Cao Lau noodle soup is a Vietnamese noodle dish that is famous for its unique taste and texture. It originated in Hoi An, a historic city in central Vietnam that was once a major trading port. Cao Lau noodle soup is now considered one of the must-try dishes of Hoi An cuisine and a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
The story behind Cao Lau noodle soup is as interesting as the dish itself. It is said that the recipe for Cao Lau was brought to Hoi An by Chinese traders during the 17th century. The traders settled in Hoi An and adapted the recipe to include local ingredients, resulting in a new dish that was unique to the region. The dish became so popular that it became a staple of Hoi An cuisine and is now considered a cultural icon of the city.
The Main Ingredients that Make up this Delicious Dish
Cao Lau is made using a unique combination of rice noodles, pork slices, bean sprouts, and herbs such as mint, basil, and coriander. The noodles are made using a special recipe that involves soaking them in water from the Ba Le well, a local well that is believed to have unique properties that give the noodles their distinctive flavor and texture. The water from the Ba Le well is said to be filtered through layers of soil and sand, which gives it a special mineral content that is essential for making the perfect Cao Lau noodles.
The pork slices are another essential component of Cao Lau. They are marinated with soy sauce, five spice powder, and other seasonings to give them a rich and savory flavor. The bean sprouts and herbs are added to the dish just before serving, giving it a fresh and vibrant taste that complements the other ingredients.
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How to make Cao Lau
If you want to try making Cao Lau at home, here’s a simple recipe that you can follow:
Ingredients
- 200g of Cao Lau noodles (you can substitute with thick rice noodles)
- 200g of pork belly, sliced thinly
- 2 cups of bean sprouts
- 1 handful of mixed herbs (mint, basil, and coriander)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of five spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 cup of water
Instructions
- Marinate the pork slices with soy sauce, sugar, five spice powder, black pepper, and minced garlic. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- In a pot, bring water to boil and blanch the bean sprouts for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
- In a pan, heat up the vegetable oil and fry the marinated pork slices until they are golden brown and crispy.
- In the same pan, add 1/2 cup of water and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the pork is cooked through and the water has reduced to a thick sauce.
- In another pot, bring water to boil and cook the Cao Lau noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- To assemble the dish, place the cooked noodles in a bowl, top with the pork slices, bean sprouts, and mixed herbs. Pour the thick sauce over the noodles.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Note: To make the dish more authentic, you can soak the noodles in water from the Ba Le well, or use a mixture of regular water and lye water to give the noodles their unique texture. Lye water can be found in some Asian grocery stores. Additionally, you can garnish the dish with fried pork skin and crispy wonton chips for extra crunch.
Distinguishing Between Cao Lau Noodle Soup and Quang Noodles in Hoi An
Cao Lau noodle soup and Quang noodles are two iconic dishes of Hoi An. While they may seem similar at first glance, they have notable differences. Both dishes consist of three main components: noodles, broth, and toppings, often served with fresh herbs, grilled rice crackers, or fried shrimp crackers. Below are some distinctions provided by DanangPrivateCar.com to help international tourists easily differentiate between these two specialties.
Key Differences
Noodles:
- Quang noodles are made from rice flour mixed with turmeric powder, giving them a yellow hue.
- Cao Lau noodles are more intricately prepared. They are made from rice flour soaked in lye water derived from wood ash from the Cham Islands. Additionally, the water used to grind the rice must come from the Ba Le Well in Hoi An. The dough is then filtered, rolled, cut into noodles, and dried, resulting in thicker, chewier noodles with an opaque appearance.
Broth:
- The broth of Quang noodles is light and clear, often flavored with pork or chicken bones.
- The broth of Cao Lau noodle soup is thicker, more savory, and richer in flavor, made with pork bone stock and char siu pork. It is also served in smaller quantities than Quang noodles.
Toppings:
- Quang noodles typically include toppings such as shrimp, pork, quail eggs, or chicken. Variations may feature frog, beef, jellyfish, snakehead fish, or eel.
- Cao Lau noodle soup primarily uses char siu pork as the main topping, with fewer variations compared to Quang noodles.
Rice Crackers:
- Cao Lau noodle soup is served with either grilled or fried rice crackers.
- Quang noodles are only accompanied by grilled rice crackers.
Best Places to Eat Cao Lau in Hoi An
If you visit Hoi An, you cannot leave without trying Cao Lau at one of the many local restaurants that serve this dish. Below are the top 10 Cao Lau restaurants in Hoi An recommended by DanangPrivateCar.com. These restaurants are famous for serving authentic Cao Lau made with traditional recipes and techniques, so you can be sure you are enjoying the real deal.
Here are the top places in Hoi An to try Cao Lau:
Trung Bac Restaurant
- Address: 87 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City
- Price Range: Approximately 40,000–60,000 VND
Trung Bac Cao Lau Restaurant is an iconic culinary destination in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, with a history spanning over 100 years. The restaurant’s cao lau features handmade noodles crafted from a secret recipe, perfectly chewy yet soft, offering a distinctive taste unique to this establishment. The char siu pork is richly flavored and meticulously prepared to preserve Hoi An’s authentic essence, while toppings such as fresh herbs and crispy pork cracklings are carefully selected and harmoniously paired.
What sets Trung Bac apart is the diverse selection of protein options, including pork, chicken, shrimp, and beef, catering to various tastes. While these variations add a modern twist, the broth’s core flavor remains rich and true to the original recipe, providing diners with an unforgettable culinary experience that embodies the authentic taste of Hoi An cao lau.
With transparent pricing and a traditional ambiance, Trung Bac Cao Lau Restaurant is the perfect place to explore and savor this iconic dish of Hoi An.
Thanh Cao Lau Restaurant
- Address: 26 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City
- Price Range: Approximately 15,000–33,000 VND
Thanh Cao Lau Restaurant is a renowned and long-standing eatery in Hoi An that you shouldn’t miss. Though the space is small, it is always kept clean and tidy. During lunchtime, the restaurant can get hot and crowded due to the high number of customers, but this doesn’t detract from its charm.
Each bowl of cao lau at Thanh is carefully prepared, generously portioned, and incredibly flavorful, offering an unforgettable taste. What’s more, the prices here are very affordable, making it a great choice for everyone.
Khong Gian Xanh Restaurant
- Address: 687 Hai Ba Trung Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City
- Price Range: Approximately 20,000–40,000 VND
Khong Gian Xanh Restaurant is a beloved dining spot for both locals and tourists visiting Hoi An. The cao lau here stands out with its unique flavor, perfectly seasoned ingredients, and unforgettable taste. A generous bowl includes crispy rice crackers, char siu pork, and fresh greens, all offered at very reasonable prices.
In addition to cao lau, the restaurant serves a variety of other dishes such as fried wontons, grilled pork vermicelli, and stir-fried baby clams, sure to satisfy even the most discerning diners. The attentive and friendly staff add to the appeal, making you want to return time and time again.
Cao Lau Mrs. Lien
- Address: 21 Thai Phien, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
- Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
- Phone: 0782 672 587
- Price range: 20,000 – 30,000 VND
Cao Lau Mrs. Lien is open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM and is known for its affordable prices. The restaurant serves delicious Cao Lau and other local specialties, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 VND.
Phuc Restaurant (Chicken Rice & Rice Noodle)
- Address: 11 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Hoi An City
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Price Range: 20,000 – 45,000 VND per serving
Phuc Restaurant, a small eatery located on Phan Chu Trinh Street, attracts a large number of customers every day. The Cao Lau noodles here are chewy and delicious, offering a unique taste. The char siu pork is also very flavorful. The owner is generous in offering extra herbs or crispy pork for customers to enhance their experience and enjoy the full taste of this dish.
Miss Ly Cafeteria
- Address: 22 Nguyễn Huệ, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000
Miss Ly Cafeteria is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, serving up delicious Cao Lau along with other Hoi An specialties such as white rose dumplings and banh mi sandwiches.
Bon Restaurant
- Address: 474 Cua Dai Street, Hoi An City
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Price Range: 20,000 – 50,000 VND per serving
Many visitors consider Bon Restaurant to be a favorite spot, especially since it is located near An Bang Beach. After enjoying a refreshing swim, indulging in a steaming bowl of Cao Lau at this restaurant is definitely a memorable experience. The recipe for Cao Lau here has been slightly adapted by the owner to better suit the tastes of international tourists. This is one of the reasons why Bon Restaurant is often labeled as a “must-try” eatery when visiting Hoi An.
Cao Lau Ba Le
- Address: 45/3 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An City, Quang Nam
- Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Phone: 0937 691 891
Cao Lau Ba Le is open for service from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, but on weekends it opens earlier to accommodate more distant tourists. The restaurant serves specialties from Central Vietnam such as Hoi An Cao Lau, Quang-style noodles, chicken rice, grilled meat… with rich and authentic flavors of Quang region locals.
Cao Lau Ong Ty
- Address: 71 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City
- Price Range: Approximately 25,000 to 50,000 VND
Cao Lau Ong Ty may not be as well-known as other places, but the quality of the food here truly deserves attention. The Cao Lau at Ong Ty is not only attractive because of the golden yellow noodles but also due to the richness of ingredients such as fresh herbs, crispy pork cracklings, and crispy rice crackers.
The distinctive flavor of the Cao Lau here is perfectly balanced with the chewy, delicious noodles and the rich broth. Add a bit of char siu and crispy pork cracklings, along with an array of aromatic herbs, and you get a wonderful culinary experience that cannot be missed.
If you haven’t tried Cao Lau at Ong Ty Restaurant, take some time to visit soon to experience and savor the unique flavor of this dish. You will definitely not regret this choice.
Cao Lau at Hoi An Market
- Address: Intersection of Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc Streets, Hoi An City
- Price Range: Approximately 15,000 to 30,000 VND
Hoi An Market is not only a place for shopping but also a food paradise with a variety of delicious dishes. You can find a wide range of local specialties such as Quang noodles, banh beo, banh dap, and especially the famous Cao Lau.
At Hoi An Market, you will experience not only the local culture but also its distinctive cuisine. The prices here are usually cheaper compared to other restaurants, yet the food quality is still top-notch. Make sure to visit Hoi An Market during your trip, take a stroll, shop, and enjoy a bowl of delicious Cao Lau for a memorable culinary experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re looking to explore the culinary traditions of Hoi An, be sure to try Cao Lau. This delicious noodle dish is a testament to the city’s unique cultural heritage and is a must-try for anyone visiting the area. Whether you’re looking for a quick street food snack or a sit-down meal at a local restaurant, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to sampling Cao Lau in Hoi An.