1. Bun Bo Hue – A dish not to be missed when traveling to Hue
In 2014, famous culinary expert Anthony Boudain introduced on the American CNN channel “Bun Bo Hue is the best soup I have ever tasted“.
The Asia Record Organization has included Bun Bo Hue in the list of 100 most valuable dishes in Asia in 2016.
By 2023, Taste Atlas, a famous international culinary website, ranked Hue at 28th place in the 100 cities with the best dishes in the world, in which Bun Bo Hue is considered “a must-try Hue dish when coming here”.
In 2025, Bun Bo Hue will be recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
2. Bun Bo Hue – Hue Ancient Capital Cuisine
Bun Bo Hue originated from the Hue royal court. Later it became a rustic dish but still retains its sophistication. Unlike Hanoi pho or bun rieu, Bun Bo Hue has a rich broth made from beef bones, lemongrass, tamarind and chili, creating a mild spicy flavor typical of Central Vietnam.
Today, Bun Bo Hue has become a famous dish at home and abroad. Many generations have carefully preserved and passed down this precious folk wisdom. Each artisan has his own cooking secret, creating cultural depth for the dish. However, basically, Bun Bo Hue includes:
- Broth: stewed from beef bones, lemongrass, and especially Hue shrimp paste creates a natural, delicious sweetness. Combined with the chili color, it creates a spicy taste and adds more color to the noodle bowl when combined with green onions.
- Large, chewy noodles: Different from regular noodles, Hue noodles are thicker, chewier and crispier. Hue’s traditional vermicelli-making villages, including Van Cu and O Sa, have maintained their traditional craft for generations.
- Beef, pork leg, crab cake: Diverse toppings, served with raw vegetables, bean sprouts, banana flowers.
- Hue shrimp paste: The “soul” spice creates an unmistakable flavor.
When traveling to Hue, visitors should not miss famous beef noodle shops such as:
- Bun Bo O Phuong (19 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai) – Rich broth, tender meat.
- Ba Dac (1 Dien Bien Phu) – Fragrant broth, rich crab cakes.
- Bun Bo Co Bay (14 Ly Thuong Kiet) – Moderately spicy, suitable for beginners.
In addition, there are famous shops such as Me Keo, Mu Roi, Ba Tuyet, Ong Vong,… And you will not have too much difficulty finding restaurants selling Beef Noodle at any time of the day. The dish has become a specialty not only for locals but also for tourists when coming to Hue.
If you have never tried it, find the nearest Bun Bo Hue shop or book a Hue culinary tour with Origin Vietnam to fully experience this flavor!
