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Cao Lau Hoi An – Most Delicious Dishes Tourists Must Try In Quang Nam

Cao Lau is a particularly delicious dish in Hoi An. With a unique flavor and the pride of the Hoi An people because of its toughness, it captivates many tourists when traveling to Quang Nam.

Come to Hoi An without trying Cao Lau will be a big regret to those who still have not tried Cao Lau Hoi An. Join in Hoi An daily tours, tourists should try Cao Lau once time in their life. 

Cao Lau Hoi An is a favorite dish for families and children when traveling to Quang Nam. To have a perfect Cao Lau Hoi An dish, it must combine with yellow noodles, pork and some raw vegetables, bean sprouts, accompanied by a special soy sauce simmered from pork bones. 

Cao Lau specialties Hoi An Quang Nam

1. Hoi An Cao Lau’s specialties

Cao Lau is a dish that carries the unique culinary soul of the ancient city of Hoi An. Coming to Quang Nam and not enjoying this dish is a huge mistake. Cao Lau is considered the quintessence of Vietnam’s multi-identity cultural cuisine.

The name “Cao Lau” makes many tourists curious when visiting and traveling in Hoi An. Many tourists joke with each other: If you want to eat Cao Lau, you have to go to a higher floor. 

1.1 Origin of Cao Lau Hoi An dish

According to the sharing of indigenous people who have lived for a long time. Cao Lau dates back to the 17th century, at that time Hoi An trading port was very busy, so trade and cultural and culinary exchanges were quite easy.

At that time, many merchants were living in Hoi An. They brought the flavors and ways of preparing noodles from their country here. Over time, the blending of the two cultures has gradually transformed to suit Vietnamese cuisine.

During this time, Hoi An became more and more prosperous, so trade was very bustling with people passing by. Merchants who want to go to restaurants to enjoy Cao Lau dishes must climb to the top floor. They both eat Cao Lau and look after their goods, and the name Cao Lau comes from that.

1.2 What is Hoi An Cao Lau dish?

Cao Lau Hoi An at first glance looks like Quang noodles, but on closer inspection, it is not noodles. It is a blend of Chinese noodles and Japanese Udon noodles. Time by, under the hand of the local people, the Cao Lau noodle came out from that.

Cao Lau Hoi An is one of the famous noodle dishes throughout Vietnam and a specialty dish of Hoi An and Quang Nam.

1.3 Ingredients to make Cao Lau Hoi An dish

Cao Lau is a delicate, colorful, and perfect combination, of the culinary soul of Hoi An ancient town. It is the perfect combination of shiny golden noodles, delicious pork meat, a little crispy fried pork skin, pork rinds, bean sprouts, Tra Que vegetables, port, etc. 

This dish will bring diners an extremely unique and unforgettable culinary experience, only available in Hoi An. All have created a top-notch culinary masterpiece in terms of both smell and taste.

2. How to prepare Cao Lau Hoi An dish

the steps to prepare Cao Lau noodles is an elaborate and meticulous process to make Cao Lau noodles that are crispy, flexible, and dry.

2.1 How to make Cao Lau yarn?

First, soak fragrant sticky rice with ash water cooked from Lao firewood (Cu Lao Cham firewood), and water from the Ba Le well (built by Cham people many centuries ago) because the water in the well here is very clear and sweet, not contaminated and cool.

Then grind the rice into flour, filter it carefully, and do it many times until the dough is dry and sticky, then roll it into pieces, cut it into fibers, steam it several times, and dry it to make noodles. Continue processing many times like this, even if the Cao Lau noodles are left overnight, there is no fear of going rancid.

2.2 How to make pork meat

The main ingredient to makes Cao Lau, Hoi An, attractive and special is the secret meat combined with the sauce.

How to choose meat and meat: Choose lean pork thighs, and marinate with spices for about 30 minutes to absorb (including Sugar, salt, five spice, seasoning powder, soy sauce, and crushed garlic…).

Firstly, marinade the meat, then fry both sides until golden brown over low heat, and cook for 30 minutes.

The gravy will be used as Cao Lau sauce. To increase the deliciousness of Cao Lau’s dish, you must use more fatty shrimp made of crispy fried pork skin.

3. What vegetables are delicious with Cao Lau?

Vegetables are served with the standard Cao Lau dish, especially Tra Que vegetables. The vegetables here are very soft and safe because no chemicals are used. 

Cao Lau vegetables only use the following types: Lettuce, coriander, bitter herbs, chrysanthemum, basil, herbs, and young mustard greens. These are synthetic coriander types that create the special flavor of Cao Lau Hoi An dish

In addition to the vegetables mentioned above, green bean sprouts are an indispensable vegetable when eating Cao Lau. Bean sprouts are usually blanched in boiling water.

4. What does Cao Lau taste like?

Different from Hoi An specialties such as Quang Noodles, Chicken Rice… Cao Lau has a very unique flavor. Try the complete Cao Lau dish: With a piece of meat, some noodles, and some vegetables in your mouth, you will feel the rich, soft aroma of soy-marinated meat.

The noodles are a bit chewy and have a sweet taste because they are soaked in ash wood, and the accompanying herbs will help balance the slightly greasy broth, bringing harmony to the dish, plus a little spiciness. Spicy green chili. The delicious taste is indescribable.

5. How to decorate Cao Lau’s dish

• To decorate Cao Lau dishes, you must follow the following steps in the correct order:
• Boil some Cao Lau noodles in boiling water, take them out, and put them in a bowl
• Cut thin slices of pork and place on noodles, pour in prepared sauce
• Add a layer of fat or crispy fried Cao Lau fry rice paper
• Add green chili, raw vegetables, and bean sprouts to the right corner.

So we have a bowl of Cao Lau that attracts eaters! Just seeing it makes me want to enjoy it right away!

6. Delicious Cao Lau restaurant in Hoi An ancient town

Cao Lau has become a famous dish in Quang Nam, visitors who have the opportunity to travel to Hoi An can refer to the following most delicious restaurants in Hoi An:

Cao Lau Lien, Hoi An

• Address: 16 Thai Phien, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 13:00 – 21:00
• Price: 25,000 – 45,000 VND/bowl

Cao Lau Bac Trung

•  Address: 87 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 22:00
• Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND/bowl

 Cao Lau Ba Thanh Hoi An

• Address: 26 Thai Phien Street, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00
• Price: 30,000 – 45,000 VND/bowl

Cao Lau Bich Hoi An 

• Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
• Price: 15,000 – 30,000 VND/bowl

     Dan Tri Cu Lao Cham Restaurant

• Address: Bai Lang, Cu Lao Cham Tourist Island, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:00
• Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND/bowl

     Cao Lau Ong Ty Hoi An

• Address: 71 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:00
• Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl

     Cao Lau Ong Hai Hoi An

• Address: 6A Truong Minh Luong, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:00
• Price: 40,000 – 70,000 VND/bowl

  Cao Lau Ong Toan Hoi An

• Address: 27 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:00
• Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND/bowl

     Pho Hoi High Tower

• Address: Minh An, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:00
• Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND/bowl

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