Top 11 must-try traditional dishes in Hue

Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, is a city steeped in rich history and vibrant culture. Situated in the heart of central Vietnam, Hue is renowned not only for its historical landmarks but also for its distinctive cuisine. The city's food scene reflects a harmonious blend of royal influences and local traditions, creating dishes that are both elegant and bold.

In this blog, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through the top 11 must-try traditional dishes in Hue, guiding you through the most iconic foods of the city. We’ll also share the best places to enjoy these dishes, as well as some helpful tips on where to find authentic Hue flavors.

Join us and indulge in the true taste of Hue with Hanoi Voyages, where we turn your food adventures into unforgettable experiences.

Top 11 delicious traditional dishes in Hue

Hue cuisine is famous for its rich flavors, elegant presentation, and royal influence. If you're wondering what to eat, these 11 traditional dishes in Hue are must-tries for any food lover visiting the city.

Bun bo Hue - Hue beef noodle soup

If you're wondering what to eat in Hue, Bun Bo Hue is an essential part of the experience. As a signature dish of Hue cuisine, this flavorful noodle soup reflects the city’s royal heritage and bold culinary identity. The broth is simmered from beef bones, lemongrass, fermented shrimp paste (mam ruoc), and chili oil. It’s served with thick rice noodles, beef slices, pork knuckles, and sometimes cha (pork sausage), topped with herbs, banana blossoms, and lime.

Though enjoyed by people across Vietnam today, Bun Bo Hue has its roots in Hue royal cuisine. It was once a dish served to the Nguyen emperors, emphasizing balance, aroma, and visual appeal. Hue people often enjoy this dish for breakfast. To eat like a local, add fresh herbs, a bit of lime, and chili. Use chopsticks and a spoon to savor both noodles and broth.

Where to try “Bun Bo Hue” for authentic experience:

• Bun Bo Me Keo: 20 Bach Dang Street, Hue

• Bun Bo Ba Tuyet: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru street, Hue

• Bun Bo O Phung: 14 Nguyen Du street, Hue

👉 Prices: The price of Bun Bo Hue varies depending on the restaurant’s setting and the included toppings, but you can expect it to range from around $1.2 - $2.3 per bowl.

Nem lui - Hue-style grilled pork skewers

What to eat in Hue? Nem Lui Hue is a must-try dish that showcases the bold flavors of Hue cuisine. This popular street food is one of the most beloved dishes in Hue, combining smoky grilled pork with fresh herbs and a savory dipping sauce.

Nem Lui consists of grilled pork skewers made from minced pork, garlic and spices, wrapped around bamboo sticks. Grilled over charcoal, the pork achieves a smoky and rich flavor. It’s served with rice paper, fresh vegetables, herbs and a tangy dipping sauce like peanut sauce, providing a perfect balance of savory and spicy.

📍 If you're wondering where to try this iconic dish, here are some of the best places in Hue to enjoy authentic Nem Lui:

• Nem lui 28 - 28 Nguyen Truong To

• Nem lui Ba Do - 20 Phan Dinh Phung

• Nem lui Ba Ky - 18 Đang Huy Hieu

* Price

• Price range: Typically, a serving of Nem Lụi costs $1.2 - $2 depending on the location and portion size.

• Premium locations: Some upscale restaurants or tourist spots may charge higher prices, up to $2.3 - $3 for a larger portion or a more gourmet experience.

Com Hen - Clam rice

Com Hen Hue is a unique and flavorful dish that perfectly captures the essence of Hue cuisine. As one of the most beloved dishes in Hue, it combines the freshness of mussels with aromatic rice, creating a dish with layers of flavor and texture.

When enjoying Com Hen, the dish is served in a bowl with a generous portion of mussels, green mango, chili, roasted peanuts and fresh vegetables. The combination offers a delightful contrast of flavors: the sweet mussels, tangy green mango, spicy chili, aromatic raw vegetables and the depth of spices, all coming together in a unique and satisfying bite.

The price of Com Hen varies depending on the restaurant and the portion size, but you can typically expect it to range from $0.8 - $2 per bowl.

📍 If you’re wondering where to try this signature dish, here are some of the best places in Hue to enjoy authentic Com Hen:

• Com Hen Ba Cam – 34 Le Loi

• Com Hen Hue Co Hue – 59 Tran Hung Dao

• Com Hen Huong Giang – 105 Nguyen Hue

• Com Hen Ba Hong – 13 Phan Dinh Phung

Banh khoai - Hue crispy rice pancakes

When visiting Hue, don’t miss to try “Banh Khoai” - a unique dish in Hue cuisine. It is made from rice flour, turmeric, and other spices, giving it a crispy texture on the outside and a soft inside. The pancake is often filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, then served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Fresh herbs and vegetables are also added to enhance the dish’s flavor.

Banh Khoai costs $1.3 - $2 per serving, depending on the location and toppings. In some upscale restaurants, the price can go up to $2.3 - $3

If you're craving authentic Banh Khoai, here are some great places to visit:

• Banh Khoai Lac Thien: 35 Le Loi street, Hue

• Banh khoai Di Huong: 19 Dang Huy Lieu street, Hue

• Banh khoai Co Tam: 72 Nguyen Truong To street, Hue

Banh Beo - Steamed rice cakes

Banh Beo is another iconic dish in Hue that is loved for its delicate, steamed rice cakes served with savory toppings. Banh Beo consists of small, round steamed rice cakes topped with a variety of ingredients such as dried shrimp, fried shallot and crispy pork skin. It’s often served with fish sauce and chili for an extra kick. The balance of soft rice cakes and crunchy toppings makes for a delightful bite.

Banh Beo has its roots in Hue royal cuisine, where it was once enjoyed by royalty as a light, refreshing dish. Today, it is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and remains a quintessential dish in Hue.

A serving of Banh Beo usually costs around $0.6 - $1.5. In higher-end spots, the price may rise up to $3 or more

📍 Where to try it in Hue:

• Banh Beo Co Mai – 85 Nguyen Hue street, Hue

• Banh Beo Di Lan – 7 Nguyen Binh Khiem street, Hue

• Banh Beo Hue Ba Cam – 10 Le Loi street, Hue

Discover more delicious cakes on this blog: Top 6 Vietnamese traditional cakes not be missed

Banh Nam - Flat rice cake

Banh Nam is a unique, flat rice cake that represents Hue cuisine with its delicate flavor and soft texture. It is one of the lesser-known yet equally delicious dishes in Hue. It is made from rice flour and stuffed with a savory filling of minced pork, shrimp, and spices. Wrapped in banana leaves, the cake is steamed to perfection and typically served with fish sauce and chili for added flavor.

To enjoy Banh Nam, unwrap the banana leaf and dip the rice cake into the fish sauce. The contrast of the soft cake and the savory filling makes this dish an unforgettable experience. A portion of Banh Nam typically costs $0.6 - $1.3

📍 For the best Banh Nam, check out these spots in Hue:

• Banh Nam Co Thu – 29 Dinh Tien Hoang street

• Banh Nam Co Ba – 12 Nguyen Binh Khiem street

• Banh Nam Hue – 46 Nguyen Truong To street

Banh bot loc - Clear rice dumplings

A trip to Hue is not completed without trying “Banh Bot Loc” - a famous dish in Hue known for its chewy texture and flavorful filling. These translucent dumplings are made from tapioca flour and filled with shrimp and pork belly, then either wrapped in banana leaves or steamed without leaves. Served with sweet chili fish sauce, the chewy skin and savory core make it a local favorite.

Locals dip them in a mild sweet-and-sour fish sauce. The leaf-wrapped version has a more aromatic, steamed fragrance. Its price ranges from $0.8 - $1.5 per portion, but premium places may go up to $2+

📍 You can find some of the best versions of this dish at these recommended places in Hue:

• Banh bot loc Ba Cu - 23/177 Phan Dinh Phung, Hue

• Banh bot Loc Me Le - 104/17/9 Kim Long, Hue

• Banh bot loc Di Hue - 71 Nguyen Truong To, Hue

Che Hue - Hue sweet soup

If you’re craving something sweet after exploring the savory side of Hue cuisine, then Che Hue is the perfect treat. This colorful, diverse sweet soup is a beloved dessert among locals and visitors alike.

Unlike a single dish, Che Hue refers to a variety of sweet soups, each made with different ingredients. Most are made with a base of coconut milk, beans, tubers, glutinous rice, and sometimes jelly or fruit, creating a balance of sweetness, creaminess, and chewy texture. Locals often enjoy Hue sweet soup as a light snack or dessert, especially in the afternoon or evening. You can either choose a specific type or try “che thap cam” – a mix of several kinds in one glass. It’s usually served cold with crushed ice, especially during hot days.

📍 To experience authentic Che Hue, head to one of these well-known spots:

• Che Hem (Alley Sweet Soup) – 17 Hung Vuong

• Che Mo Ton Dich – 20 Nguyen Sinh Cung

• Che Ngon Hue – 36 Nguyen Hue

Banh ep - Hue specialty food

Don’t miss Banh ep, a lesser-known yet beloved Hue street food that adds a playful, chewy twist to Hue cuisine. It is made by pressing a mixture of tapioca flour, ground pork, quail egg, and green onions onto a hot cast-iron mold. The result is a thin, slightly crispy yet chewy pancake with savory fillings. It’s often served with pickled papaya, cucumber, fresh herbs, and spicy fish sauce for dipping – a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Each Banh ep typically costs from $0.4 - $1, making it one of the cheapest yet most enjoyable dishes in Hue. A small meal of 5–6 pieces with veggies and drinks usually costs under $2.

📍 Where to try Banh ep in Hue

• Banh ep Chi Xi – 22/103 Nhat Le, Hue

• Banh ep Le Quy Don – Street food stalls along Le Quy Don street

• Banh ep Hue Co Diep – 1/20 Nguyen Trai

Banh Khot - Khot cake

If you’re in the mood for something crispy, savory, and bite-sized, Banh Khot is a delicious option you shouldn’t miss. Though it originated in Southern Vietnam, the Hue version of Banh Khot has its own twist, making it a local favorite among dishes in Hue.

Banh Khot are small round rice cakes made from rice flour and coconut milk, cooked in small molds until crispy on the outside. In Hue, they’re usually topped with shrimp, green onions and a sprinkle of dried shrimp or mung bean powder for extra flavor. They’re served with fresh herbs, pickled veggies, and a bowl of sweet and sour fish sauce for dipping – creating a balance of crispy, creamy and fresh flavors

A serving of Banh Khot (6–8 pieces) typically costs from $0.8 - $1.5, depending on the toppings and location. It’s a popular choice for those exploring affordable and tasty dishes in Hue.

📍 Where to try Banh khot in Hue:

• Banh Khot Co Cuc - 23 Le Quy Don

• Dong Ba market - Various stalls

• Banh khot & Banh beo O Le - 104/17 Kim Long street

Mam ruoc Hue - Hue fermented shrimp paste

What to eat in Hue for a truly bold and authentic experience? Try mam ruoc Hue, a deeply flavorful fermented shrimp paste that represents the essence of Central Vietnam.

In Hue cuisine, mam ruoc is often used as a base to season soups like Bun bo Hue, stir-fry dishes, or dipping sauces. It’s also commonly served as a side dipping paste with boiled vegetables or rice. Sometimes it's cooked with lemongrass, garlic, and chili to create mam ruoc chung, a punchy and fragrant sauce. A jar of ready-to-eat mam ruoc Hue usually costs from $1.2 - $3, depending on size and brand.

Where to buy or taste mam ruoc in Hue

• Dong Ba Market – for various types of fermented pastes

• Hue specialty shops along Le Loi or Nguyen Hue streets

• Local eateries – in dishes like Bun bo Hue or as dipping sauce in home-style meals

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Tips for enjoying Hue’s traditional cuisine

When visiting Hue, the rich flavors of its traditional cuisine can be overwhelming, especially with such a wide variety of dishes to try. To make the most of your culinary journey in this historical city, here are some essential tips to enhance your food experience:

Explore the local markets for authentic dishes

One of the best ways to experience authentic dishes in Hue is by visiting its bustling local markets. Early morning markets, such as the Dong Ba Market, you can find street food vendors selling freshly made Banh Beo or Bun Bo Hue in their most authentic form, often prepared with local recipes passed down through generations.

Don’t miss Hue royal cuisine

Hue royal cuisine, or cung đình ẩm thực, is one of the most distinct features of the city’s food culture. This sophisticated style of cooking originated from the royal court, and it emphasizes the delicate balance of flavors, colors, and presentation.

👉 These dishes are usually served at fine-dining restaurants or specialty food establishments that focus on royal traditions such as: Cung Dinh restaurant (Royal Park), Ancient Hue garden houses restaurant, Tinh Gia Tien restaurant,...

Pair your meal with local drinks

When in Hue, don’t forget to pair your meal with local beverages to complete the experience. Nuoc Mia (sugarcane juice) and Hue tea are both refreshing and complement the rich flavors of Hue cuisine. These drinks are widely available at local eateries and are a perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Bring cash or be ready for online banking

Many street vendors and small eateries in Hue still operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s wise to carry Vietnamese dong in small denominations. If you're traveling without cash, ask if QR payment is accepted - but always have cash on hand, especially when visiting local markets or off-the-beaten-path spots.

Hue’s culinary heritage offers a flavorful journey through Vietnam’s history, culture, and royal traditions. From savory noodle soups to delicate rice cakes and rich fermented condiments, each dish tells a story unique to this ancient city.

Ready to taste the best traditional dishes in Hue and uncover the heart of Hue cuisine? Let your food adventure begin with Hanoi Voyages – your trusted guide to Vietnam’s most authentic experiences.