White rose dumplings are so-called for the way that the white rice-dough falls into a rose-like shape when they are steamed. The dumplings are filled with shrimp or pork and topped with crispy garlic.
It’s a bit random that Hoi An has become known for its banh mi’s, but I think a lot of that has to do with food guru Anthony Bourdain claiming Banh Mi Phuong as his favourite banh mi in Vietnam. Banh mi is a french style baguette (introduced to Vietnam during the colonial days) filled with pate, mayo, chilli, cheese, pickled veggies and meat/eggs of your choosing. They’re a staple of Vietnamese life.
I actually prefer the banh mi’s from Phi Banh Mi (his special includes avocado) so check him out, and another frequented banh mi in Hoi An is Madam Khanh.
Banh Mì Phuong📍 2b Phan Chu Trinh
Phi Banh Mi📍 88 Thái Phiên
Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen📍 115 Trần Cao Vân
Coffeeshops in Hoi An
Hoi An, like the rest of Vietnam, has no shortage of coffee shops to sit in and watch the world go by. A few local chains have opened up, such as Hoi An Roastery and Cocobox, but there are also lots of cute independent coffee shops. These are some worth scouting out for a morning of people watching.