Hoi An street food tour: Taste Cao Lầu and white rose dumplings

Taste five local dishes while walking the narrow streets where Hoi An's night market begins

A 3-hour street food tour of Hoi An Ancient Town starting at 5 or 5:30 p.m., where you walk to five tasting stops and visit a workshop making white rose dumplings, wontons and pound cakes. An English-speaking guide leads the route through the small streets, stopping to sample water-fern cake, rice pancakes, Cao Lầu noodles, Bánh Mì, grilled pork and herbal tea. The tour ends in the town center, leaving you free to explore by night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hoi An street food tasting tour

• Meet at Almanity gate
• Walk to taste water-fern cake
• Visit workshop for dumplings and cakes
• Stroll small streets sampling local dishes
• Try rice pancakes and Cao Lầu noodles
• Eat Bánh Mì and grilled pork
• Enjoy herbal tea in town center
• Tour ends. Explore Hội An by night

The experience

What makes a street food tour work is timing, and this one starts at 5 or 5:30 p.m., just as Hoi An's vendors set up for the evening crowd. You meet at the gate of Almanity on Ly Thuong Kiet and walk into the narrow streets with your English-speaking guide, stopping first for water-fern cake at a stall, then moving to a working kitchen where you watch white rose dumplings, wontons and pound cakes being made by hand. The workshop is not a museum. It is where locals still prepare these dishes, and you see the technique before you taste them.

The route takes you through five more stops over the next couple of hours. Rice pancakes come next, then Cao Lầu (the noodle dish that belongs to Hoi An alone) followed by Bánh Mì from a bread vendor and grilled pork from a street stall. Between stops you are walking the same alleys where the town's lantern-lit evening unfolds, so the food is not separated from the place. Bottled water and a refreshing herbal tea in the heart of town round out the tasting. The pace is steady but not rushed. You stop, you eat, you move on.

The tour ends before the night really takes hold, which is when Hoi An opens up. You are free to wander the Ancient Town on your own, eat again if you want, or sit by the river. Your guide does not escort you back to your hotel (that is on you), but by then you know the streets and you know where to eat.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide leading the route.
• bottled water and herbal tea.
• tastings of water-fern cake, rice pancakes, Cao Lầu noodles, Bánh Mì, grilled pork and dumplings at a working workshop.
• dinner.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 17:00 and 17:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TC Hoi An Travel

Is this one for you?The tour walks at a steady pace through narrow streets for 3 hours, stopping to eat and visit a kitchen workshop. It is not a sit-down meal or a slow stroll, so come ready to move and stand. Choose this one if you want to taste five local dishes and see where they are made, all in the evening when Hoi An's food vendors are out and the town is coming alive.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cao Lầu and why is it only in Hoi An?

Cao Lầu is a noodle dish unique to Hoi An, made with thick, chewy noodles, pork, greens and a savory broth. The tour includes a stop to taste it at a local vendor, and your guide explains what makes it specific to this town.

Do I need to book the tour if I have food allergies?

Yes, tell your guide about any allergies or preferences when you book, and the guide will adjust the stops and tastings to keep you safe and still give you the full experience.

What time does the tour start and when does it end?

The tour starts at 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. from the Almanity gate and runs for about 3 hours, ending in the center of Hoi An Ancient Town around 8 or 8:30 p.m., depending on which start time you choose.

Is the walking difficult, and how much of the tour is on foot?

The tour is mostly walking through Hoi An's small streets and alleys, with stops to eat and visit the dumpling workshop. You should have at least a moderate level of fitness to keep pace comfortably.

Does the guide take me back to my hotel?

No, the tour ends in Hoi An Ancient Town, and you return to your hotel on your own. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, all the food tastings at each stop, bottled water, herbal tea and dinner. Gratuities are not included.