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Tucked away in ‘Ba Le Well’ alleyway of Hoi An Old Town, the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration is an interesting attraction. It introduces ingredients, tools and steps to make the black sesame soup, a specialty food in Hoi An. More meaningfully, this demonstration is in the house of a vendor who has been selling it for many decades. His family members still make and sell the soup in the town. Now, let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company tell you everything that you need to know about the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An Vietnam.

You may also like: Museums in Hoi An Vietnam

• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD

• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team

• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others

Table of Contents

Must Knows about Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An

– Location/address: 45/17 Tran Hung Dao St (inside Ba Le Well alleyway), Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam

– Other name(s): Ngo Thieu’s House

– Opening hours: 8 am to 8 pm daily

– Ticket price: included by Hoi An Old Town ticket (120,000 VND for adult), free if eat here

– Reason(s) to visit: place to honor black sesame soup (a Hoi An specialty food) and commemorate a black sesame soup master, have a chance to try black sesame soup (Hoi An’s specialty food)

– Best time to spend: morning or late afternoon when it’s not too hot

– Time to spend: 20-30 mins

– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/black-sesame-soup-demonstration-hoi-an

– Recognition(s):

– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)

– Food & drink: yes available

– Shopping: no

– Fact: This is the house of the man who had made and sold black sesame soup for more than 70 years.

Black Sesame Soup Demonstration (Hoi An) on Map

What is Black Sesame Soup?

Black sesame soup (xi ma, chi ma phu, che me den) is a light soup made by black sesame, arrowroot powder, sweet potato, fresh pennywort, cheese plant, and cane sugar. It originates from Canton in southern China and was introduced into Hoi An by Cantonese who migrated some hundreds of years ago. This is one of Hoi An’s specialty foods. See more information & details

See also: Cao Lau Noodles & Best Places to Eat in Hoi An

Better to Know about ‘Black Sesame Soup Master’ Ngo Thieu

The Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An is to commemorate Ngo Thieu who sold the black sesame soup for more than 70 years in town. This demonstration is inside his house. He was borned in 1915 in Dien Ban district (west of Hoi An), and passed away in 2022, at age of 107. Hoi An locals call him ‘master of black sesame soup’ and commonly call his tasty soup ‘old man soup’.

At age of 30, Ngo Thieu came to Hoi An to live and work at a restaurant owned by a Chinese family. One of the foods sold here is black sesame soup (known as xi ma or chi ma phu by Chinese people). The restaurant’s owners told him how to make this soup and shared their well-kept experiences when they got so old and could not continue the business. Since then, he had made and sold it, to make money for living.

Up to date, many generations of locals ate his soup. They also shared that while he was still young, this man often woke up at 6 AM, went around the Hoi An Old Town to sell the soup, and then returned home at around 4 PM. Later, he sat on the pavement in front of the Hoi An Catholic Church. When he became old, he stayed home and let a relative sit at the same place and serve the same soup to earn for living. That lady still puts a sign ‘old man black sesame soup’ to tell local people that she is one of his successors. Occasionally, when she doesn’t open her small business, other vendors hang up a sign with the same content, to attract more customers. The image of the ‘old man’ Ngo Thieu is still alive in memory of those who live in Hoi An.

Black sesame soup making in Hoi An was recognized as Vietnam’s national intangible cultural heritage.

History & Things to See in Black Sesame Soup Demonstration

On 19th June 2019, the house of master Ngo Thieu became the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration, a tourist attraction. Its opening is one of a series of events to celebrate the 20th year of Hoi An Old Town inscribed as a Unesco world heritage site. At this time, Ngo Thieu and his wife were still alive.

Today, two of his children, one daughter and one son, are now in the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration, to greet and introduce visitors about their father’s heritage. They also worship their father and grandfather in the house. Occasionally, it’s possible for their mother (Mr Ngo Thieu’s wife) who lived more than 100 years already. She is still healthy and walkable.

Ngo Thieu’s house is a small one-storey house built near Ba Le Well, one of the oldest fresh water wells in Hoi An. Locals believe that water in this well is the best to make black sesame soup, cao lau noodles, etc.

The Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An, opens 7 days a week, from morning to evening. Sometimes, it’s closed because the family has some sudden events or holidays. To visit this demonstration, please take off shoes first (traditionally, Vietnamese people remove shoes to enter a house to show respect to the family and keep the floor clean).

Here, visitors should see a photo album first, in which ingredients and steps to make the black sesame soup are shown (with English captions). Real and fresh ingredients are seen on the table near the inner door. Nearby, most tools and objects needed to make and serve it are beautifully arranged, bringing a good photo opportunity. On the floor mat, there are a black cylinder pot (to contain the soup) put above a charcoal stove (to keep the soup warm), a set of small bowls and metal spoons (to serve the soup), hat to wear in sunny days, a sign on which soup’s name is written in Vietnamese and Chinese languages, and a bamboo shoulder pole to carry everything. By the wall, stone grinders will be used to grind side ingredients, and stone mortar and pestle to smash side ingredients.

In the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration, visitors also see many beautiful photos about Ngo Thieu, his wife, and his street business. Best pictures are with a smile on their face. All of them were taken by Rehann, a French photographer with a love for Hoi An and Vietnam. This photographer has galleries on Phan Boi Chau St (flagship) and Nguyen Hue St. If have time, we recommend visiting them to see his amazing photo shoots.

To make black sesame soup, it’s needed to have these ingredients: black sesame (me den), cu khoai lang (cu khoai lang), bot san day (kudzu or arrowroot powder), rau ma (pennywort or centella asiatica), la mo (cheese grass or paederia lanuginosa), duong mia (cane sugar), and fresh water from Ba Le Well. Necessary items are bamboo tray, mortar & pestle, black pot, stone grinder. People will serve the black sesame soup when it’s warm, into a small ceramic bowl and with a cup of hot tea.

To support the family at the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration, visitors can show the ‘Hoi An Old Town ticket’ OR get a bowl of black sesame soup. The price of the soup is very cheap, 10,000-20,000 VND/bowl.

Inside and outside the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration, there are many tables and chairs, to have a seat, take a break and try delicious black sesame soup made by Mr Ngo Thieu’s daughter. Tables are black and low, similar to a street food vendor/stall. On hot days, visitors should sit outdoors, near the pemolo/grape fruit trees.

Tips to Visit Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An

– It’s needed to buy entry ticket for Hoi An Ancient Town and then sightsee Japanese Culture Gallery. The nearest ticket booth is near the East gate (Tran Phu Street gate) of Japanese Bridge, a few steps from the museum. The price is 120,000 VND for adult and children above 15 years ago. See more information & details 

– No dress code regulation is required to visitors at Japanese Culture Gallery. However, to see other attractions in town (such as temples, assembly halls), wearing long pants and shirts covering armpits/shoulders/navel is necessary.

– Follow rules, regulations and signs while visiting Japanese Culture Gallery.

– Introductions and explanations are available in either Vietnamese or English. Other languages are not available yet.

– Visitors must turn off flashlights when taking photos by phone or camera while visiting Japanese Culture Gallery.

– Visitors should be careful when walking upstairs to the 2nd floor of Japanese Culture Gallery because it’s steep. Senior visitors and wheelchair users can see round the ground floor, and not see the upper floor.

– No smoking, no eating and no drinking in the museum.

– Toilets in the back of the first floor, to use for free.

– Do not enter private areas and touch on old antiquities in Japanese Culture Gallery. 

– Vietnamese traditional costume ao dai dress is highly recommended. Any garment made of see-through material is not respectful. 

– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, hat/cap/umbrella, sun glasses, and bottles of water to drink. If don’t have, it’s easy to buy at shops near Japanese Culture Gallery.

– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast usually when traveling during this period.

– From October to December, the town may be flooded, so visitors need to keep updating the weather before going to Hoi An.

– The best way to visit the Hoi An Old Town is walking, so make sure that you have good/comfortable shoes or sandals.

– Smartphone or camera is needed for taking pictures. For more experiences, visitors can consider renting Vietnamese traditional costume (for example, ao dai long dress for ladies) or even booking a private photographer (contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) if you need).

– Don’t forget bringing cash to pay for entry fee tickets and small things because many places in Vietnam don’t accept payment by cards.

How to Get to Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An

The Black Sesame Soup Demonstration is at 45/17 Tran Hung Dao street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Vietnam. It lies within the Hoi An Ancient Town world heritage site area, next to Ba Le Well.

From Hoi An, visitors can go to the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration by walking, bicycle, motorcycle, taxi/car, electric bus, shuttle bus of the hotel/resort, cyclo, bus/minivan. This attraction is NOT in the pedestrian zone, but in a small alleyway, so walking, riding a bicycle or motorcycle are ways to get there directly. Just park in the yard of the house. If take other vehicles, visitors should go to the Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, and then walk to the demonstration. The distance is just 100 meters from the museum.

From Da Nang, the distance to the Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An is some 30 kilometers, to the south. Visitors often choose a car or ride the motorbike by themselves. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo/line) to book a private roundtrip transfer by car.

HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes transfers to Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!

Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer

First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details

If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.

We suggest this itinerary for first timers:

Total distance: 1,65 kilometers

Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.

Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.

Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.

Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.

Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).

Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).

The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.

For more information and details, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour

Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam

From Hoi An

Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local

Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour: Heritage Sites, Crafts & Show

Hoi An Early Morning Walking Tour with Local Pho & Coffee 

Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour + Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise 

Hoi An Night Tour from Hoi An: Lantern Boat, Markets & Food 

Hoi An Walking Tour with Sightseeing & Cooking Class

Hoi An Late Afternoon Walking Tour with Local Food Tastings 

Hoi An Walking Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village by Boat 

Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café

Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride

Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert (4 hours duration from departure time)

HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!

From Da Nang

Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang

Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang

Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang 

Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang

Marble Mountain & Hoi An Highlights Tour

Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang

Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide

My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang

Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang

Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port

Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port

HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!

Places to Visit near Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An

Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge, Cam Kim Metal Bridge

Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa FolkloreMuseum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration

Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall

Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen HouseThai Phien Ancient House

Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi AnHoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple

Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel

Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House

Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market

Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)

Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Phan Boi Chau Street (Hoi An French Quarter), Hoi An Lantern Streets

Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture ParkHoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Book Street, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi IslandCam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree

Photos, Videos about Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An

Here are beautiful photos and videos about Black Sesame Soup Demonstration in Hoi An:

Tours In/From Da Nang

Tours In/From Hoi An

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