Eat Chicken Rice at Bà Buội in Hoi An during off-peak hours and order wisely

I live in Da Nang, and every time friends visit the central region and ask, 'What to eat in the ancient town that's authentic?', I always take them to Chicken Rice Bà Buội at 22 Phan Chu Trinh, Minh An ward, Hoi An, Da Nang. The restaurant is right next to the ancient town, so it's convenient: after eating, you can walk a few minutes to the Japanese Bridge and stroll along the Hoai River. The space is small, two floors, with tables and chairs just enough, giving a true 'crowded ancient town' feel.

The operating hours that work well for scheduling are: 10:30–14:00 and 16:30–20:00. Around noon from 11:30 onwards, it gets busy, and you might have to wait, especially on weekends. For a quieter experience, I recommend going early when it opens or at the start of the afternoon shift (around 16:30–17:00) before the crowd builds. Another tip: sometimes they run out of rice early, so don't go too late.

The signature dish here is shredded chicken rice or chicken thigh rice. The yellow rice is cooked in chicken broth and served with Hoi An-style soy sauce and chili, which is quite flavorful; the chicken is firm (some might find it a bit tough), and it usually comes with a small bowl of soup to balance the richness. If you're in a group of 2-3 people, I often suggest ordering chicken giblets vermicelli for a change: the broth is sweet and light, easy to eat, and perfect if it's slightly rainy or if you don't feel like rice.

Located on Phan Chu Trinh street, you can easily combine it with your itinerary: after lunch, visit the Japanese Bridge, explore the ancient houses in the old town, and in the evening, head to the Hoai River area for lantern photos. My favorite spot is on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, looking along the row of ancient houses—the light is best around 16:30–17:30, capturing a ' everyday ancient town' vibe rather than overly staged shots.

Honestly, Chicken Rice Bà Buội isn't a place that will wow you with its decor, but it's ideal if you want to try a classic dish from the ancient town's cuisine during your walking tour. Go a bit early, order the chicken rice for a safe choice, and leave room in your stomach for more snacking around Hoi An.