Top must-try local foods on your Hoi An travel

Hoi An – the home of the ancient town and shoreline shimmers, is a mandatory stop for thousands of “hodophiles”. However, another spotlight which is the local cuisine, should not be missed out on during your Hoi An travel.  

Hoi An ancient town is a well-preserved 15th-century commercial harbor. Thus, Hoi An gastronomy is built on intimate local products, oriental and western intersections, and exceptional culinary techniques. These components generate splendid and distinctive cuisine. Read on for the following must-try dishes recommended by Wyndham Hoi An Royal Beachfront Resort & Villas. 

I. Com Ga Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice) 

Com Ga Hoi An should be the number one dish to try in your Hoi An travel. In the past, Com Ga Hoi An was sold by street vendors in every alley of Hoi An ancient town. Shredded backyard chickens, first-rate rice grown alongside the Thu Bon river, and impressive seasoning put Com Ga Hoi An on the map. 

The chicken is marinated with turmeric powder and rubbed well before being boiled, making the skin a perfect pale yellow. After that, it is shredded and squeezed with salt, pepper, onion, and persicaria odorata (Vietnamese coriander). Meanwhile, to create a unique fragrance and eye-catching crocus appearance, fragrant rice is cooked in a wood burner with chicken broth, turmeric, and panda leaves. Finally, the dish is plated beautifully and topped with fried shallots and herbs. 

The Hoi An locals eat chicken rice with hand-made chili jams and pickled papaya. The resonance of the melt-in-your-mouth rice’s texture, thoroughly spice-absorbed chicken, and intriguing side dishes will conquer your taste.

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II. Cao Lau          

Your Hoi An travel should not be neglected to enjoy a bowl of Cao Lau. This particular dish exemplifies Hoi An cuisine by utilizing locally cultivated organic products. Several people suppose that the unique and delicious flavor of Cao Lau was made from water from ancient Cham (Ba Le) wells, rice noodles, and crisp herbs in Tra Que. The quintessence of Cao Lau is meticulous-prepared noodles. A special feature of Cao Lau is that the rice is mixed into the melaleuca wood ash before making noodles. Lastly, it is steamed several times and dried, which creates a chewy udon-like texture. In addition, the pork meat is marinated and roasted before being blended with Cao Lau noodles. A full-topping Cao Lau includes Cao Lau noodles, well-seasoned pork pieces, fresh herbs, beansprouts, and croutons mixed in pork-based gravy. You really let yourself go as the aromas rush through most corners.  

III. Banh Bao Banh Vac (White Rose Dumpling)

Another Hoi An delicacy is Banh Bao Banh Vac. The Hoi An specialty possesses a “fancy” name – the White Rose Dumpling. This steamed dumpling has a crystalline white exterior composed of rice flour, filled with minced shrimp and pork, and topped with deep-fried shallots. 

The wrapper of Banh Bao Banh Vac requires a rather elaborate and complicated process. The locals carefully selected the rice flour to refine the texture and appearance of the traditional dish. The water used to form the “skin” on White Rose dumplings, like Cao Lau, is reported to be obtained from the Ba Le well. 

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IV. Try a food tour in the local market on Hoi An travel

There is a saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romeos do”. Thus, we believe that the most straightforward way to dive into authentic Hoi An cuisine is to come to the local market in Hoi An ancient town. It’s an unexpected and delicious way to immerse yourself in Hoi An culture. Intrepid travelers who are keen on gastronomic delights will be satisfied with the diversified dishes and flavors. Many options are available such as Cao Lau, My Quang, Banh xeo Hoi An, etc. This experience would become your best souvenir as you have a chance to discover delicious foods and learn about both cuisine and culture.

To sum up, there are several recommendations for your coming food tour on Hoi An Travel. In terms of experiencing all of these Hoi An specialties, you should choose an appropriate accommodation that is convenient for traveling. Wyndham Hoi An Royal Beachfront Resort & Villas would be the ultimate option as the resort is located in the middle of Hoi An city. Besides, the resort would offer you a wonderful experience with 5-star beachfront villas or luxurious condos and world-class amenities.  

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Wyndham Hoi An Royal Beachfront Resort

• Address:  Lac Long Quan, An Bang, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Hotline:    1800 282827
• Email:      Info@wyndhamhoian.com
• Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/WyndhamHoiAnRoyalBeachfrontResort