Exploring the Culinary Delights: 18 Must-Try Hue Specialties in the Ancient Capital

1. Baby Clam Rice / Hue Vermicelli

Hue's signature delicacy

Not everyone can savor the authentic Hue specialty, spicy baby clam rice. @wiktorkomorniczak

Hue's distinctive delicacy

2. Beef Noodle Soup Hue Style

Differing from the Southern style, where the bowl of beef noodle soup Hue style has a pleasant sweetness from the bones, in Hue, they use bone marrow to extract a much more robust flavor for the bowl of noodles. Therefore, the traditional bowl of beef noodle soup Hue style should be saltier and much more flavorful. Another difference in the beef noodle soup in Hue compared to other regions is the type of noodles used. For this dish, people in Hue specifically use small rice vermicelli, also known as fresh vermicelli, the type of noodles you often eat with spring rolls or crab noodle soup.

Hue's original rice vermicelli for beef noodle soup is much smaller than the type commonly consumed in the South. @Internet

People in Hue usually enjoy beef noodle soup in the morning. @eat.travel.with.diep

Hue's specialty

3. Sesame Rice Cakes

Sesame Rice Cakes, also known as sesame candy, are a delightful treat often found on the tea tables of the people of Hue. The people of Hue used to enjoy sipping tea while nibbling on small pieces of sesame rice cakes, a refined and pleasant pastime. In fact, nothing is rushed in Hue, even when it comes to enjoying sesame rice cakes. With this sticky delicacy, you can only truly appreciate the sweet, chewy, and refreshing flavors that they bring when they melt in your mouth.

Sesame seeds are a common gift in the form of cakes that travelers often buy as souvenirs. @Internet

4. Hue Sweet Soup

It's no exaggeration to call Hue the capital of various types of sweet soups, and alley sweet soups are one of the distinctive features of Hue. Just take a few steps, and you'll come across a stall or mobile cart selling sweet soup in the alley. Therefore, sweet soup becomes an indispensable specialty in Hue that you must try.

Pots of sweet soup filled with vibrant colors. @chutrieulong

Sweet Soup Alley – No. 1 Alley 29 Hung Vuong. @linhgumiho

Various and unique sweet soups are sold all year round, such as rolled meat tapioca sweet soup, banana and taro sweet soup, mung bean sweet soup, corn sweet soup, lotus seed sweet soup, and more. On hot days, enjoying a bowl of sweet soup with ice brings a refreshing and cooling sensation like no other. Each type of sweet soup has its own unique flavor, so if you have time, you must try them all.

5. Hue Grilled Lemongrass Skewers

People often say that grilled lemongrass skewers are a marvel in Hue's cuisine. The dish is prepared in a rustic and simple way, but thanks to the rich and diverse flavors of the people of Hue, this specialty of Hue can have a fragrance that can captivate the hearts of diners.

Grilled lemongrass skewers are one of the unique dishes of Hue. @bachuaviahe

Hue Grilled Lemongrass Skewers are usually served with fresh vegetables, herbs, star fruit, bean sprouts, and chili, similar to the meat rolls of the people in the South. The distinctive feature of this dish is the special dipping sauce called 'nước lèo'. Rest assured, once you try Hue Grilled Lemongrass Skewers at the following addresses, you will crave it until the day you leave.

6. Hue Fermented Shrimp Paste (Tré Huế)

At first glance, many tourists might easily confuse Hue Fermented Shrimp Paste with Hue Pork Sausage because these two specialties from Hue are somewhat related. However, their preparation methods are different, so make sure to ask carefully before buying. The flavor of Hue Fermented Shrimp Paste is fragrant with the scent of galangal, deep sweetness, and a slightly sour taste. There are two types of Hue Fermented Shrimp Paste: pork and beef.

When wrapped in leaves, Hue Fermented Shrimp Paste (Tré Huế) becomes challenging to distinguish from pork sausage. @o0o.bichngoc.o0o

However, there's no specific recipe for making Hue Fermented Shrimp Paste, so the aroma, color, and taste vary depending on the preferences of the cook. In Hue households, Tré is an essential appetizer or side dish served with alcohol. To get the authentic standard, you must buy Nem and Tré Hue on Dao Duy Tu Street, where they specialize in producing and selling these delicacies from the past to the present in Hue.

7. Nam Pho Clear Noodle Soup

Nam Pho Clear Noodle Soup originates from the village of... Nam Pho. It's a popular street food in this village, located approximately 10 km from the city center. You'll notice the broth is slightly cloudy and sweet as Nam Pho Clear Noodle Soup is made from a mixture of rice flour and filter flour in a ratio of 3 rice - 1 filter.

A renowned noodle dish in Hue. @trungbuii

You don't have to travel to Nam Pho village to enjoy this Hue specialty; there are many places selling it right in the heart of Hue. @danangcuisine

The broth of Nam Pho Clear Noodle Soup also includes pork belly and shrimp. When eating, remember to add a bit of chili to enhance the spiciness and fully experience the authentic Hue flavor. Nam Pho Clear Noodle Soup is a favorite Hue specialty for many tourists and locals alike. Every afternoon, alongside the wandering tea stalls, you'll find the presence of Nam Pho Clear Noodle Soup vendors.

8. Hue Sour Shrimp

Hue Sour Shrimp is a humble specialty that you'll hardly find in other provinces. The shrimp itself has a refreshing, sweet taste, now mixed with spiciness from various spices. This not only doesn't overpower the cool and sweet taste of the shrimp but also creates a harmonious and enticing flavor when eaten with other accompanying dishes.

The tangy and spicy flavor of sour shrimp will surely leave an unforgettable memory. @Internet

9. Mixed Fruits Salad

In Hue, when someone invites you to eat 'vả', it means they want you to enjoy, eat for pleasure. Perhaps that's why sour fruits in Hue are often used as a playful and appetizing dish. If you're here, you must try the sour fruits because this is the true specialty of Hue. Only Hue has 'vả', guaranteed not to be found in any other region.

Vả fruit is exclusive to Hue. @Internet

Mixed vả is often enjoyed with grilled rice paper. @Internet

An interesting fact is that when dining in Hue, from restaurants to street vendors, you will easily come across mixed vả in the menu, demonstrating the locals' love for this fruit. Grilled rice paper is a perfect match for mixed vả. Scoop a bite of mixed vả with rice paper, put it in your mouth, and that's the authentic way Hue people enjoy it. Mixed vả is a popular dish, and you can easily find it at any eatery in Hue, especially at the local 'nhậu' spots.

10. Betel Nut Candy

The name 'betel nut candy' comes from its resemblance to a betel nut, split open. This delightful snack, loved by many children, consists of a light yellow syrupy center, representing the betel nut, and an outer white layer made of mixed sugar and flour, resembling betel nut flesh.

Betel nut candy (on the right) is a nostalgic treat for many locals. @hanhle87

This specialty from Hue has been around for quite some time. Initially, the candy was kept whole, often wrapped in dried banana leaves. Nowadays, it's split open and packaged in clean, glossy paper. You can easily purchase betel nut candy at various markets, grocery stores, or even at tourist attractions.

11. Bánh Bèo

When it comes to the Ancient Capital and the myriad specialties of Hue, one cannot overlook the countless varieties of 'cakes,' ranging from sweet to savory. Hue is indeed a paradise of cakes. Leading this list is the renowned dish called 'bánh bèo.'

A trip to Hue without trying Hue's bánh bèo is a 'waste' of the entire journey. @yensplate

Savoring authentic bánh bèo in Hue means enjoying cakes crafted in small bowls, neatly arranged on bamboo plates. On the smooth white surface of these cakes, you'll find the red-orange color of tiny shrimp, the yellow hue of fried shallots and pork fat, complemented by the green of scallion oil. Drizzle a bit of spicy fish sauce on top before eating, and you'll feel like all the earthly essences converge in that bowl of Hue's bánh bèo.

Sweet fish sauce must have a kick of spicy chili to truly enhance the deliciousness of Hue's bánh bèo. @im.pubu

In Hue, there are two street-side 'bánh bèo' spots that attract the most tourists: Nam Phổ and Đốc Sơ. Additionally, you can find long-established eateries like Ngự Bình and Tây Thượng.

12. Clear Dumplings

Hue's Clear Dumplings come in two types: wrapped (in banana or dong leaves) and unwrapped, both alluring with translucent skin revealing beautifully crafted and tasty red shrimp and small-cut pork. The filling usually consists of shrimp, small-cut pork, and sometimes whole small shrimp.

Clear Dumplings are not only visually appealing but also a dish that's easy to capture in beautiful photos due to the harmonious colors. @cooky.vn

Like other specialties in Hue, Clear Dumplings are enjoyed with sweet and spicy fish sauce, no need for raw vegetables. You can savor these delightful dumplings at the following addresses:

13. Rolled Cake

Rolled Cake is also one of the favorite snacks of the locals, found abundantly in street vendors throughout the city of Hue. The rectangular-shaped cake is wrapped in dong leaves, with a layer of pure white dough adorned with eye-catching pink shrimp. A bowl of Rolled Cake usually includes shrimp sausage and a dip of sweet fish sauce to enhance the flavor of the cake.

Like other types of cakes here, Rolled Cake is enjoyed with slightly spicy sweet fish sauce. @Internet

14. Savory Pancake

On your first visit to Hue, you might easily mistake Savory Pancake for Vietnamese sizzling crepes (banh xeo) because their outer appearances share many similarities. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the crust of Savory Pancake is smaller, thicker, and crunchier than banh xeo. While they may look alike, the taste of the two dishes is distinct, primarily due to the accompanying dipping sauce.

Banh khoai and banh xeo actually have many differences in both the way they are eaten and made. @Internet

The dipping sauce for banh khoai is called 'nuoc leo.' The special Hue dish banh khoai's nuoc leo is made from minced pork liver, lean meat, roasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and authentic Hue soybean sauce.

15. Fried Rice Cake with Shrimp Topping

When it comes to savory pastries, banh ram it involves more intricacy, from its appearance, color scheme to the preparation method. This meticulousness originates from the fact that banh ram it, now easily found and tried anywhere in Hue, was once a favored dish of the Nguyen Dynasty's kings.

Certainly, this is a rather unusual cake for many diners. @yensplate

Banh ram it looks incredibly enticing, doesn't it? @maysul_seulgi

The name 'banh ram it' is a combination of two cakes: 'banh ram' and 'banh it.' The round white part on top is 'banh it,' and the fried part below is 'banh ram.' When eating, it's a unique experience. Upon biting, you first feel the chewiness of the sticky rice flour, followed by the rich shrimp and meat filling inside, and finally, the crispy texture of the fried cake. Visually appealing and delicious, banh ram it is a favorite dish for many diners in Hue.

17. Green Bean and Fruit Cake

Green bean and fruit cake is also known as the 'aristocratic' cake because in the past, only famous chefs and bakers crafted this delicacy to offer to the royal court. Therefore, this cake demands skilled hands and carefulness from its makers.

Green bean and fruit cake was once a noble dessert, reserved exclusively for royal offerings. @Internet

The 'aristocratic' cake is made from green beans, agar, and food coloring. After mixing the dough, skilled hands shape it into various forms resembling common fruits and vegetables like oranges, plums, apples, chili peppers, and more. The proper way to enjoy the green bean and fruit cake in the Huế style is to sip tea, indulge in the cake, and engage in leisurely conversation or contemplation. This slow and deliberate way of eating is suitable for noble families of the past or the elderly. To savor and purchase this fruit cake as a gift, you can visit the following addresses:

18. Clams with Rice Paper - A humble Hue specialty not to be missed

A specialty in Huế that you cannot overlook is clams with rice paper. This dish is a common part of the locals' daily meals. The ingredients include clams, sautéed garlic, accompanied by grilled rice paper or shrimp chip. Though simple, the delightful flavor of the clams blending with the crispy texture of the grilled rice paper always leaves diners enchanted.

Clams with rice paper, credit: @sakuradelhive

Some addresses for you to experience clams with rice paper in Huế are:

18. Hidden Rice - the royal specialty of the people of Hue

Hidden Rice is a specialty of Hue that you surely shouldn't miss. According to many folk stories, during his travels, King Bao Dai felt hungry and was treated to this dish by a local. The ingredients of Hidden Rice include mustard greens, cucumber, eggs, and meat, all beautifully arranged on a plate. After tasting it, the king praised this dish, and even upon returning to the palace, he requested the kitchen to recreate this dish.