The Little Miracle of the Bun Bo Hue Recipe

Known as a native of Hue and queen of its tables, the spicy noodle soup Bun bo Hue is one of Vietnam's most famous dishes and is present in almost every Vietnamese restaurant abroad. Its reputation is shaped by the amount of its multicultural transformations and also by its places that symbolizes the subtleties inherited from the culinary heritage of our former imperial city.

It is not by chance that Anthony Bourdain, the famous American chef with his series of gastronomic discoveries, confided that "Bun bo Hue is the best noodle soup in the world I have ever tasted". Succulent and comforting, this traditional dish of Hue comes in multiple versions to fill the gourmands of each region it travels to. Also known as "Bun bo gio heo", vermicelli with beef and ham shank or simply "Bun Hue", vermicelli from Hue, this brightly coloured hot-food dish prompts us to rush to the restaurant at any time of the day. 

No one knows exactly the story of the marriage between beef and pork in the millennial cuisine of Hue in general and Bun bo in particular. One thing is for certain though, with the imagination and refinement of its inhabitants, like their way of life, the local recipe has become a place of distinction in the top Vietnamese specialties.

In addition to the combination of beef and pork, "cha" or "gio", Vietnamese pies made from pork, beef or crab are also common at the Vietnamese table. And the Bun bo is no exception. For those wanting more from their experience, according to some, the dish can be made more complete with a few tubes of cooked pigs blood. Everything is delicious when paired with soy sprouts, banana flowers and herbs. Perfectly spiced and fragrant like the typical culinary customs of the centre, the soup of Bun Bo is enough to stimulate both your curiosity and your senses from preparation to consumption.

Moreover, if there are dishes offering a combination of both intriguing and harmonious ingredients, it is without a doubt the recipe of Bun bo. It's time to pay tribute to the bone broth that is done with patience to meet the necessary standards of a proper bowl of Bun bo. Please take note of the coexistence of lemongrass and "mam ruoc", a local brine that invites you to a surprising taste experience. Unlike the sweet smell of lemongrass, the "mam ruoc" based on a thin paste of small shrimps, has a very strong smell. These seasonings are found in a balance of tastes whose mastery is an art. The "homemade" Bun bo Hue is never a simple matter of cooking, but requires a particular know-how. In addition, instead of resorting to the fabulous Five Spices as is tradition in the north of the country and the Chinese, the Hues have innovated by introducing lemongrass to beef. 

Let's move on to the delights offered by the beef pairing. The cooked meat is sliced into a thickness of three centimetres. Its tender, tasty and slightly gelatinous flesh brings a texture so appreciated that its preparation and cooking also require special attention. Not to mention the typical round shape that distinguishes Bun Bo rice noodles from other types of traditional noodles.

You can taste this typical Hue dish everywhere, especially in the big cities of Saigon or Hanoi for a sum of around 40.000 and 60.000 VND. Want an unforgettable gourmet stay in Vietnam? Follow in the footsteps of renowned gourmets to enjoy a true taste of Hue by referring to our selection of delicious places to enjoy Bun bo in Hanoi, Hue and Saigon.

Good Bun bo Hue restaurants’ in Hanoi

Bun bo Hue O Xuan - 3A Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District
Bun bo Hue - 60 Hoa Ma Street, Hai Ba Trung District
Net Hue - 36C Mai Hac Street, Hai Ba Trung District
Bun bo Hue - 22 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoan Kiem District
Bun bo Hue - 204B Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District

Good restaurants of Bun bo in Hue

Madame Tuyet Bun bo, 47 Nguyen Cong Tru
Bun bo Di Bup, Tran Quang Khai Street 68
Bun bo Ms. Nga, 103 Xuan 68
Bun Bo Ong Vong, Nguyen Street 5
Bun Bo Thien Thanh, 171 Ba Trieu Street

Good restaurants of Bun bo Hue in Saigon

Bun bo Ganh, 110 Ly Chinh Thang Street, Ward 8, 3rd Ward
Bun bo Huong Giang, 130 Ni SÆ° Huynh Lien Street, Ward 10, Tan Binh District
Bun bo Hue Thanh Noi, Tran Cao Van Street 47A, 3rd District
Bun bo Song Huong, 65 Go Gau Street, Tan Quy District, Tan Phu District
Bun bo Hue 31, 31 Mac Dinh Chi Street, 1st district

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