If phở feels too gentle, try bún bò Huế. This soup comes from Huế, the former imperial capital in Central Vietnam, and is one of the boldest dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. It is spicy, fragrant with lemongrass and has a reddish colour from chilli oil.
What is bún bò Huế
The base is a broth of beef and pork bones seasoned with lemongrass, chilli and fermented shrimp paste (mắm ruốc), which gives it a deep savoury flavour. It is served with round, thick bún rice noodles, much thicker than the flat noodles in phở.
What’s in the bowl
- slices of beef shank
- pork knuckle
- chả lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage) or crab cakes (chả cua)
- in the traditional version, cubes of pork blood, which restaurants can leave out
- spring onion, onion, coriander
- a side plate of herbs, banana blossom, bean sprouts and lime
Bún bò Huế vs phở
| Phở | Bún bò Huế | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | North (Hanoi) | Centre (Huế) |
| Noodles | flat bánh phở | round, thick bún |
| Broth | gentle, star anise and cinnamon | spicy, lemongrass and shrimp paste |
| Meat | beef or chicken | beef and pork |
More about phở in Phở: Vietnam’s noodle soup.
How to eat bún bò Huế
- Taste the broth and add lime to taste.
- Adjust the heat with chilli oil or fresh chilli.
- Add herbs and shredded banana blossom if available.
Where to eat bún bò Huế in Prague
Not every bistro makes it. Your best bet is Sapa market, where several places cook it. In the centre, ask at Vietnamese restaurants with longer menus; see Vietnamese restaurants in Prague.
FAQ
Is bún bò Huế very spicy?
It is spicier than phở, but restaurants usually serve it medium-hot and you add more chilli yourself.
Does bún bò Huế contain blood?
The traditional version does, as cubes of set pork blood. Restaurants in Europe often leave them out or serve them on request.
How is it different from bún bò Nam Bộ?
Bún bò Huế is a soup; bún bò Nam Bộ is a noodle salad without broth.