Hoi An is home to an incredible variety of delicious and famous cakes that leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries them. If you’re traveling to this ancient town and want to taste all its traditional treats, you might need to set aside an entire day just for snacking. But if your time is limited and you still want to enjoy the best specialties, be sure to save this list of must-try snacks in Hoi An curated by GoCheap!
Grilled Pork Wrapped in Rice Paper (Bánh Ướt Cuốn Thịt Nướng)
As you stroll through the streets of Hoi An, you’ll undoubtedly come across food stalls selling this dish. Even if you’re not planning to try it, the irresistible aroma of grilled pork skewers will probably draw you in.
This dish of snacks in Hoi An consists mainly of thin rice paper and grilled pork. To eat, wrap the pork with fresh herbs and pickled veggies inside the rice paper. But the real highlight lies in the dipping sauce—it must strike a perfect balance between salty and sweet, and is elevated with crushed peanuts and toasted sesame for extra fragrance.
Mango Cake (Bánh Xoài)
Despite its name, mango cake doesn’t actually contain mango. This popular Hoi An snack is made from glutinous rice flour, peanuts, toasted sesame, and sugar. Making this cake requires skill and precision from the baker.
The peanuts, sugar, and sesame are ground into a fine filling, which is then stuffed into chewy, cooked glutinous rice flour. The cakes are shaped like small mangoes and coated with dry flour to prevent sticking. Though simple in ingredients, this snack is incredibly addictive and you absolutely need to try this when searching for snacks in Hoi An.
Little Gai Leaf Cake (Bánh Ít Lá Gai)
This treat may resemble the black-colored gai cakes from northern Vietnam. It’s made from glutinous rice flour, gai leaves, and mung bean paste. The outer layer is black due to the gai leaves, offering a fragrant and chewy texture, while the golden filling is smooth, sweet, and made from mashed mung beans.
This is one of the most loved snacks in Hoi An, and many tourists even buy it as a gift to take home.
Crispy Savory Pancake (Bánh Xèo)
Though often associated with Bình Định or the Mekong Delta, bánh xèo also has a solid place in Hoi An’s culinary scene. It’s one of the must-try local specialties, reflecting the Central Vietnamese flavors and Hoi An’s own style.
Carefully selected rice is ground into batter, filled with fresh shrimp and pork, then pan-fried to golden perfection with a hint of coconut milk aroma. The pancake is wrapped in fresh herbs and dipped in sweet fish sauce or special sauce from peanut—crispy, savory, and utterly satisfying. When it gets colder, you’ll see bánh xèo sold on nearly every corner of the old town.
White Rose Dumplings (Bánh Vạc)
A renowned delicacy of Hoi An, white rose dumplings are often paired with steamed buns (bánh bao) to form a beloved combo in local restaurants. The rice flour used is finely milled and filtered several times to ensure a smooth texture and perfect consistency when steamed.
While bánh bao is small and cute, bánh vạc is shaped like a rose petal. The filling typically includes shrimp, pork, and mushrooms, topped with fragrant fried shallots. It’s no surprise that visitors often get hooked after just one bite.
Cracked Rice Paper (Bánh Đập)
Also known as “smashed rice paper,” this snack is made by layering a soft steamed rice sheet between two crispy grilled ones. It’s then gently “smashed” so the layers stick together—hence the name.
It’s typically served with a special dipping sauce made of fermented fish sauce, sugar, minced pineapple, fried shallots, and oil. For extra flavor, try it with stir-fried baby clams. Break off a piece, scoop in the clams, drizzle a bit of sauce, and enjoy the crispy, nutty, and savory explosion of flavor. For the best version, head over to the Cẩm Nam Bridge area, where many stalls serve it fresh. Banh Dap is one of the snacks in Hoi An that you can only find in this little city.
Mung Bean Cakes (Bánh Đậu Xanh)
Though these cakes are often associated with Hải Dương, Hoi An also boasts its own take on this traditional treat. Over the years, Hoi An’s mung bean cakes have become a beloved local snack.
Historically, these cakes were offered to the Nguyễn Dynasty royalty. Today, they’re widely available in Hoi An for locals and tourists alike. There are two or three variations: soft and chewy mung bean cakes, crispy baked ones (known as mung bean grilled cakes), and even savory versions with meat filling for those who prefer less sweetness.
Affordable and easy to find, these cakes are perfect for sharing with friends during your journey—or bringing home as souvenirs.
Let these iconic snacks in Hoi An be your delicious guide through the charming alleys of the old town!
From Vincent – the Author
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