Discover the flavors of East Asian cuisine in the ancient town of Hoi An.

Money Control notes that, unlike Vietnam's bustling major cities, Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, still preserves the long-standing traditions of East Asian culture.

Once a bustling trading port of Vietnam, Hoi An has preserved its ancient charm and rich cultural and artistic traditions over time. These are evident in cooking classes where visitors can learn about the town's history and culture, as well as the culinary traditions themselves. Additionally, visitors can find shops selling or tailoring traditional clothing at affordable prices. And it's not difficult to spot the vibrant lanterns decorating the town – an indispensable symbol of beautiful Hoi An.

The most important thing when visiting Hoi An is to definitely enjoy the exquisite local cuisine through its light yet incredibly delicious dishes:

Rice paper rolls

Rice paper wrappers are typically made from thinly spread rice flour, and the filling consists of vermicelli or rice noodles, lettuce, herbs, and various meats such as pork, beef, shrimp, or Vietnamese sausage, depending on preference. The dish is served with a light and tangy sweet and sour fish sauce, making it suitable as a snack or as part of a main meal alongside other dishes.

Vietnamese savory pancake (Banh Xeo)

Rice paper wrappers are typically made from thinly spread rice flour, and the filling consists of vermicelli or rice noodles, lettuce, herbs, and various meats such as pork, beef, shrimp, or Vietnamese sausage, depending on preference. The dish is served with a light and tangy sweet and sour fish sauce, making it suitable as a snack or as part of a main meal alongside other dishes.

Bread

Banh mi is an extremely popular Vietnamese dish, contributing to the unique brand of the national cuisine on the international stage. Banh mi in Hoi An is no exception, but it also offers a distinct flavor compared to other regions. What makes Hoi An banh mi so famous is perhaps the perfect combination of ingredients, special sauces with a secret recipe, and a hot, crispy, visually appealing baked crust, bringing a fresh and attractive taste to the dish. The fillings are also very diverse, including grilled/roasted meat, sausage, eggs, pate, etc.

Vietnamese Curry

Each region of Asia has its own unique version of curry, and Vietnamese curry is no exception. While it uses coconut milk, it's thinner and more subtly flavored to highlight the rich tastes of the other ingredients. Vietnamese curry is prepared in various ways with different meats, but it always has a distinctive sauce with the yellow color of turmeric. It's often served with bread or rice.

Banana leaves for holding food

Using banana leaves to wrap food is one of the traditional culinary values ​​that has become an integral part of Vietnamese daily life. Furthermore, wrapping food in banana leaves gives it a unique aroma and flavor derived from nature. In Hoi An, diners can see many dishes, such as grilled meats and rice, served in banana leaves.

Soups

Like traditional Southeast Asian cuisine, the people of Hoi An are creative in using fruits, vegetables, and noodles to flavor their noodle dishes. From potatoes to cauliflower, mushrooms, and noodles, Hoi An's noodle dishes are perfectly combined. The most typical example is Cao Lau, with its rich bone broth blended with chewy noodles and various toppings, creating a unique flavor characteristic of Quang Nam province. The toppings are incredibly diverse, including shrimp, pork, char siu pork, spring rolls, and vegetables like bean sprouts, lettuce, and herbs.