According to Phan Thanh Hai, director of the Hue Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Hue beef noodle soup was officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on 27/6.
Hai said this recognition motivates the preservation and promotion of the dish's heritage value. Hue has plans to protect and promote this newly recognized heritage, aiming to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Beef noodle soup is not only a famous dish domestically and internationally, but also a crystallization of folk knowledge preserved and passed down through generations. The dish is associated with religious life, community activities, and traditional craft villages like the Van Cu and O Sa noodle villages, deeply reflecting the lifestyle, soul, and culinary culture of Hue.
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Hue beef noodle soup. Photo: Tuan Anh |
Hue beef noodle soup. Photo: Tuan Anh
A bowl of authentic Hue beef noodle soup has a broth fragrant with lemongrass and shrimp paste. The chili adds spiciness and color, complementing the green onions. Each artisan has their own secret, making no two bowls exactly alike, further enriching the dish's cultural depth.
In Hue, beef noodle soup is found not only in famous restaurants like Me Keo, Mu Roi, Ba Tuyet, and Ong Vong, but also in street stalls, where older women preserve the essence of the dish with their hands and love for the craft. Available throughout the day, beef noodle soup has become the "soul" of Hue.
In 2014, renowned culinary expert Anthony Bourdain featured Hue beef noodle soup on CNN, calling it "the best soup I've ever tasted." In 2016, the Asian Records Organization included it in the Top 100 Asian Dishes. In 2023, Taste Atlas, a well-known international food website, ranked Hue 28th among the 100 cities with the best food in the world, highlighting Hue beef noodle soup as a "must-try" local delicacy.
Tuan Anh
