Must-Try Top 10 Local Delicacies in Hue

Whether it's pho or bun, these familiar Vietnamese dishes are globally renowned for their unique and enticing flavors. Each region boasts its own variations, adding a distinct touch to the traditional culinary culture. When in Hue, don't miss the chance to indulge in the local specialty known as Hue Beef Noodle Soup, a dish brimming with the authentic flavors of Hue.

Hue Beef Noodle Soup is the heart of Hue's cuisine, a famous delicacy recognized not only in Vietnam but worldwide. Savoring this dish allows you to experience the sweet and aromatic essence of various spices: lemongrass, shrimp paste, simmered bones, boiled meat, lime, herbs, shallots, and fish sauce. These elements combine to create the uniquely captivating flavor of Hue.

The special taste of the bowl lies in the broth, featuring the spicy heat of chili, the fragrant aroma of lemongrass, a touch of shrimp paste, all working together with a hint of fermented shrimp sauce. It's these distinctive qualities that make locals proud and travelers, whenever they encounter a place named 'Hue Beef Noodle Soup,' feel a deep sense of satisfaction.

Here are some renowned Hue Beef Noodle Soup establishments in Hue:

• Hue Beef Noodle Soup - 36 Ba Trieu, Phu Hoi, Hue City
• Bun Bo Hue - Phu Hoa, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue
• Hue Sidewalk Beef Noodle Soup - 36 To Hien Thanh, Phu Cat, Hue City
• O Nga Hue Beef Noodle Soup - 19 Nguyen Cong Tru, Phu Hoi, Hue City
• Hue Beef Noodle Soup - 38 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Tay Loc, Hue City

If you've ever been to Hue, you'll not only find it beautiful and poetic but also be impressed by the myriad of delicious cakes. Hue is the land of many popular folk cakes, including banh beo, banh nam, banh bot loc - these are rustic, famous cakes in the imperial city of Hue.

Banh beo chen - Making a cup of banh beo requires a lot of meticulous effort, from choosing rice to grind flour, then pouring the cake when steaming so that it fits the small, cute mold and soaks up other ingredients like dried shrimp flour, crispy pork fat, green onions, etc. When enjoying banh beo, use a thin spoon to scoop the cake along with a special dipping sauce made from pure fish sauce, sugar, chili, garlic, etc. Eating banh beo, you will feel the chewy texture of the flour combined with the fragrant, fatty, and crispy taste of spices and shrimp flour.

Banh bot loc - The most famous among Hue cakes must be banh bot loc, a dish that any visitor must enjoy when setting foot in Hue. Having been to many places, but there is really nowhere that can make banh bot loc as delicious as in Hue. In addition, banh bot loc is divided into 2 types: banh loc la (wrapped in leaves) and banh loc tran (unwrapped). The steaming hot banh bot loc, dipped in a salty, sweet, and spicy sauce, makes it irresistible.

Banh nam - This is a type of cake made from rice flour spread thinly on banana leaves, on top is a layer of yellow stuffing with the fragrant aroma of minced pork mixed with chopped shrimp, green beans, and a bit of green onions. This is a familiar dish to many children from past to present.

Furthermore, Hue is also famous for many other types of cakes such as banh ram and banh khoai. If you have the opportunity to visit Hue, don't forget to enjoy these cakes, you will have extremely interesting experiences.

Famous cake shops in Hue that you can visit:

• Banh Beo Nam Loc Ba Do - No. 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Phu Cat, Hue City
• Specialty Cake Shop Chi - Banh Beo, Nam, Loc, Ram It - No. 65 Nguyen Trai, Thuan Hoa, Hue City
• Banh Nam, Loc, Ram, It O Le - Alley 104, Kim Long, Hue City
• Banh beo, loc, nam - Lady Thanh Quan's, Vinh Ninh, Hue City

Rice with baby clams is considered a humble dish in the cuisine of Hue due to its simplicity and authenticity. This dish has become so popular that it serves as a distinctive symbol of Hue's culinary culture. If you've been to Hue, you'll never forget the delicious taste of this dish.

Rice with baby clams is presented as cold rice mixed with sautéed baby clams in oil and spices, clam broth, shrimp paste, Chinese cabbage, crispy pork fat, grilled rice paper, crispy fried noodles, red chili, whole peanuts, cooked oil, pepper, MSG, and salt... all mixed together to create a delicious, rich, and spicy flavor that is characteristic of Hue.

In the simplicity of ordinary ingredients, easy to find, combined with the sophistication and meticulousness of the preparation, a dish containing the essence of Hue's cuisine has been formed, enough to conquer any diner.

Though not a luxurious or unique dish, if you visit Hue and haven't tasted this dish, it would be a regrettable omission. If you're planning to visit Hue, make sure to note the addresses that Mytour recommends below for a wonderful journey to Hue.

Famous rice with baby clams addresses in Hue that you can visit:

• Rice with Baby Clams Hoa Dong - No. 64 Alley 7 Ung Binh, Vy Da, Hue City
• Rice with Baby Clams Ba Cam - No. 2 Truong Dinh, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Little Shop - No. 28 Pham Hong Thai, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Ty Hon - No. 84 Mac Dinh Chi, Hue City
• Rice with Baby Clams – No. 17 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da, Hue City
• Rice with Baby Clams – Lanh Style - No. 29 Ngo Gia Tu, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Shop 26 - No. 26 Truong Dinh, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Rice with Baby Clams Thu Hien - No. 55 Tran Phu, Phuoc Vinh, Hue City

Perhaps, this is the sweet soup with the strangest name you've ever heard. The combination of sweet and salty, does it work? I believe many people, upon hearing the name of this dish, will feel skeptical. You might think that sweet soup should be a combination of sweetness and freshness, just by hearing the name, you can feel the hesitation. Many diners in Hue are also surprised by this dish, but after trying it out of curiosity, everyone is amazed. Oh, it's fantastic.

The clever combination of sweetness and saltiness has brought an extremely sweet and unique taste, truly only found in Hue. The roast pig is wrapped in clear dumpling, with fairly large dumplings, smaller than the floating dumplings in the South a bit. The accompanying sugar water is not too sweet, mixed with a bit of ginger, making the sweet water slightly refreshing, combined with the clear dumplings with the salty, crispy, and chewy taste, creating a quite strange sensation. If you have the opportunity to visit Hue, don't forget to try this specialty.

Addresses where you can enjoy Pig Roast Wrapped in Clear Dumpling Sweet Soup:

• Chè Mợ Tôn Đích - Pig Roast Wrapped in Clear Dumpling Sweet Soup - No. 02 Tran Hung Dao, Phu Hoa, Hue City

Chè Hẻm, renowned for its exquisite variety of desserts, is nestled in the charming narrow alleys of Hue. When it comes to desserts, Hue boasts an impressive array, with the royal court alone offering more than 36 types of sweet soups. Locals often say, 'While Hanoi is famous for its 36 streets, Hue is renowned for its 36 types of sweet soups.' Chè Hẻm, originating from the royal court's recipes, maintains a sophisticated approach to preparation, presentation, and enjoyment. Ingredients are sourced directly from Hue's specialties, such as young corn from Con Hen for its sweetness and the delicate flavor of lotus seeds selected from Tinh Tam Lake...

The consumption of Chè Hẻm follows Hue's distinctive style—gentle, elegant, and meticulous. The sweet soup is served in small bowls or cups, and patrons use small spoons to savor each sip delicately. Sipping through each spoonful reveals the sweet and refreshing taste of the various sweet soups. This is why visitors to Hue never miss the opportunity to enjoy a cup of sweet soup.

Notable sweet soup establishments in Hue:

• Chè Hẻm Cung Đình 20 Món - 93 Xuân 68 Street, Phú Hậu, Hue City
• Quán chè đủ món Huế - 67 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Phú Hoà, Hue City
• Chè Hẻm - 1 Kiệt, 29 Hùng Vương, Phú Hội, Hue City
• Chè Hẻm - 1/29 Hùng Vương, Phú Nhuận, Hue City

If you've ever tasted Westward Duck, you'll understand why many people in Hue are so enamored with this dish. It's called Westward Duck because these duck stalls are located near the Westward Bridge in An Hoa Ward (Hue City). Although these eateries may not be large and seem a bit shabby, the enticing aroma always wafts through the air, making passersby unable to resist.

Duck meat is a popular dish loved by many, but transforming it into a delicious meal is no easy feat. Since duck meat inherently has a gamey smell, the secret is how to eliminate it. Westward Duck is famous for its sweet, tender, fragrant meat, and most importantly, it's not gamy. It not only attracts tourists but also locals in Hue who can't help but be captivated by this dish.

While many people enjoy duck meat, they often worry that the fatty skin will make them look heavier. However, with Westward Duck, you can rest assured. The thin skin is not greasy, the meat is firm, and it has a chewy texture, allowing you to savor the dish without worrying too much about weight. Perhaps that's why customers eat more, and the owners sell out quickly.

What sets these sidewalk eateries apart is not just the preparation of duck meat but also the secret to making the dipping sauce. A delicious dipping sauce brings out the aroma of the duck meat and adds a unique touch. Westward Duck dipping sauce, with the fresh scent of ginger and chili, complements the duck meat perfectly, creating a wonderful and unparalleled taste.

Addresses for delicious Westward Duck in Hue:

• Westward Duck Restaurant - 258 Ly Thai To, An Hoa, Hue City
• Phuong Cuc Westward Duck Stall - 229 Ly Thai To, An Hoa, Hue City
• Suong Westward Duck Stall - 191 Ly Thai To, An Hoa, Hue City

Tapioca noodle soup is a familiar and popular dish in Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and many places in the Central region. However, Hue's tapioca noodle soup is considered the finest. Influenced by local customs and habits, the flavor of tapioca noodle soup here is unique, creating a distinct and appealing charm for visitors from all directions.

Hue's tapioca noodle soup carries the distinctive flavor of the red broth from crab bricks and shrimp, which, when cooked, blends with cashews to create an eye-catching color. The tapioca noodles are also unique, transparent, chewy, and soft without being mushy. When talking about tapioca noodle soup in Hue, people often mention Nam Pho tapioca noodle soup and Mrs. Doi's tapioca noodle soup, famous establishments in the area.

Here are some recommended addresses for you to explore. However, for your convenience during your sightseeing, you can visit tapioca noodle soup stalls on streets like Pham Hong Thai or Phan Boi Chau to savor this delightful dish. These places are truly fantastic.

Famous tapioca noodle soup stalls in Hue to visit:

• Thuy - Nam Pho Tapioca Noodle Soup - 16 Pham Hong Thai, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Nam Pho Tapioca Noodle Soup - 76 Han Thuyen, Phu Hau, Hue City
• Mrs. Doi's Tapioca Noodle Soup - 34 Huynh Thuc Khang, Phu Hoa, Hue City
• Nam Pho Tapioca Noodle Soup Me Du - Hamlet 1, Trung Dong, Tay Thuong, Phu Vang, Hue City

Hue Grilled Sausage (Nem Lui) - It would be truly regrettable if anyone visited Hue without savoring the distinctive dish of Hue, the Nem Lui. Made from minced pork mixed with finely sliced pork skin, pork fat, crushed lemongrass, salt, pepper, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds, the mixture is skewered onto small bamboo sticks and grilled over red-hot charcoal. The result is a fragrant, rich, and enticing delicacy that captivates diners.

Hue Pork Sausage (Chả Huế) - When in Hue, you'll be captivated by the unique appearance of Chả Huế, completely wrapped in banana leaves and tied at both ends, unlike the square-shaped northern sausages. The difference isn't only in appearance but also in the flavor and meticulous craftsmanship. Before achieving the perfect sausage, the banana leaves are boiled in boiling water, cleaned, soaked in cold water overnight, drained, and cut at a sharp angle. The leaves are thoroughly wiped to remove any residue.

Hue Spring Rolls (Nem Huế) - Different from northern and southern spring rolls in terms of seasoning, a roll of Nem Huế never has a peppercorn in the middle. The various flavors harmoniously blend within the beautiful round rolls. Each roll contains the flavors of well-fermented lean meat, finely chopped pork skin, crushed peanuts, thin rice vermicelli, and a secret combination of fish sauce, caramelized sugar, and salt. It's truly delightful to see these reddish-pink spring rolls arranged in a circle on the plate. If you have the opportunity to visit Hue, don't miss experiencing this unique difference; it's quite an adventure.

Popular addresses for delicious Nem Huế and Chả Huế in Hue that you can visit include:

• Hue Bamboo Stick Grill - 25 Dao Duy Tu, Phu Binh, Hue City
• Quang Du Nem Chả - Ngo Duc Ke, Phu Hau, Hue City
• Ba Ky Nem Chả Production Facility - 141 Xuan 68 Street, Thuan Thanh, Hue City

The people of Hue, from commoners to the nobility, have a tradition of vegetarianism. It is said that 'In Hue, where the mountains are not high and the rivers not deep, the people's hearts are serene.' This is because they know how to practice meditation and eat vegetarian to keep their souls peaceful. Hue is renowned as a spiritual land of Buddhism, so vegetarian rice in Hue is often delicious, diverse, no less than savory dishes.

Using natural herbs such as basil, mushrooms, tofu, green beans, rice paper, under the skillful hands of grandmothers and mothers, they create 'gio lua' (vegetarian pork sausage), 'cha que' (cinnamon roll), 'nem' (spring rolls), 'thit ga' (vegetarian chicken)... If you're not familiar, at a glance, it looks like a normal savory feast. A vegetarian feast has as many dishes as a regular feast, beautifully arranged, harmoniously colored, and artistically presented no less than savory dishes.

If you haven't had the chance to taste vegetarian rice in Hue, it's truly a regret. Looking at a tray of vegetarian rice, you might think you're at a sumptuous feast, curious about how someone can create such exquisite and visually appealing dishes—whether it's the vegetarian chicken or the vegetarian sausage, they look so real. If you visit Hue, stop by these vegetarian rice eateries to experience the sophistication in Hue's culinary culture; you'll surely be amazed.

Popular vegetarian rice addresses in Hue that you can visit include:

• Dieu Lac Vegetarian Rice - 01 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da, Hue City
• Nhat Le Vegetarian Rice - 85 Nhat Le, Thuan Thanh, Hue City
• Ba Minh Vegetarian Eatery - 4 Han Thuyen, Phu Hau, Hue City
• Tinh Lam Nhi Vegetarian Eatery - 112A Truong Chinh, An Dong, Hue City
• Thanh Lieu Vegetarian Eatery - 50 Nguyen Cong Tru, Phu Hoi, Hue City
• Tinh Quan Vegetarian Restaurant - 2 Tran Cao Van, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Bo De Vegetarian Restaurant - 11 Le Loi, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• San May Vegetarian Restaurant - 8 Thanh Tinh, Vy Da, Hue City

Sesame Candy is so famous that just mentioning it makes people think of the people of Hue - the ones who have created the uniqueness of this treat. Sesame Candy has a chewy and elastic texture, with the aroma of sesame seeds, blending the richness of peanuts and the chewiness of malt with just the right sweetness. It has long been considered a symbol of the ancient capital, famous throughout the country and internationally.

If you've tasted Hue's Sesame Candy, you won't be interested in it anywhere else. Hue's Sesame Candy, firm but not hard, elastic but not soft, requires great skill to control the temperature accurately, achieving the perfect degree of chewiness without being too hard or too soft. Looking at the process, it seems simple, but to create these Sesame Candy packs is by no means an easy task. It requires not only experienced skills but also the finesse and deep perception of skilled craftsmen.

Sesame Candy in Hue is diverse with many types, but the most delicious and impressive is Thiên Hương Sesame Candy. This product is based on the essence of the traditional production methods of Hue. The products here include crispy sesame candy, traditional chewy sesame candy, improved chewy sesame candy, etc. With its reputation and quality, Sesame Candy has been warmly received in both domestic and international markets. When visiting Hue, tourists often choose to buy dozens of Sesame Candy packs as gifts for their relatives and friends.

Depending on the weight, Hue Sesame Candy has different prices, usually around VND 49,500 for a 500g pack.

You can buy this product at Dong Ba Market, Thiên Hương production facility, and many other places in Hue. Here are some suggestions from Mytour, let's check them out.

Popular addresses for Thiên Hương Sesame Candy:

• Thiên Hương Sesame Candy - 18 Tran Thuc Nhan, Vinh Ninh, Hue City
• Thiên Hương Sesame Candy - 14 Nguyen Hue, Vinh Ninh, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
• Thiên Hương Sesame Candy - Chi Lang, Phu Cat, Hue City, Hue,