Visitors to Hoi An will probably encounter – and remember – cao lau, a renowned local dish seldom found elsewhere in Vietnam. It is basically a rice noodle, herb, and meat dish. Locals say that true cao lau must be made with water from local square wells dug by the Cham people, and the lye solution used to prepare the noodles comes from trees grown on Cham Island.
The meat used is typically pork, prepared in stir-fry fashion, and the dish is flavored with stock and spices. The dish is served with bitter cabbage, pepper, and various fresh herbs like chive, cilantro, and water mint. The dish is very flavorful and most agree that when cao lau is found elsewhere, it is a poor imitation. Whether this is due to the local wood and water or the usual opinions about local delicacies, this is a flavorful favorite that you should try if you ever visit Hoi An.
