Discover the charm of Hue foods, celebrated not only for their delicious flavors but also for their exquisite presentation. Each dish is crafted like a masterpiece, boasting a sophisticated appearance and wholesome ingredients that offer health benefits. The best way to experience the uniqueness of Hue cuisine is to indulge in a culinary adventure and try them all. Explore the list of the 16 most famous dishes below, and we've included trusted addresses for each to make your culinary exploration a breeze. Dive in and savor the best of Hue!
01 Banh Canh Nam Pho (Nam Pho Thick Noodle Soup)
Nam Pho thick noodle soup is a standout appetizer in Hue, highly praised by locals and a perfect breakfast option to fuel your day. Served piping hot, Banh Canh Nam Pho features thinly sliced pork belly and plump prawns atop thick noodles. The heart of this dish lies in its rich, naturally sweet broth made from crab and shrimp. Fresh herbs add an extra burst of aroma, elevating the dish to irresistible levels of deliciousness.
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O Thu – 374 Chi Lang street
Co Thuy – 16 Pham Hong Thai street
O Hang – 16 Ha Huy Tap street
02 Bun Thit Nuong (Vermicelli with grilled pork) - one of the most iconic treats of Hue cuisine
Bun thit nuong is a refreshing Vietnamese-style salad that's a perfect choice for lunch in the former imperial capital of Hue. It starts with flavorful pork grilled over charcoal. The bowl is then filled with cold rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, pickled papaya and carrot, thinly sliced cucumber, and crisp lettuce, with the grilled meat added on top. Drizzle with light fish sauce, give it a good mix, and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Hanh – 11 Pho Duc Chinh street
Huyen Anh – 52 Kim Long street
Ba Ty – 81 Dao Duy Tu street
03 Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup)
Hue Beef Noodle Soup is a delightful and nourishing option that you can enjoy any time of the day: whether it's breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Renowned as one of Vietnam's most beloved dishes, it's particularly cherished in Hue, where you'll find the best rendition of this traditional favorite.
What sets Hue's Bun Bo apart is its thick vermicelli, thinly sliced beef, and uniquely spicy broth. Made from beef bones, fish sauce, and local spices, the broth boasts a robust flavor that's sure to please even the most discerning palates.
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Me Beo – 20 Bach Dang street
Ba Tuyet – 47 Nguyen Cong Tru street
Ong Vong – O Phung – 14 Nguyen Du street
04 Banh Canh Ca Loc (snakehead fish thick noodle soup)
Banh Canh Ca Loc is a perfect dish to warm up with on chilly or rainy days. The noodles are soft yet pleasantly chewy, boasting a beautiful clear white appearance. Meanwhile, the snakehead fish offers a rich and flavorful taste, free from any fishy or overpowering flavors. And let's not forget about the broth—it's crystal-clear yet wonderfully rich, adding a depth of flavor that complements the dish perfectly.
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Di Huong – 14 Le Thanh Ton street
Hai Trieu – Hai Trieu street, An Cuu ward
Dao – 156 Nguyen Hue street
05 Banh Uot Thit Nuong (Rice Noodle Rolls with Grilled Pork) - a famous Vietnamese food in Hue
Banh uot, often likened to wet rice paper, is a tender and moist sheet of fresh rice noodle. In Hue, chefs wrap it around a flavorful combination of aromatic herbs, crunchy greens, and grilled meat to create delicious rolls. Dive right in with your hands, and make sure to dip generously into the spicy garlic sauce served on the side for an extra kick of flavor.
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Banh Uot Xu Truoi Dung Ngo – 54 Ba Trieu street
Huyen Anh – 126 Kim Long street
Tai Phu – 2 and 4 Dien Bien Phu street
06 Banh Khoai (Hue Crispy Rice Pancake) - a well-known royal dish of Hue food
Banh Khoai stands out as a beloved royal dish in Hue cuisine. Loved for its enticing aroma and crispy texture, this renowned pancake boasts a complex recipe featuring a plethora of ingredients. Even the dipping sauce, crafted from ten distinct spices and herbs, adds to its flavorful appeal.
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Chi Hanh – 11 Pho Duc Chinh street
Lac Thien – 6 Dinh tien Hoang street
Thu Suong – 86 Kim Long street
07 Com Am Phu (Am Phu rice)
Com Am Phu is a delectable dish served with white rice, spicy chili garlic fish sauce, and a variety of Hue's delicacies. To savor its delightful flavors to the fullest, diners should thoroughly mix the rice with the other ingredients and add a drizzle of the fish sauce for an extra kick.
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Com Am Phu Hue - 51 Nguyen Thai Hoc street
Com Am Phu Hue - 35 Nguyen Thai Hoc street
Com Am Phu Hue 54 - 54 Phan Chu Trinh street
08 Com Hen (Clam Rice) – one of the best food in Hue
Calm Rice is a delightful blend of rice, clams, and indigenous spices. This uncomplicated dish stands out as one of Hue's finest culinary offerings, boasting the city's distinctive flavors. Typically, it comes with an array of toppings including clam water, fish sauce, local herbs, and vegetables, enhancing its rich taste and adding depth to every bite.
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Dap Da restaurant – 01 Han Mac Tu street
Lanh – 38 Ngo Gia Tu street
Ba Cam – 49 Tung Thien Vuong street
09 Va Tron (Hue Mixed Figs)
Previously reserved for family gatherings and special occasions, Hue Mixed Figs are now readily available at restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Despite its simple preparation using common ingredients like meat, herbs, fish sauce, and figs, this dish leaves a lasting impression once you taste it—ensuring you'll remember its unique flavors forever.
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Buffalo Restaurant – 68 Nguyen Huu Tho street
Song Xanh Restaurant – 103 Nguyen Lo Trach Street
La Tus Restaurant – 103 Nguyen Lo Trach street
10 Nem Lui (Hue Lemongrass Pork Skewers)
Nem Lui is an essential Hue delicacy that no tourist can resist trying. Made primarily from pork and pork skin, locals grill it over charcoal to infuse it with a tantalizing aroma. Enjoyed best when hot, it's typically served with rice paper, local herbs, and the signature dipping sauce for a truly authentic experience.
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Tai Phu – 2 Dien Bien Phu street
Ong Me Gia – 25 Dao Duy Tu street
Ba Ty – 81 Dao Duy Tu street
11 Hen Xuc Banh Trang
While not as renowned as other Hue dishes, Hen Xuc Banh Trang is definitely a hidden gem worth tasting. This delightful dish features a blend of dry roasted clams, spices, and crispy fried rice paper. Diners typically use the rice paper as a spoon to scoop up the clams and enjoy them together for a unique and flavorful experience.
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Dap Da restaurant – 01 Han Mac Tu street
Ba Cam – 49 Tung Thien Vuong street
Com Hen Nho – 137 Han Mac Tu street
12 Banh Nam (Flat Steamed Rice Dumpling) – the most popular Hue street food
Banh Nam, a beloved Hue street food, is crafted from tapioca flour, rice flour, shrimp, and wrapped in banana leaves. Its popularity stems from its delicate texture and distinctive shrimp flavor.
Upon presentation, Banh Nam boasts a milky white appearance with a delightful orange hue from the shrimp garnish. When savored, it offers a soft yet non-greasy bite. For the ultimate culinary experience, pair it with sweet-and-sour fish sauce.
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Ba Do – 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem street
Trung Bo – 16 To Hien Thanh street
Di Xinh – 82 Le Thanh Ton street
13 Banh Bot Loc (Hue Clear Shrimp and Pork Dumpling)
Banh Bot Loc is cherished across various Vietnamese regions, but its true essence can only be fully appreciated when sampled in Hue.
Upon tasting, diners are greeted by the soft yet chewy wrapper, which gives way to a flavorful filling of simmered shrimp and pork. It's an experience that everyone should indulge in at least once to truly understand its authentic charm.
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O Giau – 109 Le Huan street
Ba Cu – 23/177 Phan Dinh Phung street
Ba Do – 7 and 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem street
14 Banh Beo (Steamed Water Fern Rice Cake)
These small rice cakes may be the size of a silver dollar, but once you take a bite, you'll be craving (at least) half a dozen more. Each bite-sized cake is steamed in a small ceramic saucer and adorned with a delightful mix of dried shrimp, pork crackling, shallots, and scallion oil. A drizzle of slightly sweetened fish sauce completes this quintessential Hue snack. Don't pass up the chance to try it!
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Ba Do - 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem street
Hue Xua - 1 Nguyen Binh Khiem street
O Le - 101 Kim Long street
O Le – Kiet 104 Ngo 17 No.9
15 Banh Ram It
Besides popular Hue foods like Bun Bo or Banh Canh, tourists should try Banh Ram It once when coming to Hue. This dish has a very eye-catching appearance, and its flavor is exquisite, too, thanks to the excellent combination of softness and crispiness.
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Ba Do – 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem street
Thuy - 16 Pham Hong Thai street
Chi - 2/64 Hoang Dieu street
16 Banh Ep (Thin Scallion Pancakes)
Hue cuisine is renowned for its distinctive flavors, and Banh ep is no exception. This pancake may be thin and palm-sized, but inside, it's packed with delicious shrimp paste. And when paired with the traditional "heirloom" dipping sauce, it's simply irresistible.
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Chi Hue - 116 Le Ngo Cat street
Gia Di - 52 Ba Trieu street
Cau Hai - 9 Truong Dinh street, Cau Hai village