Phan Châu Trinh Street isn't just home to the queue for bánh mì — a few steps further, two old chicken rice shops face off across the street: Cơm Gà Bà Buội and Cơm Gà Bà Minh. Golden, glossy rice is the shared trademark, topped with hand-shredded chicken, Vietnamese coriander, and onion, served alongside a bowl of tangy pickles and giblet soup — a meal that feels humble yet is taken very seriously by the people of Hoi An.
Over half a century of chicken-broth rice
Vietnamese outlet Thanh Niên has run a feature calling this a legendary shop with over 50 years of history; VnExpress's travel section also lists it among Hoi An's must-try chicken rice spots. Multiple recipe and travel sources trace the dish's legendary origin back to the feudal era, when Chinese merchants introduced it and it was localized in Hoi An, with the best versions said to use quality free-range chickens from Tam Kỳ in Quảng Nam.
Honest clarification: chicken rice isn't native to Hoi An, and there's no single "authentic" version
It's worth being clear: chicken rice isn't a dish native to Hoi An, but a Chinese import localized over more than half a century. On Phan Châu Trinh Street, at least two old shops — Bà Buội and Bà Minh — stand as rivals, each with a loyal following, and there's no single "authentic" version to speak of. Rather than agonizing over which is the true original, you're better off trying both and drawing your own conclusion.
How to Choose Between the Two
- Both Bà Buội and Bà Minh sit on Phan Châu Trinh Street, within easy walking distance — try both if you're up for it.
- Both can have a wait during peak hours, so it's worth avoiding the noon rush.
- Don't forget to ask for a side of tangy pickles — the supporting player that brings the whole meal into focus.
Don't Assume There's One "Authentic" Version
- Chicken rice was introduced by Chinese immigrants and localized over time — it's not an original Hoi An creation.
- The two old shops on Phan Châu Trinh Street each have their own following, with no officially certified single authentic version.
- Rather than chasing the "most authentic" version, treat it as a homestyle dish that's been localized on Hoi An's streets for over fifty years.
A bowl of chicken rice holding its own on the same street for fifty years isn't about who's more authentic — it's about each shop tending its craft well enough that customers keep coming back.