Hoi An Vegetarian Food: 10+ Best Dishes with Picture

There are many vegetarian foods in Hoi An Vietnam. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will list all of them and information about each.

You may also like: Food Specialties 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

List of Best Vegetarian Foods in Hoi An Vietnam

Banh Mi Chay (Sandwich)

Bánh Mì Chay, Hoi An’s famous vegetarian sandwich, offers a vibrant, meat-free take on Vietnam’s iconic street food.

The heart of the sandwich is the famous Hoi An baguette—crispy and light—filled with savory, plant-based ingredients. Instead of meat, it features a generous stuffing of flavorful tofu, savory mushroom pâté (or a mock-meat substitute), fresh local herbs, pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, and a signature, tangy Hoi An chili sauce. Often sprinkled with crushed peanuts for added crunch, it delivers the perfect balance of fresh, savory, crunchy, and spicy flavors, making it a favorite street food for locals and travelers alike.

– Other name(s): Banh mi chay

– Origin:

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: breakfast, lunch, dinner

– Price: 15,000-30,000 VND per bread

– Vegetarian:

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/vegetarian-banh-mi-hoi-an

– Fact:

Mi Quang Chay (Noodles)

Mi Quang Chay, or vegetarian Mi Quang, is a beloved plant-based take on Hoi An’s signature noodle dish. It features the wide, turmeric-infused rice noodles characteristic of Mi Quang, but replaces the traditional meat and shrimp with a flavorful array of tofu, mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables.

The rich, savory, yet light broth is simmered with vegetables, creating a delightful contrast to the minimal broth used, which just coats the noodles. Served with crispy sesame rice crackers, fresh local herbs, and roasted peanuts, it offers the perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and savory flavors, making it a must-try for any visitor.

– Other name(s): Mi quang chay

– Origin: Quang Nam region (which includes Da Nang and Hoi An today)

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: dessert

– Price: 35,000-60,000 VND per bowl

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/vegetarian-mi-quang-hoi-an

– Fact:

Cao Lau Chay (Noodles)

Hoi An’s vegetarian Cao Lau is a delicious twist on the city’s iconic noodle dish. It features the signature thick, chewy rice noodles—traditionally prepared with local water and ash—that give it its unique texture.

Instead of pork, this meatless version, often called Cao Lau Chay, is topped with flavorful, seasoned ingredients like tofu and mushrooms. It is served with a small amount of savory, often soy-based, sauce (not a full broth) and a generous mix of fresh Tra Que village herbs and crispy rice crackers, providing a balanced and satisfying textural experience.

– Other name(s): Cao lau chay

– Origin: Hoi An

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: dessert

– Price: 35,000-60,000 VND per bowl

– Vegetarian:

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/vegetarian-cao-lau-hoi-an

– Fact: Cao lau noodles is unique to Hoi An, so visitors can not find it anywhere else in Vietnam

Pho Chay (Rice Noodle Soup)

Hoi An’s vegetarian Phở Chay is a comforting bowl that swaps the traditional meat broth for a light yet fragrant vegetable-based soup, often infused with star anise and cinnamon. This flavorful broth is simmered with local vegetables, mushrooms, and often features savory tofu or seitan as the protein.

Served over soft rice noodles and garnished generously with fresh local herbs like basil, mint, and cilantro, plus bean sprouts and a squeeze of lime, it’s a refreshing and nourishing take on the classic. It’s a must-try, available widely in the town’s numerous vegetarian-friendly eateries.

– Other name(s): Pho chay

– Origin: Vietnam

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: break, lunch, dinner

– Price: 35,000-60,000 VND per bowl

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/vegetarian-pho-hoi-an

– Fact:

Banh Xeo Chay (Rice Pancake)

Hoi An’s vegetarian Bánh Xèo Chay is a delightful, savory “sizzling pancake,” named for the sound it makes when the turmeric-spiced rice batter hits the hot oil. Smaller and crispier than its southern counterparts, this golden crepe is typically filled with stir-fried tofu, mushrooms, and fresh bean sprouts.

The ritual of eating is key: you tear off a piece, wrap it in a sheet of rice paper and fresh herbs, and dip the crunchy roll into a rich, savory peanut-sesame sauce (replacing the traditional fish sauce) for a burst of harmonious textures and flavors.

– Other name(s): Banh xeo chay, vegetarian pancake

– Origin: Vietnam

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: lunch, dinner

– Price: 30,000-50,000 VND per pancake

– Vegetarian:

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/vegetarian-banh-xeo-hoi-an

– Fact: Bánh Xèo in Hoi An is a typical Central Vietnamese style, meaning it is smaller and thicker than the large, thin Southern version, and is traditionally filled with fresh seafood like shrimp and squid. Its most distinct feature is the accompanying dipping sauce, which is a rich, thick, and savory peanut-and-pork-liver mixture rather than the sweet and sour fish sauce common in the South.

Lau Chay (Hot Pot)

Hoi An’s vegetarian hot pot, or Lẩu Chay, is a communal culinary experience perfect for a cool evening. Unlike heavy meat broths, this version features a light, fragrant vegetable stock, often tomato or mushroom-based, simmered tableside.

The centerpiece is a vibrant platter of fresh, local produce, including tofu, an assortment of mushrooms, taro, greens, and sometimes even pineapple or star fruit for a subtle tang. Diners cook the ingredients themselves and enjoy them with vermicelli noodles and a deeply savory fermented tofu or soya dipping sauce, highlighting the region’s commitment to balanced, fresh flavors.

– Other name(s): Lau chay

– Origin: Vietnam

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: lunch, dinner

– Price: 100,000-500,000 VND per pot

– Vegetarian:

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/vegetarian-hot-pot-hoi-an

– Fact:

Banh Trang Nuong Chay (Rice Paper Pizza)

Hoi An’s vegetarian Bánh Tráng Nướng (Vietnamese Pizza) is a beloved street food snack, offering a delightful twist on the popular savory dish. This “pizza” starts with a thin sheet of rice paper grilled over charcoal until crispy. Instead of traditional meat or sausage, the vegetarian version is typically topped with a thin layer of whisked egg (often quail egg, though vegan options may use a mung bean or tofu mix), chopped green onions, and a drizzle of rich sauce, often featuring chili and/or mayonnaise. It’s a perfect blend of crispy, chewy, savory, and spicy, easily enjoyed folded or rolled up hot from the street vendor.

– Other name(s): ‘Vietnamese pizza’

– Origin: central Vietnam

– Where to find: night markets, street vendors, beaches

– Served in: late afternoon, evening

– Price: 30,000-40,000 VND/cake

– Calories:

– Gluten free: yes

– Vegetarian: available

– Fact:

– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/grilled-rice-paper-hoi-an-da-nang

Sweet Black Sesame Soup

Hoi An’s Black Sesame Soup, or “Xí Mà” (Chè Mè Đen), is a beloved, comforting dessert with Chinese origins, deeply integrated into the town’s culinary heritage since the 17th century.

This dark, glossy soup is a rich, nutty, and subtly sweet concoction made from finely ground black sesame seeds, often thickened with starches like kudzu or arrowroot, and sweetened with cane sugar. Served warm, it’s not only a delicious treat but is also traditionally valued for its soothing and purported health benefits. Found mainly at humble street stalls, particularly a famous one passed down by the late Mr. Ngô Thiểu, Xí Mà offers an authentic taste of the ancient town’s cultural fusion.

– Other name(s): Black Sesame Pudding, Hoi An Sesame Soup, Xi Ma, Chi Ma Phu

– Origin: Canton, China

– Ingredients: black sesame, kudzu or arrowroot powder, dried sweet potato (it don’t have arrowroot powder), pennywort or centella asiatica, cheese grass or paederia lanuginosa), cane sugar, and fresh water from Ba Le Well

– Where to find: vendors in the front of Hoi An Catholic Church, the Sweet Black Sesame Soup Demonstration

– Pronunciation:

– Served for: anytime

– Price: 10,000-20,000 VND/bowl

– Callories:

– Gluten free: yes

– Vegetarian: already vegetarian

– Fact: in many local food tours

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

Dau Hu/Tao Pho (Tofu Pudding)

Hoi An Tofu Pudding, known locally as Đậu Hũ or Tào Phớ, is a silky smooth, custard-like treat made from fresh soybeans.

This light, wobbly delight is typically served in a small bowl with a sweet, fragrant ginger syrup. It’s a versatile street food enjoyed year-round—warm with a hint of ginger on cool days, or chilled with ice, coconut milk, and toppings like jelly or pearls in the summer heat. This simple, refreshing dessert reflects Hoi An’s Chinese-Vietnamese culinary fusion and is a must-try local snack found at humble street vendors throughout the ancient town.

– Other name(s):

– Origin:

– Ingredients: (see below)

– Where to find: (see below)

– Served for: dessert

– Price: 30,000-50,000 VND per bowl

– Vegetarian:

– Foodie guide: https://hoiandaytrip.com/tofu-pudding-hoi-an

– Fact:

Che (Sweet Soup)

Hoi An’s Chè (sweet soup) is a vibrant and comforting Vietnamese dessert, cherished as a street-side delicacy. Unlike a single dish, chè is a term for various sweet puddings and drinks, often featuring ingredients like beans, fruits, jellies, and sticky rice.

A standout local specialty is Chè Bắp (sweet corn soup), made with tender corn from the Cam Nam area and creamy coconut milk. You can also find favorites like black sesame, mung bean, and mixed sweet soups, served either refreshing cold with ice or delightfully warm. It’s the perfect gentle, affordable treat to enjoy while soaking in the ancient town’s atmosphere.

– Other name(s):

– Origin: Vietnam

– Ingredients: a variety of beans, fruits, and puddings

– Where to find: local fresh markets and night markets, local eateries and street stalls

– Pronunciation:

– Served for: anytime

– Price:

– Callories:

– Vegetarian: already vegetarian

– Fact: Che sweet soup is the most popular traditional dessert in Vietnam

– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/che-sweet-soup-hoi-an-da-nang/

Foods to Try in Hoi An Vietnam

Besides balut, visitors will see these dishes in Hoi An: Mi Quang noodles, White rose dumplings, Hoi An style Banh Mi sandwich, Hoi An style chicken rice, Cao Lau noodles, Fried wonton, Hoi An style Pho (beef noodle soup), Banh xeo (crispy rice pancake), Banh xoai (mango cake), Banh uot thit nuong (Hoi An grilled pork), Nem lui (Hoi An pork skewers), Banh dap (smashing rice paper), Stir-fried baby clams with rice cracker, Banh beo (steamed rice cake), Banh trang nuong (grilled rice paper or rice paper pizza), Chuoi nep nuong (grilled banana sticky rice), Hoi An banana pancake, Che (sweet soup), Black sesame soup, Kem cuon (ice cream rolls), Dau hu (tofu pudding), Bo la lot (grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf), Bun thit nuong (grilled pork noodle), Bun mam nem (fermented anchovy rice noodle), Banh canh (thick noodle soup), Chao ngheu (clam porridge), Banh trang cuon thit heo (rice paper rolls), Banh bot loc (tapioca cake), Banh da lon (pig skin cake), Banh it la gai (Ramie leaf rice cake), Banh to (ancestor cake), Green/Mung bean cake, Banh can (mini pancake), Banh cam (fried sesame balls), Banh tieu (hollow donut), Banh phu the (husband and wife cake), Banh bo (cow cake), Banh u tro (Lye water rice dumpling), Mot herbal tea, Da tron (pig skin salad), Banh khoai mon (taro cake), Com tam (broken rice), Bun dau mam tom (rice noodle, shrimp paste and fried tofu), Bun cha ca (fish cake noodle), Trung lon (fetal duck egg or balut),…

Best Food Tours in Hoi An Vietnam

Here are the best food tours with local guide in Hoi An Vietnam:

– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Lantern Boat Ride & Night Market

– Hoi An Private Food Tour

– Hoi An Night Walking Food Tour (Best Food Tour in Hoi An)

– Hoi An Night Market Food Tour with Lantern Boat Ride

– Hoi An Morning Walking Food Tour with Local Market

– Hoi An Street Food Walking Tour

– Hoi An Vegetarian Food Tour

– Hoi An Vegan Food Tour

– Hoi An History & Food Tour – Famous Landmarks & Specialty Dishes

– Hoi An Food Tour by Bike

– Hoi An Food Tour by Motorbike

Better to Know about Eating Local in Hoi An

– Local family-run restaurants always serve better local foods than tourist restaurants. Places inside small alleyways potentially are hidden gems. The price is even more affordable at these lesser known spots.

– Restaurants where you can see a queue or crowds, food or drinks there are absolutely better or safer than others. Vietnamese people also avoid places without people eating, such as roadside eateries.

– Hot foods are often safe to eat for non-Vietnamese people. Refuse cold food (especially ones sold on the street, markets) or things you don’t see people cooking.

– Make sure that you learn some basic Vietnamese words or sentences to order foods, such as xin chao (hello, hi), cho toi mot (something) (I want one…), toi an chay (I am vegetarian), khong cay (no spicy), cam on (thank you), tam biet (goodbye) or numbers (mot/one, hai/two, ba/three, bon/four, nam/five, sau/six, bay/seven, tam/eight, chin/nine, and muoi/ten).

– Ask any local people you know (tour guide, driver, hotel receptionists, bellmen, etc) to receive their recommendation for good places to eat local.

– Raw vegetables are popularly used in local dishes, such as noodles or noodle soup or sandwich. They are often washed by tap water or unwashed. If can not drink tap water, remove or refuse them. Likewise, in most iced drinks (such as coffee or herbal tea), people add ice made by tap water also.

– On the 1st day and 14th-15th days of each lunar month, Hoi An citizens eat vegetarians. Many local restaurants and street businesses will be closed by that.

– If you don’t eat pork or beef, due to diet or religious restrictions, be careful when want to try local food here, if don’t see the ingredient description. Pork and beef are very popular meats, so they will be in numerous dishes. Street vendors may say ‘no pork’ or ‘no beef’ for better business, but please check before buying!

– Consider joining a food tour guided by locals who know much better about dishes in the city, including things never mentioned in guidebooks or on the internet.

– If have an allergy (milk, egg, peanut, wheat,…), ask anybody you know before trying or search for ingredients on the internet. By the way, fish sauce is popularly used to marinate Vietnamese foods, so make sure that you know this information if you’re fish allergic.

– Food portion (or size) here is often not really big (locals prefer eating with their family at home). You may try double or some different dishes for main meals.

– If don’t see the price on the menu, please ask in advance to avoid overcharging, especially when you are not a local. In Vietnamese, how much is bao nhieu.

– Most popular cutleries are chopsticks and spoons. To know how to use it, browse here