I know it sounds funny because – really – they have nothing in common, but when it comes to food, Hoi An reminds me of Rome: the food is completely approachable to foreigners, and it is difficult to find a bad meal. Since arriving in here, our days have been planned around eating, and each tasty bite has been superb.
So far, my favorite local Hoi An specialties are Cao Lau, Quang Nam and White Rose. Cao Lau, served in a bowl, consists of yellow noodles, succulent marinated pork, croutons – crispy fried squares of rice noodle – and fresh herbs such as mint, lettuce and water cress. Quang nam is similar with white noodles, shrimp, pork and the same ubiquitous fresh herbs. White Rose, a local treat, is comprised of a small bundles of rice noodles topped by a shrimp and awash in crispy slices of fried shallot. Mouth-watering delicacies all.
We’ve also found the more familiar Vietnamese dishes such as steamed and fried spring rolls stuffed with fresh vegetables, pork, shrimp and herbs, depending on which version you order. The lemon grass beef and beef in a vine (one of my favorites) were delicious.
As a former French colony, Vietnam offers an amazing cup of coffee – and it is served with flaky pan au chocolat, a simple butter crescent, or a baguette. The best news of all is that a meal for three – with one exception of the “nicest” restaurant in town – costs approximately $15. Here are some photographs to tempt your palate. In order they are White Rose, Cao Lao, spring rolls, beef in vine, traditional Vietnamese coffee, crescents, and baguettes on the back of a motorbike.
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Hoi An (you never know!), restaurants we especially enjoyed were Morning Glory, Dao Thien, and Hai Café. Hai Café was our favorite boasting street food delivered in a restaurant setting. Brother Café claimed to offer the most beautiful setting in Hoi An. It may be, with its river views and beautiful French colonial style building; however, the food was no better than the other restaurants we tried and five times more expensive.
Morning Glory
106 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Hoi An, Vietnam
Tel. (84-510) 324-1555
Hai Café
98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Hoi An
Tel. (0510)3 863 210
Dao Tien
21 Phan Boi Chau Street
Tel 0510 914 996
Brother’s Café
27-29-31 Phan boi Chau Street
Hoi An
Tel. (84 510)3 914 150
Memory Café (located in Ha An Hotel)
06-08 Phan Boi Chau Street
Hoi An
Tel. (0510) 386-3126