Discover the iconic Cao Lau Noodle in Hoi An — a unique dish with chewy noodles, rich flavors, and deep cultural history that you must try when visiting.
When it comes to Hoi An cuisine, many people will immediately think of famous dishes such as banh xeo, chicken rice or banh mi. However, there is a dish with a unique flavor and is associated with the history of Hoi An trading port: Cao Lau, also known as Cao Lau Noodle. The delicate combination of characteristic chewy noodles, flavorful pork, raw vegetables and fragrant sauce. For tourists, Hoi An Cao Lau is not only a dish but also an interesting cultural experience when exploring the beauty of Hoi An cuisine.
What is Cao Lau Noodle? – A unique flavor only found in Hoi An
What makes Cao Lau Noodle special is the noodles. The noodles are not like Quang noodles, not like pho, but have a chewy, soft texture, but are just the right amount of firmness. Hoi An people believe that to make authentic noodles, you must use water from the ancient Ba Le well – a water source that has existed for hundreds of years. Rice flour is soaked with the ash water of the Litsea tree, creating a light yellow color and a natural toughness that no other type of noodles has.
All the ingredients combine to create a flavor that is both rustic and luxurious – just like the name “Cao Lau”, which was once served to wealthy merchants in the past.
The distinctive flavor of Cao Lau Noodle
To fully enjoy a bowl of Cao Lau Noodles with the right Hoi An flavor, the following ingredients are needed:
- Cao Lau noodles: Thick, slightly chewy, light yellow
- Char siu pork: Marinated with flavor, thinly sliced, slightly fatty but not greasy.
- Tra Que raw vegetables: Indispensable! The natural, fresh aroma balances the rich flavor of the meat and sauce.
- Crispy pork rinds: Fragrant and fatty
- Special sauce: The sauce is mixed from pork stock with other flavors such as soy sauce and a little lemongrass
Why is Cao Lau best when eaten in Hoi An?
Cao Lau Noodles are said to have the most complete flavor when enjoyed in Hoi An, because:
- Water source – Ba Le well water creates clarity and natural sweetness.
- Water from the ash tree of the Boi Loi tree – Creates the characteristic toughness of the noodles.
- Tra Que Vegetables – Tra Que Vegetable Village is famous for growing fresh and clean herbs.
- Old town atmosphere – Enjoying Cao Lau Noodles in Hoi An in the middle of the lantern street is truly a very different experience.
Where to eat delicious Cao Lau in Hoi An?
If you stay in the center of Hoi An or near Hoi An Ancient Town, you should visit places like:
- Cao Lau Thanh: Long-standing reputation, traditional flavor, reasonable price.
- Cao Lau Ba Be: Located in Hoi An market, full of the local flavor – delicious, cheap and very local.
Or if you stay in the area near An Bang beach, the restaurant you must try Cao Lau Noodles is Passion restaurant & Bar:
- Passion Restaurant & Bar: The chef at the restaurant has more than 20 years of experience working at 5 stars hotels and directly prepares Vietnamese dishes, especially traditional Hoi An dishes for guests staying there to enjoy.
- 📍Visit here
Cao Lau – More than just a dish, it is a cultural story
Each bowl of Cao Lau Noodle carries traces of the ancient trading port of Hoi An, where the cultures of the Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese met. Some say that the taste of Cao Lau resembles Japanese noodles, but is still imbued with Vietnamese character. Perhaps it is this blend that has created an “unmistakable” dish, becoming a symbol of Hoi An cuisine.
If you have the opportunity to visit Hoi An, take the time to enjoy a bowl of hot, chewy and fragrant Cao Lau – because that is the best way to feel the “cultural cuisine” of this land. With the uniqueness of the ingredients, the way of processing and the flavor, Cao Lau Noodle deserves to be a must-try dish on the culinary list of every tourist in 2025
👉Not only does Cao Lau carry within itself a “cultural cuisine”, but Hoi An Rice Pancake, Crispy Wonton with Pork, or White Rose Dumpling with Pork also have very profound meanings, enjoyed and highly appreciated by tourists when coming to Hoi An.
