Quán Cao Lầu Thanh — Restaurant in Hội An

Cao Lầu: The Signature Dish of Hoi An 🤤☺️

During our visit to Hoi An, our guide, Mr. Thang, (easy rider Da Nang) recommended a local eatery known as the best spot in town for cao lầu. His suggestion did not disappoint.

The service was quick, warm, and inviting, making us feel right at home. The cao lầu itself was a delightful explosion of flavors—a dish that should be on everyone’s must-try list when visiting this charming city.

Cao lầu is a traditional noodle dish originating from Quang Nam province, and it has become a beloved specialty of Hoi An. Its distinct yellow noodles are made using flour mixed with ash from a local tree, giving them a unique texture and color. The dish is typically served with shrimp, tender slices of char siu (Chinese-style barbecue pork), fresh herbs, and raw vegetables, all accompanied by a minimal amount of broth.

Every bite of this iconic dish reflects the culinary heritage of Hoi An, offering a perfect balance of textures and flavors. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the chance to savor this authentic Vietnamese treasure.

Also, a little local secret…. is try the Sour Milk Dessert (Sweet Yoghurt) this is definitely a wonderful dessert to finish...

I just had the most delightful lunch at Quán Cao Lầu Thanh in Hoi An! It's a bit of a hidden gem tucked away on a smaller street, but definitely worth seeking out.

The restaurant itself is on the cozy side. There's not a ton of seating, and it seems like a family-run operation. While I don't speak much Vietnamese, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They even have a picture menu, which was a lifesaver for me!

Of course, the main event was the cao lau. This is a signature dish of Hoi An, and let me tell you, Quán Cao Lầu Thanh does it right. The rice noodles were perfectly cooked, with a delightful chewiness. The pork and vegetables were savory and well-balanced, and the broth was rich and flavorful. It all came together with a sprinkle of their crispy shallots and fresh herbs, adding an explosion of texture and taste.

Honestly, it was one of the best noodle dishes I've ever had. It felt like a dish made with love, and the price was very reasonable. If you're in Hoi An and looking for an authentic cao lau experience, look no further than Quán...

Had the large cao lau, much nicer than the pho I had recently. The crispy croutons added nice texture and the broth was flavoursome and rich, although there wasn’t much of it. The pork was quite lean, with only a little bit of fat. There was also a good amount of pork added.

I also had a beef bun and was pleased to see steam come out of the glass box it was in.. other buns I’ve seen around seemed to be just sitting in a glass box in the sun. The bun tasted like sausage roll meat wrapped in warm white bread but I just wanted to try one so all good. There was a hard boiled quail egg in there and was dry on the whole.

The sweet option was bean paste and apparently there was a coconut one but they had run out?

I came at 930am and it wasn’t busy. Just a few minutes wait. The shop is in partial shade so I wasn’t too hot sitting out...