Specialties of Hue
As the former imperial capital where kings and lords once lived, Hue boasts a cuisine steeped in royal tradition. It is home to many delicious specialties famous among travelers near and far. Join VN Cooking to discover Hue specialties that make meaningful gifts!
Me xung (sesame peanut candy)
Mention Hue, and everyone immediately thinks of me xung. It is a fixture on the tea tables of Hue families. The candy is made from rice flour, sugar, peanuts, sesame seeds, malt syrup and a touch of vanilla for a delicate aroma. Nothing beats an afternoon sipping a hot cup of royal tea with a few pieces of sweet, chewy me xung.

Today there are many kinds of me xung, such as soft, crunchy, black sesame and glass-style me xung, each with its own flavor and appeal. Still, be careful when buying me xung as a gift. Check the color and texture: good me xung is a clear golden color, feels soft when squeezed or bent but doesn't break, and springs back to its original shape when you let go.
Royal tea
If Hue royal court music is a masterpiece of intangible culture, royal tea is one of Hue's most renowned specialties. In the old days, Hue royal tea was reserved for kings to relax over and to serve to their courtiers.
A cup of royal tea contains a whole range of herbs, from rare ones like ginseng, artichoke, licorice, Chinese yam and jujube to everyday ones like chrysanthemum, bitter melon, stevia and jasmine. That's why Hue royal tea has the natural fragrance of herbs and an unmistakably gentle, refreshing sweetness.

Besides its mild, easy-drinking sweetness, royal tea is also a fine herbal remedy that boosts health and vitality, helps keep women's skin beautiful and helps limit diabetes. Royal tea fully lives up to its reputation and makes a truly meaningful gift for family and friends.
Hue nem chua (fermented pork rolls)
Hue nem chua has a rich, distinctive flavor unlike any other nem chua. It is made from lean pork, pork skin, rock sugar, chili and other seasonings, and wrapped in an outer layer of banana leaf. Locals choose every ingredient with great care, creating a delicious nem chua that is truly one of a kind.

These pretty little rolls are not just a daily favorite; they also "make an appearance" at parties, drinking sessions, weddings and death anniversaries in the old capital.
Keo cau (areca candy)
The name "keo cau" comes from its shape, which looks like an areca nut cut in half. The candy has a pale yellow center of dried sugar syrup, representing the areca seed, and a white outer layer made from flour mixed with sugar, representing the flesh of the nut.

This Hue specialty has been around for a long time. Originally the candy was left whole and wrapped in dried banana leaves, but today it is cut open and wrapped in clean cellophane. You can easily buy keo cau at markets big and small, grocery stalls, or right at tourist attractions.
Keo cau carries the cultural flavor of old Hue and has now become a fun gift chosen by many visitors.
Those are some famous Hue specialties VN Cooking wanted to introduce to you. Come to Hue at least once to taste these "fit for a king" delicacies.