Hoi An's rich and varied history with its attendant cultural influences from around the region and the world has left a legacy of truly inspirational cuisine. The most famous local speciality is Cao Lau, a noodle dish somewhat akin to a marriage between noodle soup and salad, with thick flat rice noodles floating in a thin broth, topped with meat (usually pork) and plenty of greenery. The dish is be eaten hot and is a tasty, filling (and cheap) staple for both Hoi An residents and visitors to the city.

     The second local speciality, not to be missed, is "White Rose", a steamed dumpling - somewhat akin to wonton but steamed not fried - filled with a tasty pork and herb mixture, a great snack food which should be tried at least once on any visit to Hoi An.

     And of course, there's the excellent seafood, served at a variety of restaurants in the ancient town beside the river and at Cua Dai beach. In fact, Hoi An's seafood is reputed to be among the best available in Vietnam and also some of the best value - a superb meal can be had for just a few dollars per head, although some of the better restaurants are a little pricier.

     Hoi An is liberally sprinkled with small cafes and bars offering cheap bites to hungry tourists.So no one need go hungry when visiting Hoi An, and everyone should be able to find an agreeable restaurant at a price that won't break the bank.To explore Hoi An further, and for details of Hoi An's numerous dining options, simply select your cuisine of choice at www.rosetravelservice.com and let The Vinh Hung 1 Restaurant guide you.

HOIAN SPECIALITIES

Cao Lau

Cao lau Cao lau is a dish of rice noodles which are not quite as slippery as pho and a bit closer in texture to pasta. The secret is the water used to make it, and authentic cao lau uses only water from a special well in the city. The noodles are topped with slices of roast pork, dough fritters, and this being Vietnam, lots of fresh herbs and veggies.

Wonton

This dish comes from China but has been adapted by the inhabitants to suit local tastes. Similar to ravioli, wonton is made with rice flour and filled with ingredients like shrimp, pork, egg, and spices. There are many kinds of wonton dishes : fried wonton, wonton soup or wonton and noodle soup are a few examples.

Quang Nam Noodle

This is the popular country dish in Hoian and Quang Nam. The noodle is yellow or white in color and made from rice flour. It is mixed with shrimp, pork and vegetables, and topped with grilled rice paper and spices.

White rose Dumpling

Many people like these cakes not only for their delicious flavor but also for their beautiful appearance. The French gave it the name of white roses. The care is made from white rice flour and stuffed with cooked shrimp meat. The translucence of the flour along with the color of the shrimp meat gives it the apprearance of a white rose petal.

Fukien noodle

This is typical dish of the Fukien clan of Hoian. Rice flour is the main ingredient. Crabmeat, dried shrimp, vegetable oil, and prices are blended together and topped on the noodle to make a sweet and very fragrant dish.

Suse cake

Made from sticky rice, green bean and coconut, the cake is wrapped in babana leaf and then steamed. The original name for this cake is phu the cake, which means husband and wife. The name originates from a story about a young couple that lived together in a small town.

Banh It La Gai

This cake made from the black colored and sweet tasting Gai leaf and green bean. This cake is always offered to worship ancestors during the New Year festivals or during anniversaries of departed ancestors. It’s also thought of as a kind of medicine to help revive those suffering from hangovers.

Corn sweet soup

Made from tender corn and sugar. Because of the growing condition around Hoian, che bap can be eaten year round. Local nutritionists say this soup is very beneficial for the elderly.

Chi Ma phu

Ground black sesame seeds are mixed with sugar, vegetable juice, and thanh dia ( a kind of Chinese medicine) and then boiled to make a pudding.A delicious food that is also a tonic for people recovering from recent illness.

Luc Tau Xa

A kind of mixed sweet soup, it’s made from green bean, dry tangerine peel and sugar. It’s very sweet and smells delicious. People say that it helps maintain good health.

Luong Phanh

A dried vegetable, luong phanh is boiled with a Chinese medicine like duong quy, thuc dia or cam thao. The mixture is used to make a broth. After it has cooled, it is eaten with sugar water and ginger.

Dry green bean cake

Green bean flour, sugar, and vegetable oil are blended and pressed into rectangular wood frames and then toasted. Banh dau xanh can be used with many kinds of meat or vegetable fillings. Visitors like to buy this cake as gifls for friends and it keeps for a long time.

Swallow’s Nest

Swallow’s nest is a unique and specilal food once eaten only by royalty or the very wealthy. Many dishes have been created from swallow’s nest but the most popular is swallow’s nest sweet soup. It’s considered to be very good for one’s health and many stories and legends describing its recuperative powers add to its allure.