Quán ăn bình dân Cường (Hội An, Vietnam)

First meal in Hoi An at Quán ăn bình dân Cường, cheap, friendly, but flavour-wise underwhelming. A simple start before better eats ahead. Our first meal in Hoi An wasn’t exactly a hit, but it was an authentic start to our food adventure. From chewy Cao Lau to icy Tiger Beer by the lantern-lit river, here’s how it went.

After an 18-hour journey, flight, layover, and all, you’d think we’d crash into bed the moment we reached our hotel. But somehow, the excitement of being in Hoi An was enough to keep us going. We checked in around 2 PM, freshened up, and by late afternoon, we were ready to wander.

Unlike our younger travel days when everything was planned to the minute, we now prefer a more relaxed pace. This trip was no different, no strict itinerary, no pinned restaurants, just the freedom to explore and eat wherever we ended up. It’s part of the joy of travel now, to let the day unfold naturally and see where the road (or in this case, the lantern-lit street) takes us.

A Stroll by the Thu Bon River

Our first stop was the iconic Thu Bon River, where the heart of Hoi An truly comes alive. Lanterns glowed softly over the water, boats drifted lazily by, and the streets hummed with energy, a mix of tourists, market vendors, and that irresistible scent of Vietnamese food.

As we strolled through the evening market, hunger started to creep in. We decided to eat at the nearest spot we found rather than hunting for a “must-try” place, and that’s how we ended up at Quán ăn bình dân Cường, a casual local restaurant right in the middle of the action.

The First Bites: A Mixed Bag

Cao Lau (VND 37,000)

Of course, the first thing to try in Hoi An had to be its most famous dish, Cao Lau. This local noodle specialty is known for its chewy, smoky rice noodles, slices of marinated pork, and a scattering of crispy pork skin or crackers, all served in a light broth. The dish has a long history tied to the city’s trade past, its noodles are traditionally made using water drawn from the ancient Ba Le well, giving them their distinct texture.

Unfortunately, this particular version didn’t live up to the legend. The noodles were hard and undercooked, the pork slices were thin and fatty, and the sauce, meant to be rich and savoury, tasted more like diluted soy sauce. The only saving grace was the crunchy topping, which added a bit of texture.

Grilled Sausages (VND 75,000)

These were surprisingly the best of the lot, though not what I expected. I was hoping for something like Thai fermented sausage with that tangy-savoury bite, but instead, it was a simple grilled version. Still tasty, but not remarkable.

Steamed Clams with Lemongrass & Chilli (VND 93,000)

Flavour-wise, this dish delivered, fragrant with lemongrass and chilli, and the broth was excellent. The only problem? The clams were tiny, barely the size of a raisin, making it tricky to eat. I ended up pouring the leftover sauce over the Cao Lau just to give it some life.

Washed Down with Tiger Beer

Of course, no meal in humid Vietnam is complete without an ice-cold beer. A large Tiger Beer (VND 52,000) hit the spot, crisp, refreshing, and perfect after hours of travel. Sitting outdoors with that view of the river and a beer in hand almost made up for the food’s shortcomings.

Tourist Prices, Local Setting

By Hoi An standards, the prices were on the higher side, but if you convert it to New Zealand dollars, it’s still incredibly affordable, about NZ$20 for three dishes and two beers. In Auckland, that wouldn’t even cover a single main.

The restaurant itself was clean, the staff friendly, and the location unbeatable. Sitting outdoors offered a front-row seat for some excellent people-watching as the evening crowd drifted by.

Final Thoughts

Quán ăn bình dân Cường was our first taste of Hoi An, and while it wasn’t a memorable culinary start, it set the stage for what was to come. The food was simple, the flavours subdued, but it reminded us that travel, like dining, is about the journey, not just the destination.

It wasn’t the highlight of our trip, but it was part of the story, a humble beginning before discovering the real gems of Hoi An’s food scene.

Quán ăn bình dân Cường
Address: V8GG+8CC, An Hội, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam