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| Bún giấm nuốc (blue jellyfish noodle soup), a signature summer delicacy |
Visiting Hue during the hot season, Ms. Nguyen Minh Lan and her husband, Tran Huu Trung, a couple from Ho Chi Minh City, spent considerable time exploring the Ancient Capital's signature dishes through social media. Ms. Lan recalled: “While watching videos on TikTok and Facebook, I was particularly intrigued by bún giấm nuốc (blue jellyfish noodle soup). The name itself sounds unusual, and what makes it even more interesting is that this specialty can only be found in the lagoon areas. That just made me all the more curious.”
Based on information she found online, she made her way to a bún giấm nuốc eatery on Chi Lang Street (Phu Xuan Ward) in the late afternoon. Tasting a bowl of the dish for the first time - with fresh vegetables, rice vermicelli, shrimp, crab-based broth, and especially the blue jellyfish - she found it to be an entirely new taste experience.
She shared: “This dish combines the slightly bitter taste of fresh vegetables, the sweetness of the broth, the tanginess of vinegar, the fragrant aroma of fermented shrimp paste, and the refreshing, pleasantly crunchy texture of the blue jellyfish. In the sweltering summer heat, it is both light and enjoyable to eat.”
Mr. Trung agreed: “What impressed me most was that although the dish uses fresh blue jellyfish, there is no strong or fishy smell at all. Beyond its refreshing and distinctive flavor, the eatery’s location is also appealing, as it sits at the beginning of the ancient street.”
In the small riverside eatery, the couple enjoyed their meal while observing the everyday rhythm of local life. “At first glance, the dish may not look particularly eye-catching, but the more you eat it, the more appealing it becomes - perhaps because of the unique flavor and the charming atmosphere. If my friends or relatives visit Hue, I will definitely recommend this dish to them,” added Mr. Trung.
Not only bún giấm nuốc, but also many other rustic dishes of Hue leave lasting impressions on visitors during the summer.
Ms. Tran Thi Oanh, a visitor from Hanoi, said that she “fell in love” with bún hến (mussel noodles) from her very first taste. According to her, the dish, made from the humble mussels, possesses a distinctive flavor thanks to the meticulous seasoning and combination of ingredients.
Ms. Oanh said: “This dish reminds me of Hanoi’s bún ốc (snail noodles).” However, while bún ốc features a gentle sourness from vinegar, bún hến is richer, saltier, and spicier. Both flavorful dishes are carefully prepared and offer layers of flavor. Notably, neither would be complete without their broth, made from the water used to boil snails or mussels.
“Although very affordable, bún hến has a well-balanced flavor. The sweetness of the mussels, combined with shredded taro stem, green mango, and fresh vegetables, creates a refreshing and satisfying dish that is easy to eat without being cloying. I ate it on my first day in Hue and came back for more the following day. It is truly perfect for summer weather,” she added.
According to the owner of a bún hến eatery on Ung Binh Street (Vy Da Ward), summer is the season when mussel-based dishes are most sought after by visitors, as mussels are at their fattest, sweetest, and most flavorful during this time of the year. Combined with fresh vegetables, shredded taro stem, green mango, and light mussel broth, the dish is both refreshing and easy to enjoy on hot days. In addition to its distinctive taste, bún hến and cơm hến (mussel rice) remain remarkably affordable, typically costing only 15,000 - 20,000 VND per serving, complete with all accompanying ingredients. As a result, many visitors return several times after their first taste, drawn back by the dishes’ rustic charm, simplicity, and refreshing flavors.
Alongside bún hến and bún giấm nuốc, Hue’s summer cuisine also captivates visitors with the delicate sweetness and nutty aroma of chè hạt sen (lotus seed sweet soup), which reaches its peak harvest season. Amid the intense summer heat, it is the flavors of these simple yet extraordinarily refined dishes that leave an unforgettable impression on visitors to the Ancient Capital.