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Hue not only captivates visitors with its sweet and warm accent, picturesque and gentle beauty, and the graceful attire of Hue's women in ao dai and conical hats, but also with an abundance of delectable specialties that make you forget the way back.
Join Vntrip in discovering the 16 must-try specialties in Hue that you surely can't resist when visiting this Land of Poetry!
1. Baby Clam Rice, Baby Clam Vermicelli
A truly 'Hue' standard bowl of rice must be left overnight. True to its 'spicy and flavorful' nature, this Hue specialty must be rich, savory, and notably spicy. When in Hue, be cautious, or your bowl of baby clam rice is sure to leave your tongue tingling.
- Stone-Pounded Clam Rice– 1 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da.
- Sister Nho's eatery at the intersection of Pham Hong Thai – Truong Dinh.
- Eatery at 2 Truong Dinh.
- Congee – Vermicelli – Stone-Pounded Clam Rice– 98 Nguyen Hue.
2. Hue Beef Noodle Soup
Hue locals use marrowbones to extract flavor. Hence, a genuine bowl of traditional Hue beef noodle soup must be salty, robust. A distinctive feature of Hue's beef noodle soup compared to other regions is the noodle strands. For this dish, Hue locals specifically use small rice vermicelli, also known as fresh vermicelli, the type commonly used in spring rolls or crab noodle soup.
Hue beef noodle soup is only available in the morning. Every morning, a bowl of Hue beef noodle soup with ample beef, pork knuckles, Hue-style sausage, and shrimp sausage is simply delightful.
- Hue Beef Noodle Soup – 14 Ly Thuong Kiet
- Bun Ba Tuyet – 37 Nguyen Cong Tru
- Bun Ba Tam – 43 Nguyen Cong Tru
- Bun Ba My – 71 Nguyen Cong Tru
3. Sesame Candy
Sesame candy, or also known as sesame candy treats, is a constant presence on the tea tables of the people of Hue. The ancient Hue residents would often enjoy small bites of sesame candy while sipping tea, a refined and pleasurable pastime.
Various types of sesame candy can be found, such as soft sesame, crispy sesame, black sesame, and glossy sesame. If the sesame candy is golden inside, and when squeezed or bent, it feels soft and flexible without breaking, then it is considered good-quality sesame candy.
You can savor delicious sesame candy and purchase it as a gift at:
- Thien Huong Sesame Candy – 20 Chi Lang.
- Nam Thuan Sesame Candy – 135 Huynh Thuc Khang.
- Dong Ba Market – Tran Hung Dao, Phu Hoa.
Learn more: A-Z Travel Guide to Hue for Beginners
4. Hue Sweet Soup
It's no exaggeration to call Hue the capital of various types of sweet soups, and alleyway sweet soup is one of Hue's distinctive features. Just a few steps away, you'll come across a shop or a wandering sweet soup vendor in the alley.
Delicious and unique sweet soup options sold year-round include clear dumpling sweet soup with roasted pork, banana and taro sweet soup, black bean sweet soup, corn sweet soup, lotus seed sweet soup, and more.
- Alleyway Sweet Soup – 17 Hung Vuong.
- Sao Sweet Soup – 60 Phan Chu Trinh.
5. Hue Grilled Pork Rolls
Hue grilled pork rolls are a culinary delight. These rolls are typically served with fresh vegetables, herbs, star fruit, bean sprouts, and chili, similar to the meat rolls in the Southern region. The unique aspect of this dish lies in its special dipping sauce called 'nuoc leo'. Try Hue grilled pork rolls at the following addresses:
- Bun Thit Nuong & Nem Lui Ba Ty – 81 Dao Duy Tu.
- Tai Phu – 2 Dien Bien Phu, Ward Vinh Ninh.
6. Hue Fermented Pork Rolls
At first glance, many tourists may confuse Hue fermented pork rolls ('tre Hue') with Hue pork rolls ('nem cha Hue'). The flavor of fermented pork rolls is fragrant with the scent of galangal, deep sweetness, and a slight sour taste. Hue fermented pork rolls come in two types: pork fermented rolls and beef fermented rolls. To get the authentic ones, you must buy them on Dao Duy Tu Street as it specializes in the production and sale of fermented pork and pork rolls in Hue.
- Dong Ba Hue Fermented Pork and Pork Roll - 25 Dao Duy Tu, Phu Binh.
Learn more: What to Eat in Hue: Top 5 Irresistible Dishes
7. Nam Pho Rice Noodle Soup
Nam Pho Rice Noodle Soup originates from the village of Nam Pho. The broth is slightly cloudy and sweet due to the rice and rice flour in the ratio of 3:1. The broth also contains pork belly and shrimp. When eating, add a bit of chili for an extra kick to fully experience the authentic Hue flavor. Every afternoon, alongside the mobile tea stalls, you'll find vendors selling Nam Pho Rice Noodle Soup.
- Thuy's Nam Pho Rice Noodle Soup - 16 Pham Hong Thai.
- Nam Pho Rice Noodle Soup - 374 Chi Lang.
8. Sour Shrimp Hue
Sour shrimp is a simple specialty of Hue that is hard to find in other provinces. The shrimp itself has a refreshing, sweet taste, now enhanced with spiciness from various spices. It not only preserves the cool and refreshing taste of shrimp but also harmonizes perfectly, creating an enticing flavor when eaten with other accompanying dishes.
When preparing, they specifically use small freshwater shrimp rather than large sea shrimp. The reason is that small shrimp absorb spices more evenly, and when arranged on a plate or in a bowl, it looks more visually appealing. Hue's Sour Shrimp is often enjoyed as fresh spring rolls with boiled meat, rice paper, and various fresh vegetables. Additionally, if you don't have much time to roll spring rolls, you can also enjoy sour shrimp with hot rice.
- Sour Shrimp 21 Dang Tran Con.
9. Mixed Figs
In Hue, when someone invites you to eat 'mixed figs,' it means they want you to enjoy and have a good time. Perhaps that's why figs in Hue are often used as a playful and appetizing dish. If you're here, you must try the figs because this is the true specialty of Hue. Only in Hue can you find figs, guaranteeing a unique experience that you won't find anywhere else.
Grilled rice paper is the perfect match for mixed figs. Scoop a bite of mixed figs with rice paper to truly experience the way people in Hue enjoy it.
10. Betel Leaf Candy
The name 'betel leaf candy' comes from its appearance resembling a betel nut. This is a popular snack that children love, consisting of a light yellow dried sugar interior symbolizing the betel nut, and an outer white layer made of sugar-mixed flour.
You can easily buy betel leaf candy at various markets, grocery stores, or directly at tourist attractions.
11. Bánh bèo
When it comes to the Imperial City and the countless specialties of Hue, one cannot overlook the myriad of 'bánh' (cakes) found here, from sweet to savory. Hue is indeed a haven for cakes, and topping this list is the renowned dish known as 'bánh bèo'.
Savoring authentic 'bánh bèo' in Hue means indulging in cakes meticulously crafted in small bowls and arranged neatly on bamboo trays. On the smooth surface of these delicate cakes, you'll find the vibrant orange-red of tiny shrimp, the yellow of crispy shallots and pork fat, complemented by the green hue of scallion oil. A drizzle of spicy fish sauce just before eating enhances the divine flavors encapsulated in each cup of 'bánh bèo'.
Sweet fish sauce must have a kick of chili to truly bring out the deliciousness of Hue's 'bánh bèo.'
In Hue, two street-side 'bánh bèo' spots that attract tourists the most are 'bánh bèo' stalls in Nam Phổ and Đốc Sơ. Additionally, there are longstanding establishments like Ngự Bình and Tây Thượng renowned for their 'bánh bèo.'
- Bánh bèo district: An Định palace, Ngự Bình street, Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm street,...
- Culinary Area Chợ Tây Lộc –209 Nguyễn Trãi.
- Bánh bèo Bà Cư – 47 Nguyễn Huệ.
12. Bánh nậm, Bánh Khoái, Bánh Bột lọc
The rectangular-shaped 'bánh nậm,' wrapped in dong leaves, features a smooth white layer dotted with eye-catching pink shrimp. A bowl of 'bánh nậm' often includes shrimp paste, sweet fish sauce to enhance the richness of the cake.
- Bánh nậm Bà Đỏ –71 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Phú Cát.
- Me Restaurant –14 Võ Thị Sáu, Phú Hội.
- Bánh khoái Lạc Thiện–6 Đinh Tiên Hoàng.
- 109 Eatery specializing in Bèo – Nậm – Lọc –109 Lê Huân.
The outer layer of 'bánh khoái' is smaller, thicker, and crispier than 'bánh xèo.' That's the external appearance; when eaten, the flavors of the two dishes also differ, mainly due to the accompanying dipping sauce called 'nước lèo.' The 'nước lèo' of the Hue specialty 'bánh khoái' is made from minced pork liver, finely chopped lean meat, toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and original Hue soybean sauce.
Hue's 'bánh bột lọc' is divided into two types: wrapped cakes (wrapped in banana or dong leaves) and bare cakes (unwrapped), but both are appealing to diners thanks to the translucent dough revealing beautiful and delicious pink shrimp. The filling often includes shrimp, finely sliced pork belly, and sometimes whole small shrimp.
Like other specialty cakes in Hue, 'bánh bột lọc' is eaten with sweet and spicy fish sauce, without the need for raw vegetables.
13. Ram It Cake
Among savory cakes, 'Ram It Cake' stands out for its intricate appearance, color coordination, and preparation method.
The name 'Ram It Cake' combines two types of cakes: 'ram' cake and 'it' cake. The round white cake on top is the 'it' cake, and the fried cake underneath is the 'ram' cake. Eating this cake is a unique experience. When you bite into it, you first feel the chewiness of the sticky rice dough, followed by the rich shrimp and meat filling in the 'ram' cake, and finally, the crispiness of the fried cake. Both visually appealing and delicious, 'Ram It Cake' is a favorite of many diners in Hue.
- Me Restaurant –14 Võ Thị Sáu, Phú Hội.
14. Fruit Mochi Cake
Fruit Mochi Cake, also known as the 'noble' cake, was historically crafted only by renowned chefs and bakers as an offering to the royal court.
The 'noble' cake's dough is made from green beans, agar, and food coloring. After mixing the dough, the artisan shapes it into various forms resembling common fruits and vegetables such as oranges, plums, apples, chili peppers, etc. Enjoying Fruit Mochi Cake in the true Hue style involves sipping tea, indulging in the cake, and engaging in contemplative conversations.
- Dong Ba Market – Tran Hung Dao, Phu Hoa.
- Vong Luc Bo– 79 Nguyen Chi Dieu, Thuan Thanh.
15. Baby Clams with Rice Paper Crisps
A must-try specialty in Hue is baby clams with rice paper crisps. This dish consists of baby clams, fried garlic, served with either grilled rice paper or shrimp crackers. Simple yet delightful, the aromatic flavor of baby clams combined with the crispy texture of the rice paper makes every bite a heavenly experience.
- Hoa Don Baby Clam Rice: 64 Alley 7 Ung Binh
- Ngon Baby Clam Rice: 7 Ung Binh, Vy Da
- Stone-Pounded Baby Clam Rice: 1 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da
16. Sunken Rice – Hue Specialty
Imperial Covered Rice is a must-try specialty in Hue that you surely shouldn't miss. According to many folk stories, during King Bao Dai's royal journey, he felt hungry and was treated to this dish by a local. The ingredients of Imperial Covered Rice include vegetables, cucumber, eggs, and meat neatly arranged on a plate. After enjoying it, the king praised the dish and even requested the palace kitchen to recreate it.
Since then, the legend of the royal advancement of Imperial Covered Rice was born.
In addition to the specialties in Hue, this place also offers numerous picturesque landscapes waiting for you to explore. With the travel guide suggestions above, are you ready for this poetic journey?
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