The Best Food to Try in Hoi An & Da Nang – Our Favourite Local Eats (From Travey Club)
One thing we didn’t expect when visiting Hoi An and Da Nang was just how memorable the food would be. We’ve travelled to many places, but Central Vietnam has a way of making simple dishes feel special. Maybe it’s the fresh herbs, the street-side kitchens, or the fact that almost every meal comes with a view of lanterns, rivers, or beaches.
During our stay, the Travey Club team made it our unofficial mission to try as many local dishes as possible. Some we had heard about before arriving, while others we discovered simply by following the smell of food down small streets.
Here are some of the dishes that really stayed with us — along with the places we personally loved trying them.
Cao Lau – Hoi An’s Most Iconic Dish
If there’s one dish you absolutely need to try in Hoi An, it’s Cao Lau. The noodles are thick and slightly chewy, topped with slices of pork, fresh herbs, crispy croutons, and just a little broth.
What makes it unique is that it’s traditionally made using water from local wells in Hoi An, which is why people say it tastes different anywhere else.
Where we loved it:
Morning Glory Restaurant
This place was recommended to us by a local, and it ended up being one of our favourite meals in Hoi An. The Cao Lau here was rich, perfectly balanced, and served in a beautiful old building in the heart of the Old Town.
Banh Mi – Vietnam’s Legendary Sandwich
Vietnam is famous for banh mi, but Hoi An is home to some of the most famous versions in the country.
Picture a crispy baguette filled with grilled pork, pâté, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, chilli, and sauces that somehow all work perfectly together.
We grabbed one while walking through the Old Town and ended up standing on the street eating it because it smelled too good to wait.
Where we loved it:
Banh Mi Phuong
Anthony Bourdain once called this “the best banh mi in the world,” and after trying it, we understood why. Expect a queue, but it moves quickly and it’s absolutely worth the wait.
White Rose Dumplings – A True Hoi An Specialty
These delicate dumplings, known locally as White Rose, are a Hoi An specialty you won’t easily find elsewhere.
They’re thin rice dumplings filled with shrimp, topped with crispy garlic and served with a light dipping sauce. The texture is soft and almost silky.
Where we loved it:
White Rose Restaurant
This is actually where many restaurants in town source their dumplings, so trying them here feels like tasting the original version.
Mi Quang – Da Nang’s Comfort Noodles
When we visited Da Nang, locals kept recommending Mi Quang, and after trying it we understood why.
Unlike many noodle soups in Vietnam, Mi Quang has just a small amount of broth. It’s packed with turmeric noodles, pork or shrimp, herbs, peanuts, and crispy rice crackers.
It’s colourful, fragrant, and incredibly satisfying.
Where we loved it:
Mi Quang Ba Mua
This small local spot was buzzing with locals during lunch, which is always a good sign. The noodles were fresh and the broth had incredible flavour.
Banh Xeo – Crispy Vietnamese Pancakes
One evening we ordered Banh Xeo, not quite knowing what to expect.
What arrived was a huge golden crispy pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. You tear off pieces, wrap them in rice paper with herbs, and dip them in sauce.
It’s messy, interactive, and surprisingly addictive.
Where we loved it:
Banh Xeo Ba Duong
This restaurant is famous for its version of the dish, and the dipping sauce alone is worth the visit.
Seafood by the Beach in Da Nang
Being a coastal city, Da Nang has incredible seafood. One night we decided to head toward the beach and try whatever looked busiest.
We ended up ordering grilled prawns, clams, and a whole grilled fish — all incredibly fresh and simply cooked.
Eating seafood while hearing the ocean in the background felt like the perfect way to end the day.
Where we loved it:
Be Man Seafood Restaurant
This place is lively, local, and known for serving some of the freshest seafood in the area.
Vietnamese Coffee – A Daily Ritual
No food journey in Vietnam is complete without Vietnamese coffee.
Strong coffee slowly drips through a metal filter and is usually served with sweet condensed milk. It’s rich, bold, and somehow tastes even better when you’re sitting in a small café watching the world go by.
Where we loved it:
Reaching Out Tea House – Hoi An
This peaceful café is run by hearing-impaired staff and offers a beautifully calm atmosphere. It became our go-to place for a quiet coffee break during busy sightseeing days.
Why the Food Here Feels So Special
What stood out most to us wasn’t just the flavour of the dishes — it was the experience around them.
In Hoi An, you might eat noodles while lanterns glow along the river.
In Da Nang, you might be enjoying fresh seafood with the ocean breeze beside you.
The food here feels connected to the place, the people, and the pace of life.
For us at Travey Club, exploring the food of Central Vietnam became just as memorable as exploring its temples, beaches, and historic streets.
If you ever find yourself in Hoi An or Da Nang, come hungry — because the best way to experience these cities is one dish at a time.
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Look at our four days Hoi An and Da Nang Itinerary : Travey Club
