About Kirsty S
Lives in London, United Kingdom
Since Feb 2015
I have travelled extensively through Southeast Asia. I know Thailand and Malaysia particularly well, but also love Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. I travel to this part of the world whenever I can, sometimes on a short trip while on route to Australia, and sometimes for extended periods of time so that I can really get beneath the skin of a particular area – whether I’ve been to that spot before or not. I've spent a lot of time in Bangkok – it's a fascinating melting pot of a city where there's always something new to explore. I also love Hanoi and have explored it both independently and as part of an organised tour. More than anything, I love discovering something new while travelling and sharing it with those who have the same passion for travel as I do. I’m a bit of a foodie and never get bored of the beach.
Hoi An offers some of the best food outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From cheap and tasty street food to learning to cook your own meal before you devour it, Hoi An is the culinary capital of central Vietnam. Here’s your guide to the best cheap eats, feasts and other foodie experiences in the city…
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Nu Eatery is a small restaurant tucked away on a side street just past the Japanese Bridge, but when you eat here you’ll soon know what all the fuss is about. The service and ambience are both fantastic, but it’s the food that quite rightly steals the show. Try the beef vermicelli, rice fettuccine with pork or one of the avocado dishes. You won’t be disappointed!
As much as a cultural exchange as it is a foodie haven, Phi and his wife are keen to improve their English and will welcome you like an old friend from the moment you enter their humble establishment. Widely touted as the best place for banh mi in Vietnam, prepare your tastebuds for an explosion of flavors packed into the best sandwich of your life!
At Bao Han, the food is fresh and the service is excellent. The wonderful lady who runs it is always on hand to help you decide what to eat, and if you don’t like anything on the menu she’ll just whip something else up for you. Although, with delicious staple dishes such as orange duck, prawns in tamarind sauce and fish in banana leaves, there are plenty of tempting options to choose from.
The Central Market is a great place to sample the best of Hoi An’s culinary delights. Here you can feast on a whole smorgasbord of Vietnamese favorites, including cao lau and mi quang, plus many more. Locals and travelers alike flock to the market, with the tourists sampling the dishes from the vendors outside, while the locals buy fresh fish and fruits and vegetables from the stalls within.
Right near the Central Market, Brother’ Cafe is set in three French colonial buildings with riverside views, making it a scenic spot for lunch or dinner. The setting is truly beautiful, the food is full of fresh flavors and the service is friendly and welcoming. Brother’s Cafe is particularly ideal for that special romantic meal for two.
For Vietnamese food with a twist and a fantastic view of Hoi An’s river, Mango Mango is just the place. This atmospheric bistro looks right out onto the river, offering the perfect vantage point for taking in the vibrant atmosphere and waterfront views, which include the Japanese Bridge. Food-wise, you can take your pick from an array of traditional Vietnamese cuisines, along with a number of western dishes.
If you’re looking for a break from Vietnamese food, you could do far worse than heading to Ganesh for some authentic and quality Indian cuisine. From their light and crispy naans to their exquisitely flavored curry dishes, Ganesh is a great choice for an alternative night out.
For another alternative to Vietnamese food, the Samurai Kitchen is a fine choice. It presents home-style Japanese dishes in the same way in which they're prepared and served across homes in Japan. There’s no sushi on the menu and the recipes are traditional ones passed down through the owner’s family, so there are no western nuances. Instead, this is authentic Japanese food at its best – right in the heart of Hoi An!
For the best vegetarian food in Hoi An, head to Minh Hien’s. The menu features a huge choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes and every one of them is packed full of flavor. The place itself is cute and quirky, being set out like a library with bookshelves lining the whole of one wall, while the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. It’s the food that takes center stage though, with delicious spring rolls, rose dumplings, eggplant dishes and even cao lau with tofu. The food here is so tasty, even devout carnivores have been known to return again and again!