Best Foods in Hoi An: A Food Lover’s Guide to Local Dishes Published 28/03/2025
by Heads On Pillows

HOI AN FOOD GUIDE: 6 MUST-TRY LOCAL DISHES FOR FOOD LOVERS

If you’re in Hoi An, eating well isn’t optional - it’s part of the experience. This city is packed with dishes you won’t find anywhere else, from the chewy, smoky Cao Lầu noodles to the delicate White Rose Dumplings that have been made by the same family for over 130 years.

Whether you’re hunting for the best restaurants in Hoi An or just looking to sample street food in Hoi An, this guide has you covered.



6 Hoi An Signature Dishes That You Must Try

1. Cao Lau Noodles (Cao Lầu)

Cao Lau isn’t just a bowl of noodles, it is made with ingredients unique to the region. The secret of Cao Lầu lies in its thick, chewy noodles, which are made using water from an ancient well in Hoi An and wood ash from the nearby Cham Islands. 

When served, they’re topped with char siu pork, fresh herbs, crispy fried noodle squares, and a splash of pork bone broth, it’s a perfect mix of textures and flavours.

For those wanting to go beyond the usual tourist spots, a bicycle tour is a great way to experience Hoi An’s food culture. FUSE Hostel offers a Hoi An food tour where you can cycle through the countryside, visit the last traditional Cao Lau noodle maker, and watch the process before enjoying a fresh bowl. 

Here are some famous Cao Lau restaurants that you should visit:

• Cao Lầu Thanh (30.000 VND - $1.18 for a small bowl, and 50.000 VND - $1.96 USD for a large bowl): 26 Thai Phien, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam - 110m, just a 1-min walk from FUSE Old Town Hostel.
• Cao lầu Không Gian Xanh (40.000 VND - $1.57 per bowl): 687 Hai Ba Trung, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam - 650m, 9-min walk from FUSE Old Town Hostel.

2. Smashed Cake (Bánh Đập)

Smashed Cake is a simple yet deeply satisfying local favourite that brings together two contrasting textures: a layer of soft steamed rice paper (bánh ướt) pressed between a crispy grilled rice cracker (bánh tráng nướng). To eat it, you "smash" the cracker with your hands, breaking it into pieces that stick to the soft rice paper underneath - that’s where its name comes from, which means "smashed cake."

What truly brings this dish to life is the rich, umami-packed dipping sauce called “mắm nêm”, made from fermented anchovies, garlic, and chilli. Here, you’ll find small, family-run eateries specialising in this dish, often served alongside hến xào (stir-fried baby clams) - another Hoi An favourite:

• Bánh đập Ni Bà Già (25.000 - 50.000 VND or $0.98 - $1.96 USD per serving): 34 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam- 1.3km, 4-min drive from FUSE Old Town Hostel.
• Quán Phúc Bánh đập (17.000 VND - $0.67 per serving): 88 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam - 1.5 km, 5-min drive from FUSE Old Town Hostel.

3. Quang Noodles (Mì Quảng) 

Quang Noodles isn’t your typical Vietnamese noodle soup - it’s bold, flavourful, and just a little bit different. Instead of a deep bowl of broth, you get just enough rich, simmered stock to coat the thick, turmeric-infused rice noodles, letting their texture shine. 

Traditionally, it’s made with pork or chicken, but don’t be surprised to find versions with shrimp, fish, frog, or beef, which might vary based on which stall you visit. The real magic, though, is in the toppings - crunchy roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, a boiled egg, and crispy sesame rice crackers that you crumble straight into the bowl. Add a squeeze of lime and a hit of chilli, and you’ve got a dish that’s uniquely Central Vietnamese - simple, satisfying, and packed with flavour.

Some notable stalls that you should pay a visit to:

• Mì Quảng Ông Hai (40.000 VND - $1.57 per serving): 6A Truong Minh Luong, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam - 950m, 3-min drive from FUSE Old Town Hostel.
• Mì Quảng 92 (40.000 VND - $1.57 for a small portion, 55.000 VND - $2.16 USD for a large portion with various toppings from pork, shrimp, beef or all-in-one): 112A Tran Cao Van, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam - 240m, just 3-min walk from FUSE Old Town Hostel.

4. Hoi An Chicken Rice (Cơm Gà Hoi An)

Chicken Rice Hoi An is a must-try dish that has been a local favourite since the 1950s, originally sold by street vendors before becoming a staple in Hoi An’s restaurants.

What makes it special is the fragrant, yellow-tinted rice cooked in chicken broth and pandan leaves for extra aroma. It’s served with shredded free-range chicken from Tam Ky, known for its firm yet tender texture, along with a refreshing papaya and herb salad, pickled vegetables, and a side of sweet and sour dipping sauce. Not just that, they typically serve it with a bowl of light broth with egg yolk or offal, adding even more depth of flavour to complete your meal.

Some Hoi An Chicken Rice stalls that are worth your visit:

• Cơm Gà Bà Buội (55.000 VND - $2.16 USD per portion):
• 22 Phan Chu Trinh, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• - 500m, just a 7-min walk from FUSE Old Town Hostel.
• Cơm gà bà Vân (35.000 - 120.000 VND or $1.37 - $4.71 USD per portion): 21B. Phan Chu Trinh, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam - 500m, just 7-min walk from FUSE Old Town Hostel.

5. White Rose Dumplings (Bánh Bao - Bánh Vạc)

Known as White Rose Dumplings, is a specialty that has been made by a local Hoi An family for over 130 years. These delicate dumplings are crafted from rice flour dough and carefully shaped to resemble blooming roses. The two variations include “Bánh Bao”, typically filled with pork, spring onions, and wood ear mushrooms, and “Bánh Vạc”, which features ground freshwater shrimp mixed with pepper, scallions, garlic, lemongrass, and spices. 

The best place to try them? White Rose Restaurant (just 600m away from FUSE Old Town Hostel!). It is said to have the original secret family recipe passed down through generations.

6. Mango Cake (Bánh Xoài)

Mango Cake is a simple yet beloved Hoi An snack, known for its soft, chewy texture and nutty sweetness. Despite its name, it contains no mango - instead, it’s named after its small, round shape, resembling a mango. Made from glutinous rice flour, peanuts, sesame, and sugar, it has a mildly sweet, nutty flavour that makes it a favourite among locals and travellers. 

Where can you find this delicious treat? We highly recommend you visit Hoi An markets to explore:

• Hoi An Market: 19 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam. Just 750m away from FUSE Old Town Hostel, a 10-min walk.
• Nguyen Hoang Night Market: Nguyen Hoang, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam 900m away from FUSE Old Town Hostel. 12-min walk. 

Enjoy A Stay At FUSE Hostels While Feasting On The Best Food In Hoi An!

At FUSE Hostel Beachside Hostel or FUSE Hostel Old Town Hostel, Hoi An’s best dishes are right at your doorstep. 

Want to dive deeper? The FUSE Food Tour takes you on a 3.5-hour journey through hidden alleys, tasting 8 traditional dishes and discovering the flavours that make Hoi An special.

For a hands-on experience, the Basket Boat & Cooking Class Tour lets you cruise through coconut groves in a bamboo boat, explore a local market, and cook Vietnamese dishes with a chef. Get in touch with us and start your Hoi An adventure!