What to eat in Hoi An for less than $2? 20+ Must-Try food specialties in the Ancient Town

In this article, Hoi An Memories Land will introduce 20+ Hoi An foods that you must try when visiting the ancient town. If you don't know what to eat in Hoi An, let's take a look now!

1. 20+ must-try Hoi An food for tourists 

1.1 Quang Noodle - The irresistible dish of Hoi An

When mentioning Hoi An food, the must-try dish is Quang noodles. Quang noodles usually have many types for people to choose from depending on their preferences such as Quang noodles with pork, Quang noodles with shrimp, Quang noodles with snakehead fish, Quang noodles with beef, Quang noodles with chicken (sometimes served with boiled eggs depending on the taste of the eater), etc. all served with broth is stewed from pork bones. Normally, the broth of Quang noodles is very little, creating the feeling of enjoying a mixed dish. In particular, the taste of Quang noodles will be even more attractive when combined with roasted peanuts, rice crackers, fresh herbs, fried onions, and more. The price of Quang noodles ranges from 25,000 - 40,000 VND (about $1 - $1.60 USD) per bowl, depending on the establishment.

Address of delicious Quang noodles in Hoi An:

• Aunt Hat’s Quang Noodles: 4 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 15,000 – 25,000 VND (about $0.60 - $1 USD)

• Mr. Hai's Quang Noodles: 6A Truong Minh Luong, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 15,000 – 40,000 VND (about $0.60 - $1.60 USD)

• Mrs. Minh's Quang Noodles: Cam Ha, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 25,000 – 50,000 VND (about $1 - $2 USD)

Famous Quang noodles in Hoi An

1.2 Vietnamese thick noodle soup

Vietnamese thick noodle soup, or Bánh Canh, is a dish found in many provinces across Vietnam but stands out in Hoi An due to its unique flavor and variety. Versions include crab, pork knuckle, and fish cake noodle soups. Prices typically range from 15,000 - 60,000 VND (about $0.60 - $2.50 USD) depending on the version.

Addresses of delicious Vietnamese thick noodle soup in Hoi An:

• Mrs. Quyt’s Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup: 51 Thanh Hoa, Tan An, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 30,000 - 60,000 VND (about $1.20 - $2.50 USD)

• Mrs. Luon’s Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup: 276 Ly Thuong Kiet, Minh An, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 15,000 - 35,000 VND (about $0.60 - $1.40 USD)

1.3 Wontons is a Hoi An specialty

Originally from China, wonton has gradually adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes over time and has become a famous Hoi An food. The filling of wonton is quite diverse, including shrimp, pork, wood ear mushrooms, mushrooms, etc. The wrapper is meticulously thin, carrying the flavor of rice. Wontons can be steamed or fried depending on individual preferences.

The price ranges from 30,000 - 80,000 VND (about $1.20 - $3.30 USD) depending on the filling and preparation style.

Addresses of popular wonton eateries in Hoi An:

Anh Ba’s Wonton Noodles: 109 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 30,000 - 60,000 VND (about $1.20 - $2.50 USD)

Nguyen Loi Noodle Shop: 78 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 30,000 - 70,000 VND (about $1.20 - $2.90 USD)

Hoang Ky Wonton Noodles: 67 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An City.

- Price range: 35,000 - 80,000 VND (about $1.40 - $3.30 USD)

>>> Discover more: A Food Lover's Paradise with 15+ Must-Try Spots On Hoi An

1.4 Steamed rice rolls with grilled pork - The Quintessence of Hoi An food

Despite being a simple street food dish, Steamed rice rolls with grilled pork in Hoi An is revered as a culinary icon. To create the delicious specialty properly, the chef must skillfully choose fresh and flavorful pork, and marinate it with a blend of spices including five-spice powder, shallots, and lemongrass. The pork used with Hoi An steamed rice is typically thinly sliced pork belly, skewered, and grilled over charcoal. After the steamed rice is thinly coated and set aside to cool, a sprinkle of sesame seeds is added to enhance its aroma. A delightful street food dish, the price for steamed rice rolls with grilled pork in Hoi An is typically 6,000 - 45,000 VND (about $0.25 - $1.80 USD) depending on the amount and quality of the pork skewers.

Here are some addresses for where to find delicious steamed rice rolls with grilled pork in Hoi An:

• Mrs. Huong

- Address: 31 Tieu La, Minh An, Hoi An

- Price Range: 6,000 - 30,000 VND (about $0.25 - $1.20 USD)

• Mrs. Hoi's steamed rice tool with grilled pork

- Address: 3 Nguyen Hue, Hoi An

- Price Range: 7,000 - 9,000 VND per skewer (about $0.30 - $0.40 USD)

• Ba Le Well

- Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao, Minh An, Hoi An

- Price Range: 15,000 - 45,000 VND (about $0.30 - $0.40 USD)

Steamed rice roll with grilled pork in Hoi An

1.5 White Rose - a Hoi An food

When it comes to street food in Hoi An, one cannot overlook the dish called "White Rose". Wrapped delicately, White Rose features a thin layer covering the filling of shrimp and pork, shaped into gentle and cozy flower-like forms. This dish not only embodies a modern touch but also preserves traditional flavors, earning high praise from many travelers. White Rose dumplings are a famous Hoi An specialty with prices ranging from 50,000 - 100,000 VND (about $2 - $4 USD) per serving.

Recommended places to try White Rose in Hoi An:

• White Rose Restaurant

- Address: 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City

• Hoi An Market Area

1.6 Hoi An Food - Beo cake

Beo cake stands out as one of Hoi An's specialties, evoking memorable experiences for many tourists. Each small bowl contains a part of the cake made from rice flour, filled with a combination of shrimp and pork. The essence of Beo cake lies in its dipping sauce, which strikes a perfect balance between sourness, sweetness, and saltiness. Prices are typically 3,000 - 5,000 VND (about $0.10 - $0.20 USD) per bowl.

Recommended places to try Beo cake in Hoi An:

• Mrs. Bay’s Beo cake

- Address: 2 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An City

- Price: From 3,000 VND per bowl (about $0.10 USD)

• Mrs. My’s Beo cake

- Address: End of Tran Phu Street, adjacent to Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An City

- Price: From 3,000 VND per bowl (about $0.10 USD)

1.7. Hoi An Pancake - A Taste of Childhood in Hoi An food

Hoi An Pancake is a renowned dish on the culinary map of Hoi An ancient town. With its crispy golden crust, tender meat and soft shrimp filling, eaten with sweet and sour fish sauce or broth, all blend together to create a unique flavor for this dish. The highlight of this dish is undoubtedly the dipping sauce. There are two common types of dipping sauce: fish sauce and broth. The broth part is meticulously prepared, and not easily replicated everywhere, including ground peanuts, sesame seeds, and boiled pork liver. Hoi An Pancake, known for its crispy texture, is available at many eateries for 15,000 - 44,000 VND (about $0.60 - $1.80 USD) per portion.

Addresses for delicious pancake in Hoi An:

• Ba Le Well’s Hoi An Pancake 

- Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An City

- Price range: 15,000 - 44,000 VND/portion (about $0.60 - $1.80 USD)

• Island’s Hoi An Pancake

- Address: 409 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Son Ward, Hoi An City

- Price range: 20,000 - 40,000 VND/portion (about $0.80 - $1.60 USD)

>>> See more: Top 5 must-try sweet soups for tourists visiting Hoi An

Hoi An Pancake is a renowned dish on the culinary map of the ancient town

1.8. Hoi An Banh Mi - a Hoi An delicacy famous around the world

Hoi An Banh Mi, a beloved street food, is made from thick bread, with a hot and crispy outer crust. The Banh Mi is baked with butter in the oven, creating a very eye-catching shiny golden color. The filling of the Banh Mi is made from sauce, char siu, pate, sausage, cheese, and raw vegetables. The char siu is marinated according to a secret recipe, making it perfectly cooked, tender, and with a tempting sweet aroma. To not make people feel heavy, Hoi An Banh Mi is often accompanied by some green vegetables and papaya salad. This Hoi An food is very affordable, ranging from 15,000 - 35,000 VND (about $0.60 - $1.40 USD) depending on the ingredients.

Addresses for delicious Banh Mi in Hoi An:

• Mrs. Bua’s Banh Mi

- Address: 117 Nguyen Truong To Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City

- Price: From 15,000 VND/loaf (about $0.60 USD)

• Mrs. Lanh’s Hoi An Banh Mi

- Address: 430 Cua Dai Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City

- Price: From 20,000 VND/loaf (about $0.80 USD)

1.9 Hoi An Food - Bao Buns 

Food enthusiasts visiting Hoi An will surely be familiar with bao buns. These belong to the family of Chinese dim sum. The main ingredients include white sticky rice, with finely ground shrimp filling. Especially when paired with sweet and sour fish sauce, tourists will experience layers of different flavors spreading in their mouths, both familiar and uniquely exotic. Bao buns are carefully wrapped to the extent that many foreign tourists refer to them as "white rose cakes" of Hoi An. The price ranges from 50,000 - 100,000 VND (about $2.10 - $4.20 USD) per dish.

Recommended places to try delicious Bao buns in Hoi An:

• Trong Com Restaurant

- Address: 92 Bach Dang Street, Hoi An City

- Price range: 50,000 - 100,000 VND per dish

• Trung Bac Restaurant - Cao Lau White Rose

- Address: 87 Tran Phu, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City

- Price range: 50,000 - 100,000 VND per dish

>>> Explore more: How does food define Hoi An Memories Land?

1.10 Hoi An crushed rice cracker

Like its name, when enjoying crushed rice crackers, you need to use your hand to press down the middle part of the cake until it breaks into many pieces. After that, you can separate small pieces and eat them with dipping sauce. The dipping sauce of this dish is made from seasoned fish sauce with the main ingredients being onions and anchovies. You can eat your fill of crushed rice crackers at a very reasonable price, only 20,000 - 25,000 VND (about. $0.85 - $1.05).

Recommended places to try delicious crushed rice crackers in Hoi An:

• Cam Nam Eatery - Famous Hoi An Smashed Rice Cake Eatery

- Address: 679 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An City

- Price range: 15,000 - 50,000 VND (depending on filling) (about $0.65 - $2.10)

• Ba Gia’s crushed rice crackers

- Address: Hamlet 1, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An City

- Price range: 20,000 - 25,000 VND (about $0.85 - $1.05)

 Crushed rice crackers - a specialty of Hoi An food

1.11 Hoi An Chicken Rice

Hoi An Chicken Rice is one of the specialties of Hoi An food that you must try. The delicious flavor of Hoi An chicken rice comes from rice cooked in chicken broth, along with tender boiled chicken shredded into small pieces, all neatly arranged on a plate and beautifully garnished with fresh greens. When enjoying it, you can add chili sauce or the distinctive chili fish sauce here to fully appreciate the wonderful flavor of this chicken rice dish. The price ranges from 30,000 - 50,000 VND (about $1.25 - $2.10 USD) per dish.

Recommended places to enjoy delicious chicken rice in Hoi An:

• Mrs. Buoi's Chicken Rice

- Address: 22 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An City

- Price: From 35,000 VND and up (about $1.50)

• Mrs. Ho's Chicken Rice

- Address: 16 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Hoi An City

- Price range: From 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND (about $1.25 - $2.10)

>> Explore here: Save & Savor: Top 10 Chicken Rice restaurants in Hoi An

1.12 Hoi An Cao Lau

Cao Lau, one of Vietnam's greatest culinary treasures and recognized by the Asia Book of Records as one of the top 10 dishes of Asian culinary value, is a must-try when it comes to Hoi An food. This iconic dish features yellow noodles made with ash from a local tree, giving them their distinctive texture and color. The noodles are topped with succulent shrimp, savory pork, crisp fresh greens, and a drizzle of flavorful broth. The combination of textures and tastes – from the chewy noodles to the sweet, sour, and spicy toppings – creates a culinary experience that embodies the essence of Hoi An food. You can enjoy a delicious bowl of Cao Lau for about 20,000 - 50,000 VND (about $0.85 - $2.10 USD), making it not only a flavorful treat but also an affordable one.

Top 3 famous Cao Lau eateries in Hoi An:

• Trung Bac Hoi An Cao Lau Restaurant

- Address: 87 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam

- Price range: 30,000 VND – 50,000 VND (about $1.25 - $2.10)

• Thanh’s Cao Lau Restaurant

- Address: 26 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam

- Price range: 30,000 VND – 50,000 VND (about $1.25 - $2.10)

• Ms. Be's Hoi An Cao Lau Restaurant

- Address: 19 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam

- Price range: 20,000 VND – 44,000 VND (about $0.85 - $1.80)

1.13 Mussel Rice

Hoi An Mussel Rice is prepared in a unique style, with mussels having a sweet taste without any fishy smell. The unique flavor of Mussel Rice will surely attract you at first sight. Usually, Mussel Rice is accompanied by fresh vegetables made from thinly sliced banana blossoms, fresh herbs, pineapple, banana stems, chopped star fruits to enhance the rich flavor. The price ranges from 7,000 - 25,000 VND (about $0.30 - $1.05 USD) per dish.

Recommended places to enjoy delicious Mussel Rice in Hoi An:

• Co Ngay Restaurant

- Address: 76 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An City

- Price range: 7,000 VND – 15,000 VND

• Ba Gia’s Stir-fried Mussel Restaurant

- Address: Hamlet 1, Cam Nam Commune, Hoi An City

- Price range: 20,000 VND – 25,000 VND

Mussel Rice - a specialty of Hoi An not to be missed

1.14 Hoi An broken rice - Hoi An delicious dish that makes many tourists fall in love

If you don't know what to eat in Hoi An, try broken rice in Hoi An. Known as the quintessence of Central cuisine, Hoi An broken rice has a special flavor that tourists will remember long after the first taste. A savory dish that typically costs 25,000 - 40,000 VND (about  $1.05 - $1.70), with diverse side options. In addition to broken rice and egg dishes, you can also choose from many other diverse dishes such as braised meat with eggs, grilled chicken thighs and bone soup.

Addresses of delicious broken rice in Hoi An:

• Moc’s Hoi An broken rice

- Address: No. 210A Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoi An City

- Price: 50,000 VND/serving (about $2.10)

• Thang Bom’s Hoi An broken rice

- Address: No. 623 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An City

- Price ranges: 30,000 - 60,000 VND/serving (about $1.25 - $2.50)

1.15 Hoi An Specialty - Sweet Soups

Sweet soups are popular in Hoi An, from small alleys, main streets, shops to street vendors. It must be said that Hoi An has many types of sweet soup with very delicious flavors. Enjoy the sweet variety of soups available throughout Hoi An, typically priced between 10,000 - 15,000 VND (about $0.40 - $0.65). Some unique types of sweet soup that you should enjoy in Hoi An are:Red beans sweet gruel

• Hoi An sweet lotus seed gruel

• Xi sweet gruel

• Corn sweet gruel

• black sesame seeds gruel

Addresses of delicious sweet soup in Hoi An:

• Mrs. Le’s Thung sweet gruel

- Address: No. 369 Cua Dai Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City

- Price ranges: 10,000 VND - 15,000 VND (about $0.40 - $0.65)

• Lotus seed sweet soup in the ancient town

- Address: No. 1 Hoang Van Thu, Hoi An City

- Price ranges: 10,000 VND - 15,000 VND (about $0.40 - $0.65)

>>> More experience: Sweet Soup Tour of Hoi An: Savor Unforgettable Flavors

1.16 Hoi An specialty - Mrs. Sau’s mixed sweet soup

Tucked away on a bustling street, Mrs. Sau's sweet soup stall is a hidden gem in the world of Hoi An food. Its unassuming charm, with simple tables and chairs, captivates passersby and draws in a steady stream of customers.

Mrs. Sau's menu boasts a tempting array of sweet soups, each a unique and delicious representation of Hoi An food. Whether it's a chilly winter evening or a scorching summer day, the stall ensures your sweet soup is served at the perfect temperature. Savor a warm bowl to banish the winter chill, or indulge in a refreshing cup to beat the summer heat – either way, you'll be delighted by the rich, pure flavors that are a hallmark of Hoi An.

With its delicious offerings, affordable prices, and warm hospitality, Mrs. Sau's is a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of authentic Hoi An food and a nostalgic journey back to childhood.

Price range: 15,000 - 30,000 VND/bowl (about $0.60 - $1.20 USD, depending on the exchange rate).

1.17 Mot Tea

The recipe for Mot tea is very simple, just add a bit of ginger and lemongrass to herbal tea and you have a refreshing and healthy drink. Mot tea is a specialty of Hoi An that many tourists love because of its simple and rustic appearance, yet its gentle fragrance helps relieve all the tension for travelers.

- Address: 150 Tran Phu, Hoi An City

- Price ranges: From 12,000 - 50,000 VND/portion (about $0.50 - $2.00 USD)

>>> Discover more: Top 9 classic cafes to check in Hoi An

Mot Tea - Herbal drink in Hoi An that tourists must try

1.18 Green Bean Cakes - Impressive Hoi An Delicacy

Green bean cakes filled with pork are a quintessential Hoi An food experience, a delectable souvenir capturing the town's rich culinary heritage. These exquisite treats, a must-try for any visitor exploring Hoi An food, come in two varieties – dried and wet – both beautifully crafted and bursting with flavor. With each bite, you'll experience a harmonious blend of savory pork fat and the sweet, refreshing essence of green beans, creating a truly memorable gastronomic journey that showcases the best of Hoi An food.

Address:

• Mrs. Lieu’s green bean cake: 513 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An City
• Mau Trinh’s green bean cake: 21 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City
• Thanh Huong’s green bean cake: 115 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An City

Price fluctuation:

• Dried green bean cake: 40,000 - 60,000 VND/box (200g) (about $1.60 - $2.40 USD)
• Wet green bean cake: 30,000 - 40,000 VND/box (200g) (about $1.20 - $1.60 USD)

>>> Read more: 24-Hour Hoi An Itinerary: Discover 5 Fascinating Destinations

1.19 Peach Wine

Peach Wine is a signature drink of Hoi An, renowned for its robust and fragrant flavor. The wine is brewed from cooked rice, mixed with yeast leaves, and left to ferment in jars for about a week. Afterward, thinly sliced ripe peaches are added and left to ferment for an additional 100 days, imparting a unique flavor to the wine. Hoi An locals often use Peach Wine as an appetizer or enjoy it with friends on special occasions.

Address:

• Tra Que Vegetable Village, Hoi An City
• Hoi An Market: Tran Phu, Hoi An City
• Hoi An specialty stores

Price ranges: 150,000 - 200,000 VND/bottle (about $6.00 - $8.00 USD)

1.20 Vietnamese traditional cupcake

Vietnamese traditional cupcakes are a rustic but essential delicacy when visiting Hoi An. The cake boasts a beautiful golden hue, made from wheat flour, chicken eggs, and some traditional spices. When savored, you'll taste the rich aroma of eggs, the chewy texture of wheat flour, and the sweet essence of sugar. Enjoying Vietnamese traditional cupcake with hot tea is a fantastic experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the flavors of Hoi An's streets.

Address:

• Ba Huong’s Vietnamese traditional cupcake: 14 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City
• Mrs. Be’s Vietnamese traditional cupcake and Beo Cake: 15/28 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City
• Cam Nam’s Vietnamese traditional cupcake: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Hoi An City

Price ranges: 20,000 - 30,000 VND/box (about $0.80 - $1.20 USD)

>>> Find out more: 15 Hidden Gems and Thrilling Adventures in Hoi An

1.21 Rice dumpling cake - Delicious Hoi An food that you'll be addicted to

Rice dumpling cake is a simple gift but it carries the distinctive flavors of Hoi An. For just 15,000 VND (about $0.60 USD), you can enjoy a full serving of cake filled with shrimp and green bean filling, served with cut sausage, sour spring rolls and sprinkled with sweet and sour fish sauce.

Each tiny, transparent cake hides either a filling of red shrimp or rich green beans. When you take a bite, you will feel the toughness and flexibility of the crust mixed with the sweetness of the filling, the greasy taste of sausage, the sour and spicy taste of spring rolls and the harmonious sweet and sour taste of fish sauce. All create an unforgettable culinary experience.

Rice dumpling cake not only delights the taste buds but also carries the cultural value of the people of Hoi An. This dish is often sold on street food stalls along the roadside, adding a distinctive touch to the culinary scene of the ancient town.

Address:

• Mrs. Xe’s rice dumpling cake: 47/5 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City
• Mrs. Be’s rice dumpling cake and Beo cake: 15/28 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An City
• Hoi An market’s rice dumpling cake: Tran Phu, Hoi An City

Price ranges: 15,000 - 20,000 VND/plate (about $0.60 - $0.80 USD)

Note: All VND to USD conversions are approximate and based on the exchange rate of 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND. Prices may vary slightly depending on market fluctuations.

2. Create your own Hoi An "specialties" with the Cooking Class program at Hoi An Memories Land

In order to help tourists "touch" closer to the life of residents, Hoi An Memories Land has offered a Cooking Class program with many interesting activities. Accordingly, cooking classes at Hoi An Memories Land include two packages are sold as follows:

2.1 Market package: 569,000 VND/GUEST ($23.40 USD per guest)

Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (daily)

Location: An Bistro Restaurant

Means of transportation: Electric car, bicycle or boat

The menu includes: Fresh spring rolls with shrimp and meat; Seafood pancakes; Cao Lau

Activities: Visit the market, explore Vietnamese cuisine with attractive dishes and cook with chefs of Hoi An Memories Land, then enjoy the meal.

After completion, tourists will also be issued a certificate by Hoi An Memories Land.

2.2 Package without going to the market: 429,000 VND/GUEST ($17.60 USD per guest)

• Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (daily)
• Location: An Bistro Restaurant
• The menu includes: Fresh spring rolls with shrimp and meat; Seafood pancakes; Cao Lau
• Activity: Cook with Hoi An Memories Land's chef, then enjoy the meal. Upon completion, tourists will also be issued a certificate by Hoi An Memories Land.

>> Registration link: https://www.facebook.com/memoriesland.hoian 

The Hoi An cooking classes at Hoi An Memories Land provide an immersive experience for visitors seeking to delve deeper into the heart of local cuisine. Under the expert guidance of local chefs, participants will learn the secrets of preparing iconic Hoi An food specialties like Cao Lau and Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes).

The Hoi An cooking classes at Hoi An Memories Land offer more than just a meal; they provide a deeper understanding of Hoi An's culinary heritage and a chance to connect with the land and its people through food.

Experience the interesting cooking classes of Hoi An Memories Land

Conclusion

Hoi An cuisine is incredibly rich and diverse. Therefore, if you're on a short trip, it might be challenging to try all the delicious dishes here. With this article, Hoi An Memories Land hopes to introduce you to some outstanding Hoi An food that you can prioritize tasting if you don't have much time in this ancient city. Wishing you a memorable vacation in Hoi An.