Top 10 Must-try Street Food in Hue

Located in central Vietnam, Hue was once the ancient capital of three feudal dynasties and now serves as the provincial capital of Thua Thien province. As a city steeped in royal history, Hue not only boasts an abundance of cultural and natural attractions but also offers a delightful array of traditional snacks. So, let me provide you with a brief introduction to the top 10 must-try street food in Hue.

1. Hue Royal Sweet Soup (Chè cung đình Huế)

No matter which city you are in Vietnam, you can find royal sweet soup, but the true authentic experience can only be savored in Hue. This exquisite dessert boasts an impressive blend of 36 ingredients including black beans, lotus seeds, mung beans, pomelo, corn, banana, taro, and longan. Its sweet flavor profile, delicate texture, captivating color palette and meticulous preparation method have won the hearts of both locals and foreigners alike.

2. Skewer grilled meat rolls (Nem nướng xiên tre)

Skewer grilled meat rolls are a classic snack in Hue that has been enjoyed for ages. The key ingredients for these tasty treats include pork, garlic, onion, and flour. Simply chop the onion and garlic, then mix them with the meat, pepper, fish sauce, sugar, and flour in a pot until well combined. To shape the rolls onto bamboo skewers easily, rub some cooking oil on your hands before molding the mixture onto them. Grill them either in an oven or over a pot until cooked to perfection. Once done, serve these delectable rolls alongside rice noodles, lettuce leaves, and fresh cilantro for a truly satisfying meal experience.

3. Banh Beo

Banh Beo is a very popular snack in central Vietnam that's easy to make - just use rice flour for the skin, add minced shrimp, pork and onion on top of a small plate. To enjoy it, simply drizzle some fish sauce or vinegar over it and scoop it up with a spoon.

4. Hue Beef Noodles (Bún bò Huế)

Hue beef noodles are the most famous dish in Hue, Vietnam. You'll find "Bun Bo Hue" signs all over the country. There are different variations of this noodle soup - one with beef slices, pork balls and pig blood, and another without beef but still with pork balls and pig blood. Vietnamese people love to add cilantro, tender banana leaf silk and mint to their bowl. Some restaurants even include pig feet for extra flavor.

5. Crystal Soup Noodles (Bún pha lê)

Crystal soup noodles are one of the favorite foods of people in central Vietnam. It originated from the northern central region of Quang Tri, where there are many fishermen who often go fishing in the sea, and the weather on the sea is colder in winter, so this dish is slightly spicy. The main ingredient of this dish is a very chewy kind of transparent noodles, paired with pork bone broth, fish, cilantro, sprinkled with chili powder and pepper powder and eaten together.

6. Coconut Jelly (Thạch dừa)

To make coconut jelly, start by extracting the juice from fresh coconuts. Mix it with jelly powder and cook it thoroughly. Then, pour the mixture into a coconut shell and refrigerate until it solidifies into a delightful jelly. The coconut jelly has two layers - one milky white and the other transparent. It comes in various flavors like original, chocolate, green tea, or even a combination of all three colors. When enjoying this treat, simply open the lid slightly, scoop out some with a small spoon, and let the trembling yet deliciously coconut-flavored jelly slide into your mouth just like sipping on refreshing coconut water.

7. Rice Paper Meat Rolls (Bánh tráng cuốn thịt)

Rice paper meat rolls are a delightful Vietnamese dish that won't leave you feeling greasy, unlike some other dishes. To prepare these rolls, start by drying the rice batter into thin spring roll wrappers and then dip them in rice flour. Next, fill them with pork, mint, fish mint leaves, cucumber, green mango, and more before wrapping them up. Afterward, give them a delicious dip in special sauce. Just looking at this dish is enough to make your mouth water since it doesn't require frying - only boiling the pork - making it both healthy and flavorful without being too plain.

8. Vietnamese Pancake (Banh Xeo)

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancake) is a kind of pancake originated from central Vietnam. First, put sticky rice flour, turmeric powder, etc. in a small pot and fry, put shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, onion, etc. in the middle. "Xeo" in Vietnamese means the sound of oil frying. When eating, wrap it with vegetables or spring roll wrappers, dip it in fish sauce or peanut sauce. The crispy pancake skin with the soft ingredients inside, and the delicious sauce, tastes great.

9. Hue Clam Rice (Cơm Nghêu Huế)

Hue Clam Rice is a renowned delicacy in Hue, loved by both locals and tourists alike. When visiting Hue, whether you are Vietnamese or a foreigner, trying the authentic taste of Hue clam rice becomes an absolute must-do. No other place can replicate its unique flavor. The clams used in this dish are carefully sourced from the river by skilled fishermen. After being meticulously processed, they are separated from their shells, thoroughly washed, and expertly cooked. The restaurant then takes over to further enhance the flavors of the clam meat before serving it alongside a delectable soup made with these very clams. A typical bowl of clam rice consists of tender clam meat accompanied by peanuts, green onions, chili garlic sauce, and more delightful ingredients.

10. Hue Sour Soup Hot Pot (Lẩu chua Huế)

The Hue sour soup hot pot is a delightful specialty of Hue, known for its authentic flavors. Vietnamese cuisine shares similarities with other Southeast Asian countries, as it embraces the tangy and spicy taste. This hot pot is truly exceptional, featuring a variety of ingredients such as chicken, beef, and an array of delectable seafood options.