Trading and shipping have long since moved north to Da Nang, however cao lau is still a source of pride for locals in Hoi An. The unique noodle dish can only be made in Hoi An – all other renditions in Vietnam or elsewhere are not authentic.

Cao Lau Noodles

Perhaps the difference between cao lau and other noodle dishes is the texture. Cao lau noodles are firmer and chewier – very similar to Japanese udon – than those found in typical Vietnamese noodle dishes such as pho.

Unlike pho, cao lau noodles are served with very little broth. The broth is seasoned with cilantro, basil, and mint; sometimes chili peppers and a lime are provided on the side. Cao lau should be served with salad greens and bean sprouts, although many restaurants leave these important ingredients out to save cost. Unless ordered vegetarian, thinly-sliced pork slices and deep-fried croûtons are sprinkled on top to complete the dish.

The Secret of Cao Lau

Why can’t cao lau be made anywhere else in Vietnam? The secret lies in the water; authentic cao lau is prepared only with water drawn from ancient Cham wells hidden around Hoi An and Quang Nam Province. Noodles are pre-soaked in well water and lye made from wood ash brought from one of the eight Cham Islands around 10 miles outside of Hoi An. The combination may seem esoteric, but local cookingies can tell a difference in the taste and texture!

Finding Authentic Cao Lao in Hoi An

Cao lau literally appears on every menu around Hoi An – both in the Old Town and on streets outside. With every eatery in town advertising some interpretation of the dish, finding authentic cao lao can actually be daunting. Many restaurants leave out key ingredients or do not use well water; some places are cheeky enough to use pho broth thinking that tourists will not know the difference!

Real cao lau takes a long time to prepare. In fact, natives to Hoi An do not even attempt to prepare the dish at home, most opt to eat out and leave cao lau to the professionals.

The best bet for finding authentic cao lau in Hoi An is to eat from street vendors who only serve cao lau or a small handful of local dishes. Do not expect the real deal from tourist restaurants along the river with menus as thick as phone books.

If you do not mind the hassle and hectic environment, authentic cao lau can be purchased from stalls in the outdoor market on the east end of Bach Dang Street along the river. Otherwise, try your luck by approaching one of the handful of restaurants that also operate a cooking school; many schools have students prepare authentic cao lau as part of the course.

Eating Cao Lau

Despite the preparation time, cao lau is usually cheap to eat – under $2 a bowl. Although cao lau is served in most restaurants until close, locals prefer to eat the dish either for breakfast or lunch, giving plenty of time to digest the firm noodles.

Tradition claims the only true way to enjoy cao lau is to eat it on the second floor of a restaurant, just as the traders did hundreds of years ago. Your height above sea level won’t have much bearing on the delicious taste, but looking out over the same river while enjoying the same taste that merchants did centuries ago is highly addictive!

Other Hoi An Specialties

White rose

To eat Hoi An pancakes, dip the rice paper quickly through the water which makes them sticky and pliable. A delicate juggling act of rolling the omelet and greens while holding the sticky paper should yield a delicious pancake similar to an extra-thick spring roll. Hopefully one of the staff will provide some friendly guidance to get you started!

Hoi An Pancake

Fresh Beer: The locally-brewed beer in Hoi An is the best way to wash down your bowl of cao lau noodles. Unfortunately, restaurants do not brew the beer themselves – it is purchased in plastic bottles from local brewers daily and must be sold within 24 hours. Sometimes called “fresh beer” on signs and menus, a tall glass of the Pilsner beer is usually 25 cents or less!

SmileinVietnam