Today, I'm going to introduce you to a variety of foods in Hoi An's night market and share a review of a restaurant I discovered, Gia Thien Com Nha.
1. Hoi An Night Market Review
When you travel to Da Nang, you usually include Hoi An in your itinerary because it's so accessible. There are many reasons to visit Hoi An, but the night market is probably at the top of the list. I always make sure to visit the night market whenever I'm in Hoi An. It's right across the street from the wish boat ride, which is a must do for tourists. I love the unique atmosphere, which combines the lively, friendly smiles of the locals with the laid-back attitude of travelers. The night market is open daily from 4:30pm to 10pm. With excitement in my heart, I arrived at the night market at around 7 p.m. I visited on a Wednesday, which meant that even though it was a weekday, I was able to experience a full-blown night market. It was mostly tourists, which is exactly what I want in a night market - lively, but not to the point of pushing people around. As soon as I walked in the door, a mixture of delicious smells hit my olfactory senses, and I could feel the energy inside me come alive again as the music mixed with the right amount of life noises. I recommend visiting the night market after the sun goes down, as you get to see the warm lighting that is unique to this part of Vietnam. If you're a bit laid back during the hot day, this is how the locals enjoy the night market after the sun goes down, when it's more conducive to activity. Most of the local restaurants are on the street like this, and the prices are definitely really cheap. I couldn't pass it up, so I ordered a quick appetizer at this sidewalk cafe. There were a lot of locals sitting on the sidewalk eating red bean shaved ice like this, which costs 20,000 VND. It's a traditional Vietnamese red bean, but it's not cooked like Korean canned red beans, so it has a chewy texture. And it's not as sweet as I expected, and it's moderately cool. The white stuff on top is chewy like rice cakes. While eating the appetizers, I pass by a skewer restaurant that can't be bad. It's hard to go to any country and not enjoy skewers, but I persevere, because there is a restaurant that was highly recommended by a local friend.
2. Review of Gia Thien Com Nha, a hidden gem in Hoi An
Gia Thien Com Nha is a Ho Chi Minh City restaurant specializing in home style cooking. Turn off the second alley from the night market and you'll find a pretty restaurant on a slightly less crowded side street. Walk through the pretty entrance, and you'll be greeted by a friendly staff member with a big smile. I'm seated at a quiet table because my friend had made a reservation in advance. Hygiene is always my number one concern when I go to a local Vietnamese restaurant, but I breathe a sigh of relief as soon as I walk in. The restaurant has only been open for about a month, so it's very clean. The menu is explained in English, so it's easy to order from the menu. I had dinner with the Vietnamese-style braised pork ribs, steamed fish, hoi an mam sauce, and fish soup that my friend recommended. The fish dishes were very tasty, especially because they were fresh. Finally, the total price for this meal was 260,000 VND. It's a good restaurant where you can try a lot of different dishes at a really affordable price.
3. My experience
It was like stepping into a time machine, and the night market looked exactly the same as it did three years ago. Of course, the stalls have changed a lot, but the atmosphere is the same, with the lively and warm smiles of the locals and the excitement of the tourists. And the newest restaurant in Hoi An, Gia Thien Com Nha! I don't know why, but Hoi An is famous for its home-cooked food. However, the more famous home cooked restaurants are more expensive and often have poor hygiene. If you've only eaten rice noodles, banh mi, and jjajo, which are common dishes in Korea, you should visit Gia Thien Com Nha to experience a variety of local dishes.