Food tour Hue Vietnam offers low-priced, visits to local food spots and night markets, tasting Bun Bo Hue, Banh Beo, Com Hen, and other famous Hue street food.
For me, a food tour in Hue is one of the most enjoyable experiences when traveling in Vietnam. I had the opportunity to try many local specialties such as clam rice and grilled pork skewers in a very local and friendly atmosphere.
What is the Hue Food Tour and what will tourists experience?
During my trip to Hue, I joined a Hue food tour, which is one of the most interesting what to do experiences for visitors. A food tour takes travelers through local eateries and street food spots to try the city’s specialties. It’s a simple way to explore Hue’s cuisine and discover authentic local flavors.
Instead of searching for places on my own, I joined a food tour Hue Vietnam and was guided by a local tour guide through the narrow streets, stopping at various eateries to sample famous dishes like Hue beef noodle soup, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), and clam rice. What I enjoyed most was not only the food but also the fascinating stories about Hue’s culinary culture and how the people of Hue enjoy traditional dishes.
In terms of price, I found the food tour in Hue quite reasonable compared to the experiences received. On average, one Hue food tour costs about 700,000 – 1,200,000 VND/person (approximately 40 – 70 AUD).
Depending on the itinerary and included services, this price usually includes a local guide, multiple meals throughout the trip, drinks, and sometimes transportation between dining locations. Some tours also include hotel pick-up and drop-off or visits to popular restaurants in the city.
Regarding time, I noticed Hue food tours usually have two popular options: daytime tours and nighttime tours. Each type offers a rather different experience.
- Hue food tour during the day: This tour usually takes place in the morning or early afternoon, lasting about 3–4 hours. This is the ideal time to explore traditional eateries and local markets like Dong Ba Market.
- Hue night food tour: This is the type of tour I personally find most enjoyable. As the city lights up, the street food stalls become more crowded and vibrant. The tour usually starts around 5:30–6:00 PM and lasts until late at night.
Specialty dishes I tried during the Hue Food Tour
During my food tour in Hue, my guide took me to try many famous Hue local food specialties at various restaurants. What I liked about this tour was that each dish was served at a different restaurant, giving me the opportunity to experience many distinctive flavors of Hue cuisine.
#1. Bun bo Hue – The iconic dish of the city
My first stop on my food tour while travel Vietnam was Bun Bo Me Keo (20 Bach Dang Street, Hue City), a long-standing beef noodle soup restaurant over 70 years old and very popular with locals. A bowl of noodles here costs around 40,000 – 60,000 VND (≈ 2.5 – 3.8 AUD).
Besides the restaurant I visited, Hue also has many other famous beef noodle soup restaurants such as Bun Bo O Phung – Chu Vong (14 Nguyen Du), My Tam Beef Noodle Soup (5 Tran Cao Van Street), and Bun Bo Ba Tuyet (47 Nguyen Cong Tru Street). These are all places loved by both tourists and locals.
Although the bowl of noodles was quite full, since this was my first stop, I still had plenty of “space” to try the next dishes.
#2. Banh beo – A delicate little cake
Then I was led to the restaurant Banh beo Ba Cu (47 Nguyen Hue) to try Hue’s famous banh beo (steamed rice cakes). A serving costs approximately 25,000 – 50,000 VND (≈ 1.6 – 3.2 AUD).
These small bowls of cakes topped with stir-fried shrimp and fried onions look simple but have a refined flavor, making them a memorable dish during my food tour Hue Vietnam.
Besides this place, many locals also recommend other places like Banh beo Di Thu (374 Chi Lang) or the pastry counters inside Tay Loc Market if you want to try the traditional street food version. Because each bowl of cake is very small, I could eat several bowls without feeling too full.
#3. Nem lui – Grilled pork skewers served with rice paper
The next dish on the trip was nem lụi, a signature grilled meat dish from Hue. I tried this at a restaurant on Nguyen Hue Street for about 50,000 – 70,000 VND (≈ 3.2 – 4.5 AUD) per serving. The skewers are grilled over charcoal, giving them a very appealing aroma.
Besides the restaurant I visited, many tourists often look for nem lụi stalls on streets like Nguyen Thai Hoc, Truong Dinh, Phan Boi Chau, or Mai Thuc Loan, where there are many famous grilled pork skewer vendors. This dish contains plenty of fresh vegetables, so it’s quite light and not greasy.
#4. Banh bot loc – Translucent dumplings with shrimp and meat filling
Another type of cake I tried was the tapioca dumplings at Ba Do restaurant (8 Nguyen Binh Khiem). A plate costs approximately 25,000 – 40,000 VND (≈ 1.6 – 2.5 AUD).
The dumplings have a translucent and slightly chewy outer layer, and inside is a flavorful filling of shrimp and meat. Many people also recommend places like Restaurant 109 Le Huan or pastry counters at Tay Loc Market, which sells many kinds of traditional Hue cakes.
#5. Clam rice – A famous local dish
I tried clam rice at a small restaurant near the Con Hen islet, which is considered the “homeland” of this dish. A bowl costs approximately 20,000 – 35,000 VND (≈ 1.2 – 2.2 AUD).
Rice is mixed with clams, fresh vegetables, peanuts, and various spices, creating a rather unique flavor. Besides the Con Hen area, some other famous clam rice restaurants that tourists often visit include Hoa Dong Clam Rice and Ba Cam’s Clam Rice.
#6. Grilled pork vermicelli – A dish with balanced flavors
During the tour, I also tried grilled pork vermicelli at a fairly crowded street food stall. A bowl cost approximately 35,000 – 50,000 VND (≈ 2.2 – 3.2 AUD).
The grilled meat is fragrant and, when eaten with fresh vegetables, rice noodles, and sweet-and-sour fish sauce, has a very balanced flavor. This dish is quite popular in Hue, so you can find it in many small eateries throughout the city.
#7. Nam Pho rice noodle soup – A warm dish perfect for the evening
As the weather started to cool down, I had the chance to try Nam Pho rice noodle soup at a local eatery in the food street. A bowl costs around 30,000 – 45,000 VND (≈ 1.9 – 2.9 AUD).
The noodles are soft, and the broth is slightly thick with shrimp and meat, making it very easy to eat during my food tour Hue Vietnam. Even though I had eaten many dishes before, the small bowl of banh canh was just right.
#8. Hue-style sweet soup – A lightly sweet dessert
The final stop of my food tour Hue Vietnam was Che Hem (17 Hung Vuong Street), one of the most famous dessert shops in Hue. Each cup of dessert costs approximately 15,000 – 25,000 VND (≈ 0.9 – 1.6 AUD).
Besides this shop, many people also suggested other dessert spots like 67 Tran Hung Dao if you want to try more traditional Hue desserts. After many savory dishes, a refreshing glass of sweet soup helps end the food tour gently without feeling too full.
03 Popular Ways to Participate in the Hue Food Tour
During my trip to Hue, I realized that Hue food tours don’t have just one way to experience them. Depending on their preferences and schedule, visitors can choose different ways to explore the city’s cuisine. The three most popular options are walking, taking a cyclo, or riding a motorbike.
#1. Walking food tour
Walking Hue local food tours are a popular choice for tourists who want to experience Hue’s cuisine in a leisurely and intimate way near Hue Imperial City Vietnam. On this tour, I walked with my guide through the small streets around the city center, stopping at local eateries that I might have had difficulty finding if I were traveling independently.
Walking also gave me more time to observe the daily lives of the locals, especially in areas near Dong Ba Market or food streets. Thanks to the short distances, I could stop at many small eateries to try local dishes without feeling rushed.
#2. Food tour by cyclo
Another interesting experience many tourists choose is a food tour by cyclo. This is a traditional mode of transportation in Hue, so the trip is not only a culinary journey but also an opportunity to see the city in a unique way.
Sitting on a cyclo, I could relax and observe the old streets, especially when passing near Truong Tien Bridge in the evening. This type of tour usually moves slowly, making it suitable for those who want to enjoy the food while experiencing the peaceful atmosphere of Hue.
#3. Food tour by motorbike
If you want to explore more places in a short amount of time, a food tour by motorbike is a great option. On this tour, my guide took me through many different food districts in the city, from famous eateries in the city center to local stalls tucked away in small alleys.
Thanks to the faster transportation, I was able to try more local specialties in a single evening. This is also a popular option for younger travelers or those who want a more dynamic city exploration.
Some experiences before participating in the Hue food Tour
Before participating in a food tour Hue Vietnam, I realized that preparing a few small things can make the dining experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Because in a single food tour in Hue, tourists often try many different dishes and visit various restaurants, a little preparation can help make the trip more enjoyable.
Here are some helpful tips before joining the Hue Food Tour and exploring Hue street food
- Go with a slightly hungry stomach: During the tour, you’ll get to try dishes such as noodles, cakes, grilled food, and desserts. If you eat too much beforehand, you may not be able to enjoy everything.
- Bring cash: Many local eateries in Hue still mainly accept cash, especially small street stalls or restaurants in narrow alleys.
- Choose an evening tour for the best street food atmosphere: Evenings are when street food stalls are busiest, especially around Dong Ba Market or along the Perfume River.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes: Some tours involve walking through small streets and visiting many eateries.
- Inform your guide in advance if you have food allergies: Hue cuisine often uses shrimp, fish sauce, and strong seasonings.
- Bring water or tissues: Some dishes can be spicy or hot, so these will make the experience more comfortable.
Conclusion
After the experience of a food tour in Hue, I found this to be a very interesting way to explore local cuisine in just a few hours. I got to try many specialties like Hue beef noodle soup and clam rice, and visit eateries that tourists often have difficulty finding on their own. For me, food tour Hue Vietnam is truly a worthwhile experience if you want to understand the flavors and culinary culture of Hue.
