The Original Taste of Hoi An Food Tour

The Original Taste of Hoi An is a food tour run by Hoi An Food Tour Travel Company Limited, which established the experience in 2011. It is designed to introduce visitors to the town's food through its markets, producers and street vendors, and it has now been running for well over a decade.

The tour is built around tasting. Guests sample more than 40 different foods and drinks over the course of the tour, from market produce to dishes from street vendors, so it is wise to arrive hungry and skip a big breakfast or lunch beforehand. The guided walk takes in markets, food producers and vendors, with commentary from English-speaking guides who use a wireless speaker and headphone system, so you can hear clearly even in busy market streets.

Practical details are well organised. Hotel pick-up and return transfers within Hoi An are included, as is unlimited bottled water. Part of the tasting takes place in a private, air-conditioned tasting room, a welcome break from the heat, and guests receive a printed list of the foods they have tried and a detailed map of Hoi An, which is useful for finding favourite dishes again later in the stay. The company also gives commission-free recommendations for restaurants and shopping.

The tour suits first-time visitors who want to understand Hoi An's food quickly, curious eaters who want to try dishes they might not order alone, and families with children who are happy to taste new things. Doing it early in your stay means you can use the list and map to plan the rest of your meals, from cao lau and chicken rice to banh mi and white rose dumplings.

Bookings are made by phone on the company's hotline or by email, and the website gives the booking address. Mention any dietary requirements or allergies when you book, as the tastings cover more than 40 different items.

Combine the tour with a cooking class later in your stay to learn how to make some of the dishes you tasted, or use the map to explore the old town's eateries on your own. The commission-free recommendations are particularly helpful in a town with as many restaurants as Hoi An.