Known for its imperial heritage, Hue is also a treasure trove of rustic cuisine—simple, soulful dishes passed down through generations, capturing the spirit of the city’s rivers, fields, and ancient traditions.
With over 1,300 local specialties, Hue offers a culinary spectrum that ranges from elaborate royal dishes to humble street food and refined vegetarian fare. What sets Hue apart is how even its most unassuming meals are prepared with care, balance, and deep cultural meaning.
Bun Bo Hue – The King of Spicy Broths
No culinary journey through Hue is complete without Bun Bo Hue, the city’s most internationally acclaimed dish. More than just beef noodles, it’s a complex harmony of rich broth, slow-simmered bones, fermented shrimp paste, lemongrass, and chili oil.
Toppings vary—from pork hock and rare beef slices to crab sausage and congealed pig’s blood—all resting atop thick round noodles. Served with a mountain of herbs, shredded banana blossom, and fiery fish sauce, each bowl is a bold, aromatic experience.
In 2012, the Asian Record Organization recognized Bun Bo Hue as one of Vietnam’s top traditional foods.
Mussel Dishes – Humble but Legendary
Com Hen (Mussel Rice) and its noodle-based cousins Bun Hen and My Hen might seem modest, but these dishes are deeply embedded in Hue’s food culture. Served cold, Com Hen is a vibrant mix of rice, sautéed baby clams, herbs, crispy pork skin, taro stems, starfruit, peanuts, chili, shrimp paste, and a splash of hot clam broth.
Every bite is a contrast of textures and flavors—salty, sweet, spicy, sour—and an ode to riverside life in Hue.
Hue’s Signature Cakes – Delicate and Distinctive
Hue is often called the capital of Vietnamese cakes, and for good reason. Locals craft dozens of varieties—banh beo, banh loc, banh nam, banh ram it, banh khoai—each with its own preparation style and presentation.
Wrapped in banana leaves, steamed in tiny dishes, or fried to golden crispness, these cakes are as much about beauty as they are about taste. Fillings range from shrimp and pork to mung beans and crispy shallots. These bite-sized delights are a favorite among locals and a must-try for visitors.
Banh Canh – Comfort in a Bowl
Simple yet satisfying, Banh Canh is Hue’s answer to thick noodle soup. Whether made with snakehead fish (ca loc), crab (cua), or pork, this dish highlights the region’s love for hearty, slow-cooked flavors. The Nam Pho variety, in particular, is famous for its silky, handmade noodles and umami-rich broth.
Sweet Soups (Che) – A Hue Specialty
Hue also boasts an extraordinary range of sweet soups or che—served as dessert or snacks. With dozens of varieties made from ingredients like lotus seeds, corn, beans, glutinous rice, and coconut milk, each bowl reflects Hue’s knack for turning everyday ingredients into elegant treats.
Che bap (corn sweet soup), che dau van (white bean sweet soup), and other colorful blends are staples of the city’s street stalls and traditional feasts.
From roadside vendors to family kitchens, Hue’s rustic cuisine is more than food—it’s a living expression of culture, history, and homegrown pride. These dishes may be simple, but each one tells a story—of craftsmanship, community, and the flavors that have nourished generations.
Other Popular Dishes:
Hue’s rustic cuisine, with its diversity and artistry, continues to enchant food lovers worldwide.