Hue city used to be the old capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen dynasty 1802 – 1945.
Many good chefs came to Hue to serve the Royal Family, and they carried the great culinary to here.
Nowadays, the local food in Hue is great to taste when tourists visit this city. There are hundreds of local food dishes which take you a month to eat all of these.
Vietnamdrive would like to introduce you 6 famous local food of Hue.
1. Banh Khoai (Hue Pancake)
Banh Khoai – Hue Pancake is a typical pancake in Hue city. At first glance, visitors can easily mistakenly think that Banh Khoai is very similar to Banh Xeo.
However, Banh Khoai is often smaller and more crunchy than Banh Xeo. An indispensable part of this pancake is the sauce of peanut. Each restaurant has its own secret of preparing the sauce.
The most famous restaurant is at Hong Mai Restaurant, and secondly is near Thuong Tu Gate, including 3 restaurants: Lac Thien, Lac Thanh and Bach Yen.
2. Bun Bo Hue – Hue beef noodle soup
Bun Bo Hue – Hue beef noodle soup is famous not only in Vietnam but also in over the world. The soup is also listed as one of the delicious dishes of Asia.
However, to enjoy the real taste of it, tourists must visit the Hue city. The broth is stewed from cow bones, added a little sauce, mixed together to create a special and attractive flavor. This noodle dish is often cooked spicy according to the taste of Hue people.
Visitors can choose to eat noodles soup in the streets at Ba Xuan Restaurant at 17 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, or at night at My Tam Restaurant at Tran Cao Van Street.
3. Nem Lui – Lemongrass skewers
A lemongrass skewer is well-known in Hue City, Vietnam. Today, it becomes a popular dish in all regions of the country.
Lemongrass skewers are fresh pork pieces mixed with lard, parsley, pepper, and sugar; and then attached to the bamboo stick, sugar cane or lemongrass to grill.
Their taste will make visitors unforgettable. Lemongrass skewers are eaten together with aromatic herbs, carrots, bean sprouts, and sliced green bananas.
This is one of Hue’s best dishes, loved by both locals and international visitors.
The two most famous restaurants are located at Tai Phu Restaurant and Hong Mai Restaurant.
4. Vietnamese thick noodle soup ( Banh Canh)
Vietnamese thick noodle soup is one of the most attractive dishes in Vietnam.
Thick noodle soup in Hue has a unique flavor. The food is as simple as its name, but the chef has spent a lot of time when cooking.
The broth is very delicious; it is prepared from pig’s bones and boiled shrimp.
A bowl of soup which is served with soft white powders, eye-catching meatballs, and a bit of green pepper, is well suited for street trips to Hue.
5. Banh Nam – Steamed rice dumplings with shrimp
Banh Nam – Nam dumplings (Steamed rice dumplings with shrimp) are made with rice flour and become the favorite gift in Hue.
Visitors can easily find this dish on the street or in the market at a low price.
The dumpling is rectangular, thin and wrapped in a simple banana leaf. Opening the leaf, diners will be amazed by the beauty hidden inside.
Nam dumplings are served with salty fish sauce and spicy pepper. Visitors will feel the great taste of Hue.
In addition to the market, visitors can go to the restaurants in Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Cong Tru, or Nguyen Hue Street to taste these dumplings.
6. Com Hen – Baby Clam Rice
It is impossible to speaking of Hue specialities without referring to “Com Hen”.
This is also favorite street food, attached to the Hue people from ancient times.
The difference that makes this dish famous is the dish must be eaten with cooled baby clam.
“Com Hen” is served with raw vegetables and indispensable chilli pepper.
This dish is best in Hen Isle (Con Hen).