Hue's Must-Try Specialties: Savor Them During Your Trip and Take Home as Souvenirs

Huế isn't just renowned for its ancient beauty; it also truly wins over travelers with its array of unmissable local specialties – those delightful culinary treats you simply have to try during your visit and bring home as cherished gifts. Come along as we delve into these unique and meaningful flavors!
If you're planning to explore the ancient capital of Hue and want to discover its unique delicacies, don't miss "Must-Try Hue Specialties for Travelers and Souvenirs." A culinary journey through Hue not only offers a wonderful gastronomic experience but also an opportunity to delve deeper into the distinctive culture of this region. Let's join63Stravelto find out now!
Hue Specialties: Must-Try Dishes and Souvenirs for Your Trip
Here's a list of Hue specialties you absolutely must try and consider buying as gifts during your trip.
1. Bún bò Huế
When talking about Hue specialties, Bún bò Huế is undoubtedly a name you can't miss, as it's a dish deeply imprinted with the culinary culture of the ancient capital. With its rich, distinctively spicy broth, Bún bò Huế captivates with a harmonious blend of ingredients like beef, congealed pig's blood, pork hock, crab sausage, and beef sausage, all served with thick, chewy rice vermicelli noodles – completely different from vermicelli found in other regions.

Bún bò Huế – Savoring the Flavors of the Ancient Capital
Enjoying a bowl of Bún bò Huế right here in Hue, especially in the cool weather, allows you to fully appreciate its unique flavor that can't be found anywhere else. While this dish is popular nationwide, only in Hue can you truly feel the authentic 'soul' of Central Vietnam.
2. Bánh ép Huế
When visiting Hue, travelers will easily spot signs with the words 'bánh ép' on many streets, sparking curiosity: What kind of cake is this, and what makes it special? Bánh ép Huế, particularly famous in the coastal area of Thuận An, is considered a childhood snack deeply associated with generations of Hue locals.

Bánh ép Huế - A Delicious Hue Specialty You Absolutely Must Try
Originally, the cake only consisted of tapioca flour, egg, served with fresh herbs and sweet fish sauce. However, over time, it has evolved with diverse fillings like pork, shrimp, sausage, and even seafood, offering a rich and enticing array of flavors.
This small cake holds a delicate blend of the chewy crust, the rich flavor of egg, the aroma of meat, and the freshness of accompanying ingredients. Bánh ép is not just a dish; it's a joy to share, stacking plates high and savoring the unique essence of Hue cuisine.
3. Mè Xửng
When mentioning Hue, it's impossible to overlook Mè Xửng – a specialty that encapsulates the essence and pride of the ancient capital's people. With its delicate sweetness, perfect chewiness, and distinctive sesame aroma, this treat has become an iconic symbol of Hue's culinary culture.

Mè Xửng Hue - A Specialty to Buy as a Gift
Whether it's soft sesame candy (mè dẻo), crispy sesame candy (mè giòn), transparent sesame candy (mè gương), or black sesame candy (mè đen), each type offers a unique and appealing experience. Enjoying Mè Xửng with a hot cup of imperial tea, you'll not only taste its delicious flavor but also feel the slow, gentle pace of life in Hue.
If you plan to buy it as a gift, don't forget to check for its chewiness and translucent golden color – signs of quality Mè Xửng. Mè Xửng is so delightful you'll never tire of it, so don't hesitate to bring this flavor home to share with your loved ones!
>> See also:Top 10+ Thừa Thiên Huế Attractions That Will Steal Your Heart
4. Clam Vermicelli / Clam Rice (Bún/Cơm Hến)
Besides Bún bò, Bún hến (clam vermicelli) is another indispensable Hue specialty on a culinary journey through the ancient capital. This dish is appealing with its sweet, chewy clam meat combined with a rich broth, where the sweetness of the clams blends with a hint of green chili spice. The perfect combination of vermicelli, fresh herbs, peanuts, and spices creates an unforgettable flavor.

Cơm hến Hue - A Must-Try Dish Embodying the Flavors of the Ancient Capital
Furthermore, we can't forget Cơm hến (clam rice), a humble yet distinctly Hue-flavored dish. Cold white rice is mixed with clams, crispy pork cracklings, fermented shrimp paste, and spices, served with fresh herbs, sliced banana blossoms, and thinly sliced taro, creating a dish that is both rich and refreshing. Though simple, the sophistication in its preparation makes it a unique specialty that cannot be found anywhere else but Hue.
5. Hue Imperial Tea (Trà Cung đình Huế)
Hue Imperial Tea (Trà Cung đình Huế) has long been a symbol of sophistication in the ancient capital's culinary culture. More than just an elegant pastime, drinking tea in Hue also offers numerous health benefits. Made from precious herbs like artichoke, lotus heart, vối buds, and various other fruits, Hue Imperial Tea not only has a delicate, sweet, and easy-to-drink flavor but also serves as a health tonic, helping to quench thirst, beautify skin, and boost vitality.
Each cup of tea is a perfect blend of delicious flavor and wonderful benefits, making Imperial Tea a meaningful gift that everyone loves. It's an ideal choice for tea enthusiasts and those seeking a special souvenir from Hue.
6. Fruit-Shaped Mung Bean Cakes (Bánh đậu xanh trái cây)
Bánh đậu xanh trái cây (fruit-shaped mung bean cakes) is one of Hue's must-try specialties for travelers and a perfect souvenir, embodying imperial flavors and exquisite detail. In the past, this cake was exclusively reserved for the upper class and nobility, but today it has become a special treat for important occasions like weddings and welcoming esteemed guests.

Fruit-Shaped Mung Bean Cakes as Gifts
With its meticulously crafted crust, resembling adorable small fruits, Bánh đậu xanh trái cây captivates not only with its beauty but also with the sweet flavor of its mung bean filling, blended with the aroma of naturally colored vegetables and fruits. Made from simple ingredients but requiring the skill and creativity of artisans, each cake is a unique work of art.
This cake is not only a wonderful specialty to enjoy but also a meaningful gift from Hue. Certainly, anyone who tries Bánh đậu xanh trái cây will never forget its sweet, delicate flavor and lasting significance.
7. Hue Steamed Rice Cakes (Bánh Nậm, Bánh Bèo, Bánh Lọc)
Bánh nậm Huế is a rustic, simple yet rich-flavored dish, typically wrapped in dong leaves, with a soft, smooth rice flour layer inside and a filling of minced shrimp and pork. When enjoying it, simply dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce with a touch of green chili to fully appreciate the distinctive deliciousness of Hue. This dish is familiar to the people of Hue and an indispensable part of any culinary exploration here.
Similar to Bánh nậm, Bánh bèo Huế, though found in many places, originated right here in Hue. Its soft, smooth flour layer in small cups, topped with dried shrimp and pork, fried shallots, and pork cracklings, when eaten with sweet and sour fish sauce, creates a distinctive dish found nowhere else.
Bánh bột lọc Huế, though familiar, is still a specialty worth trying. With its soft tapioca flour wrapper, minced shrimp and pork filling, and served with rich sweet and sour fish sauce, Bánh bột lọc Huế will leave a lasting impression on visitors after their first taste.
8. Areca Nut Candy (Kẹo Cau)
Kẹo cau Huế (areca nut candy) is a Hue specialty you must try and buy as a gift during your trip. This snack stands out with its unique shape, resembling an areca nut split into six sections, wrapped in cellophane. The white outer layer is made from rice flour mixed with sugar, while the inner filling is solidified sugar syrup with a pale yellow color, symbolizing the areca nut kernel.

Kẹo Cau - A Sweet Childhood Snack from Hue to Buy as a Gift
This candy has been around for a long time, originally wrapped in dried banana leaves, but today you can easily find it in markets, convenience stores, and tourist attractions. Kẹo cau is not only a favorite treat for Hue children but also a delightful gift you should bring back for your loved ones after your trip.
9. Fig Tea (Trà Vả)
Besides Imperial Tea, Fig Tea (Trà Vả) is also a beloved Hue specialty. Made entirely from fig fruit, the tea has a rich, pleasant, and unforgettable flavor.
Not only delicious, Fig Tea also offers numerous health benefits, helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stabilize blood sugar, and support the treatment of respiratory and stomach ailments. Fig Tea is a distinctive health gift from Hue, an excellent choice for visitors whenever they come to this land.
10. Rò Fish Paste (Mắm Cá Rò)
When mentioning Hue specialties, many people immediately think of familiar dishes like Bánh bèo, Bánh bột lọc, Cơm hến, or Mè xửng. However, it would be a significant oversight not to mention Mắm cá rò – an unmissable specialty.

Mắm Cá Rò – Hue's Famous Delicious Specialty
Cá rò is a small fish primarily found in brackish waters, resembling anchovies but with much softer and sweeter flesh. Hue is famous for Mắm cá rò because the region is close to Thuận An beach, where cá rò thrive.
Each season, Hue fishermen catch large quantities of cá rò, and making fish paste is an excellent way to preserve it and enhance its delicious flavor. Initially, it was only found on the dining tables of Hue locals, but thanks to trade and development, Mắm cá rò has now become a renowned specialty, an indispensable choice for anyone who loves Hue cuisine.
>> Read more: Discover 10+ Unique and Sacred Historical Sites in Thừa Thiên Huế
11. Nhất Dạ Đế Vương Imperial Wine (Rượu Cung Đình Nhất Dạ Đế Vương)
Nhất Dạ Đế Vương Wine is a famous Hue specialty, always sought after by tourists visiting the ancient capital. Made from red brown rice from Chuồn village and steeped with the Minh Mạng Thang herbal remedy, this wine is not only a precious gift but also offers numerous health benefits.

Nhất Dạ Đế Vương Imperial Wine as a Souvenir from Hue
As a Hue specialty you must try and buy as a gift during your trip, Nhất Dạ Đế Vương Imperial Wine helps support the treatment of physical weakness, sexual dysfunction, and aches. Additionally, this wine helps nourish blood and qi, strengthen virility, tonify the kidneys, and boost vitality.
12. Cajeput Oil (Dầu Tràm)
Hue is famous for its Cajeput Oil (Dầu Tràm) – a precious natural product sold widely in shops. Extracted from the cajeput tree, Hue Cajeput Oil is not only a natural remedy but also offers many special health benefits.
With its uses for treating coughs, nasal congestion, preventing colds and flu, protecting against wind, mosquitoes, and insects, Hue Cajeput Oil also helps keep the body warm and prevents respiratory illnesses. Notably, Hue Cajeput Oil is very safe for infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Just a few drops of essential oil each evening will ensure a good night's sleep and relaxation, easing all stress. This is truly a Hue specialty you must try and buy as a gift during your trip.
13. Hue Souvenirs
In addition to the meaningful Hue specialties mentioned above, Hue souvenirs are also highly sought after by many tourists. For those who appreciate traditional beauty, embroidered paintings, lacquerware, bronze castings, or carved sculptures are excellent choices.
Furthermore, Ao Dai fabric, silk, or ethnic brocade bags and keychains bearing the distinctive mark of Hue are also delightful gifts, preserving cherished memories for everyone. These are truly Hue specialties you must try and buy as gifts during your trip.
14. Thanh Trà Fruit
When visiting Hue, travelers cannot miss Thanh Trà fruit – a specialty resembling a pear, smaller than a pomelo, with a thin, glossy lemon-yellow skin and a delicate, refreshing, and very pleasant aroma. Thanh Trà has only one season a year, from August to October, lasting only a few months, offering juicy, sweet fruits, especially around the 7th lunar month when the orchards are ripe.

Thanh Trà Hue - A Hue Specialty as a Gift
This type of pomelo has long been a Hue specialty, once offered to the Nguyễn Dynasty court. With its delicate sweetness and gentle fragrance, Thanh Trà is not only a beloved fruit but also contributes to the economic development of Hue farmers, becoming a unique gift you should enjoy when visiting this place.
15. Hue Sweet Soups (Chè Huế)
Mentioning Hue brings to mind Chè Huế – an exquisite specialty of the ancient capital, with hundreds of rich varieties. Each type boasts a unique flavor and is prepared with sophistication. Prominent sweet soups like lotus seed sweet soup (chè hạt sen), longan stuffed with lotus seeds sweet soup (chè nhãn bọc hạt sen), agar-agar and pomegranate seed sweet soup (chè sương sa hạt lựu), and tapioca dumpling with roasted pork sweet soup (chè bột lọc thịt quay) are all enticing dishes that captivate diners with their sweetness and richness.

Chè Huế - A Delicious Dish You Must Try When Visiting Hue
Chè Huế stands out not only for its unique flavors but also for the skillful hands of Hue women. Therefore, when in Hue, 'hẻm' sweet soups (street alley sweet soups) are an indispensable Hue specialty on your must-try list. You'll easily spot street vendors or small sweet soup shops in every alley, offering wonderful culinary experiences.
16. Hue Grilled Pork Skewers (Nem Lụi Huế)
Nem lụi Huế (Hue grilled pork skewers) is considered one of Hue's signature dishes that any food lover cannot miss. This rustic dish, though simple, carries a rich Hue flavor that captivates anyone who tastes it.

Nem Lụi Huế - A 'Soulmate' Dish for Food Enthusiasts
Nem lụi Huế is typically served with fresh, aromatic herbs, star fruit, bean sprouts, chili, and a special dipping sauce called 'nước lèo'. It's this exquisite combination that creates an unmistakable dish. The rich, fragrant flavor of Nem lụi will leave you craving more, and you'll surely want to enjoy it again whenever you visit the ancient capital.
>> Learn more:Top 10 luxury villas in Hue that attract many tourists
17. Nam Phổ Noodle Soup (Bánh Canh Nam Phổ)
Bánh canh Nam Phổ, originating from Nam Phổ village about 10 km from Hue city center, is a rustic dish beloved by many tourists and locals. Made from rice flour and tapioca flour in a 3:1 ratio, the noodle soup broth is slightly cloudy and thick.
The delicious broth, combined with pork belly and shrimp, creates a rich, distinctive Hue flavor. Especially when eaten with a touch of chili, Bánh canh Nam Phổ becomes even spicier and more enticing. This dish is indispensable on afternoons when Nam Phổ noodle soup vendors, alongside sweet soup hawkers, create a vibrant and unique culinary atmosphere in Hue.
18. Hue Fermented Pork (Nem and Tré Huế)
Among Hue specialties you must try and buy as gifts during your trip, Nem and Tré Huế are essential. Nem Huế has a rich flavor, made from fermented pork combined with crispy pork skin, roasted rice powder, a touch of rock sugar, braised fish sauce, and salt and pepper, creating a unique taste.

Nem and Tré Huế - A Favorite Dish for Food Enthusiasts
As for Tré Huế, also made from fermented pork, it has a sweet and sour taste and is wrapped in đinh lăng leaves, offering an unforgettable culinary experience. These two dishes are simple yet highly popular, appearing not only in daily meals but also as indispensable items during Tết holidays, death anniversaries, and weddings.
19. 'Hell' Rice (Cơm Âm Phủ)
One of Hue's specialties you absolutely cannot miss is Cơm âm phủ ('Hell' Rice). Despite its mysterious name, this dish boasts a very special flavor and appealing colors. According to legend, the dish originated when Emperor Bảo Đại was on an incognito tour.
Feeling hungry, the emperor stopped at a small house and was served by a local old woman with a plate of hot rice, neatly arranged with stir-fried greens, cucumber, egg, and shredded meat. After enjoying it, the emperor was very impressed with the dish's flavor and requested his palace chefs to recreate it. Since then, Cơm âm phủ has become one of Hue's famous dishes, simple yet rich in flavor, making it unforgettable for anyone who tries it.
20. Hue Conical Hat (Nón Huế)
Besides the famous culinary specialties, the Hue conical hat (Nón Huế) is also a very meaningful Hue souvenir. For a long time, the Hue conical hat has not merely been an item to shield from rain and sun, but also a distinctive cultural symbol of the ancient capital.
With its exquisite design and intricate decorative patterns, the Hue conical hat has now become a unique gift, widely available in stores, offering tourists a rich variety of choices. This is certainly a wonderful souvenir to bring back from your visit to Hue.
21. Hue Ao Dai
When mentioning Hue city, it's impossible not to picture graceful young women in Hue Ao Dai, embodying discreet and gentle beauty. The purple Ao Dai has become a distinctive symbol of Hue women.

Choosing Hue Ao Dai as a Gift
However, with the increasing demand from tourists, many new and innovative styles of Hue Ao Dai have emerged, yet they still preserve traditional essence, skillfully blending classic and modern beauty. Hue Ao Dai is a meaningful gift, rich in cultural value, and will surely make anyone who receives it feel incredibly happy.
The ancient capital of Hue is not only famous for its ancient beauty but also a culinary paradise. The must-try Hue specialties and souvenirs here will offer you unforgettable experiences. Plan your visit to Hue and don't forget to consult the 63Stravel travel guide for a truly complete and convenient trip!
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Update day : 26/11/2024
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