Vietnamese cuisine is a big draw for foodies, particularly if you like rich flavors that come from herbs and spices. The imperial capital of Hue is no different, this area is kind of where royal cuisine meets street food. So here I continue on my fooding journey, stuffing my face with some of the signature dishes in Hue.
Bun Bo Hue – Hue Beef Vermicelli Noodle Soup
If you’re wondering where the “Hue” from Bun Bo Hue comes from… well it’s obvious now.
I’ll never forget my first steaming bowl of Hue Beef Noodle – it hit differently than any other Vietnamese noodle soup I’d tried before. Unlike its more famous cousin pho, this bowl packs a stronger punch with its spicy, lemongrass-infused broth that’s just great for a morning perk-me-up. (Not that Vietnamese coffee isn’t strong enough already by itself)
The soul of this dish lies in its rich broth, simmered for hours with beef and pork bones until it reaches that perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy notes. The longer they cooked the broth, the richer it gets.
The thick rice vermicelli noodles are totally different from pho’s flat ones – they’re round and chewy, perfect for soaking up all that flavorful goodness.
Different vendors may also offer various selection of toppings. You’ve got tender slices of beef and beef balls which I see most commonly. And if you’re feeling adventurous (which you absolutely should be when eating in South East Asia), cubes of congealed pig blood that add an interesting texture to the mix.
Similar to other noodle soups, the whole thing gets crowned with a handful of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and if you fancy, a squeeze of lime that cuts through the richness.
A couple of popular spots around Hue for Bun Bo Hue Quan Cam on Le Loi Street; they’ve been serving up this local specialty for decades. If you’re closer to the city center, Di Phuong on Nguyen Khuyen Street is another one to look out for.
Pro tip: If you want the freshest broth, get there early. You will find locals already starting their day with this hearty breakfast.
Nem Lui – Hue Lemongrass Skewers
One of the most famous food in Hue are these meat skewers; you will see their images plastered all over restaurant menus. They’re fragrant sticks of lemongrass threaded with perfectly seasoned ground pork that’s been massaged with garlic and spices to give a delicious bite.
The best Nem Lui, in my opinion, are where the pork gets decently crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. And that lemongrass stick? It’s not just for show – it infuses the meat with this incredible aromatic flavor that you just can’t get any other way.
Although the best part of Nem Lui, or at least an important component, is the dipping sauce. It’s a rich, nutty concoction typically made from ground peanuts, fermented beans, and sesame seeds. I think it makes or breaks the dish (mainly because I’m a sauce lover).
The meat skewers and sauce don’t make the whole dish. They come with Vietnam’s famous rice papers.
To eat it, grab a piece of rice paper, add some vermicelli, cucumber slices, and fresh herbs, then dunk the whole thing in that magical sauce. Don’t worry, most restaurants (particularly in the tourist parts) will demonstrate how to eat it. It can get messy at first for us noobs, but that’s part of the fun – literally finger licking good.
Banh Mi – A Taste of Hue’s Street Food Scene
If you have travelled in Vietnam before, I’m sure you are not stranger to Banh Mi. This convenient food is great as both a snack or a light meal.
A crispy baguette with pillowy-soft center that’s packed with a beautiful chaos of Vietnamese cold cuts, pâté, and fresh herbs. Some places even have a variety of options to suit different palettes.
While it’s not a unique specialty dish of Hue, there’s always an occasion for a tasty Banh Mi, particularly if you want to maximize your sightseeing time. Every city has its own popular Banh Mi spots, and so does Hue.
Banh Mi Truong Tien O Tho is a very local spot and has quite a huge variety of toppings. You will find people there early in the morning, enjoying their Banh Mi with other food from surrounding stalls. Thao Bakery is more of a popular bakery brand in Hue if you’re looking for something more standardized.
Banh Uot Thit Nuong – Wet Rice Paper Rolls with Grilled Pork
You haven’t really experienced Hue’s food scene until you’ve tried banh uot thit nuong. Compared to Nem Lui, this wrap is much easier to eat. You get silky-smooth rice paper rolls sturdily wrapped with perfectly charred, smoky grilled pork that’s super well marinated and flavorful.
What makes these rolls extra special is how they’re made fresh throughout the day. The rice batter gets steamed into these thin sheets that are just slightly tacky – perfect for grabbing onto all that delicious sauce.
Similarly, the sauce is important here. Here in Hue, they serve these tangy babies with a unique soybean paste that’s thick, creamy, and packs just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Of course, you can always pair it with more fresh herbs that most restaurants will provide. The mint and perilla leaves add a fantastic fresh pop that cuts through the richness of the meat and sauce. There’s no such thing as too many herbs in Vietnam, it’s a great way to get your greens in.
Bun Thit Nuong – Vermicelli with Grilled Pork
Speaking of grilled pork, Bun Thit Nuong is another option if you’re more of a noodles over wrap person.
This bowl of happiness might look simple, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a masterclass in Vietnamese flavor layering. You might be surprised at how something so straightforward can taste so incredible.
The star of the show is definitely the pork. The best ones are marinated overnight in a blend of lemongrass, fish sauce, and honey before hitting the grill, where it gets that perfect char that adds a smoky sweetness to every bite. If you smell a grilled meat aroma while walking on the streets, there’s a very good chance this is the source.
The thin rice vermicelli noodles sitting underneath are served at room temperature, creating an amazing contrast with the hot, crispy pork on top.
What’s awesome is that this is also a highly customizable dish with it’s simple base. You can then mix in the fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, pickled vegetables, and drizzle over your preference fish sauce.
Each bite gives you an incredible mix of temperatures and textures – warm, cool, crunchy, chewy, all working together to contribute that burst of flavor.
For the bodybuilders who need more protein to feed those muscles (Yes, I know Asian cuisine can be more carb heavy), some places also serve nem nuong (grilled pork patties) which are perfect for topping with your Bun Thit Nuong.
Banh Canh Nam Pho – Noodle Soup
If you’re looking for a comforting food in Hue, Banh Canh Nam Pho is definitely one of those options. As someone who loves rich and spicy flavors, a bowl of red, orangey soup always look more tempting to me than clear soup.
However, Banh Canh Nam Pho isn’t exactly spicy – at least not from an Asian standard. The broth gets its richness from slowly simmered pork bones and fish. It has an incredible depth that’ll warm you up from the inside out.
Each bowl comes loaded with tender slices of pork, springy fish cakes, and if you’re lucky, some pieces of crab meat that add a sweet, briny pop to every spoonful.
These noodles used here is also different to other dishes. They are thick, chewy ropes made from tapioca flour. They’re like the Vietnamese answer to udon, but with their own uniqueness.
Tip: Top it up with a spoonful of crispy shallots on top to add another layer of texture, and if you like spicy, don’t skimp on the chili oil. Finally, don’t forget the enjoyment slurp that just brings everything together!
Banh Khoai – Hue’s Crispy Pancake
Unlike its similar-looking cousin banh xeo, these golden-hued beauties are mixed with rice flour, water and turmeric. They are smaller which also means that the ingredients often look like they are exploding from the inside, giving a feeling of abundance.
If you get to see it being made, the moment that turmeric-stained batter hits the sizzling pan, it’s pure kitchen ASMR both in visuals and sound.
What makes these pancakes special is their crispy exterior that goes well with it’s tender interior – typically packed with plump shrimp, tender pork, and fresh bean sprouts. The turmeric doesn’t just add that gorgeous yellow color – it brings an earthy warmth that perfectly complements the savory fillings.
In Hue, banh khoai comes with a rich, dark fermented soybean sauce that’s thick enough to coat the back of your spoon. It’s got this deep, almost coffee-like complexity that differs itself from other dipping sauces.
You can further wrap your pieces in fresh lettuce and herbs before dunking in that magical sauce. And don’t worry about being too neat – the best banh khoai experiences are usually the messiest ones.
Banh Bot Loc – Crystal Clear Dumplings
These crystal-clear dumplings are a staple in Hue cuisine. They’re completely translucent when steamed, giving you a tantalizing peek at the bright orange shrimp and rich pork belly waiting inside.
What makes these little parcels so special is their unique texture. Made from pure tapioca flour, they’ve got this incredible chewy-yet-tender bite that’s somehow both delicate and substantial at the same time.
Each dumpling comes lovingly wrapped in a banana leaf, which isn’t just for looks – it infuses this subtle, grassy aroma that takes the whole experience to another level.
Peel back that banana leaf slowly then dunk these beauties in the sweet chili fish sauce that comes on the side. The sauce comes with a balance of sweet, salty, and spicy that complements the tapioca wrapping.
Many places also serve it with crispy fried shallots and spring onions sprinkled on top, giving another layer of texture when you bite into one.
Ca Phe Muoi – Hue Salt Coffee
As much as I love the food in Vietnam, the most addicting thing for me has to be this iconic beverage. Good thing is you don’t just find Salt Coffee in Hue, but in many places around the country now – however, this is the city it originated from.
Here are some of my favorite cafes in Hue and most of them do serve Ca Phe Muoi.
Salt coffee is one of those drinks that’ll make you do a double-take at first sip. Definitely don’t let the name scare you off. This isn’t just coffee with salt dumped in it; it’s a cleverly crafted beverage that’ll completely change how you think about your morning cup of joe.
Rich Vietnamese coffee gets mixed with a precise blend of sweetened condensed milk and just enough salt to create this mind-bending salted caramel effect. The thick salty foam on top is similar to the Korean Dalgona coffee or the cheesy foam you get at some bubble tea store.
You know this is a signature of Hue when you can find cafes like Ca Phe Muoi Hue in the bigger cities like Da Nang.
Com Hen – Rice with Mussel
This dish is one of Hue’s most fascinating transformations from humble beginnings to celebrated delicacy. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest combinations create the most incredible flavors. What started as a creative way to use leftover rice has become one of the city’s most beloved street foods.
It is essentially rice topped with tender baby mussels, aromatic garlic and fragrant khot weed. But that’s just the foundation.
They pile on crispy pork rinds with star fruit slices that add this perfect tartness. Then a handful of roasted peanuts which bring the crunch factor. The chili sauce and shrimp paste gives this explosion of flavors that makes it very satisfying.
Of course, the main highlight is the hot mussel broth they serve on the side. The soup gets this incredible depth from cooking the mussels. Pour it over the rice, and watch as it transforms the bowl into this amazing mix of temperatures and textures.
Your Hue Food Adventure Awaits
After diving into Hue’s culinary scene, one thing is clear: this city’s food isn’t just about filling your stomach – it’s about experiencing history, culture, and innovation on a plate.
It’s an opportunity to taste both imperial recipes passed down through generations as well as street food that is a staple of everyday local life. Some of Vietnam’s best-kept culinary secrets are hiding in plain sight around the city.
That said, Hue’s food scene is not just about Vietnamese cuisine. There are many restaurants, cafes and bakeries in the city serving international dishes that are just as worth checking out.
You have plenty of options, be it hanging out in tourists spots or going to the local haunts.
