Hong Kong’s SCMP newspaper calls Hoi An “the culinary capital of Vietnam” and suggests that visitors should try coffee, bread, and noodles when coming to this place.
SCMP offers a list of 9 must-try dishes in Hoi An. Selection criteria include: dishes with bold flavors of local culture, attractive and famous flavors.
Dumplings, cauldron cakes
The dish is also known as “white rose cake”. The crust made from rice flour has a sweet, fleshy taste, the surface of the cake is white, thin and smooth. The filling for banh vac is made from minced shrimp with pepper, onions, garlic, lemongrass and spices, and the dumplings are made from minced pork, onions, and mushrooms.
These two types of cakes are usually served together on a plate, served with salty dipping sauce and sliced chili. “The cake is greasy but very delicious,” SCMP wrote. Suggested address: White Rose Restaurant, Hai Ba Trung street. Photo: SCMP
Chicken rice
Chicken rice is a popular dish in Hoi An brought by Chinese traders and gradually popularized in the city. The dish consists of rice cooked with chicken broth, shredded chicken, served with salty sauce and green papaya, shredded carrots. The boiled chicken must be soft, the rice should be smooth and the sauce rich in flavor is what creates the appeal of the dish. Suggested address: Mrs. Buoi’s chicken rice, Phan Chu Trinh street. Photo: SCMP
Bread
Sandwiches are a popular street food in every province and city in Vietnam. In Hoi An, diners can see many restaurants selling this dish. The crust is crispy, inside is filled with pate, char siu meat, pork floss, sausage, ham, pork rolls served with sweet and sour raw vegetables. Banh Mi Phuong is a suggested destination, where the late famous chef Anthony Bourdain once visited and introduced on his show “No Reservations”. Photo: SCMP
Noodle soup
“It would be a big culinary mistake to leave Vietnam without enjoying a hearty bowl of pho, topped with herbs and meat. The clear pho broth and tender beef are what make the dish so appealing to customers.” Visitors can eat Hoi An pho at Ba Van Chicken Rice restaurant located on Phan Chu Trinh street for 40,000 VND. Photo: SCMP
Deep fried wonton
Another dish that appeared on the list was fried wonton with a crust made from flour. After deep-frying, the chef will pick them up on a plate and cover them with a layer of fresh shrimp, sweet and sour mango salad. One place that sells this dish highly appreciated by SCMP is Anio Boutique Hotel located on Le Dinh Tham Street. Photo: SCMP
Mi Quang
Quang noodle is the next dish mentioned. Flat, chewy noodles, topped with a layer of thinly sliced pork, shrimp, poop eggs and peanuts, served with sauce. One of the restaurants that is loved by international diners is Mi Quang Ong Hai, Truong Minh Luong Street. Photo: SCMP
High floor
The dish consists of noodles and grilled pork, bean sprouts and herbs, appearing in Vietnamese cuisine since the 17th century to serve luxurious guests on the upper floors of the restaurant. Today, the dish is widely sold throughout Hoi An. “Cao Lau is special because its noodles are made with water taken from a thousand-year-old well in the city, rich in calcium and extremely pure,” wrote a travel expert of the Hong Kong newspaper. Suggested address: Miss Ly Cafe, Nguyen Hue street. Photo: Di Vy
Coffee
Coffee lovers certainly can’t leave Hoi An without a cup of Vietnamese-style coffee in hand. It can be brown or black coffee, served with the addition of ice or served hot.
In addition, diners can enjoy juice or a drink made from traditional herbs, including lemon, sugar, lemongrass or with licorice, jasmine, chrysanthemum and lotus leaf, ginger. One of the suggested addresses is Mot Hoi An located in the old town area.
In the photo, locals are sipping coffee at a sidewalk shop in the Old Quarter. Photo: SCMP
Snacks
If you fancy something light, visit the street stalls in the old town to buy mango, tea or rattan nine-tiered cake. These are rustic dishes, widely sold in the old town area. Photo: Huyen Dieu
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)