10 Best Local Dishes from Hue

Hue's finest local cuisine was once reserved only for the former emperors  of the Nguyen dynasty and the royal family. Today, many local restaurants, food stalls and luxury resorts serve these specialties all year round. When it comes to Hue cuisine, it's mostly sweet and tangy flavors mixed with fresh herbs such as lemongrass, basil, red pepper and mint, mixed with typical Nuoc his mam or fermented fish sauce. 

 The city also offers over 30 varieties of his che (sweet soup) made with coconut milk and various ingredients such as pomegranate, taro and sweet corn. Hue's most popular che  is a lotus seed sweet soup made from lotus flower seeds found in Tinh Tam Lake. This guide caters to just about any taste and features all the famous foods locals love in Hue.

Hue beef noodle soup

Hue beef noodle soup is a local dish with thick rice noodles and various toppings. Unlike pho, this dish is a combination of sweet, sour and spicy. It is seasoned with cooked bones and thighs, annatto seeds, lemongrass, ginger, fermented shrimp paste, chili oil and sugar. 

 For toppings, expect clotted pig's blood, beef or pork knuckle, bean sprouts, lime wedges, cilantro, diced scallions, banana blossom, mint, and basil. You can also increase the spiciness by adding fresh chilies and fermented fish sauce to the bread.

Lemongrass skewer

Lemongrass skewer is a kebab-like dish of marinated meat (usually pork or beef) wrapped around lemongrass stalks and baked in a charcoal oven. The diner also comes with a side dish of rice paper, lettuce and cucumber slices, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. It is served as an appetizer in almost all local restaurants and hotels in Hue. 

 For added flavor, dip nem rui in a local sauce made with ground peanuts, fermented beans, sesame seeds, shrimp paste, minced garlic, chili peppers and shallots.

Clam rice

Clam rice consists of rice  with baby  clams, crispy pork skin, roasted peanuts, shrimp paste and fresh vegetables. Scallops are commonly eaten for breakfast, sautéed with minced garlic, onions, fish sauce, pepper and mint leaves, then served over  steamed jasmine rice. 

 

Some restaurants serve clam soup with coriander leaves, shredded banana blossoms, and an assortment of bean sprouts.  Dong Ba He market is full of stalls selling this Hue specialty.

Vietnamese crepe

Vietnamese crepe is easily distinguishable from Hue's other delicious snacks  thanks to the yellow color of turmeric. Easily available at street stalls, local eateries and markets, this open-faced crepe is usually topped with pork, shrimp, scallions and bean sprouts. 

 

However, there are a few places that serve this local snack of quail eggs and star fruit. As with most Vietnamese dishes, banh khoi is best served with  fresh vegetables and herbs and natto dip.

Steamed rice cakes

Steamed rice cakes is a type of steamed rice cake made with dried shrimp, fried pork skin, shallots, rice vinegar and fresh herbs. There is also nuoc mam (fermented fish) dip and red pepper. 

 

This national dish he has two variations. Banh Beo Chen is cooked in a coin-sized ceramic saucer (5-6 he servings per serving in restaurants with seating) and the larger Banh Beo Dia can be served as a main dish.

Tapioca dumplings

Using tapioca starch instead of rice flour, vine rock carp is stuffed with marinated shrimp and minced pork, wrapped in oiled banana leaves and steamed until cooked through. 

 

To enjoy this Hue snack, simply unroll a banana leaf and dip it into his Nuoc Mam Pha platter, a sauce made from vinegar, shrimp broth, fermented fish sauce, sugar and fresh chillies.

Vermicelli noodles with grilled pork

Grilled pork vermicelli is a hearty rice noodle dish served with grilled pork, lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, pickled radish, basil, mint, chopped peanuts and fried spring rolls. 

 

It also comes with  pickled carrots, fresh lettuce, and a fermented fish dipping sauce. Like the locals, the pasta is topped with sauce  for  extra flavor.

Hue fig salad

Hue fig salad was once the exclusive dish of Hue kings. Combine cooked figs, sliced ​​carrots, mushrooms and onions with  shrimp or shredded pork. Although traditionally served at family gatherings and weddings, there are many Vietnamese restaurants that serve this unique dish all year round. 

 

This particular type of green fig is only available in central Vietnam, making it a must-see for first-time visitors to Hue. Our favorite way to enjoy a Va-Tron salad is with fermented shrimp paste, toasted sesame seeds, and fried shallots.

Lotus seeds sweet soup

Sweet lotus seed soup is one of the many local desserts found in Hue. Sweet soup with lotus seeds and green rice flakes. Because of its cooling properties, locals often eat it in the summer to beat the heat, but it can be enjoyed almost any time of the year. 

One of his most  recommended dessert shops in Hue is Che Hem on Hung Vuong Street.

Fried sticky rice dumplings

Fried sticky rice dumplings are a central Vietnamese specialty that combines steamed sticky rice dumplings with  crispy patties. Similar to  Japanese mochi, but enjoyed as an appetizer rather than dessert, gyoza are topped with a flavorful mix of green onions, shrimp and pork. 

For a fairly cheap price at the local pub he can get a platter of 6 dumplings. Expect to pay a lot more at fine dining restaurants and hotels in Hue.