Wondering what to eat in Hue? Vietnam’s former imperial capital is famous for its unique cuisine, with over 1,000 traditional dishes inspired by the royal kitchens of the Nguyễn Dynasty. From spicy noodle soups to delicate rice cakes, here’s everything I tried on a local food tour – and why Hue quickly became one of my favourite foodie destinations in Vietnam!
Short on time? If you only have one evening in Hue, I’d highly recommend joining a local food tour. It was the easiest way to try several dishes I never would have ordered on my own, while learning the stories behind them.
Book Hue Street Food Walking Tour with Local Dishes Here
Is Hue really Vietnam’s food capital?
Ask any Vietnamese person where the country’s best food comes from and there’s a good chance they’ll say Hue.
As Vietnam’s imperial capital for more than 140 years, Hue’s cuisine developed around the royal court. Chefs created beautifully presented dishes for emperors, while local families developed everyday meals packed with bold flavours and fresh herbs.
Today, you’ll find everything from humble street food to dishes once served to royalty, making Hue one of the country’s best cities for food lovers.
1. Bún hến
This was probably the dish I’d never heard of before arriving in Hue.
Bún hến combines rice noodles, tiny freshwater clams, banana blossom, bean sprouts, fresh herbs and crispy toppings, all mixed together with a savoury broth. It looks simple, but every bite has a different texture and flavour.
If you’re someone who loves fresh, herb-filled Vietnamese dishes, don’t skip this one.
This dish is usually served with peanuts but I’m allergic so not for meeee.
2. Bánh ép
Bánh ép is made by pressing tapioca dough in a hot cast-iron press before adding pork, egg and pâté. It’s then rolled with fresh herbs and vegetables before being dipped in a tangy fish sauce.
Watching it being made was almost as fun as eating it.
3. Hue’s royal cakes
One thing I didn’t expect was just how many different rice cakes Hue is famous for.
Rather than being desserts, these are savoury snacks traditionally served as part of imperial cuisine.
Bánh nậm
Soft steamed rice flour wrapped in banana leaves and filled with pork and shrimp.
Bánh bèo
Tiny steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp, scallion oil and crispy pork skin.
Bánh ram ít
A chewy sticky rice dumpling filled with braised shrimp, sitting on top of a crispy fried rice cake.
Bánh bột lọc ⭐️
Chewy translucent tapioca dumplings filled with pork and shrimp.
If you’re only ordering one, I’d go for bánh ram ít. However, Banh bot loc was my personal favourite!
4. Bún bò Huế
You can’t visit Hue without trying the dish the city is most famous for.
Unlike phở, bún bò Huế has a richer broth flavoured with lemongrass and shrimp paste, creating a spicy, deeply savoury soup that’s packed with beef, pork, crabcake and rice noodles.
It’s comforting, filling and easily one of my favourite noodle soups in Vietnam!
5. Bánh khoái
Often compared to bánh xèo, bánh khoái is Hue’s own version of the savoury pancake.
It’s filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts before being served alongside fresh herbs and a rich dipping sauce (usually a peanut sauce but I had fish sauce due to my allergy).
The crispy texture paired with the fresh vegetables made this another highlight.
6. Chè
After all those savoury dishes, we finished with chè.
Hue is famous for its huge variety of sweet soups and desserts, often combining coconut milk with red beans, mung beans, lotus seeds or other local ingredients.
It’s the perfect way to end a food tour!
Should you do a food tour in Hue?
Absolutely!
I loved that I wasn’t just eating – I was learning why each dish exists, how it connects to Hue’s imperial history and the traditions behind it.
Without a guide, I definitely wouldn’t have known what half these dishes even were.
If you’re only spending one or two days in Hue, I’d put a food tour high on your list.
👉 Book the same food tour here!
Final thoughts
Hue completely changed my perception of Vietnamese food.
Before visiting, I mostly associated Vietnam with phở and bánh mì. After a few hours wandering through Hue’s local eateries, I realised just how diverse the country’s regional cuisine really is!
If you’re travelling through central Vietnam, make sure you arrive hungry.
Alexx
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tours, hotels and services that I’ve personally used or genuinely believe will add value to your trip.
Alex's Adventures 