Hue, the dreamy city, captivates visitors not only with its sweet voice, poetic landscapes, and graceful ao dai but also with its unique and diverse cuisine. Let’s explore the must-try dishes in Hue when you visit this ancient capital!
Hue Mussel Rice and Mussel Vermicelli – Unforgettable Rustic Flavors
Com hen (mussel rice) is a quintessential rustic dish of Hue. Cold rice is stir-fried with mussels, crispy pork fat, herbs, and spices, especially the pungent spiciness of chili. Bun hen (mussel vermicelli) is similar, but fresh vermicelli is used instead of rice. Both dishes offer a rich, spicy flavor that you’ll never forget.
Suggested Addresses:
- Com Hen Dap Da – 1 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da Ward.
- Ms. Nho’s quán in the alley at the intersection of Pham Hong Thai – Truong Dinh.
- Quán at 2 Truong Dinh Street.
- Chao – Bun – Com Hen – 98 Nguyen Hue Street.
A bowl of Hue mussel rice with various toppings, including mussels, crispy pork fat, and herbs.
Hue Beef Noodle Soup – Culinary Essence of the Ancient Capital
Mentioning Hue, one cannot miss bun bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup). The broth is simmered from beef bones and fermented shrimp paste, creating a distinctive rich flavor. Thick, chewy vermicelli noodles are served with beef, pork knuckles, crab cakes, and fresh herbs. Bun bo Hue is often sold in the morning, making it an ideal breakfast for visitors.
Suggested Addresses:
- Bun Bo Hue – 14 Ly Thuong Kiet Street
- Bun Ba Tuyet – 37 Nguyen Cong Tru Street
- Bun Ba Tam – 43 Nguyen Cong Tru Street
- Bun Ba My – 71 Nguyen Cong Tru Street
A bowl of Hue beef noodle soup with beef slices, pork knuckles, and herbs.
Me xung Candy – Traditional Sweetness
Me xung candy is a traditional Hue sweet, often enjoyed with tea. There are various types such as soft sesame candy, crispy sesame candy, black sesame candy, and mirror sesame candy, each with its own unique flavor. Good me xung candy is transparent yellow, soft, and does not break when pressed.
Suggested Addresses:
- Me xung Thien Huong – 20 Chi Lang Street.
- Me xung Nam Thuan – 135 Huynh Thuc Khang Street.
- Dong Ba Market – Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Hoa Ward.
Pieces of Me xung candy, a traditional Hue sweet treat.
Hue Sweet Soup (Che) – Sweet Paradise
Hue is known as the “capital of sweet soups.” Che hem (alley sweet soup) is a unique feature of Hue cuisine, with countless delicious and unique varieties such as tapioca dumplings with roasted pork sweet soup, banana and taro sweet soup, royal lotus seed sweet soup, corn sweet soup, and lotus seed sweet soup… Each type of sweet soup has its own flavor, catering to every diner’s preference.
Suggested Addresses:
- Che Hem – 17 Hung Vuong Street.
- Che Sao – 60 Phan Chu Trinh Street.
Various types of Hue sweet soups in small bowls, showcasing the diversity of Hue desserts.
Hue Lemongrass Skewers (Nem Lui) – Irresistible Delicacy
Nem lui Hue (Hue lemongrass skewers) is a dish loved by many tourists. Minced pork is marinated with spices, wrapped around lemongrass stalks, and grilled over charcoal. Nem lui is usually served with fresh herbs, vermicelli noodles, and a special dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is made from fermented soybean paste, peanuts, and spices, creating an unforgettable rich flavor.
Suggested Addresses:
- Bun Thit Nuong & Nem Lui Ba Ty – 81 Dao Duy Tu Street.
- Tai Phu – 2 Dien Bien Phu Street, Vinh Ninh Ward.
Hue lemongrass skewers (Nem Lui) grilled and served with dipping sauce and herbs.
Hue Fermented Pork Sausage (Tre) – Unique Sweet and Sour Flavor
Tre Hue (Hue fermented pork sausage) is made from pork, pig skin, roasted rice powder, and spices. Tre has a distinctive sweet and sour taste, with the aroma of roasted rice powder, and is often served as an appetizer or snack. There are two types of Tre Hue: pork tre and beef tre, each with its own flavor.
Suggested Addresses:
- Nem Cha Tre Dong Ba Hue – 25 Dao Duy Tu Street, Phu Binh Ward.
Hue fermented pork sausage (Tre) wrapped in banana leaves and ready to eat.
Nam Pho Thick Noodle Soup (Banh Canh Nam Pho) – Heartwarming on Rainy Days
Banh canh Nam Pho (Nam Pho thick noodle soup) is a specialty of Nam Pho village. The noodles are made from rice flour and tapioca flour, creating soft and chewy strands. The broth is opaque and thick, cooked from pork bones, shrimp, and pork belly. Banh canh Nam Pho is often eaten in the afternoon, a heartwarming dish on rainy days.
Suggested Addresses:
- Quan Thuy specializes in Banh Canh Nam Pho – 16 Pham Hong Thai Street.
- Banh canh Nam Pho – 374 Chi Lang Street.
A bowl of Nam Pho thick noodle soup with thick white noodles and shrimp.
Hue Fermented Shrimp (Tom Chua) – Distinctive Flavor
Tom chua (fermented shrimp) is a Hue specialty, made from freshwater shrimp, river shrimp, or sand shrimp. The shrimp is fermented with spices such as galangal, garlic, chili, and roasted rice powder. Tom chua has a spicy, sweet, and sour taste, often served with boiled pork, rice paper, and fresh herbs.
Suggested Addresses:
- Tom chua 21 Dang Tran Con Street.
Hue fermented shrimp (Tom Chua) in a jar, showing the reddish color and spices.
Mixed Fig Salad (Va Tron) – Unique Rustic Dish
Va tron (mixed fig salad) is a rustic Hue dish made from thinly sliced young figs, mixed with shrimp, meat, and herbs. Va tron has a slightly bitter, sweet, and fragrant taste from the spices. This dish is usually served with grilled rice paper.
Hue mixed fig salad (Va Tron) with figs, shrimp, and herbs, ready to be served.
Keo Cau Candy – Flavor of Childhood
Keo cau (keo cau candy) is a traditional Hue candy, shaped like a halved areca nut. The candy has a white outer layer made from flour mixed with sugar, and a light yellow sugar filling inside. Keo cau is a snack loved by many children.
Keo Cau candy, shaped like areca nuts, in a small dish.
Hue Steamed Savory Rice Cakes (Banh Beo) – Delicate in Every Small Dish
Banh beo (steamed savory rice cakes) is a signature Hue cake, made from rice flour steamed in small dishes. Banh beo is pure white, topped with dried shrimp flakes, fried shallots, and scallion oil. Sweet and spicy fish sauce is an indispensable element that creates the distinctive flavor of Hue banh beo.
Suggested Addresses:
- Banh beo neighborhood: An Dinh Palace area, Ngu Binh Street, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street,…
- Tay Loc Market Food Area – 209 Nguyen Trai Street.
- Banh beo Ba Cu – 47 Nguyen Hue Street.
Small dishes of Hue steamed savory rice cakes (Banh Beo) topped with dried shrimp and scallions.
Banh Nam, Banh Khoai, Banh Bot Loc – Diverse Flavors of Hue Cakes
Banh nam (banh nam cake) is rectangular, wrapped in dong leaves, with a white layer of flour and shrimp and meat filling. Banh khoai (banh khoai pancake) has a crispy crust, shrimp and meat filling, and bean sprouts. Banh bot loc (clear dumplings) has a translucent crust, shrimp and meat filling, and is served with sweet and spicy fish sauce. Each type of cake has its own flavor, creating diversity for Hue cuisine.
Suggested Addresses:
- Banh nam ba Do – 71 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Phu Cat Ward.
- Quan Hang Me – 14 Vo Thi Sau Street, Phu Hoi Ward.
- Banh khoai Lac Thien – 6 Dinh Tien Hoang Street.
- Quan 109 specializes in Beo – Nam – Loc – 109 Le Huan Street.
Hue Banh Nam cakes wrapped in banana leaves.
Hue Banh Khoai pancakes with crispy edges and fillings.
Hue Banh Bot Loc clear dumplings, translucent and filled with shrimp.
Banh Ram It – Unique Combination
Banh ram it is a combination of two types of cakes: banh ram and banh it. Banh it is round, soft, and chewy, with shrimp and meat filling. Banh ram is deep-fried until crispy. When eating, you will feel the harmony between the chewiness of banh it, the rich flavor of the shrimp and meat filling, and the crispiness of banh ram.
Suggested Addresses:
- Quan Hang Me – 14 Vo Thi Sau Street, Phu Hoi Ward.
Banh Ram It cakes, a combination of crispy and chewy textures, topped with dried shrimp.
Fruit-shaped Mung Bean Cakes (Banh Dau Xanh Trai Cay) – “Noble” Cakes
Banh dau xanh trai cay (fruit-shaped mung bean cakes) are made from mung beans, agar, and food coloring. The cakes are shaped into fruits such as oranges, plums, apples, and chilies… Banh dau xanh trai cay has a mild sweetness and is often enjoyed with tea.
Suggested Addresses:
- Dong Ba Market – Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Hoa Ward.
- Vong Luc Bo – 79 Nguyen Chi Dieu Street, Thuan Thanh Ward.
Fruit-shaped mung bean cakes (Banh Dau Xanh Trai Cay) resembling various fruits like oranges and apples.
Stir-fried Mussels with Rice Crackers (Hen Xuc Banh Trang) – Delicious Snack
Hen xuc banh trang (stir-fried mussels with rice crackers) is a popular Hue snack. Mussels are stir-fried with fried garlic and served with grilled rice crackers or shrimp crackers. This dish is fragrant, crispy, and flavorful.
Suggested Addresses:
- Com hen Hoa Don: 64 alley 7 Ung Binh
- Com hen Ngon: 7 Ung Binh, Vy Da Ward
- Com hen Dap Da: 1 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da Ward
Stir-fried mussels with rice crackers (Hen Xuc Banh Trang) served on a plate with rice crackers.
Com Am Phu (Emperor’s Rice) – “Tribute to the King” Dish
Com am phu (Emperor’s Rice) is a Hue specialty, made from white rice, mustard greens, cucumber, eggs, and meat. The ingredients are beautifully arranged on a plate. According to legend, this dish was once favored by King Bao Dai and he requested the kitchen to make it again.
Com Am Phu (Emperor's Rice) a colorful rice dish with various ingredients arranged neatly on a plate.
Hue is not only home to historical sites and poetic scenery but also a rich and diverse culinary culture. With the above suggestions, hopefully, you will have a complete and memorable culinary journey in Hue. Don’t forget to enjoy all these delicious dishes to fully experience the flavors of the ancient capital!