"Special" Bun Bo Hue by Bun Bo Hue Sen

"Special" Bun Bo Hue, or Hue Beef Noodles

by Bun Bo Hue Sen, Hue, Vietnam

Bun Bo Hue, or spicy Hue beef noodles, is one of the must-try dishes in the ancient capital of Hue, Vietnam, and on my first evening in Hue, the staff at my hotel recommended that I walk across the street to order a bowl at Bun Bo Hue Sen, a restaurant specializing in this iconic dish.

After looking at the menu, I ordered the bún bò Huế đặc biệt, or "special" bun bo Hue. After all, if the restaurant says it is their specialty, how could I possibly pass it up?

"Special" Bun Bo Hue, or Hue Beef Noodles

The "special" in the name referred to the variety of fillings served with the rice-noodle soup. My bowl came loaded with an assortment of beef and pork, along with a ham hock, blood pudding crab cake and other bún bò toppings, making it considerably more substantial than a standard bowl.

The noodles are served in a rich, meaty broth alongside a plate of herbs and vegetables that you can add to the dish as per your preference. You can also add scops of house made chili oil paste to the soup giving the bun bo broth its iconic red color and rich, spicy flavor. If you can handle spice, I highly recommend adding as much as you can tolerate to make the dish as exemplary as intended.

Bun Bo Hue Sen's special Bun Bo noodles in Hue, Vietnam

More of my favorite dishes in Hue, Vietnam

• Cơm Hến, or Baby Basket Clam Rice in Huế, Vietnam
• Banh Nam or Steamed shrimp rice cakes - a Hue Specialty
• Vietnamese Royal Cuisine - Nem Lui or Pork Skewers on Lemongrass, Hue

Location

Bun Bo Hue Sen is located at 69 Võ Thị Sáu, Thuận Hóa, Huế 49000, Vietnam near the city's walking street and many of Hue's popular guesthouses, hotels, and bars.

Bun Bo Hue Sen in Hue, Vietnam