Cao Lau (Cao lầu) is a signature dish of Hoi An, consisting of thick rice noodles, slices of roasted pork, crispy rice crackers, bean sprouts, lots of herbs and veggie and topped with a spoonful of stock. What is the secret?
The secret lies mostly at how to make this sophisticated and mysterious dish. Only a few people know the exact receipt to this unique dish and the tale behind it is a legend. The noodle is made from carefully selected local fresh rice than pre-soak in well water. The noodle will, therefore, be soft, enduring and closer in texture to the pasta. To make Cao Lau soup, well water is mixed with ash from certain trees grown on Cham islands, which is off the coast of Hoi An.