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Hue, not only renowned for its stunning landscapes but also for its plethora of delicious and unique dishes that leave an indelible mark. In this article, we will introduce you to 12 specialty dishes in Hue that you should try if you ever have the chance to visit.
Top 10 Hue Specialties
1. Hue nem and tré
The first specialty dish in Hue that we want to introduce is nem and tré. Although both the North and the South have nem, Hue nem has its own unique flavor, particularly in the seasoning. When eating Hue nem, you will never find round pepper seeds inside the roll. The ingredients used to make Hue nem are diverse, including fermented pork, finely chopped pork skin, roasted rice powder, caramelized sugar, salt, fish sauce, etc.
Tré is also a famous dish, considered as a representative of Hue cuisine. Tré is divided into two types, including brown tré, which has a fragrant aroma of roasted rice powder, and the second type is sweet-tasting tré. Although locals often call it beef tré, it still contains ingredients such as crispy pork belly, sliced and mixed with garlic, galangal, roasted rice powder, and other spices. All of these are wrapped in guava leaves and then wrapped in fresh banana leaves, similar to nem chua.
The red-brown pork tré is also delicious, with a fragrant aroma of roasted rice powder and garlic, and a rich sweet and sour taste. This type is made from roasted pork belly, thinly sliced and mixed with galangal, garlic, and roasted rice powder, but they are wrapped in Morinda leaves before being wrapped in banana leaves.
2. Hue clam rice
When speaking of specialties in Huế, one cannot overlook the famous dish of clam rice. Many jest that a visit to Huế without indulging in clam rice is incomplete. Despite its humble origins, clam rice holds a special place in the hearts of travelers. Its preparation is simple yet delightful. The main ingredients include cooked white rice left to cool, topped with crispy fried clams and various condiments such as Hue shrimp paste, fresh vegetables, banana blossom, bean sprouts, and finely chopped taro alongside golden sesame seeds and fried shallots.
This specialty dish of Huế is available in numerous eateries throughout the city, but the most renowned establishments include the one at Con Hen or the small eatery run by Ms. Nho located on Pham Hong Thai Street, at the corner of Truong Dinh. Another notable spot is found at 2 Truong Dinh Street, offering equally delicious clam rice. The price of a bowl of clam rice is quite affordable, ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 Vietnamese Dong.
Lăng Cô Clam Sauce
When visiting Huế, many tourists make it a point to bring back a few bottles of Lăng Cô clam sauce as souvenirs or gifts for friends. This renowned specialty of Huế boasts a unique and distinctive flavor compared to other types of fish sauce. The meticulous preparation process follows a secret recipe, starting with the careful selection of ingredients. Only fresh clams with firm flesh are used, thoroughly cleaned and marinated with a variety of spices such as whole salt, galangal, and chili powder. After marinating for approximately 15 days, the clams rise to the surface, releasing a rich and flavorful clam sauce.
4. Hue Sesame Balls
Hue Sesame Balls are another specialty of Hue. These are sweet, chewy snacks that are delicious without being too heavy. Made primarily from sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, and sugar, each piece is individually wrapped in thin plastic. You can find this snack in many stores and grocery shops in Hue, typically priced around 20,000 - 25,000 VND per pack.
5. Clear Flour Cakes
When people think of Hue, Clear Flour Cakes often come to mind. This specialty dish from Hue comes in two varieties: one wrapped in dong or banana leaves, and the other without any wrapping. Both types have a translucent flour casing filled with fresh shrimp and pork. They are best enjoyed dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce.
6. Sour Shrimp Paste
Sour shrimp paste is also a famous specialty in Hue. This paste has the sourness of shrimp, the spiciness of chili, and the flavors of various spices blended together. Unlike how people in the North often eat it with vermicelli or dog meat, this condiment is typically enjoyed with hot rice and boiled pork.
7. Hue Lock Cake
Lock cake in Hue is made from finely ground rice flour, turmeric powder, and chicken eggs. The filling consists of various ingredients such as bean sprouts, pork, shrimp, and sometimes even snakehead fish. The best way to enjoy lock cake is with fresh vegetables like banana blossom, sliced star fruit, figs, dipping sauce, and Hue-style soy sauce.
8. Hue Alley Sweet Soup
While Hanoi boasts its '36 types of sweet soup' and Ho Chi Minh City has its 'sweet soup feasts', Hue has its alley sweet soup. This specialty in Hue gets its name because the sweet soup stalls are often nestled deep within small alleys. Hue alley sweet soup comes in many varieties, each with its own unique flavor, but they all share the common trait of being delicious and easy to eat. You can try corn sweet soup, floating cake sweet soup, pomegranate seed sweet soup, tapioca sweet soup, sweet potato sweet soup, and even unusual ones like tapioca sweet soup with roasted pork.
9. Hue Beef Noodles
Hue beef noodles are not only famous among Vietnamese people but also a must-try for foreign tourists visiting Hue. The key to delicious Hue beef noodles lies in the broth. The broth for Hue beef noodles has a spicy taste from chili, the fragrance of lemongrass, and the distinctive flavor of fermented shrimp paste. The price of a bowl of Hue beef noodles is also very affordable, typically around 20,000 - 30,000 VND per bowl.
10. Hue Grilled Meat Vermicelli and Grilled Meat Wet Cakes
Hue grilled meat vermicelli and grilled meat wet cakes are also specialties in Hue that you should try. The deliciousness of these two dishes lies in the grilled meat. The meat used for grilling is fresh and well-marinated to retain its distinctive flavor and ensure it cooks to a golden brown without drying out. Both dishes are served with dipping sauce and accompanied by various fresh green vegetables.
There are quite a few stalls selling grilled meat vermicelli and grilled meat wet cakes in Hue, but the best ones are located on Kim Long Street.
11. Hue Royal Tea
This is a type of special tea famous in Hue. Royal Tea is created through a harmonious combination of many ingredients, precious herbs, and beneficial for health, such as: Chrysanthemum, Artichoke flower, Starfruit flower, Bitter melon, Lotus heart, Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Sweetgrass, Northern licorice, Honeysuckle,… This precious tea used to be reserved only for kings and queens. However, nowadays, it is widely produced and you can easily find it to enjoy.
12. Areca Nut Candy
Areca nut candy is the last specialty in Hue that we want to introduce to you in this article. This type of candy is called areca nut candy because they have a shape similar to areca nuts. This snack has been around for a long time and is sold in abundance in Hue. Whether you are a child, an adult, or an elderly person, everyone loves this snack.
Above are 11 specialties in Hue that if you have the opportunity to come here, you should try. Surely, these specialties will satisfy and delight you.
Posted by: Hà Lê
Keywords: Checking Out the TOP 12 Must-Try Specialties in Hue That Will Leave You Wanting More
