TABLE OF CONTENTS show

Hue dishes represent the heart and soul of Vietnamese cuisine. Once the imperial capital of Vietnam (1802–1945), Hue is famous not only for its ancient tombs, pagodas, and romantic scenery – but also for being the culinary capital of the country.

Travelers visiting Hue are treated to a rich tapestry of flavors, from delicate royal dishes served to the Nguyen emperors to vibrant street foods enjoyed by locals. The cuisine of Hue is known for its balance of sweet, spicy, and aromatic herbs like lemongrass, basil, red chili, and mint – often paired with nuoc mam (fermented fish sauce).

Let’s dive into the top 10 iconic Hue dishes you must try with Hue Food Tour!

1. Hue Beef Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế)

This signature dish is a spicy, aromatic noodle soup made with thick rice vermicelli, beef shank, pig knuckles, and congealed pork blood. The broth is flavored with lemongrass, fermented shrimp paste, chili oil, and annatto seeds, creating a bold and savory flavor profile.

Toppings include:

Bean sprouts
Lime wedges
Cilantro and green onions
Banana blossoms, basil, and mint

For an extra kick, locals add fresh chili and a splash of fermented fish sauce.

2. Clam Rice (Cơm Hến)

Com hen is a local breakfast favorite made with baby basket clams, crispy pork skin, peanuts, shrimp paste, and fresh herbs served over steamed jasmine rice. The clams are stir-fried with garlic, onion, and pepper, then served with a bowl of clam broth and a platter of banana blossoms and bean sprouts.

You can find com hen for around VND 20,000 at Dong Ba Market.

3. Grilled Ground Pork on Lemongrass (Nem Lụi)

This kebab-style dish features marinated pork grilled on lemongrass stalks and served with rice paper, vermicelli, cucumber, herbs, and lettuce. Nem lụi is dipped in a signature Hue sauce made from fermented beans, peanuts, sesame, shrimp paste, garlic, and chili.

4. Hue Crispy Pancake (Bánh Khoái)

A turmeric-infused crispy pancake filled with pork, shrimp, scallions, and bean sprouts. Often served with quail eggs or starfruit, banh khoai is eaten with fresh greens and dipped in fermented soybean sauce. You’ll find it at local markets and roadside stalls across Hue.

🌟 You May Also Be Interested In

5. Steamed Rice Cakes (Bánh Bèo Chén)

Banh beo are soft steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp, pork rind, fried shallots, and herbs. They’re served with a fish sauce and chili dip.

Bánh bèo chén: Small, coin-sized cakes served in ceramic saucers
Bánh bèo dĩa: Larger versions served on plates

You can get 5–6 cakes for about VND 30,000.

6. Tapioca Dumplings (Bánh Lọc Gói)

Wrapped in banana leaves, these chewy dumplings are made from tapioca flour and filled with marinated shrimp and pork. Unwrap, dip in nuoc mam pha (a mix of vinegar, fish sauce, shrimp stock, and chili), and enjoy!

7. Grilled Pork Noodle Salad (Bún Thịt Nướng)

This light yet flavorful dish includes rice noodles topped with grilled pork, fresh herbs, pickled veggies, spring rolls, and chopped peanuts. It’s usually served with fermented fish sauce poured over for that extra layer of flavor.

8. Fried Sticky Rice Dumplings (Bánh Ít Ram)

A crispy-meets-chewy dish that pairs deep-fried sticky rice cakes with steamed dumplings, filled with a savory mix of shrimp and pork. Topped with green onions, banh it ram is the perfect appetizer for any Hue meal.

9. Hue Fig Salad (Vả Trộn)

Once a royal delicacy, va tron is a refreshing salad made with boiled green figs (unique to Central Vietnam), carrots, mushrooms, onions, shrimp, and pork. It’s seasoned with shrimp paste, sesame seeds, and fried shallots. A must-try for adventurous eaters.

10. Lotus Seed Sweet Soup (Chè Hạt Sen)

Che hat sen is a traditional Hue dessert made with lotus seeds and green rice flakes in a lightly sweet broth. Known for its cooling properties, it’s especially popular in summer.

Try it at:
Chè Hẻm on Hung Vuong Street – one of Hue’s top-rated dessert spots!

Discover Hue Cuisine with the Hue Food Tour

Want to experience these Hue dishes like a true local? Join the Hue Street Food Tour by Hue Food Tour, a top-rated experience on TripAdvisor, Viator, Cruise Critic, and more.

You’ll get to: