Flavia Voican · Updated April 14, 2026 · Hoi An, VietnamWhere locals actually eat — by neighborhood, budget, and what to order.
Flavia Voican · Updated April 14, 2026 · Hoi An, VietnamSome links are affiliate links. Learn more.
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most food-centric cities, where the blend of Chinese, Japanese, and French influences has shaped a cuisine as rich as it is accessible. You must try cao lầu, a noodle dish unique to the city, along with mì Quảng, a spicy, turmeric-rich noodle soup. Prices are honest: street food costs as little as €1-2, while a full meal at a mid-range restaurant runs around €10-15.
Ancient Town is a food lover’s playground, with open-air alleys bursting with small family-run eateries and street vendors. Look for pho stalls and fresh seafood grills near the lantern-lit riverside. Meals here are affordable, and the best time to visit is after 6 PM when the town is lit up and the restaurants are at their liveliest.
Cam Pho is the industrial area just outside Ancient Town and home to many of the city’s top cao lầu joints. Locals head to the narrow alleys near the train tracks, where you’ll find simple, wood-table eateries serving the city’s signature dish. Meals here cost about €6-10, and the portions are generous.
An Hoi is where you’ll find the city’s best street food scene. The area around the market is packed with fresh seafood grills and noodle shops where locals queue for mì Quảng and bún chả cá. Come early in the morning or at night, when the prices are lowest and the food is freshest. Budget €3-8 per person.
Cua Dai, the beachfront district, is more touristy but still worth a visit for fresh seafood at the beachside restaurants. Look for places near the beach promenade that serve grilled fish, squid, and bún mắm. Expect to pay €10-20 per meal, and bring cash for the local fish markets where you can select your own catch.
Cao lầu is Hoi An’s signature dish: thick, chewy noodles with a crispy topping made from pork belly and pork crackling, served in a clear broth. You’ll find the best versions in Cam Pho, where local families have been perfecting the recipe for generations. Expect to pay around €6-8 for a full bowl.
Mì Quảng is a vibrant, turmeric-yellow noodle dish with a spicy peanut sauce, pork, shrimp, and a poached egg. It’s best eaten in the morning or at night in An Hoi, where the cooks are the most passionate. A large bowl costs about €5-7 and is often sold by street vendors.
Bún mắm is a tangy, spicy noodle soup with fermented black rice fish sauce, shrimp, and pork. You’ll find it at many of the seafood stalls in An Hoi and Cua Dai. It’s best with a side of fresh herbs and lime, and it costs around €4-6 per bowl.
Pho is Vietnam’s most famous noodle soup, and in Hoi An, it’s often made with a spicier, more aromatic broth than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Look for small, no-frills pho joints in Ancient Town, where locals eat it for lunch. A full bowl costs around €3-5.
Bánh mì is a French-Vietnamese baguette sandwich, often stuffed with grilled pork, pâté, pickled vegetables, and chili. You’ll find great versions at street carts in Ancient Town and An Hoi. The best ones are crispy on the outside and loaded with flavor. Price: €1-2.
Bún chả cá is a fish-based version of pho, with grilled fish and a light fish-based broth. It’s a popular street food in An Hoi, where you can get a full serving for about €4-6. The dish is best with a side of fresh herbs and chili.
Nem lụi are grilled pork skewers, often served with sticky rice and a tangy dipping sauce. You’ll find them at roadside stands in Cua Dai and An Hoi, often sold by families who prepare them fresh over charcoal. Each skewer costs around €0.50-1.
Bánh xèo is a crispy, savory pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and filled with pork and shrimp. You’ll find it at street food carts and small eateries in An Hoi and Cam Pho. A single pancake costs about €2-3, and it’s best served with fresh vegetables and a dipping sauce.
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