What to Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam: Seasonal Food Guide for Every Time of Year

by Tara Travel

Hoi An’s seasonal specialties offer a unique taste of local traditions and flavors, best enjoyed during the festivals and seasons that highlight each dish.

Foodies visiting this UNESCO Heritage town will find its cuisine deeply connected to the rhythm of local harvests and celebrations. 

Here’s a guide to savoring Hoi An’s seasonal specialties.

1. Spring (March to May): Festive Feasts after the Lunar New Year

 Though the Lunar New Year (Tết) typically falls in late January or February, its festive spirit extends well into early spring. 

“Bánh Tét and Bánh Chưng”

During this season, locals prepare bánh tét (cylindrical sticky rice cakes) and bánh chưng (square sticky rice cakes), filled with mung beans, pork, and wrapped in banana leaves.

These traditional cakes are symbols of prosperity and unity and are widely shared with friends and family during the Tết celebration.

During the lead-up to Tết, vendors at the Hoi An Central Market often prepare Bánh Tét and Bánh Chưng for the festivities.

It’s a great spot to find freshly made versions filled with mung beans and pork. Ask around for recommendations on which stalls sell the best ones.

2. Summer (June to August): Celebrating Fresh Flavors of the Sea

Cao Lau

While cao lau noodles are technically available year-round, summer is when they shine, thanks to the fresh herbs and vegetables that flourish in the surrounding countryside during the warmer months.


This iconic Hoi An dish combines thick, chewy noodles with slices of pork, crispy rice crackers, and fresh greens.

What makes cao lau special is that its noodles are traditionally soaked in water from an ancient Cham well in the area, giving them a unique taste. Visit the central market for an authentic bowl, as summer’s fresh herbs enhance every bite.

Must try: The first spot where Anthony Bourdain had his Cao lau more than 15 years ago – Hoi An Central Market Stall E034! Or also try Cao Lau at Bon Restaurant and Trung Bac Restaurant they are open daily from 7 am to 10 pm.

“Sò Huyết” (Clams)

During the summer months, Hoi An’s coastal location means seafood specialties abound. Blood cockles are a popular choice and are often served grilled or steamed with lemongrass, chili, and garlic.

The dish is unique to Hoi An and coastal towns during the warmer months, as the cockles are fresher and more abundant in local waters.

Pairing them with a cold beer while sitting by the river is a quintessential summer experience in Hoi An.

Must-try: A Roi Seafood opens daily from 10am to 10 pm daily and Hải Sản Bé Nhi from 10 am to 11 pm daily.

These seafood restaurants are popular for their fresh seafood and lively atmosphere. Their Sò Huyết dishes are prepared with local herbs and spices, offering a true taste of coastal Hoi An.

Bánh Đập

While bánh đập can be found year-round, summer sees it at its peak, as the rice used is freshly harvested in late spring, enhancing the flavor and quality of the crackers.

This dish is a delightful blend of textures, featuring crispy rice crackers layered with steamed rice pancakes, topped with shrimp paste, and served with a side of fermented anchovy dipping sauce.

Must-try: Quán Bánh Đập Bà Già opens daily from 6 am to 10 pm daily. Around Cẩm Nam Island , local eateries offer freshly made Bánh Đập, often served with a side of hến xào (stir-fried baby clams). It’s a great way to sample local flavors in a laid-back setting.

3. Autumn (September to November): Mid-Autumn Delicacies and Harvest-Time Favorites

“Mooncakes” (Bánh Trung Thu)

Autumn in Hoi An is all about the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Tết Trung Thu, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.

Mooncakes, symbols of unity and family, are the festival’s highlight, filled with lotus seed, mung bean, or savory salted egg yolk, and often beautifully decorated.

Many bakeries and markets sell mooncakes during the festival season, but they’re rarely available after, making autumn a must-visit time for this treat.

Must-try: Em’s Bakery open daily from 7 am to 8 pm daily and An Phuoc Bakery.

You can also check out local tea shops around the ancient town like Maison Marou and Thom’s Sourdough Bakery.

Bánh Ít Lá Gai

As autumn progresses, a favorite is bánh ít lá gai, a small, sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and filled with mung bean paste or coconut.

The cake gets its signature black hue from “lá gai” (ramie leaves) and has a chewy, earthy flavor.

Bánh ít lá gai is often prepared during autumn harvest festivals, symbolizing prosperity and gratitude for the season’s bounty.

Must-try: Bánh Ít Lá Gai Bà Mùi open daily from  6:30 am to 10 pm and Café 43 open daily 8:30 am to 10 pm.

These local shop is well-known for its authentic Bánh Ít Lá Gai. They prepare it fresh daily, and their version is loved by both locals and visitors.

4. Winter (December to February): Warming Delicacies and Comfort Foods

“Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc” (White Rose Dumplings)

While they’re available year-round, winter is an ideal time to enjoy them, as the steaming dumplings offer comfort during Hoi An’s cooler, rainy season.

These delicate dumplings, named for their resemblance to a white rose, consist of a translucent rice flour wrapper filled with spiced shrimp or pork.

The preparation process is an art, with each dumpling carefully crafted to look like a blooming flower. White Rose Restaurant, run by a family guarding this recipe, is one of the best places to sample these dumplings.

You can find Banh Bao Banh Vac everywhere in Hoi An. However, if you expect the best, visit this family restaurant at 533 Hai Ba Trung St.

“Chè Bắp” (Corn Sweet Soup)

Winter also brings the corn harvest in Cam Nam Village, just outside Hoi An’s ancient town.

Locals make chè bắp, a sweet, creamy corn pudding simmered with sticky rice and coconut milk. This dessert is served warm, making it especially comforting on a chilly day.

Made only from the region’s locally grown corn, chè bắp offers a naturally sweet flavor, showcasing Hoi An’s seasonal ingredients.

Must-try: Chè Hẻm open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, and Chè Bà Thọ open daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

This shop serves a variety of traditional Vietnamese desserts, and the quality of the desserts makes it worth it.

“Bánh Xèo”

Winter greens are at their peak freshness, enhancing the dish’s flavors, and markets in Hoi An feature freshly made pancakes, particularly as Tet approaches.

Bánh xèo, or Vietnamese sizzling pancakes, make a delightful winter dish in Hoi An, as the cooler weather makes hot, crispy foods particularly inviting.

Filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs, bánh xèo is perfect for sharing.

Must-try: Co Anh – Banh Xeo Song Hoai and Quan An Hai Dao. They are open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.

Tips for Food Lovers Visiting Hoi An by Season

Spring and Autumn: These seasons are rich with festival foods, making them perfect for trying traditional and symbolic dishes.

Summer: With abundant seafood and fresh produce, summer is ideal for sampling coastal dishes.

Winter:As the weather cools, warming comfort foods are at their best.

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