Best Restaurants in Hoi An

Hoi An City is not only famous by the magnificent ancient house but also its cuisine, especially dessert. Besides corn sweet soup, which is listed in almost every restaurant menu in Hoi An, “Xi Ma” or Black Sesame Sweet Soup is also popular for people in here and tourists.

Long time ago, when Chinese traders came to Hoi An, “Xi Ma” from Fujian Province in China is imported to this city. Therefore, this dessert is attached with many local people childhood. It is not only considered a delicious dessert, but also good for your health due to its ingredients such as black sesame, coconut, Chinese herbal medicine, rice flour and sugar.

Xi Ma on Hoi An street

Mr. Thieu had been diligently selling “Xi Ma” over 70 years

Mr. Thieu’s daughter, who carried on the family tradition when her father turned 100

Regardless of the weather, “Xi Ma” is served hot in small portion; very mild and not too sweet. Chi Ma Phu (Black sesame sweet soup) in Nguyen Truong To Street, near Hoi An Centre for Orphans and Disabled Children is one of the oldest place selling this dish, which has been operating for over 70 years from 7a.m. every day.

If you have a chance to visit Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam, don’t forget to keep this special dessert in your must-eat foods checklist!

One of the first thing that impress tourists by coming for the first time in Hoi An is the local food and especially the street food culture. Most of the dishes are prepared with many different ingredients giving flavors that visitors have never tried before.

So why not trying a bowl of Quang Noodles – commonly called Mì Quảng - to dive into the culinary culture of Hoi An? A mysterious bowl of deliciousness which will fill you up with good energy in order to start your day with a huge smile on your face.

A Bowl of Quang Noodles

Mì Quảng is a specialty from Quảng Nam Province, located in the center of the country. This dish is more commonly eaten for breakfast in the center as well as in the south of Vietnam. The main ingredient is thick rice noodles cooked in a pork broth. The noodles are topped with lots of Vietnamese herbs such as local mint, basil, spring onions, cilantro among other herbs that give a touch of freshness to this hot bowl. To go together with the broth and the fish sauce, thin slices of roasted pork are added. Of course, this famous dish has many variations and can be served with either beef or even chicken.

What makes this dish different from the northern noodle soup is that the dish contains also local river shrimps as well as roasted peanuts to give a taste of the ocean and remind the warm weather of central Vietnam.

Hoi An Restaurant

If you want to try this delicacy and you are afraid of being disappointed by going to a random restaurant, you should definitely try HOME Hoi An Restaurant. A traditional Vietnamese restaurant which is located in a romantic colonial French building. They will surely serve you an authentic and delicious version of Quang Noodles that will stay in your mind as a highlight of your journey.

Recognized as the natural heritage site by UNESCO, Hoi An Vietnam is well known as the spectacular wonder of the world. It is the most colorful city culturally rich in tradition and heritage. However, the heritage of Hoi An is not just the ancient town, but also the charming villages surroundings. Kim Bong carpentry village is the best example.

Craftsman carpenter in Kim Bong

Kim Bong village, located in Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, was established in the 15th century. In the late 16th and 17th centuries, Kim Bong is developed vigorously and well known as a destination of talent craftsmen from all over Vietnam. In their clever and skillful hands, clay turn to pretty flower vases, tea pots, piggy banks, wine bottles, water jars, kettles, cooking pots or lovely birds, turtles, buffaloes, cats, ducks and so on. The village craftsmen also contributed their skills in woodworking most of the architectural projects in Hoi An Ancient Town specifically and Hue in general, including Hue’s Imperial Capital.

Besides that, Kim Bong carpenters also are famous at skillfully producing the big trade ships helping to exchange goods everywhere. Also, the visitors will have the possibility to visit the shipbuilding area where wooden fishing vessels are built using traditional techniques.

It just takes 10 minutes boat trip on Thu Bon River from Hoi An Ancient Town to Kim Bong Village. It is great opportunity for guests to see the local woodworking shops, where they are able to observe craftsmen working and purchase their products.

We usually see it, the blue sky full of white foam-like clouds and the cheerful daylight of Hoi An.
We are used to it, the friendly warmth from the daily honey-feel sunshine and the cozy Western wind.
Then, the rains pour.
A day in Hoi An without those happy radiant colors.
Hush and rush, people run in circle, to find a safe hide-out and to protect their goods.
The streets become a bath of mixed sounds, a chaotic harmony of bizarre noises.
After moments, the streets are empty.
Every heartbeat seems so slow. Every pulse seems so quiet.
The city sleeps tight during the day, gently hiding under a thick layer of watery transparent veil.
For hours and hours, there are only amusement and silence left in Hoi An, because of the sudden rain.

Hoi An in late afternoon Photo by HOME Hoi An Restaurant

Hoi An Yellow Wall

Hoi An, the Ancient City, always embraces the quiet breeze of time and history. In contrast to other famous cities in Vietnam like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City, in which lifestyle and people are the turnovers of loud and crowded metropolitan beats, the town here merges in the flow of serene, peace and tradition. In all colors, yellow is the most suitable tone for life in Hoi An, something exquisite, gentle and passionate. The yellow of long-lasting love…

Special thank to Rehahn Croquevielle for charming photos

Hoi An charming yellow town

Walking on yellow street in Hoi An

Hoi An yellow corner

Yellow housse in Hoi An

A hawker on Hoi An yellow street

Hoi An yellow town

Xich lo cycling on yellow street in Hoi An