Must-Try Breakfast Dishes in Hoi An: A List of Signature Options 2026

Starting a new day in the ancient town is not just about waking up; it is a journey to awaken all your senses. If the golden sunlight weaving through the mossy tiled roofs satisfies your eyes, the flavors of Hoi An's cuisine are what create the deepest "nostalgia." In 2026, no matter how modern tourism develops, the soul of a Hoi An breakfast still lies in its rustic, refined nature and rich countryside affection. Hoi An Memories Land will list the breakfast "masterpieces" that you cannot miss!

1. Popular Savory Dishes for Breakfast

People in Hoi An believe that breakfast must be "firm for the stomach" (hearty) to provide enough energy for a day of labor, so the noodle and broth dishes here are incredibly rich and varied.

1.1 Hoi An Banh Mi

It is no exaggeration to say that Banh Mi is the tourism ambassador of the ancient town. The signature baguette features two pointed ends, a crispy crust, and a dense and soft interior. In 2026, famous brands like Banh Mi Phuong or Madam Khanh still maintain their form with long lines of people queuing from early morning. The harmony of creamy pate, rich char siu (BBQ pork), Vietnamese sausage (chả lụa), and especially the secret sauce combined with Tra Que herbs creates an explosive flavor.

• Reference price: ~$1.15 – $1.75 USD/loaf.

1.2 Quang Noodles

A proper bowl of Quang Noodles for breakfast usually has very little broth—just enough to wet the noodles—but the flavor is extremely concentrated. The soft, fragrant white or turmeric-yellow rice noodles are served with river shrimp, pork, quail eggs, and indispensable crispy grilled rice crackers broken into small pieces and sprinkled on top.

• Reference price: ~$1.55 – $2.30 USD/bowl. (Special bowls can go up to ~$2.70 USD).

1.3 Cao Lau

Although often consumed at lunch, many gourmet travelers still choose Cao Lau to start their new day. The signature yellow-gray noodle strands (due to being soaked in wood ash from the Cham Islands) have a chewy texture, eaten with thinly sliced char siu and crispy fried pork skin. This is an "exclusive" dish that is hard to find with the precise, authentic flavor anywhere outside of Hoi An.

• Reference price: ~$1.55 – $2.10 USD/bowl.

>>> Local food guide: Cao Lau Hoi An – what makes it unique and where to eat like a local

1.4 Beef Noodle Soup

Unlike the Hue-style spicy beef noodle soup, Hoi An's Beef Noodle Soup features a sweet, clear broth made from slow-cooked bones. The highlight is the slices of Vietnamese beef bologna made with peppercorns, famous in the Quang Nam region, creating a very distinct sweet aftertaste.

• Reference price: ~$1.75 – $2.50 USD/bowl.

1.5 Hoi An Pho

Hoi An Pho is an interesting variation compared to Northern or Southern Pho. Hoi An Pho typically uses dried noodle sheets (bánh phở khô); when blanched in boiling water, they retain a slight chewiness. The broth is somewhat more heavily seasoned with spices, adding a bit of roasted peanuts for a fatty, nutty taste, bringing a strange yet alluring gustatory experience.

• Reference price: ~$1.75 – $2.30 USD/bowl.

2. Light and Rustic Breakfast Treats

If you want a "light stomach" breakfast to leisurely enjoy coffee and watch the streets, the street vendors are an excellent choice.

2.1 Water Fern Cakes

The image of white trays of Banh Beo (Vietnamese savory steamed rice cake) stacked on top of each other has become a symbol. The cake is steamed in small bowls, with a dimple in the center, topped with a thick, eye-catching orange shrimp and meat filling (wet filling), sprinkled with some crispy fried pork skin (dried cao lau dough) and scallion oil. Eating Banh Beo requires using a "bamboo knife," a very poetic eating culture.

• Reference price: ~$0.20 – $0.27 USD/bowl or sold by tray/platter for about ~$1.55 – $1.90 USD/tray.

2.2 Steamed Rice Rolls

These are thin, pure white sheets of steamed rice batter wrapped around fragrant lemongrass grilled meat or served with Vietnamese sausage. The dipping sauce here is not the usual sweet and sour fish sauce but is often a bean sauce or fish sauce mixed according to a special local recipe.

• Reference price: ~$1.35 – $1.90 USD/serving.

2.3 Sweet/Corn Sticky Rice

Simple and cheap, yet corn sticky rice and sweet sticky rice wrap up a whole sky of childhood memories. A package of fragrant, sticky corn sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, sprinkled with some mashed mung beans and fried shallots, or a packet of sweet sticky rice, is a quick choice for students and laborers in the ancient town.

• Reference price: ~$0.60 – $0.95 USD/pack.

3. Beverages to Pair with Breakfast

After warming your stomach, nothing is better than sipping a drink and watching the flow of people passing by.

• Traditional Coffee: Sidewalk "toad" coffee is an indispensable "specialty." A cup of black iced coffee or brown coffee (coffee with condensed milk) brewed with a phin filter is strong, bitter on the tip of the tongue but sweet in the aftertaste, enough to keep you awake all day. Traditional Coffee’s price’s from ~$0.60 – $2.30 USD/cup depending on the shop. Sidewalk prices are usually cheaper than sitting in beautifully decorated cafes.
• Salt Coffee, Coconut Coffee: Catching up with modern trends, cafes in the ancient town area in 2026 have popularized salty, creamy salt coffee or fragrant, cool coconut coffee, which is very popular with young people. Reference price about ~$1.75 – $2.50 USD/cup.
• Herbal Drinks & Plant-based Milks: Along the Hoai River in the morning, you will easily encounter vendors selling hot soy milk, corn milk, and lotus seed milk. These are wholesome, nutritious drinks that balance the palate after enjoying savory, spice-rich dishes. Reference price fluctuating from ~$0.60 – $0.95 USD/cup.

>>>  See more: Tra Mot Hoi An – The Refreshing Drink That Leaves Visitors Longing for More 

4. Top Locations for a Variety of Breakfast Options

To save time searching, pin these culinary "hubs" immediately:

• Hoi An Market (Food Court): This is a culinary "sanctuary" with countless stalls close to each other. The advantage is that you can try many dishes at the same time (from Cao Lau, Mi Quang to sweet soups) with clearly listed prices, without worrying about being overcharged.
• Along Main Streets:
  
  • Phan Chu Trinh: Dubbed the "food street" with the presence of Banh Mi Phuong, Ba Buoi Chicken Rice (selling lunch), and many heirloom noodle and pho shops.
  • Tran Phu & Ly Thuong Kiet: A place concentrating on long-standing eateries with more spacious settings.
• Small Alleys: If you want to experience the feeling of a "local," weave into the small alleys. The eateries here usually do not have large signs and serve mainly locals, so the flavors are extremely authentic and the prices are very affordable.

Breakfast in Hoi An is not merely about replenishing energy, but a journey to touch the soul of the ancient town through every rustic flavor of its famous Banh Mi, Cao Lau, or Mi Quang. Hopefully, with these detailed suggestions from Hoi An Memories Land, you will start your new day perfectly during your 2026 trip with a breakfast rich in the essence of Hoi An. Enjoy and let the cuisine here leave the most unforgettable memories within you!

See more:

>>> 9 Must-Try Old Town Dishes That Will Make You “Lose Your Way Home

>>> 20+ Must-Try Hoi An Dishes Every Traveler Should Taste