.
But if you want to just do a cooking class and not coconut boat ride then you can book a Hoi An: Traditional Cooking Class & meal with Local Family.
Is Hoi An good for street food?
Yes, Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam for street food. There are excellent regional specialties such as Cao Lau and Com Ga. As well as all sorts of other traditional Vietnamese foods. Because it is a compact walkable cit,y it is a great place to sample many different street foods.
What food is Hoi An famous for?
Hoi An is most famous for Cao Lau it is a noodle dish unique to Hoi An and hard to find done properly anywhere else. Banh Mi are also famous in Hoi An because the bread is so much better than the rest of Vietnam.
Is Street Food Safe To Eat In Hoi An?
Yes, street food is safe to eat in Vietnam. We stayed in Hoi An for 3 months and ate street food nearly every day and never got sick. Just make sure that the stall you visit has a high turnover and prepares the food fresh.
How Much Does Street Food Cost In Hoi An?
Street food in Hoi An is very affordable. Most dishes cost between 25,000 to 50,000 VND. Which is just 1-2 USD so you can eat out multiple times a day for under 10 USD.
HOI AN TRAVEL CHECKLIST
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Enjoy The Best Food In Hoi An
During our three months of traveling around Vietnam, we found that Hoi An has the best food in the country.
Big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi offer all the same dishes you’ll find in Hoi An — but the difference is that Hoi An delivers it all in a smaller, more relaxed setting.
I hope you enjoy sampling all the delicious food on this list. Also, make sure you check out our best things to do in Hoi An Article, Best Banh Mi, Best cafes and more on our Vietnam page.
