What to eat in Hoi An when the food becomes intangible heritage?

What to eat in Hoi An when the food becomes intangible heritage? - photo 1

Cao Lau is a specialty noodle dish of Hoi An, Quang Nam.

If you only come to Hoi An to see the old town, take sparkling photos but ignore the culinary exploration journey, your trip cannot be called complete. This place is the convergence of the quintessence of a bustling international trading port, imprinted through each dish bearing the mark of the cultural exchange between Vietnam - China - Japan. Each dish is not only a pure flavor, but also a historical story, a part of the soul of the people of Hoi An.

Cao Lau - The culinary soul of the old quarter

Topping the list of Hoi An specialties is Cao Lau, a dish that is said to be authentically enjoyed only in this land. Its uniqueness lies in the chewy yellow noodles, made from Quang Nam specialty rice, kneaded with water from the ancient Ba Le well and ash water from trees on Cu Lao Cham. That is the secret to creating an unmistakable flavor.

The char siu is braised soft and fragrant, served with crispy fried pork skin, pork rinds, and fresh Tra Que herbs. Each bowl of cao lau is a vivid picture of the perfect combination of ingredients, a dish that has become an irreplaceable symbol.

What to eat in Hoi An when the food becomes intangible heritage? - photo 2

Banh vac is famous for the sweetness of the meat and dipping sauce.

Banh Vac - The essence in every petal

In contrast to the strength of Cao Lau is the elegant, delicate beauty of Banh Vac, also known as White Rose Cake. This dish originated from the Chinese community and has been transformed by the people of Hoi An into their own unique version. Each small cake has a thin, transparent rice paper shell, meticulously wrapped to cover the rich shrimp, meat, and wood ear mushroom filling.

When enjoying, you will feel the harmony between the sweetness of the filling, the thin toughness of the crust and the moderate sweet, sour, spicy and salty taste of the dipping sauce, creating a harmonious and attractive whole.

Grilled pork vermicelli and grilled pork rolls - Irresistible grilled flavor

Hoi An cuisine also conquers diners with its attractive grilled dishes. Grilled pork vermicelli with skewers of pork marinated with special spices, grilled on fragrant charcoal, served with vermicelli, raw vegetables, crispy spring rolls and rich sweet and sour fish sauce. This is a rustic dish but has a strange appeal.

Another equally appealing variation is the grilled beef rolls. The soft and chewy rolls are wrapped around the fragrant grilled beef, dipped in a bowl of creamy, slightly spicy peanut butter sauce, creating an unforgettable taste experience.

Quang Noodles - The soul of the countryside in a bowl of typical noodles

Quang noodles, a dish that has become the pride of the entire Quang Nam region, cannot be missed. A bowl of standard Quang noodles must have noodles made from finely ground rice, brushed with fried peanut oil and pressed to dry and fluff. The broth is simmered from pork, chicken or shrimp bones, with a moderate consistency, poured just enough to soak into the noodles but not to submerge them. On top of the bowl of noodles are pieces of pork, shrimp, quail eggs, Tra Que raw vegetables and crushed roasted peanuts, creating a rustic yet profound flavor.

Banh mi Phuong - Legend in the heart of the old town

When it comes to Hoi An bread, everyone immediately thinks of Phuong bread, a brand that has crossed borders thanks to the introduction of international culinary programs. The success of this sandwich comes from the skillful combination: the crust is baked crispy with fragrant garlic butter, inside is a " world " of fillings with pate, cold cuts, char siu, sausage, raw vegetables and especially sweet and sour papaya salad with a special traditional sauce. Each loaf is a perfect balance of fat, sour, spicy, salty, sweet.

Chicken rice and pancakes - Delicacy in every dish

Hoi An chicken rice has a unique style. The rice is cooked with chicken broth and fresh turmeric, so it has a golden color and is fragrant and sticky. The shredded chicken is naturally chewy and sweet, served with Vietnamese coriander and a bowl of rich ginger fish sauce. Hoi An pancakes impress with their small, bite-sized taste. The crispy golden crust, the filling inside includes shrimp, meat and fresh bean sprouts, rolled with raw vegetables and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, ensuring that anyone who eats it once will remember it forever.

What to eat in Hoi An when the food becomes intangible heritage? - photo 3

Hoi An pancakes are an indispensable dish for tourists when visiting this place.

Stir-fried mussels with rice crackers - A creative rustic dish

To fully experience the rusticity, try fried mussel rice paper. This dish is an interesting combination of crispy, crushed rice paper, sandwiched with soft wet rice paper, and a plate of fragrant stir-fried mussels with fried onions and Vietnamese coriander. Take a bite of the crispy rice paper mixed with the fatty taste of mussels, dip it in a bit of special fish sauce, and you will understand why this rustic dish is so attractive.

Mot Tea and Hoi An Tea - Refreshing in the heart of the ancient town

After a rich meal, a refreshing cup of Mot tea will help balance your taste buds. This drink is made from herbs such as monk fruit, licorice, chrysanthemum, lotus leaves, creating a mild, sweet taste that is very good for your health. And indispensable are the diverse types of Hoi An tea such as corn tea, green bean tea, lotus seed tea... Each cup of fragrant, fatty coconut milk tea, cool and refreshing is the perfect way to end your culinary journey.

Mango Cake - A sweet gift full of nostalgia

Walking around the streets, you will easily come across mango cake vendors. Although the name is related to mango, the cake does not contain this fruit. The small, pretty cake shaped like a mango seed with a soft, sticky rice dough crust encasing a filling of peanuts, sesame and shredded ginger, creating a unique sweet, slightly fatty and spicy taste. This is a snack associated with the childhood memories of many Hoi An people.

Taste Like a Local - The Secret to a Full Experience

To truly immerse yourself in the culinary world of Hoi An, you should learn how to eat like a local. Instead of just focusing on the big restaurants in the old town, try wandering to small eateries, street vendors or markets like Hoi An market. Especially in the early morning, Thai Phien street area is a street food paradise with countless choices from vermicelli, noodles to spring rolls. Don't hesitate to ask the locals, they will be happy to show you the "favorite" addresses that only Hoi An people know.

Be sure to try the crispy wontons - a unique variation of the usual wontons. And more importantly, take your time to savor each dish, so that each dish is not only delicious but also imbued with the cultural and historical stories of this heritage land. Hoi An is waiting to awaken all your senses with the most wonderful flavors.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/den-hoi-an-an-gi-khi-mon-an-tro-thanh-di-san-phi-vat-the-185692.html