Best Food in Hue: Top 6 Hue Cuisine Highlight

Hue, the culinary paradise of Vietnam, has been ranked 28th in the world in the category of the best food city in the world in 2023, as revealed by Taste Atlas. Whether indulging in the royal cuisine or savoring the local delicacies, Hue lives up to its reputation by treating you to a feast of flavors, aromas, and aesthetics. Join Deluxe Group Tours to explore the top 06 best foods in Hue.

Hue Beef Noodle Soup

When mentioning Hue, one cannot ignore Hue beef noodle soup, a dish that has left a lasting impression on the hearts of diners in Hue. Originally from royal cuisine, Hue beef noodle soup boasts a rich flavor and enticing aroma that is hard to replicate. Therefore, a bowl of traditional Hue beef noodle soup is distinct from those in other regions, carrying the unique characteristics of Hue that are hard to find elsewhere. It has a pleasant sweetness from the bones and a salty and robust taste extracted from the small shrimp paste. The noodles must be fresh, small, and commonly used in Vietnamese fresh spring rolls and crab noodle soup.

Depending on each chef, Hue beef noodle soup can be accompanied by various ingredients. However, the beef noodle soup’s broth must still be a broth simmered from beef bones and beef for many hours. Additionally, it’s impossible not to mention small shrimp paste, a seasoning that contributes to the delicious and enticing flavor of the bowls of Hue beef noodle soup served to diners.

A bowl of authentic Hue beef noodle soup must be a perfect combination of well-seasoned broth and just the right amount of spices poured over chewy and round rice vermicelli. It should also include thinly sliced beef, a sprinkle of aromatic herbs like mint, and a touch of red chili and vinegar to bring out an enticing red color for the bowl of beef noodle soup. Nowadays, many eateries cleverly enhance the appeal by adding additional ingredients, such as tendons, pig trotters, brisket, cartilage, and even crab sausage.

For the Hue local, beef noodle soup is a part of the Hue lifestyle; it’s like a breath, the rhythm of life for the locals here.

In Hue, don’t forget to visit the following places to enjoy a must try authentic bowl of Hue beef noodle soup:

Cương Chú Điệp Hue Beef Noodle Soup at 6 Tran Thuc Nhan, Hue City. Typically open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., the price ranges from 15,000 VND to 30,000 VND per bowl.

Phương Hue Beef Noodle Soup at 24 Nguyen Khuyen, Hue City. Usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and priced between 30,000 VND and 35,000 VND.2. Loc Cake (Tapioca Cake)

Com Hen (Mussel Rice)

As one of the specialties of Hue, distinct from other dishes originating from the royal dining table, mussel rice is a dish closely associated with the meals of the impoverished residents of the ancient capital, prepared with the most elaborate method. Enduring many ups and downs throughout history, the humble rice dish has now become a shining point on the culinary map of the ancient capital.

The Hue local cuisine has spread throughout the country, and wherever you go, you can enjoy the distinctive dishes with the essence of the ancient capital, such as Hue beef noodle soup, loc cake (tapioca cake), etc. However, only the dish mussel rice stands out, and if you don’t visit the ancient capital, you surely won’t be able to fully savor that unique flavor.

Mussels used in preparing this rice dish must be caught in the Cồn Hến, an area formed by the alluvial deposits of the Perfume River. The water from the Perfume River, as it flows through Cồn Hến, is clear, with minimal silt and alkalinity. Under the confluence, there is a deep layer of mud. Due to favorable conditions, the clams in the Hen Confluence have a delicious and sweet taste and were once used as a royal delicacy. In contrast to other dishes that typically use fresh and hot ingredients, mussel rice uses cold rice that has been left overnight, and the rice grains must be separated, not sticking together.

Mussel rice is indeed a diverse picture in terms of both colors and flavors, with numerous accompanying dishes alongside the two main components: mussels and rice. The writer Hoang Phu Ngoc Tuong once pointed out more than 10 ingredients used in just one bowl of rice. These include chili paste, ground chili with fish sauce, small shrimp paste, crushed rice paper, roasted salt, crushed peanuts fried in fat or oil, toasted sesame seeds, crispy fried pork skin, and melted lard.

Not only mussels, rice, and accompanying ingredients, but the distinctive feature of the dish mussel rice lies in the accompanying raw vegetables. The commonly used vegetables include thinly sliced banana stems, banana flowers, aromatic herbs, pineapple, and small pieces of star fruit. These vegetables, with their bitter, sour, spicy, crisp, and refreshing flavors, contribute to the unique and diverse taste of the bowl of mussel rice.

Being one of the renowned specialties of Hue, naturally, wherever you go, you can find places selling clam rice. However, if you want to enjoy a delicious bowl of well-seasoned rice in the ancient capital, don’t overlook the following eatery recommendations:

Hàn Mặc Tử Huế mussel rice at 17 Han Mac Tu, Hue City

Tý Hon mussel rice at 03 Han Mac Tu, Hue City

Thu Hiền mussel rice at 55 Tran Phu, Hue City

Banh Khoai (Hue Pancake)

Hue pancakes are a special food in Hue. This is one of the renowned specialties of the ancient capital region, made by Hue locals from rice flour cooked using a wood stove.

The process is quite similar to the Southern pancake, but the form of the cake is completely different. Hue pancake is round, poured into molds, and made from some ingredients, such as rice flour, shrimp, mung beans, bean sprouts, etc. The cake crust is made from rice flour mixed with water, with a bit of turmeric added for color. Seasonings, such as salt and a moderate amount of sugar, are added to create a smooth batter. The crucial step in making the cake is the preparation of the batter, which determines the crispiness and deliciousness of the crust. The success of the dish depends on this step. After frying, bánh khoái becomes fragrant, with a golden color.

The dipping sauce is also one of the crucial elements determining the flavor of this beloved dish, as it is often folded and placed on a pristine white porcelain plate along with fresh vegetables and the dipping sauce. The people of Hue prepare the dipping sauce with meticulous care. It is made from more than ten types of spices, with Hue cuisine unique flavor of pig liver and finely ground lean meat, along with other seasonings, such as shallots, garlic, toasted sesame seeds, peanuts, soybean paste, small shrimp paste, monosodium glutamate, etc. The dipping sauce is simmered over low heat until it thickens and has a pale yellow color, indicating that it has reached the standard taste.

Looking at the golden, steaming Hue pancake plate, you will feel a strong craving. Hue pancake is often enjoyed with various fresh vegetables, thinly sliced green bananas, and dipped in a rich and flavorful broth, making it irresistible. The pancake is best enjoyed hot, making it suitable for dinner rather than lunch.

The decoration next to the plate includes various vegetables from Hue with the bitter taste of roxburgh fig and green bananas, the sour taste of starfruit, the spicy taste of chili and garlic, and the aromatic flavor of basil, accompanied by a bit of lettuce. Special food that is a sweet and sour dish using shredded papaya and carrots soaked in a vinegar and sugar mixture is also made by locals to serve with Hue pancakes.

In Hue, many places sell Hue pancakes. Strolling around small alleys, market corners, and street vendors, you can easily find and buy this delicious Hue specialty. Among them, the following places are recommended by the local food guide for experiencing the unique flavor of Hue pancakes:

• Chị Hạnh Hue Pancake at 11 Phu Duc Chinh, with operating hours from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The prices range from 20,000 VND to 55,000 VND, providing a variety of options to suit different preferences.
• Lạc Thiên Hue Pancake at 06 Dinh Tien Hoang, operates from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Here, the reference prices range from 50,000 VND to 70,000 VND, offering a slightly higher range.

Nem Lui (Grilled Ground Pork on Lemongrass Skewers)

Nem Lui is a popular dish in many provinces, especially some Central provinces. However, Nem Lui Hue is a dish that creates something special in the hearts of food lovers.

The ingredients to make Nem Lui are pureed pork, thinly sliced skin, and diced pork fat. Then, mix all these ingredients and marinate with salt, pepper, sugar, and mushrooms. After that, skewer the long meat onto the lemongrass stalk and grill it on a charcoal stove until firm, shiny, and golden brown.

Nem Lui is prepared with great attention to detail, involving numerous meticulous steps. Similarly, the accompanying dipping sauce, known as “nước lèo,” is prepared with intricate steps. This distinctive Hue dipping sauce typically consists of finely ground peanuts blended with pork liver, minced pork, and soy sauce. The mixture is simmered on low heat on the stove, incorporating traditional spices, until it reaches a thickened consistency.

Nem lui Hue is often served with rice paper, banana flowers, various herbs, raw vegetables, etc. A thin sheet of rice paper is spread out, and then various types of herbs are placed on it, followed by nem lui. Afterward, the nem lui section is rolled into a round shape and dipped in the dipping sauce for enjoyment.

You will immediately sense the tenderness, crispiness, and fragrant aroma of grilled pork skewers blending with lemongrass-infused oil. Combined with a hint of spiciness of chili, the rich and savory taste of the sauce, and the freshness of green vegetables, etc. Everything harmonizes perfectly, creating a sweet and exquisite flavor.

Nem Lui has become one of the specialties of Hue recommended by TripAdvisor. So, if you come to travel and explore Hue, don’t miss trying this specialty! Here are some famous places in Hue where you can find Nem Lui:

Nem Lui Bà Tý: Located at 81 Dao Duy Tu street, Hue city.

Nem Lui Ông Mệ Già: The eatery is located at the intersection of Huynh Thuc Khang and Mai Thuc Loan streets.

Nem Lui Huệ Phương: No. 38 Ba Trieu Street, Hue City.

Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli)

When talking about Hue grilled port and rice vermicelli, everyone will surely think of the sweet aroma of delicious pork and the thick, fragrant sauce with peanut flavor. This is also a rustic dish with the soul of the Ancient Capital that tourists coming here should try to enjoy to feel the different flavors of Hue Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli.

The dish Hue Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli may look simple, but achieving a delicious and authentic bowl of Hue-style vermicelli is not as easy as it seems. The most challenging step is preparing the grilled pork. The meat must be pork belly or shoulder, thinly sliced, and placed in a large bowl. Then, season with a mixture of lemongrass, garlic, pepper, fish sauce, salt, oil, sugar, and a bit of white sesame to enhance the fragrance when grilling. Afterward, the meat is thoroughly mixed to absorb the seasonings and then arranged on a grilling tray.

When grilling the meat, it is essential to constantly turn it over. The fat from the pork drips down and turns a crispy golden brown, making it more visually appealing. When the meat is perfectly cooked, the rising smoke carries a rich and fragrant aroma that makes everyone’s mouth water at the delicious scent.

The soul of Hue grilled pork and rice vermicelli is the dipping sauce. Unlike the Southern sauce, which is a sweet and sour fish sauce with garlic and chili, in Hue, this sauce is more delicate. Made from the liver, crushed sesame seeds, and ground peanuts, seasoned with ground pork, fish sauce, pepper, etc., and stirred well to create a thick, light brown mixture.

After finishing the preparation steps, just put some rice vermicelli in the bowl, add raw vegetables, put meat on top, and put a cup of sauce next to it. The dish will also attract diners with its color and flavor. In addition, adding a few sweet and sour stalks made from papaya and crispy grated carrots makes it even more fascinating.

Grilled pork and rice vermicelli is also a famous rustic dish in Hue, so finding a delicious Hue grilled meat vermicelli restaurant is also very simple. Here are some delicious eateries that many people know about:

Bà Tí Hue grilled pork and rice vermicelli at No. 81 Dao Duy Tu, Phu Binh, Hue City, is open from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Huyền Anh grilled pork and rice vermicelli at No. 50 Kim Long, Hue City, open from 09:00 to 21:00

Sweet Soup With Roasted Pork Wrapped In Tapioca Flour

Sweet soup is a delightful and traditional dessert that originates from Vietnam. Sweet Soup is renowned for its vibrant colors, unique textures, and diverse flavors. When mentioning sweet soup, it is impossible to mention sweet soup with roasted pork wrapped in tapioca flour, the best food dessert in Hue.

Sweet soup with roasted pork wrapped in tapioca flour, a sweet soup unique to Hue, whose name sounds absurd, is a unique blend of the fragrant sweet water on the outside and the strangely fatty and salty filling on the inside.

The ingredients for making sweet soup with roasted pork wrapped in tapioca flour include tapioca flour, roasted pork, rock sugar, granulated sugar, ginger, and peanuts. The tapioca flour used must be of good quality and kneaded with warm water until smooth, elastic, and non-sticky. After kneading, the dough is cut into small pieces to wrap around the roasted pork. The pork used for the cake should be the roasted and diced lean part, not too fatty or gamey, mixed with rock sugar, soaked in water until the sugar dissolves, then placed on a small, low flame to allow the meat to absorb the sugar. After the meat is prepared, it is mixed with a small amount of five-spice powder for a fragrant filling, and then the meat filling is placed in the center of each dough ball to ensure no gaps.

After being cooked, the sweet soup will become round balls of tapioca flour that can see through the meat. The tapioca balls will be chewy but not boring, carefully wrapping the meat fibers inside.

Those who are fans of Hue sweet soups certainly can’t know about Chè Hẻm at No. 1 Kiet 29 Hung Vuong, Hue, or Chè Cầm at 10 Nguyen Sinh Cung, Hue.