Hue is a top favorite destination when traveling to Vietnam. Not only are historical sites and beautiful beaches main attractions in Hue, Hue City is also well-known for delicious cuisines which are the signature of Central Vietnam. Here are 5 foods you should not be missed when visiting Hue.
1. Com Hen (Rice with mussel)
Com Hen (Rice with mussel)
Com Hen (rice with mussel) is a unique cuisine of Hue. Com Hen contains rice, boiled mussel, star fruit, fish sauce, cabbage, onion, pepper, peanut, chili, and a variety of herbs. The specialty is all of these elements are cold. When people eat Com Hen, they add all the above ingredients to a bowl, and slowly add boiled mussel broth with chili sauce into the bowl (the broth is the only hot thing in Com Hen). Com Hen has an extremely spicy flavor as such, so gastronomes remember it just after one time enjoying.
2. Bun Bo Hue (Hue-style beef vermicelli)
Bun bo Hue, the most typical foods of Hue
Bun bo Hue (Hue style beef vermicelli) or more detail, Bun bo gio heo (beef and pig’s knuckle vermicelli) is a popular Vietnamese soup vermicelli dish, and one of the most typical foods of Hue, Vietnam. You should try this special food in your tour to Central Vietnam. Fine combination of ingredients make the food famous; the broth is prepared by simmering beef and bones for a long period of time, after that a large range of different spices containing lemon grass and chili are added in. Shrimp paste holds no less importance.
Hue people usually add thin slices of beef shank, chunks of boiled oxtail, and pig’s knuckles or pork into the bowl. It can also contain cubes of maroon brown congealed pig blood, which are good for those suffering from high blood pressure. The specialty is commonly served with a plenty of herbs like sprouts, lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, onions, and sliced banana blossom. Thinly sliced purple cabbage or iceberg lettuces are used in case of lacking in banana blossom. It is highly recommended for tourists to add a few of shrimp paste directly into the soup.
3. Hue’s traditional cakes
Hue’s traditional cakes
When visiting Hue, don’t miss the chance to try the city’s famous traditional cakes, which are considered true local specialties. Delicacies like Banh Beo (steamed rice cakes with shrimp), Banh Nam (flat rice dumplings), and Banh Bot Loc (tapioca dumplings filled with shrimp and pork) offer a taste of Hue’s unique culinary heritage. These small yet flavorful dishes are a perfect reflection of the city’s rich cultural history and are a must-try for any traveler looking to experience the authentic flavors of Vietnam.
4. Banh khoai (Delicious pancake)
Banh khoai
Banh khoai (delicious pancake) is so much like Banh xeo (sizzling pancake) since they both are made from rice flour, water, turmeric powder, added slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and then pan fried. Banh khoai and Banh xeo also are wrapped in a mustard leaf, lettuce leaves or rice paper, and stuffed with a variety of herbs, like mint leaves, basil and served with a sweet and sour mixed sauce.
In Hue, Banh khoai is placed open-face instead of being folded in half like Banh xeo. Moreover, Banh khoai always goes with a fermented soybean sauce, and people consider it a winter food owing to its greasiness and spicy taste of the sauce. Therefore, most Hue citizens only make them when winter coming.
5. Mam tom chua (Sour shrimp sauce)
The central of Vietnam is reputable for its Mam tom chua (sour shrimp sauce) and Hue is the best place for this unique sauce. Unlike normal shrimp sauce (has brown color and smooth surface), Sour shrimp sauce has orange color while shrimps still keep its original shape. It is quite simple to make this sauce.
First, shrimps are clean by salt water (do not use normal water to avoid bad smells) and “cook” by strong rice wine. The shrimps will turn red. After that, carefully mix the shrimps with sticky rice, sliced lesser galangal, garlic and chili. Slowly put all the mixture into a jar covered by guava leaves. Just need to wait for 5-7 days and we have the mouthwatering sour shrimp sauce of our own making. This is the best sauce for boiled pork with vermicelli.
Mam tom chua
Ending your culinary journey in Hue, visitors will not only be impressed by the rich flavors and the elegant presentation of each dish but also feel the essence of the ancient royal culture. From the spicy beef noodle soup (Bun Bo Hue) to the delicate small dishes like Banh Beo, every dish offers a unique experience that embodies the true spirit of Hue. Be sure to take the time to savor these dishes when visiting Hue to gain a deeper understanding of its people and culture. Hue is not only a historical destination but also a paradise for food lovers.
If you are thinking of a trip to experience all the foods of Hue, please contact us for advice on an itinerary according to your preferences.
