Hoi An Street Food: What to Eat on a Walking Tour
What to eat in Hoi An: banh mi, cao lau, com ga, BBQ pork rolls and banh bot loc, how an evening street food walking tour works, and tips for eating well.
By AmGo Travel5 min read
Hoi An street food is one of the best reasons to stay an extra night in the old town. Many of the town's best-loved dishes are sold from small stalls and family shops rather than restaurants, and the names on the signs can be hard to decode on your own. This guide explains what to eat in Hoi An, from banh mi and cao lau to chicken rice and rice dumplings, how an evening street food walking tour works, and a few tips for eating well, from the AmGo Travel team of Vietnamese trip planners and guides.
What makes Hoi An's food different
Hoi An was a busy trading port for centuries, and its kitchen still feels like a crossroads. Some dishes are found all over Vietnam, but made here in a local style; others, like cao lau, are tied so closely to the town that you rarely see them anywhere else. Much of the best food is cheap, quick and eaten on small plastic stools, which is exactly why it is easier with someone who knows where to go.
The dishes to look for
Banh mi
The Vietnamese baguette, split and filled with fresh ingredients. Hoi An's banh mi is famous across the country, and many travellers say it is the best they have had in Vietnam. Each stall has its own mix of fillings, sauces and herbs, so it is worth trying more than one.
Cao lau
Hoi An's signature dish: thick rice noodles with pork, fresh herbs and a special sauce. The noodles are chewier than the soft rice noodles you find in pho, and the bowl is served with only a little broth. If you eat one dish in Hoi An, make it this one.
Com ga (chicken rice)
A local favourite: rice served with chicken, herbs and a light dressing. It is simple, filling and found all over town, from busy family shops to street corners.
BBQ pork rolls
Grilled pork wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs, rolled by hand and dipped in sauce. It is a hands-on dish, and part of the fun is learning how to roll it.
Banh bot loc
Small rice dumpling cakes with a chewy, translucent skin, filled with shrimp or green beans. They are light enough to eat between other dishes.
For the adventurous: balut or grilled egg
Hot vit lon (balut, a fertilised duck egg) is a popular Vietnamese street snack that many visitors want to try at least once. If you would rather not, trung ga nuong (grilled chicken egg) is the gentler choice.
Also worth trying on your own
Around town you will also see mi Quang, the turmeric-yellow noodles of Quang Nam province, and white rose dumplings, delicate steamed shrimp dumplings that Hoi An is known for. They are easy to find in the old town's restaurants once you know the names.
How a Hoi An street food walking tour works
Our street food tour is a 2.5-hour evening walk with a local English-speaking guide:
- 5:00 PM: your guide picks you up at your hotel in Hoi An city centre, and the tour continues on foot.
- Banh mi and cao lau: through lively streets to well-loved food stalls for the town's two most famous dishes.
- Com ga and BBQ pork rolls: chicken rice, then grilled pork wrapped in rice paper with herbs.
- Banh bot loc and a final bite: rice dumplings with shrimp or green beans, then either balut or a grilled chicken egg.
- 7:30 PM: the tour ends in the old town as the lanterns glow.
The tastings add up to a satisfying meal, so you do not need dinner afterwards. A 500 ml bottle of mineral water per person is included, and your guide explains the story behind each dish as you go. Groups are small, from 2 to 12 guests.
Drop-off back at your hotel is not included, and that is deliberate: the walk finishes in the old town just as it lights up, so you are free to stay, shop or take a lantern boat. Read our guide to Hoi An ancient town at night for ideas on how to spend the rest of your evening.
Who the tour suits, and who it does not
The street food tour is a good fit if:
- You are visiting Hoi An for one or two nights and want to try the classic dishes without guessing.
- You enjoy walking and are happy to eat on small stools at street stalls.
- You want a local guide to explain what you are eating.
It is not suitable for vegetarians, because most dishes contain meat, egg or seafood. If you do not eat meat, a cooking class is a better choice: our Tra Que vegetable village tour includes a cooking lesson, and a vegetarian menu is available on request.
Tips for eating street food in Hoi An
- Come hungry. The tour replaces dinner, so skip a big late lunch.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The whole tour is on foot.
- Tell your guide about allergies when you book, especially shellfish, peanuts or eggs.
- Bring small notes if you plan to buy snacks or drinks on your own after the tour.
- Stay in the centre. Pick-up is from hotels in Hoi An city centre only; hotels further out, such as in Thang Binh or Duy Xuyen district, pay a transfer surcharge.
- Check the date. There are no departures during Tet, and a small surcharge applies on some public holidays.
FAQ
What food is Hoi An famous for? Cao lau, Hoi An's thick rice noodles with pork, herbs and a special sauce, is the town's signature dish. Banh mi, com ga (chicken rice), BBQ pork rolls and banh bot loc are also local favourites.
Is the street food tour enough for dinner? Yes. The tastings add up to a satisfying meal as you stroll through the town.
Is it suitable for vegetarians? No. Most of the dishes contain meat, egg or seafood. Vegetarians are better served by a cooking class with a vegetarian menu.
What time does the tour start and end? Pick-up is at about 5:00 PM from your hotel in Hoi An city centre, and the tour ends in the old town at about 7:30 PM. Drop-off at your hotel is not included.
Can children join? Yes. Children 1–4 travel free when sharing with their parents, children 5–9 pay the child price, and from 10 years the adult price applies.
Where can I book a Hoi An street food tour? AmGo Travel, a Vietnamese team of trip planners and guides with an office at 61 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, runs the Hoi An street food walking tour with local guides. You can book at amgotravel.com or message the team on WhatsApp.
Hoi An food tours with AmGo Travel
See all Hoi An tours, or message AmGo Travel on WhatsApp and a local trip planner will help you fit a food tour into your Hoi An stay.
