Hoi An Street Food – Find the Best Local Food Here!

Talking about Vietnamese cuisine, the flavor of Central Vietnamese dishes might be the ones that satisfy almost everyone’s tastes and preferences. Hoi An street food is definitely the article that you can’t miss out on before your upcoming trip here. 

You may find or hear about those dishes in this post anywhere in Vietnam, but Hoi An is where you find the original flavor, taste the specialties of Central Vietnam, and learn about the story behind each of the dishes you try. 

Believe me, the street food in Hoi An is delicious, and you can get it for a song! It’s so nice that you can enjoy yummy food when diving into a romantic view of colorful Hoi An lanterns!

If you’re looking to have a private Hoi An street food tour, please don’t hesitate to whatsapp us at +84 987 75 58 65 or email us at xinchao@phoebeandbesties.com for a customized private Hoi An foodie tour! 

So sit back, relax, and let the Hoi An street food tour begin! 

Hoi An Street Food – Warm Up with Small Bites

As a local, I’m so excited to show you how much I savor the food here in Hoi An, and I’m sure you will fall in love with it just after reading this article. 

There are different choices of street food in Hoi An, from the dishes served in small to large portions, from those you can enjoy for breakfast, and lunch to dinner. 

Let’s start with some snacks for your little tummy. In this session, you can find those very unique and tasty small bites of Hoi An street food. 

Hoành Thánh Chiên – Fried Wontons 

Wontons are here at the top of my recommendations because of not only their tastiness but also their interesting origins.

Wontons were one of the dishes that originated in Guangdong, China. The Chinese introduced them during their stay in Hoi An town back in the 17th century. Since then, ‌ locals have had them as a snack once in a while at family gatherings or parties. 

“Won” means “clouds”, and “ton” means “the action of swallowing”. Combining the two, “wonton” means “clouds embracing the Moon”, resembling the shape of a wonton with the yellow wrapper and the round stuffing of pork, shrimp, and vegetables in the middle.  

But what is so special about fried wonton in Hoi An? 

The original way to prepare wonton is the wonton noodle. Once introduced to Hoi An, the locals fry them, making them look like mini pizzas. 

It’s best to enjoy fried wontons smoky and hot. At any restaurant or local eateries, you may find the plate displayed beautifully with lettuce and tomatoes as the base, with the next layer as the wontons. How do you eat it? With chopsticks? Nope! Eat it like you eat a piece of pizza! 

Source: White Rose Restaurant

Following are where you can taste the best wontons in Hoi An.

• Morning Glory Original
  • Address: 106 Nguyễn Thái Học, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: 50,000 – 300,000.
• White Rose Restaurant
  • Address: 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 35,000 – 100,000.
• Hoi An Central Market
  • Address: 119 Trần Phú, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 20,000 – 50,000.

Bánh Hoa Hồng Trắng – White Rose Dumplings

Next up on the list must be Hoa Hồng Trắng – the lovely crystal white rose dumplings. This is one of the most favorite Hoi An street foods for foodies. If you ever visit Hoi An, it’s a must-try as you can find them nowhere else in Vietnam. 

It also originated in China and appeared in Hoi An around 130 years ago. It was the French who gave it the name “White Rose”. It truly looked like a huge white rose blooming with chopped chilies on top as decoration.

Let’s get behind the scenes to learn what’s so special about white rose dumplings. The thing is that there’s ONE, and only one family in Hoi An Ancient Town that has produced and maintained the tradition of making white rose dumplings by hand from generation to generation. They are the suppliers to all the food stores and restaurants in Hoi An. 

Source: White Rose Restaurant

The water from Ba Le Well is used for the dough to create the white wrapper as it’s pure and clean. The stuffing is made from pork and shrimp seasoned with onions, pepper, and salt. 

It takes around 10-15 minutes to steam and have a plate of clear white rose dumplings ready. Upon the first bite, you might find the wrapper a bit chewy, and once it cracks, there comes the juicy shrimp. Bam! You must love it.

Where can you try the dumplings in Hoi An? Considering its popularity, just enter any restaurant and eateries in the town and you can order it. 

Bánh Mì – Vietnamese Bread

Talking about Vietnamese cuisine, almost every international visitor would think about the signature “bánh mì”. You can find “bánh mì” in any town and city in Vietnam. It was even the inspiration for the Vietnamese National Costume in Miss Universe 2018. 

Source: economist.com

Everyone loves “bánh mì” as it’s convenient for take-away and there are various types of stuffing that you can choose for your preferences. 

If you miss your alarm in the morning and are rushing to work, “bánh mì” would be the first choice on the list. 5 minutes to prepare and you’re ready to go. 

Tasting “bánh mì”, your tongue will dance along with a burst of flavor in your mouth – from the crispy crust, the soft texture of “bánh mì” to the savory stuffing, usually meat and pork paste along with fresh, crunchy vegetables and a little hot and sweet chili sauce. (OHM, I could eat banh my all day!)

As you might walk a lot around to discover Hoi An, grab a “bánh mì” to give your tummy some energy. 

Even though you can find many stalls selling “bánh mì” along the streets, there are 2 famous “bánh mì” brands that are adored by anyone, even the locals like me. 

• Bánh Mì Bà Phượng – defined as the best “bánh mì” in Hoi An by Anthony Bourdain, a reputable American chef in one of the episodes of his famous foodie show – “No Reservations”. Unfortunately, the shop is temporarily closed for now and won’t open again until early 2024.
  • Address: 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 35,000 – 100,000.
• Bánh Mì Madame Khanh
  • Address: 115 Tran Cao Van Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 20,000 – 30,000.
• Bánh Mỳ Sum
  • Address:  149 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 20,000 – 50,000.
• Bánh Mỳ Chay Huynh Đệ – Vegan Bread – a really nice spot for vegan and vegetarian banh my.
  • Address: 582 Cửa Đại Street, Cẩm Châu Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 20,000 – 40,000.

Bánh Bèo – Water-Fern Cake

“Bánh bèo” – water fern cake is another familiar snack to Vietnamese people, especially those in Central Vietnam. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack. 

The portion is easily adjusted as each cake is served in a small bowl. As “bánh bèo” is a steamed cake made from rice and tapioca flour, it’s slightly chewy once served hot. 

What I love about “bánh bèo” is that I can freely choose the topping – dried shrimp or a dense orange sauce from pork, shrimp, and wood-ear mushroom. And importantly, it’s not pricey at all.

Interestingly, the locals use a wooden stick as the cutlery instead of a spoon to eat this dish. I’d recommend you to have “bánh bèo” at one of the eateries below. 

• Bánh Bèo Cô Tý
  • Address: 05 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 15,000 – 20,000.
• Bánh Bèo Cô Tú
  • Address: 77 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An.
  • Price range: VND 10,000 – 30,000. 

Thịt Nướng – Grilled Pork Skewers

One of the first dishes that comes to my mind when talking about Hoi An street food is grilled pork skewers. The most important factor that decides the quality is the marinade, and very few sellers have been able to impress me with their recipe. 

Besides the basic ingredients for BBQ, lemongrass, sesame, and galangal are the additional combination to the marinade, helping enhance the taste, eliminate the pork smell, and create a smoky, aromatic odor once the skewers are grilled. 

The sellers usually serve the skewers along with fresh herbs, rice paper, and steamed thin rice pancakes. The dipping sauce is made from soya beans, peanuts, and tapioca flour. Let me tell you a secret: Adding some sweet chili can bring your dipping sauce to the next level!  

You can enjoy the grilled pork skewers in one of the following ways: 

• Eating them directly to savor the skewers and the marinade to the fullest.
• Wrapping them with veggies and some pickles in rice paper.

I’m sure you will definitely love the dish, and it’s an ideal trick for your belly before your dinner. 

Where can you find the best skewers in town? Check those addresses below.

• Cô Lợi BBQ
  • Address: 03 Nguyễn Huệ Street, Cẩm Châu Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 15,000 – 100,000
• Bá Lễ Well Restaurant
  • Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 15,000 – 45,000.

Bò Lá Lốt – Grilled Beef Wrapped in Piper Lolot Leaves

“Bò” means beef, and “lá lốt” is piper lolot leaves. You may imagine how the rolls are made based on what they’re called.

The dish is favored for not only its delicious taste and juiciness but also for its positive health impacts. 

Source: vickypham.com

I’m in love with “bò lá lốt” because of how healthy it is, and I don’t feel fat or greasy when enjoying it. The minced beef is marinated with garlic, shallots, and other spices.

The meat is then rolled in piper lolot leaves. The wraps are folded to secure the meat and grilled directly on fire. To avoid getting the rolls burnt and too dry, the tip is to flip the rolls once in a while. 

Even though “bò lá lốt” is a popular dish in Southern Vietnam, the Central Vietnamese seasonings really make the rolls different. You can grab some skewers at one of the following restaurants: 

• Tam Tam Jardin Restaurant & Cafe
  • Address: 121 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 100,000.
• Bá Lễ Well Restaurant
  • Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 15,000 – 45,000.

Hến Xào – Clam Salad

Looking to branch out your taste buds beyond the basis? I’m sure this dish will hit your spot! 

A signature dish in Central Vietnam that wins the love of any traveler to Hoi An is clam salad. To make it clear, the clams mentioned here are from freshwater and are very tiny. (Yup! You can’t even see them!)

To remove the fishy odor, the sellers stir-fry the clams with fried shallots, coriander, and onions, then top the plate with roasted peanuts. 

To ensure it’s safe for your sensitive tummy, the chili, ginger chili fish sauce, and “rau răm” (Vietnamese coriander or laksa leaves) are added to balance out the natural “yang” in clams. 

This is how you can enjoy the dish – take a piece of cracker to scoop the clams and put some chili above. The first impression is the crispy part of the cracker, and then the crumbiness as well as the chewiness of the clams that soften in your mouth. 

You can find the clam salad at any shop on Cam Nam Island, but here are the 2 shops that I’d suggest. Usually, they will sell Bánh Đập (smashing cakes) and Chè Bắp (corn sweet soup) along with the clam salad. Bánh Đập (smashing cakes) is specifically served with pungent fermented fish sauce.

Are you an adventurous eater? Give the dish a try! 

• Bến Tre
  • Address: 98/1 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 30,000.
• Cẩm Nam
  • Address: 99 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 35,000.

Da Heo Trộn – Pork Rind Salad

Last but not least, this is my favorite of all, when I’m craving for some “cheers and beers” – pork rind salad. Sounds fatty? Yeepy, but it’s not as fat as you think.

The main ingredient is certainly the boiled pork rind. It’s sliced into thin strings and marinated with fish sauce, chili, and garlic. While waiting for the rind to absorb the sauce, the seller will prepare other ingredients. 

The green veggies used for the salad are sliced papaya and mint. The heart and soul of this dish is the fish sauce. It’s blended with chili, garlic, fresh water, and sugar, then topped off with a squeeze of lime to balance the saltiness, sweetness, and sourness out! 

It’s mixing time! In the last step, you can choose to add some other toppings such as dried squid or unicorn filefish. The mixture is served with crackers for scooping. 

Source: Quán Hiệp

What makes you addicted to this dish? Shout out to the chewiness of the pork rind, the crunchiness of the papaya, and the light aroma of herbs.  

In Hoi An, my one and only recommended place to have this salad is Quán Hiệp at 123 Nguyen Truong To Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. The price is around VND 30,000 per dish for pork rind salad, and there are other cheap eats that you can try out there, too. 

Fill Your Belly with Hoi An Street Foods

Is your tummy screaming? In this session, I’ll introduce to you the top 4 Hoi An street foods as the main courses for your day. 

Bánh Xèo – Vietnamese Pancakes

First thing first, you may hear about “bánh xèo” when searching for Vietnamese food. However, there are variants of this Vietnamese pancake in different regions.

In Hoi An, you may find the size of “bánh xèo” smaller than those in Southern Vietnam. “Bánh xèo” base is made from rice flour mixed with eggs for the rich flavor, and turmeric for the light yellow color. 

The stuffing of “bánh xèo” consists of pork, shrimp, chopped green onion, and bean sprouts. If you want to prepare it yourself, you can add any additional toppings as you prefer. 

Source: culaochamtourist.vn

The tip while cooking “bánh xèo” is to maintain a strong fire so that the stuffing is cooked properly and the base is crunchy. 

“Bánh xèo” is food for rolling, so you can wrap it in a sheet of rice paper, add veggies, papaya and carrot pickles, and wrap it beautifully. The dipping sauce can be made from peanuts or fish sauce. 

In Hoi An, you can find “bánh xèo” at almost any Vietnamese restaurant, food shop, or market. Below are my recommended restaurants for “bánh xèo” in Hoi An. 

• Hải Đảo Hội An
  • Address: 160 Ly Thai To Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 20,000 – 40,000.
• Bánh Xèo Cô Anh Sông Hoài
  • Address: 59/32 18 Thang 8 Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 10,000 – 30,000.

“Cao Lầu” Noodles

“Cao lau” is an iconic dish of Hoi An with a remarkable flavor that will surely impress you on the first taste. It was introduced to Hoi An when the Chinese migrated to Vietnam in the 17th century. Some even nickname it as “Vietnamese Udon Noodles” due to the thick, chewy, and smoky texture. 

The water used for making the noodle string is taken from Ba Le Well – a 1000-year-old well boasting its uniquely water freshness. That’s why even though you can find “cao lau” noodles in other cities like Ho Chi Minh or even Danang, I’m sure the taste isn’t the same. Perhaps it’s the noodles, or that the recipe’s adjusted to the preferences of the locals.

A full bowl of “cao lau” noodles includes raw veggies and bean sprouts as the base, the noodles are topped with pieces of char siu pork, fried “cao lau” ‌crackers, and very little broth. 

You can have “cao lau” for breakfast, lunch or dinner – any main course of the day. As many families are selling “cao lau” in Hoi An, you can find it anywhere in the town. Don’t forget to add these delicious noodles to must-try on your trip to Hoi An!

The best places to savor this yummy “cao lau” are:

• Cao Lầu Thanh – for breakfast and lunch
  • Address: 26 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 30,000 – 35,000.
• Cao Lầu Ông Tý – for dinner
  • Address: 71 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 30,000 – 35,000.

Mỳ Quảng – Quang Noodles

If it’s your first time in Vietnam, you may mistake Quang noodles for “cao lau” because of how similar they look, however, they are 2 different dishes. While the “cao lau” string is a bit thick and chewy, the string of Quang noodles is flat, light, tender, and smooth. 

Quang noodles are served with toppings such as pork, braised shrimp, beef, or chicken. My favorite is chicken My Quang with bite-sized quail eggs, simmered for hours in the rich, buttery broth from peanuts and shrimp to soak up all the tasty flavor. The broth is poured over the noodles until it covers nearly half the bowl.

The layers from ‌top to bottom are as follows: fried crackers, fried peanuts, toppings, noodles, and vegetables. It’s best to mix them well, so you can find out how the taste of each blends in and supports the other. 

Like “cao lau”, it’s not difficult to find a good restaurant for Quang noodles in Hoi An. Here are my recommendations for you. 

• Dì Hát
  • Address: 69 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 15,000 – 25,000.
• Ông Hai
  • Address: 6A Truong Minh Luong Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An. 
  • Price range: VND 15,000 – 40,000.

Cơm Gà Hội An – Hoi An Styled Chicken Rice

What’s so special about Hoi An chicken rice to be recommended? The dish is the culture, the living style of Hoianian, and the original ingredients from the ancient town that make the difference. 

The rice is cooked with turmeric and chicken broth to create a shiny yellow color. “Free-range” chickens are used, so the meat’s very juicy and tender, not like the taste of industrial ones.

Chickens are boiled, then shredded, and mixed with pepper, chili, and spices. A plate of chicken is served with rice at the base and the chicken on top along with some herbs and pickles. 

Side dishes include a bowl of savory chicken broth simmered for hours and a plate of unique chicken blood cubes and intestine sauce, which is the signature of Hoi An chicken rice. 

Pour the sauce over the rice, squeeze some lime, and mix well. You can add the traditional sweet chili sauce of Hoi An for some boost in your appetite. 

Source: comgabangahoian

You can find many chicken rice restaurants on Phan Chu Trinh Street, but the most popular must be Ba Buoi’s Chicken Rice at 22 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An. If it’s too crowded on the date, you can try chicken rice at Ty Chicken Rice at 27 Phan Chu Trinh Street. 

Freshen Your Taste Buds with Desserts

It’s time to throw yourself into the sweet and delicate Hoi An desserts. 

Chè – Sweet Soup

You can find several sweet soups sold in shoulder yokes near An Hoi Bridge in the center of Hoi An ancient town. 

Source: culaochamtourist.vn

There is a range of sweet soups to choose from – beans, lotus seeds, or even black sesame. You can also try it hot or cold, and it is delicious in a different way. 

I’m really into sweet soups and sometimes I just have it as a favorite snack as it’s very cheap to get one. 

Đậu Hũ – Sweat and Creamy Tofu 

Another favorite dessert of mine is tofu, and I’m sure you’ll love it because of how light, soft, creamy, and healthy it is. 

It’s made from tofu, obviously, then ginger caramel and coconut milk are added for the light sweetness. Tofu can be served hot or cold, but why not try both?

Source: chudu24.com

You can find tofu at any sweet soup shop or along Hoai River.

Kem Ống – Ice Cream Tube

Ice cream tubes are the sweat treat of my childhood. I usually had 1 or 2 on my way home almost every day after school. 

You can choose vanilla, chocolate, red bean, mung bean, or durian ice cream tubes – whichever you prefer. My favorite is coconut always, yay!

Source: Alongwalker

This is the surprising part! It’s only VND 10,000 per tube, so you may spend more than just that amount, I think. 

Because this kind of ice cream is frozen by ice manually without any machine, you can enjoy the very authentic taste of pure cream. 

Tips to Enjoy Hoi An Street Food to the Fullest!

Hoi An is accessible by car or motorbike, except for the walking streets in the ancient town. But I’d highly recommend you take a walk around Hoi An to blend yourself with the peaceful vibe of the town, watch the beautiful architecture of old houses, and take a break at a food shop that you find interesting on your way. 

Hoi An Market

If you’re too lazy to get to a specific restaurant for food, there are 2 large markets that sell every type of traditional Hoi An dish – Hoi An Central Market in the morning and afternoon, and Hoi An Night Market in the evening. 

When the Central Market is closed in the late afternoon, food shops in the surroundings are open for the evening, especially in the area along the Hoai River. 

The Night Market is much livelier as it’s right at the center of Hoi An Ancient Town with a lot of entertainment activities and restaurants. 

Make Your Tummy Happy with Phoebe and Besties!

Do you know that Hoi An is the food heaven in Central Vietnam?

Phoebe and Besties are here for you if you’re looking for food tips in Hoi An, especially Hoi An street food. As a local, I’m here to spread my love of Hoi An to you. If Hoi An is your destination on the list, don’t forget to ping me! I’ll be happy to be your companion.

Frequently Asked Questions