Need a getaway from Singapore? Catch a flight and explore this vibrant town in Central Vietnam that has plenty of charms

Maybe it was Hoi An’s history as a maritime merchant’s crossroads, one where flavours and ingredients from across Asia and around the world would meld in delicious harmony. Or, maybe it was the late, great Anthony Bourdain championing the town’s banh mi and myriad bowls of sensational local noodles.

Whatever the reason, the formerly sleepy port on the north Vietnam coast has become a Mecca for lovers of great food. It never disappoints and with 800 places to eat in a town of just 120,000, you’re truly spoilt for choice. Prices are also an absolute steal, with brilliant stuffed banh mi or delicious bowls of local noodles rarely costing more than one US dollar. Barely a two-hour-long flight from Singapore, it also represents one of the most compelling cultural getaways for an easy long weekend.

Tatler Asia
Above Madam Khanh's signature banh mi is a worthy alternative to the more well-known Madame Phuong (Photo: Chris Dwyer)

1. Madame Khanh, The Banh Mi Queen

Hoi An is said to be home to the best examples of Vietnam’s famous stuffed baguettes, banh mi. Certainly, there is no shortage of options, with countless little roadside stalls, tiny shops and regular restaurants all serving their own take. Homemade patés, secret chilli sauces, mayonnaise, barbecued meats, juliennes of crisp vegetables and even Laughing Cow cheese are just some of the ingredients you’ll find on offer. Madame Phuong is the town’s most famous thanks to constant lines—they sell up to 3,000 a day—and Anthony Bourdain’s ringing endorsement. I preferred the quieter but not modestly named ‘Madame Kwanh, The Banh Mi Queen’. The 70-something used to craft them all herself with deft layering by chopsticks, but even though today she has staff make them, never has one US dollar been so well spent. My tip? Go for the barbecued meat option for sandwich nirvana.

Madame Khanh | The Banh Mi Queen, 115 Trần Cao Vân, Phường Minh An, tp. Hội An, Vietnam | +84 777 476 177 

(Related: Vietnamese-Australian Chef Luke Nguyen Shares The Ingredients And Tools He Finds Most Important In His Life)

Tatler Asia
Above Dine alfresco among lush greenery at this modern bar and grill (Photo: Courtesy of Thirty Seven Woodfired Grill and Bar)

2. Thirty Seven Woodfired Grill and Bar

Thirty Seven Woodfired Grill and Bar has quickly proved popular with locals and visitors alike since opening only a few months ago in an old riverside house. Vietnamese ingredients and flavours pepper the menu but meats are understandably the main draw, grilled over a mix of sustainable local wood, coconut and sugar cane. Maybe its coconut smoked suckling pig, Black Angus grain-fed sirloin or their house-made charcuterie which will tempt you, while decadent mousse with 70 per cent cacao local chocolate, berries and a cashew nut praline ensures no one leaves hungry.

Thirty Seven Woodfired Grill and Bar | |37 Đường Phan Bội Châu, Hội An, Vietnam | +84 77 876 9037

(Related: 5 Gourmet Experiences At SPRMRKT's Vietnam Cultural Showcase Last Year)

Tatler Asia
Above Quan An Hong is known for their solid rendition of Hoi An's beloved cao lau (Photo: Chris Dwyer)

3. Quan An Hong

While Hoi An is all about true local flavour, no dish is more beloved than cao lau, their sensational noodle bowl. Pork belly is the hero, while the noodles look and bite like udon—unsurprisingly as Japan had a long history of trade with Hoi An. Only one family has the recipe to make the rice flour noodles, light yellow strands which get their distinctive colour from water to which firewood ash has been added. The pork is first steeped in a marinade of star anise, cassia bark and more to give it a unique, aromatic sweetness, then the critical crunch comes from rice crackers and those fresh greens, before a spoon of the local chilli jam. Quan An Hong do one of the town’s most popular and authentic bowls in no-frills surroundings. Not to be missed.

Quan An Hong | 22 Duong Thai Phien, Hoi An, Vietnam | +84 0973 725 123

(Related: What Went Down At The Michelin Guide Street Food Festival 2019)

Tatler Asia
Above Local spices add an extra touch to the cocktails at Art Space Anantara (Photo: Courtesy of Anantara)

4. Art Space Anantara

The Anantara Hoi An is a lovely hotel a few minutes’ walk downriver from the heart of the city. Its colonial architecture, banyan trees and lawns make it a great spot to kick back and escape the often-busy centre of town, but their newly-launched Art Space shows they also know how to have a good time. Works by local artists and photographers cover the walls, while a creative cocktail programme, strong wine selection and craft beers mean you’ve no shortage of choices to wet your whistle. Don’t miss their Pho cocktail that cleverly uses flavours from the iconic soup broth to boozy effect. Great tapas-inspired small plates are on offer when hunger comes calling.

Art Space Anantara | 1 Pham Hong Thai Street, Hoi An, Vietnam | +84 235 391 4555

(Related: 7 Family-Friendly Luxury Resorts In Southeast Asia)

Tatler Asia
Above A rich array of local specialties line the counters at La Sen (Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai)

5. The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

The beachside Four Seasons, the former Nam Hai, is a 15-minute drive from the centre of Hoi An but a popular choice for those seeking a culinary option that is sleeker than most. While you pay prices to match, there’s no doubting the quality of the ingredients and execution of classic dishes, both Vietnamese and global. La Sen is their contemporary fine dining venue which combines international comfort food along with contemporary interpretations of local classics. They also feature regular events focusing on specialities like hot pot, Nha Trang lobster night or Duong Bo Song which celebrates Vietnam’s street food experience in a waterfront setting.

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai | Block Ha My Dong B, Dien Duong Ward, Hoi An, Vietnam | +84 235 394 0000

(Related: This Four Seasons Resort Is A Family-Friendly Holiday Spot That Brings Your Kids Closer To Nature)

Topics