4 popular things to eat in Hue, Vietnam

1. Mussel Rice (Com hen) – The low-priced specialty of Hue

Com hen is a low-priced specialty you must try when visiting Hue. Made from river mussel, rice together with more than 13 different raw materials, com hen has a combined flavor including sweet, buttery, salty, sour, bitter and spicy flavors. To make com hen, firstly people soak fresh river mussel in rice water for a long time to remove impurities.

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Then, they boil mussels until they open their mouth. After that, gently scrape the meat off the shell. Mussel meat is fried with oil, dried bamboo shoot, rice vermicelli, white sesame, chili sauce and fish sauce. Fried mussels are put on the top of the bow of rice with peanut, salted shredded meat, fried pork rind. Com hen is served with a lot of fresh vegetable including banana flower, banana trunk, spicy vegetables, peppermint, and salads.

Where to eat com hen?

Hoa Dong Restaurant
Address: No. 64, Kiet 7 Ung Binh, Con Hen, Hue City
Price: VND 8,000 – VND 20,000
Open: 06:30 – Close: 20:00

Bun, Chao, Com Hen Restaurant
Address: No. 98, Nguyen Hue, Hue City
Price: VND 10,000 – VND 22,000
Open: 07:00 – Close: 22:00

Tam Phuc Restaurant
Address: Kiet 7 Ung Binh, Con Hen, Hue City
Price: VND 15,000 – VND 33,000
Open: 07:00 – Close: 22:00

2. Hue Beef Noodle Soup – Bun Bo Hue

It’s no doubt that bun bo Hue is a key factor contributing to the golden reputation of Hue. Bun Bo Hue now appears in almost all regions of Vietnam, but its tastes vary a bit. Bun Bo Hue is greatly admired for its balance of spicy, sour, salty and sweet and the predominant flavors.

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The consommé is made by simmering beef-bone. Then, it is seasoned with fermented shrimp sauce, sugar, and spicy chili oil to enhance the flavor. A bowl of Bun Bo Hue includes soft rice vermicelli (bun), some slices of medium beef, chunks of oxtail, boiled beef shank and two or three small cubs of congealed beef blood. Bun Bo Hue is often served with lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, spring onion s, raw sliced onions, chili sauce, banana flower, banana trunk, red cabbage, mint, basil, perilla, and Vietnamese coriander (rau răm).

Where to eat bun bo Hue?

Bun Bo Hue O Cuong Chu Diep (Mrs. Cuong & Mr. Diep)
Address: No. 06 Tran Thuc Nhan Street
Price: VND 15,000 – VND 30,000
Open: 06:30 – Close: 11:00

Bun Bo Mrs. Phung (Bun Bo Mr. Vong)
Address: No. 05 Nguyen Du Street
Price: VND 20,000 – VND 45,000
Open: 15:00 – Close: 18:00

Cam Restaurant
Address: No. 38 Tran Cao Van Street
Price: VND 20,000 – VND 40,000
Open: 06:00 – Close: 10:00

3. Sweet Soup (Chè Huế) – The best street food in Hue

Chè Huế is a specialty appearing in every corner of Hue. Chè Huế, sometimes misunderstood as tea, is actually a sweet dessert with more than 36 types of different ingredients, colors, forms, and tastes. Chè Huế is often made by simmering red beans, green bean, black eye peas, lotus seeds, coconut milk together with many types of fruit.

Some popular types of Chè Huế are che bap (corn sweet soup), che hat sen (lotus seed), che troi nuoc (sticky rice ball and green pea paste), che khoai mon (taro), che buoi (grapefruit) and che dau do (red kidney bean). Despite many types, Chè Huế is divided into 2 main kinds: the royal sweet soup and alley sweet soup. Both kinds are scrumptious, gently sweet and have a good smell, which makes you can’t stop eating.

Where to eat chè Huế?

Chè Huế Ngoc Hien
Address: No. 65 Tran Hung Dao Street
Price: VND 8,000 – VND 10,000
Open: 15:00 – Close: 21:300

Chè Huế Mr. Lac
Address: No. 36 Thanh Tinh Street, Vi Da Ward
Price: VND 5,000 – VND 11,000
Open: 12:30 – Close: 11:00

Che Mo Ton Dich
Address: Opposite to Thuong Bac Park
Price: VND 8,000 – VND 20,000
Open: 17:00 – Close: 22:00

4. Hue Royal Cuisine – The unique characteristics of the ancient capital

Royal Cuisine of Hue receives the golden fame for its sophistication and refinement. Hue Royal Cuisine is unique not only due to the delicate culinary process but also thanks to the sophisticated presentation that makes it look like an artwork. Enjoying Hue Royal Cuisine while immersing in the charming melody of Nha Nhac will be an unforgettable experience for many visitors.

Hue royal food has a special flavor thanks to the way spices are used. Pepper is added to the food several times. Pepper is added while mixing the ingredients while cooking, and again before finishing cooking. Pepper is also put into the dish just before it is served.

— Ton Nu Thi Ha (Hue Culinary Artisan)