Hoi An Chicken Rice: 10 Best Chicken Rice Restaurants in Hoi An
Hoi An chicken rice is one of the most popular dishes in the ancient town of Hoi An. Whether you wander around the old town or venture a bit further, you will find chicken rice restaurants all over the streets and alleys of Hoi An. Why do the people of Hoi An and visitors love this dish so much? It can be said that this dish suits the tastes of the majority, with a unique flavor found only in Hoi An, and another very important factor is its affordable price for a main meal. Let’s explore the details below.
Introduction to Hoi An Chicken Rice
Hoi An chicken rice has been around since the 1950s in Hoi An, Quang Nam. It is known that the Tam Ky region in Quang Nam is famous for its delicious chicken, which is the origin of this dish. The people of Hoi An, with their creativity, have utilized the high-quality chicken from Tam Ky to create a chicken rice dish that is now a signature of the ancient town of Hoi An.
In the past, chicken rice was only sold by street vendors scattered throughout the alleys of Hoi An. Later, the locals opened many chicken rice eateries and restaurants to serve both local residents and tourists. After many years of development, Hoi An chicken rice has become a famous specialty of the ancient town of Hoi An, Quang Nam.
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Why is Hoi An Chicken Rice so appealing?
Hoi An Chicken Rice is made from two main ingredients: chicken and rice. The rice used for this dish is typically high-quality rice from the sunny, windy Central Vietnam, known for its fragrant and flavorful grains. After being washed, the rice is cooked with chicken broth and pandan leaves over a wood fire, making the grains tender and aromatic.
The other crucial ingredient in this dish is young chicken, free-range and garden-raised, which provides firm yet tender meat without being mushy, and a golden skin. After being boiled, the chicken is shredded and mixed with onions, fried shallots, salt, and Vietnamese coriander. The broth is then enhanced with turmeric and gac fruit to give the rice a vibrant yellow color, making the dish even more visually appealing.
Aside from ingredient selection, the preparation of Hoi An Chicken Rice requires a skillful and meticulous chef. The chicken must be cleaned and boiled just right—not too soft or too tough—to maintain its delicious flavor. Once cooked, the chicken is immediately removed, cooled, and quickly deboned.
To learn about Hoi An’s culture through an art program, visit: Hoi An Memories Show
Next, the bones are simmered in the broth to infuse it with a rich, savory taste. The rice, after being soaked in turmeric, is rinsed clean and cooked in the broth along with chicken fat. This step must be timed precisely so that the fat melts just as the rice becomes perfectly cooked, making it more fluffy and fragrant.
A proper plate of Hoi An Chicken Rice must meet several criteria: the rice should be soft and fragrant; the chicken should be tender with just the right amount of richness; the chicken organs should be flavorful. Additionally, the dish includes a bit of pickled papaya and carrot for a slight sourness, combined with fresh Vietnamese coriander from Tra Que village, and it must always be accompanied by a touch of mild chili sauce. All these elements contribute to a Central Vietnamese delicacy that leaves diners utterly captivated and longing for more.
Read more: Basket Boat Riding in Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Hoi An
Top 10 Best Chicken Rice Restaurants in Hoi An
1. Gieng Dinh Hoi An Chicken Rice
Gieng Dinh Chicken Rice is one of the most delicious and famous chicken rice restaurants in Hoi An, beloved by both tourists and locals. The restaurant offers a spacious and airy environment with both indoor and outdoor seating. The prices for food and drinks are quite affordable while still maintaining excellent quality. Notably, the chicken salad and chicken porridge here are highly praised by many customers.
Address: 16b Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Price Range: From 30,000 VND per serving
2. Ba Ho Chicken Rice
Ba Ho Chicken Rice is another well-known eatery located on Phan Chau Trinh Street. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, giving the feel of a family meal. The chicken rice here is cooked and served by Mrs. Ho herself, the friendly owner who is adored by many diners.
In addition to the chicken rice, Ba Ho Chicken Rice also offers some side dishes with a slightly sour taste, which enhances the flavor and makes the meal even more appetizing.
Address: No. 16 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Price Range: From 35,000 VND per serving
3. Ba Buoi Chicken Rice
Compared to other restaurants, Ba Buoi Chicken Rice is slightly more expensive. However, this restaurant has long been famous among tourists, so it still attracts a large number of customers, likely due to its distinctive flavor and dedicated service.
The deliciousness of Ba Buoi Chicken Rice comes from the recipe of cooking the rice in fragrant chicken broth, paired with tender boiled chicken that is shredded, garnished with fresh greens, and neatly and beautifully presented. The chicken, when dipped in chili sauce or fish sauce with chili, enhances the dish’s rich flavor.
Address: No. 22 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Price Range: From 58,000 VND per serving
4. Ba Nga Chicken Rice
Another delicious chicken rice spot in Hoi An is Ba Nga Chicken Rice. Although located on the same street as many other famous chicken rice restaurants, Ba Nga stands out thanks to its special, rich sauce recipe. The chicken rice here also comes with a variety of side vegetables.
The restaurant has a quintessential Hoi An vibe, with yellow walls, green windows, and a spacious, airy interior. The price here is slightly higher than at other places.
Address: No. 8 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Price Range: From 45,000 VND per serving
5. Co Man Chicken Rice
Co Man Chicken Rice is located right next to the Japanese Covered Bridge, a famous tourist spot in Hoi An. The restaurant is well-known for its beautiful view, delicious chicken rice, and affordable prices.
Many visitors share that they enjoy sitting at Co Man Chicken Rice while admiring the beautiful scenery of Hoi An. Regular customers here are also very pleased with the enthusiastic, cheerful, and friendly service from the restaurant staff.
Address: Beside the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An
Price Range: From 30,000 VND per serving
6. Ba Lam Chicken Rice
No list of the best chicken rice in Hoi An would be complete without mentioning Ba Lam Chicken Rice. The main customers of this restaurant are locals, and it is not as well-known among tourists. However, the quality of the rice here is on par with that of more famous restaurants.
Ba Lam Chicken Rice is renowned for its delicious, well-seasoned chicken salad. The chicken is boiled to a beautiful golden color, and the rice is soft, fragrant, and rich in flavor.
Address: No. 51 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price Range: From 25,000 VND per serving
7. Huong Chicken Rice
Huong Chicken Rice is also one of the famous chicken rice spots in the ancient town of Hoi An. The restaurant offers a spacious, comfortable, and clean sidewalk seating area. The staff here are extremely friendly and enthusiastic.
The best-seller at this restaurant is the sweet and sour chicken salad, featuring shredded chicken mixed with papaya and a rich sauce that creates a distinctive flavor, tantalizing customers’ taste buds.
Address: No. 56 Le Loi Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price Range: From 30,000 VND per serving
8. Tho Chicken Rice
Ranked among the top 10 famous chicken rice restaurants in Hoi An, Tho Chicken Rice is a familiar spot for Hoi An tourists. The restaurant uses garden-raised chicken, resulting in firm meat, accompanied by a rich brown sauce that adds a unique touch to the dish. The restaurant has a spacious, airy dining area, providing ample seating for large groups.
Address: No. 190 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Price Range: From 30,000 VND per serving
9. Ty Chicken Rice
Ty Chicken Rice is highly rated by many tourists for its delicious and quality meals at affordable prices. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes such as shredded chicken rice, chicken leg rice, and chicken fried with fish sauce. The staff are quick and friendly, ensuring a pleasant dining experience for customers.
Address: No. 25-27 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Price Range: From 30,000 VND per serving
10. MOM Chicken Rice
MOM Chicken Rice in Hoi An is known for its delicious rice, with soft grains cooked in broth with various root vegetables, creating an irresistible mild sweetness. The tender chicken, combined with fresh Vietnamese coriander, pickled vegetables, and crispy garnishes, makes for a perfect plate of Hoi An chicken rice that will captivate any diner from the first taste.
Address: No. 30 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Price Range: From 35,000 VND
Conclusion
When talking about Hoi An cuisine, besides Cao Lau, Mi Quang, and Banh Mi, Hoi An Chicken Rice is certainly a dish you should not miss. You won’t find the same unique flavor or the quality of chicken anywhere else in Vietnam or the world as in Hoi An. The chicken rice restaurants we have introduced above are the best places to enjoy this iconic dish. If you have tried it, please let us know your thoughts!
