The special feature of Cao Lau is its noodle which must be made with the water from Ba Le well, a one-hundred-year-old well in Hoi An to knead the dough. Besides, the rice to make noodle is of the local rice variety. The rice used is neither freshly harvested nor too aged.
This dish comprises of the signature noodles, thinly slices of barbecue pork, pork crackling, bean sprouts, crispy croutons, lettuce, and herbs, it is then finished with a spoonful of stock. All of these factors make Cao Lau one of the best Hoi An street food.
Cao Lau is available in every corner of Hoi An but finding the best Cao Lau restaurants is not easy. While many fancy and famous restaurants serve Cao Lau, the best Cao Lau can only be found in local street food vendors or shabby single-dish restaurants. The reason is only the cooks in these old restaurants know the original version of Cao Lau. Here are some of the best places you can enjoy the truly Cao Lau in Hoi An, namely, Cao Lau Ba Be – Tran Phu and Ba Thanh restaurant – 26 Thai Phien, Hoi An
