Hoi An cuisine always leaves a deep impression on diners with rustic dishes but imbued with the old spirit, in which Cao Lau is an irreplaceable symbol. So what is Cao Lau? This is a typical noodle dish of Hoi An ancient town, with golden, chewy noodles made from rice flour soaked in ash water, combined with char siu pork, raw vegetables and rich sauce. Despite the many years, Cao Lau still retains its essence. Central cuisine rustic but sophisticated
In the heart of bustling Saigon, finding a place that serves delicious Cao Lau with the authentic Hoi An flavor is not easy. The article below will reveal to you the most worth-trying places, especially experiencing the exquisite Hoi An Cao Lau at Hoi An Sense restaurant, which fully recreates the culinary soul and space of Hoi An in the middle of modern Saigon.
What are the criteria for evaluating a delicious Cao Lau dish?
A delicious bowl of Cao Lau is not only a combination of ingredients, but also the spirit of Hoi An ancient town conveyed through every small detail.
- Noodles with precise texture: Cao Lau noodles are the soul that creates the unique flavor of Hoi An Cao Lau. Unlike regular noodles or pho, delicious Cao Lau noodles have a natural golden color, are chewy but not crumbly, dry but soft enough to feel the unique crunchiness when chewed. The secret lies in the elaborate way of making Cao Lau: rice flour is soaked in ash water from cajuput wood - a special ingredient only found in Cu Lao Cham. This step helps the noodles have a light aroma, keeping their firmness after many times of steaming and skillfully drying. Thanks to that, when enjoying Cao Lau, diners will clearly feel the difference - each golden noodle strand mixed with rich sauce and fatty char siu, creating the standard flavor of Hoi An Cao Lau that is hard to match.
- Sauce and Char Siu: Pork is marinated thoroughly, simmered with soy sauce and five spice powder until well-marinated, tender but not mushy. The thick sauce is drizzled over the noodles, blending the salty and sweet flavors in an enticing way.
- The perfect blend: Fresh raw vegetables, crispy pork rinds and golden noodles create the perfect symphony of flavors for Hoi An's Cao Lau.
Top 3 places to enjoy special Cao Lau in Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An Sense Restaurant – Preserving the Soul of Hoi An Ancient Town
- Address: 12 Phan Ke Binh, District 1, HCMC
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 22:00
If you want to find a place that not only serves delicious Cao Lau but also fully recreates the spirit of Hoi An ancient town, then Hoi An Sense restaurant is the ideal destination.
The space This place is designed with classical architecture mixed with modern sophistication: curved tiled roofs, warm yellow lanterns, gentle folk music, all seem to take diners back in time to the heritage land.
Hoi An Sense’s Cao Lau is prepared from a traditional recipe, using premium ingredients and presented in fine dining style. Each noodle is handmade, the char siu is marinated to perfection, the local vegetables are fresh and crunchy, all blending together to create a taste that is authentically Hoi An but still elegant, sophisticated, and true to the essence of a high-end restaurant in the heart of Saigon.
Hoi Pho - Cao Lau HCMC
- Address: 457/1 Cach Mang Thang 8, Ward 13, District 10, HCMC
- Opening hours: 06:00 – 14:00 | 16:00 – 21:00
When talking about Cao Lau Pho Hoi in Saigon, we cannot miss Hoi Pho – one of the pioneers in bringing this typical dish closer to Southern diners. The restaurant impresses with its unique Cao Lau making method and rich flavor.
The ingredients are carefully selected and meticulously processed to create a delicious Cao Lau dish. The noodles are crispy and chewy, the sauce is rich in the flavor of meat and five spices, and the vegetables are fresh. The price ranges from 10,000 VND to 50,000 VND, suitable for both students and office workers who want to find a bit of Central flavor in the heart of the city.
Cao Lau Quan – Hoi An Flavor in the Middle of Thu Duc
- Address: 107C Street No. 8, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:00
Cao Lau Quan is a familiar meeting place for those who love authentic Hoi An Cao Lau. The restaurant space is small but clean, cozy, and full of the atmosphere of the old town. The owner – a native of Hoi An – directly selects the ingredients, prepares and presents the dishes, ensuring the original flavor is preserved.
Cao Lau here has golden noodles, fresh green vegetables and soft, fragrant char siu, all mixed with a slightly sweet and salty sauce, creating a unique delicious taste that anyone who eats it once will remember forever. Along with that is the friendly, agile service team - bringing a pleasant feeling like enjoying hot rice rolls at a small restaurant in the middle of Hoi An ancient town.
Experience Enjoying Cao Lau in an Old Space in the Middle of Saigon
When entering Hoi An Sense restaurant, you will not only enjoy Hoi An Cao Lau but also feel a nostalgic space. Bright lanterns, ancient yellow walls, fragrant incense – all of which perfectly recreate the scenery of Hoi An ancient town in the heart of the city.
- Taste: Each portion of Cao Lau here is meticulously prepared down to the last detail, from the chewiness of the noodles to the richness of the traditional sauce, creating a delicate taste experience.
- Space: Cozy but luxurious, suitable for meetings with partners, family meals or those who want to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in the middle of bustling Saigon.
- Service: Professional, attentive, demonstrating the true spirit of hospitality. Gentle, sincere and respectful.
Hoi An Sense Restaurant – Preserving the Soul of Cao Lau Cuisine in the Heart of Saigon
If you are looking for a place to enjoy delicious Cao Lau, want to understand more about what Cao Lau is, and want to relive the taste of Hoi An Cao Lau in the heart of a modern city, then Hoi An Sense is the perfect choice.
Come and enjoy the famous Cao Lau dish – where traditional flavors are breathed into the luxurious space and nostalgic emotions of Hoi An ancient town.
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