As the night falls, the lively street with almost a dozen food stalls on the sidewalk in Hue continues to bustle, the enticing aroma of roasted sweet potatoes, grilled corn, and savory beef wafting through the air, captivating authentic travelers.
Travel to Hue and savor the delights of grilled corn with garlic-infused lard by the Perfume River
Finding the most popular spot for grilled corn with garlic-infused lard in the ancient capital is easy. Just head to a row of nearly a dozen stalls opposite the entrance of Hue University of Education, along Le Loi Street, near Nguyen Dinh Chieu pedestrian street, and Trang Tien Bridge. The ideal location is what makes this street bustling with patrons.

The corn, pre-roasted and neatly arranged, awaits orders. Only when a customer calls, the vendor takes a small brush made from corn husks, deftly applying a layer of garlic-infused lard onto the tender corn kernels. After a few minutes over the flames, with skillful flipping and turning, the corn is evenly cooked inside, with a shiny layer of spices on the outside, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Aunts and sisters arrange their stalls closely, forming a 200-meter long 'grilled corn street,' always lively. Regular customers stick to their preferred stalls, as each one has its unique blend of garlic-infused lard mixture. Golden butter, finely chopped green onions, garlic, chili, and diluted fish sauce create a sweet, salty, and spicy flavor. The corn, basted with garlic-infused lard, is more aromatic compared to the plain grilled corn commonly found in the north. The spice layer also serves to regulate the coal flames, preventing the outer layer from burning while the inside is not yet fully cooked.
Apart from corn, these stalls also grill sweet potatoes, squid, and dried fish to serve customers. Therefore, even in the small sidewalk space, groups of customers gather, chatting animatedly. Each plastic chair holds a plate of different grilled items and a bowl of spicy chili sauce.

The chosen sweet potatoes are usually the honey variety, peeled and grilled to reveal a golden, sweet, and fragrant flesh. Beef, squid, and yellowtail fish are grilled to a tender texture, not overly dry, allowing a moist experience when eaten. The grilled fish is pre-cut into mouth-sized squares. This snack tends to be quite juicy due to the characteristic spicy chili sauce of Hue.
These stalls are set up from dusk until midnight, attracting many tourists as there are few late-night eateries in Hue. Corn and beef are priced at 8,000 VND, while sweet potatoes can vary in price depending on size. Sitting around enjoying these affordable grilled dishes in the late hours, listening to enchanting stories in the sweet Hue accent, is a fascinating experience for many visitors in the ancient capital.
Source: Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourDecember 12, 2016