Are there vegetarian options in Hoi An?
Vegetarian food is widely available in Hoi An. Look for 'chay' signs — Cao Lầu chay (45k), Mì Quảng chay (40k), cơm chay plates (35k–50k). Dedicated spots: Pure Vegetarian (22 Nguyễn Huệ), Vegetarian Sister (69 Nguyễn Huệ). Mainstream restaurants like Morning Glory have vegetarian menus. Buddhist full-moon days (rằm) have the most options.
Vegetarian in Hoi An: the landscape
Vietnamese Buddhism has a strong vegetarian tradition. On rằm (full moon) days, many locals eat chay for merit. This means:
- Vegetarian options are normalized, not niche
- Dedicated chay restaurants exist in every town
- Mainstream restaurants have vegetarian sections
Hoi An is easier for vegetarians than most of Vietnam.
Dedicated vegetarian restaurants
Pure Vegetarian — 22 Nguyễn Huệ
Hours: 7am–9pm Price: 40,000–80,000 VND per dish Style: Vietnamese vegetarian, mock meats
Pure Vegetarian has a full menu of Vietnamese classics — all chay. The phở chay (45,000 VND) has mushroom broth, tofu, mock beef. The cơm tấm chay (broken rice, 50,000 VND) has grilled soy “pork.”
The space is clean, simple, AC. English menu available.
Getting there: Nguyễn Huệ runs north-south through the old town. The restaurant is near the market — look for the green sign.
Vegetarian Sister — 69 Nguyễn Huệ
Hours: 8am–8pm Price: 35,000–70,000 VND per dish Style: Home-cooked Vietnamese chay
Vegetarian Sister is smaller, more home-style. The owner cooks everything herself. The mì Quảng chay (40,000 VND) is the best in town — turmeric noodles, mushroom broth, tofu, peanuts.
No English menu, but the owner speaks basic English and will explain dishes.
Getting there: Same street as Pure Vegetarian, 200 meters south.
Vegetarian versions of Hoi An specialties
Cao Lầu chay
Price: 45,000–55,000 VND Where: Quán Thanh (26 Thái Phiên), Morning Glory
The noodles are the same (rice flour, water from wells). Instead of roast pork, you get grilled tofu or mock meat. The sauce is soy-based instead of fish sauce.
Mì Quảng chay
Price: 40,000–50,000 VND Where: Mì Quảng Bà Mua (19 Trần Bình Trọng), Pure Vegetarian
Turmeric noodles, mushroom broth, tofu, quail egg (optional), peanuts. The Bà Mua version uses the same broth base (just no meat) — same great flavor.
Bánh bao bánh vạc chay
Price: 55,000–65,000 VND Where: White Rose Restaurant (533 Hai Bà Trưng)
The dumpling wrapper is already vegetarian (rice flour). The filling is minced mushroom and tofu instead of shrimp. Same delicate texture.
Mainstream restaurants with vegetarian menus
Morning Glory — 106 Nguyễn Thái Học
Has a dedicated vegetarian section — 15+ dishes. The phở chay (75,000 VND) and gỏi cuốn chay (fresh spring rolls, 65,000 VND) are solid.
The Market Kitchen — 22 Trần Hưng Đạo
Can accommodate vegetarians with advance notice. The cooking class can be fully vegetarian — tofu, vegetables, mushroom-based broths.
Buddhist full-moon days (rằm)
On these days, vegetarians have maximum options:
- 1st of lunar month
- 15th of lunar month (biggest)
- Some observe the 23rd (Kitchen God day)
2026 rằm dates: Jan 30, Feb 28, Mar 30, Apr 28, May 28, Jun 26, Jul 26, Aug 24, Sep 23, Oct 22, Nov 21, Dec 20.
On rằm days, even street stalls that normally sell meat will offer chay options.
Price comparison
| Dish type | Meat version | Vegetarian version |
|---|---|---|
| Cao Lầu | 50,000 VND | 45,000–55,000 VND |
| Mì Quảng | 45,000 VND | 40,000–50,000 VND |
| Cơm (rice plate) | 50,000 VND | 35,000–50,000 VND |
| Phở | 45,000 VND | 40,000–45,000 VND |
Vegetarian food is often slightly cheaper — meat is the expensive component.