Hue is renowned not only for the tranquil beauty and moss-covered ancient temples and tombs but also for its incredibly rich and diverse culinary heritage, considered one of the best in Vietnam.

These 12 eateries are recommended based on a survey conducted by a VnExpress reporter, a Hue native, along with Phan Huy Hoang, 35, a long-time food enthusiast with a passion for exploring local cuisine, often called a Hue "local expert" by friends. Hoang shared that the best eateries in Hue are often long-standing establishments, maintaining their signature flavors with affordable prices and conveniently located near the city center.

Huyen Anh Rolled Cake

Address: 50 Kim Long, Phu Xuan District

Opening hours: 8h - 19h

Spanning three generations, Huyen Anh rolled cake with grilled pork is a culinary destination frequented by many tourists visiting the former imperial capital. The dish features thinly sliced pork marinated with a special blend of spices, grilled to perfection, and rolled with rice paper and fresh herbs. Each serving includes 5 pre-rolled portions and two dipping sauces: sweet and sour fish sauce and sesame peanut sauce, a key element that creates the dish's unique flavor. Prices range from 30,000 to 70,000 VND.

Gia Hoi Fermented Vermicelli with Jellyfish

Address: 2 Chi Lang, Phu Xuan District

Opening hours: 13h - 17h

Famous for over 20 years, Mrs. Lanh's eatery specializes in fermented vermicelli with jellyfish, available only during the summer. "Nuoc," the local name for a small legless mollusk, is abundant during summer in Hue's brackish lagoons. Related to jellyfish, nuoc is about half the size of a lime. The dish features a broth made from pickled bamboo shoots, shrimp paste, and various spices according to a family recipe. Toppings include nuoc, fried shrimp cakes, shrimp, and fresh herbs. Diners can add fermented shrimp paste and fresh chili for extra flavor. Each bowl costs 35,000 VND.

Tai Phu Restaurant

Address: 2 Dien Bien Phu, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 8:30h - 22:30h

Easily accessible on the main road, Tai Phu offers a spacious setting and attracts locals and tourists alike. The menu features Hue specialties like nem lui (grilled minced pork rolls), grilled pork vermicelli, banh khoai (crispy savory crepe), and pork-wrapped rice paper rolls. Nem lui, made from ground pork mixed with diced pork fat, marinated, wrapped around lemongrass stalks, and grilled over charcoal, is a favorite. The dipping sauce is a blend of ground peanuts, fish sauce, and simmered until thick. It's served with rice paper, fresh herbs, figs, and green bananas. The dish is praised for its perfectly grilled, flavorful meat that's neither dry nor too fatty. Prices range from 35,000 to 100,000 VND.

Hoa Dong Mussel Restaurant

Address: 64 Ung Binh, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 7h - 22h

Open for nearly 30 years, Hoa Dong is considered one of Hue's oldest establishments specializing in mussel dishes. The menu includes stir-fried mussels with rice crackers, mussel porridge, mussel rice, and mussel vermicelli. Mussel rice and vermicelli are popular Hue dishes, made with mussels harvested from Hen islet or the Perfume River's sandbanks. The dishes also feature banana blossoms, taro stems, pennywort, herbs, roasted peanuts and sesame seeds, shrimp paste, fried garlic, chili powder, and crispy pork skin. A bowl of the signature milky white mussel broth, served hot, enhances the flavor. Prices range from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per bowl.

Me Keo Beef Noodle Soup

Address: 94 Bach Dang, Phu Xuan District

Opening hours: 6h - 8h

In Hue, beef noodle soup is not just a familiar dish but a cultural experience that draws many visitors. Among hundreds of eateries, Me Keo, open for nearly 70 years, attracts both locals and tourists. The restaurant is praised for its authentic Hue flavors, with a broth fragrant with lemongrass and a unique shrimp paste seasoning. The chili adds a touch of heat, while spring onions provide a pop of color. A full bowl with crab cakes, beef, pork leg, and blood pudding costs 50,000 VND. Be prepared to wait for a seat, as the eatery fills up quickly after opening.

Chan Clay Pot Rice

Address: Nguyen Thai Hoc, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 10:30h - 21h

Located in a two-story house on the main street, Chan is decorated in a nostalgic style, with about 20 tables and a capacity of 200 diners. The restaurant's name, meaning "pantry," is inspired by the traditional pantry used by mothers to store food. The space includes a small courtyard with lush greenery, ideal for enjoying coffee on cool days. Chan offers a diverse menu of over 50 dishes, mainly familiar Hue cuisine like boiled pork with pickled shrimp, fig salad, shrimp and pork stew, winter melon salad, and various fermented fish pastes. The average price for a meal with 4-5 dishes is about 250,000 - 300,000 VND per person.

O Tho Banh Mi

Address: 14 Tran Cao Van, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 6:30h - 3h

Open for over 20 years, O Tho Banh Mi initially operated only from evening till late night at the foot of Truong Tien Bridge, earning it the nickname "Truong Tien Banh Mi." Now at a new location, it remains a popular destination on Hue's culinary map. Truong Tien Banh Mi is known for its small but generously filled baguettes with shredded pork, grilled meat, sausages, fermented pork roll, and more. The thick, rich meat sauce and Vietnamese coriander are the highlights. Before serving, the baguette is warmed over charcoal to maintain its crispness and enhance its aroma. Prices start at 15,000 VND per baguette, and customers can customize their fillings.

Chi Cake Shop

Address: 52 Le Viet Luong, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 8h - 19h

Chi Cake Shop offers a full range of Hue cakes, including banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (steamed flat rice dumplings), banh loc (shrimp and pork dumplings wrapped in tapioca leaves), and ram it (fried shrimp dumplings). The cakes are freshly wrapped and steamed continuously, ensuring their deliciousness and attracting many customers. The shrimp filling in the banh loc and ram it is praised for its generous portion and flavorful shrimp rim (braised shrimp) made with a special recipe. The spacious shop with ample parking is suitable for large groups and families. Vacuum-sealed cakes are also available for purchase as souvenirs. Prices start at 20,000 VND per portion.

Thuan Duck Restaurant

Address: 94 Bui Thi Xuan, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 11h - 20h

Open for over 20 years, Thuan Duck Restaurant is a familiar spot for locals craving duck dishes like roasted duck, boiled duck, and duck porridge. The restaurant receives high praise for its crispy-skinned duck, soft and chewy sticky rice, and porridge with generous toppings. The unique ginger and sesame dipping sauce, made with a special recipe, enhances the flavor. Diners can choose sticky rice or porridge as a side, with prices ranging from 35,000 to 100,000 VND per person.

San May Vegetarian Restaurant

Address: 8 Thanh Tinh, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 7h - 14h; 16h - 21h

Hue, a Buddhist center with over 1,000 temples, boasts a vibrant vegetarian culinary scene that attracts visitors. Situated in a traditional wooden house, San May offers a dining space partitioned by wooden walls for privacy. The extensive vegetarian menu includes rice dishes, hot pot, and Hue cakes like banh goi (fried dumplings), banh nam, and bot loc. Recommended dishes include stewed jackfruit, mushrooms, and figs, as well as fig salad served with rice. Prices range from 30,000 to 200,000 VND per person.

Dang Thai Than Salt Coffee

Address: 142 Dang Thai Than, Phu Xuan District

Opening hours: 7h - 22h

Run by Ho Thi Thanh Huong and her husband, this salt coffee shop has been open for over 15 years and was featured by CNN in late June 2024. Invented by Huong in 2010, the drink combines condensed milk, salt, black coffee, and a creamy topping to balance the coffee's bitterness and the milk's sweetness. The owners aimed to create a unique beverage to attract customers and succeeded with their salt coffee. Each glass costs 15,000 VND.

Cam Sweet Soup

Address: 10 Nguyen Sinh Cung, Thuan Hoa District

Opening hours: 16h - 22h

Besides savory dishes, sweet soup is a must-try culinary delight in Hue. Open for almost 30 years, Cam Sweet Soup is a popular spot with a diverse menu, from royal court recipes to everyday favorites like mung bean sweet soup, lotus seed sweet soup, and purple sweet potato sweet soup. Locals recommend trying the tapioca pearl sweet soup with roasted pork and the sago pearl sweet soup. Uniquely, Hue sweet soup is rarely served full to the brim. At Cam, each serving is just below the rim, topped with shaved ice, leaving diners wanting more. Each serving costs 15,000 VND.

Tuan Anh