Anyone visiting Hue is sure to be impressed by a bowl of thick, reddish-orange Banh Canh, with plenty of crab cakes scooped skillfully by street vendors. Among the list of delicious Banh Canh in Hue, Nam Pho-style Banh Canh deserves the top spot.

Nam Pho-style Banh Canh is a traditional street food of Nam Pho village, a countryside village about 7 km from the city center of Hue. Many families here have passed down this dish through generations, from mothers to daughters, and daughters-in-law, and even now, they still maintain the delicious taste of a true bowl of Nam Pho-style Banh Canh. Despite being a common, humble dish, Nam Pho-style Banh Canh requires meticulous preparation and effort. To bring out the sweet, fragrant, rich flavor of a bowl of Banh Canh, the cook must choose high-quality rice and grind it finely. Furthermore, during the kneading process, the noodles must achieve the perfect balance of softness and chewiness. If not done skillfully, the whole pot of Banh Canh may be ruined (the dough becomes watery and not elastic). The shrimp and crab must be fresh so that when cooked or mashed, they have a natural sweetness. When adding the shrimp and crab to the broth, a little turmeric powder is added, followed by seasoning to taste. To enjoy this delicious Hue specialty, diners must eat it while the bowl of Banh Canh is still thick and hot, as allowing it to cool significantly diminishes its deliciousness and allure.

Banh Canh Nam Pho is typically enjoyed with Hue-style fish sauce and a few slices of fragrant green chili peppers on chilly days. Sitting down to enjoy a spoonful of Banh Canh allows you to fully appreciate the soft, melting texture of the noodles blending with the sweetness of shrimp and crab, along with a hint of spiciness from the green chili peppers, embodying the distinctive flavor of the land of Thua Thien Hue.

Some popular eateries are known for serving delicious Banh Canh Nam Pho in Hue:

Banh Canh Nam Pho is widely available in Hue, typically starting in the afternoon (around 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM). Most of the markets in Hue offer this dish because it not only satisfies hunger but is also good for health. It's a snack loved by both the elderly and young children in Hue. Additionally, for travelers looking to savor the unique flavor of this dish, Khám phá Huế (Discover Hue) recommends several prominent locations along the main streets in the city center of Hue. These eateries not only serve Banh Canh Nam Pho but also offer a variety of delicious Hue-style cakes, convenient for guests wanting to enjoy the specialty cakes of the Imperial City.

1. Thuy - Famous for delicious Banh Canh Nam Pho and a variety of enticing Hue-style cakes

- Address: 16 Pham Hong Thai, Hue City

- Opening hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Price range: 20,000 VND – 30,000 VND

Thuy Banh Canh Nam Pho Restaurant has become a popular destination for many diners, including tourists, due to its central location in Hue City. The bowl of Banh Canh is generously filled with shrimp cake toppings layered on top of the noodles, with a touch of spicy shrimp paste sauce to enhance the rich flavor that guests cannot resist. Additionally, guests can indulge in other Hue specialty cakes such as banh loc, banh nam, banh it... With extremely friendly and prompt service from the owner, you will likely leave this place feeling very satisfied.

2. Me Du - Delicious and Affordable Nam Pho-style Banh Canh in Hue

- Address: Nam Thuong, Phu Thuong Commune, Phu Vang District, Hue City

- Opening hours: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Price range: 10,000 VND – 15,000 VND

Located near the Mai Market, Me Du's Nam Pho-style Banh Canh has maintained the same quality as the traditional street vendors' recipe for many years. A bowl of Banh Canh here costs only 10,000 VND, making it a popular choice for students and workers in the area as their daily afternoon meal. In addition to Banh Canh, Me Du also serves delicious hot Banh Nam and Banh Loc with spicy fish sauce, adding to the variety of Hue's culinary delights.

3. O Hang

- Address: 16 Ha Huy Tap, Ward Xuan Phu, Hue City

- Opening hours: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Price range: 10,000 VND – 30,000 VND

Banh Canh Nam Pho O Hang stands out for its delightfully chewy noodles, unlike any other, which keeps diners coming back without feeling overwhelmed. Many customers leave here with satisfied bellies. The crab cakes are generously piled on top of the bowl, delicately seasoned to perfection. Like other Nam Pho-style Banh Canh eateries, Banh Canh Nam Pho O Hang also offers Banh Nam and Banh Loc with various shrimp fillings, and you can cleanse your palate with refreshing cold drinks.

4. O Thu - An Authentic and Traditional Banh Canh Destination

- Address: 374 Chi Lang, Hue City

- Opening hours: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Price range: 10,000 VND – 20,000 VND

Starting from 1:30 PM, O Thu's Banh Canh cart sets up along Chi Lang Street, with familiar invitations echoing to passersby. Within just 3 hours, O Thu's Nam Pho-style Banh Canh sells out completely, a testament to its popularity among diners. Customers love O Thu's Banh Canh for its rich and flavorful taste. The shrimp flavor from the crab pieces remains intact without crumbling, offering a delightful richness. Moreover, the spicy broth adds an addictive kick to the dish. Once you've tasted it, you'll want to come back to O Thu's Banh Canh, a renowned spot for delicious Nam Pho-style Banh Canh in Hue.

5. Be Hue

- Address: 179 Xuan 68, Hue City

- Opening hours: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Price range: 15,000 VND – 20,000 VND

Be Hue's Banh Canh eatery, simple and unassuming, sits along the sidewalk of Xuan 68 Street, attracting crowds every 2 hours. The eatery is intertwined with countless childhood memories of the locals. Despite serving generous portions of Banh Canh at affordable prices, many students and young people gather here every afternoon to enjoy a bowl of steaming hot Banh Canh while sharing their thoughts. The eatery also offers delicious Banh Beo, which you must try next time you visit. The service is quick as the staff efficiently prepares Banh Canh and Banh Beo, ensuring a bustling atmosphere.

6. Ho Dac Di - Delicious Nam Pho-style Banh Canh Eatery in Hue

- Address: Ho Dac Di, An Cuu Ward, Hue City

- Opening hours: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Price range: 10,000 VND – 20,000 VND

While not as widely known as Thuy's Banh Canh eatery, this place still offers excellent quality and delicious Banh Canh. Located as a street vendor along the An Cuu River, it attracts many students. Each visit to this eatery comes with the opportunity to hear fascinating stories about Nam Pho-style Banh Canh. The ladies here are cheerful and friendly, embodying the grace of Hue women, making customers reluctant to leave.

7. Nam Pho Eatery - A Hue Specialty Banh Canh Restaurant

- Address: 54 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hue City

- Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Price range: 2,000 VND – 20,000 VND

Nam Pho Eatery is a renowned Banh Canh restaurant in Hue, open from morning till night. Compared to other places in Hue, the prices here might be slightly higher, but the quality of food and service is commendable. This eatery is definitely worth a visit for tourists to indulge in various specialties of Hue cuisine.

8. O Be - Delicious and Affordable Nam Pho-style Banh Canh Eatery in Hue

- Address: 88 Tran Nguyen Dan, Hue City

- Opening hours: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Price range: 10,000 VND - 20,000 VND

Every afternoon, the Banh Canh eatery on Tran Nguyen Dan Street attracts a large number of customers. This simple and humble Banh Canh eatery is deeply rooted in the childhood memories of Hue locals for generations. Despite its low prices, the bowls of Banh Canh here are generously served, making it suitable for students and young people.