RAT HUE : Food for the Gods

Hue is in the central position of Vietnam the middle earth in Froddo language, it was the haven for the Nguyen Dynasty that thrives during the 17th to 19th century. With Feudal Dynasty & Emperor ruled rose to prominence and very much dominated history.

Hence, did you know that so many Vietnamese reference their surname to Nguyen.
Meaning a royal descendant….

Royalty, emperor & empress clad in pure finery silks and dresses to the nth..and walks in the palaces and dine superbly to fine HUE special cuisine… FOOD FOR THE GODS…..Meet Rat Hue a small restaurant that spells wonders in food and taste. Truly hue….

While walking in 4-E Le Loi St. along Eden Mall you be amaze of their entrance no Palacial welcome here more like a secret entrance because it is only 2meters wide so don't walk so fast you’ll surely can not find this entrance as on its side is a Sacombank ATM machine you’ll wonder if there really is a restaurant in the 2nd floor…
You begin to step in the spiral staircase then you proceed to the 2nd floor…presto a orange lamp on top of your head greets you as this 35 seater capacity of an outlet is so Jammed packed … popular to the employees and tourist and getting a seat on lunch rush is extremely impossible…we need to stand and waited , stand and waited till .....
we decided to take lunch somewhere else but promise to return in the evening for dinner as the place is good as many patrons is an indication of good eats.

Note : Return to the resto during dinner time and Saturday & Sunday lunch… you’ll be treated royally and with care as we did, because our first attempt was futile as many patrons during weekdays…no seats for this prince.....

The Feel: Its more like invading the emperor’s kitchen or the servants quarters to me as
Simple boxy chairs & tables are arrange in a row and very small space for walking.
The hue poetry scribbled in the walls evoking of the past . While the hue grand entrance to the Citadel Palace is plastered at the end of the hallway. No fancy emperor seats nor trappings of wealth here as their true treasure is the cuisine.

The Food: So what I ordered is their famous rice cakes…”Banh Beo”/ “Ban thap Cain” tiny glutinous rice pancakes with ground shrimps topping and go with the banana leaves gift wrapped glutinous rice that was slowly steamed while the elastic sticky rice melts to cocoon the shrimp…same with the potted ham wrapped organically in banana and painstakingly tied as if you are to open a small gift.

Appetizingly good while dipping it in spicy vinegar with shredded carrots & papaya …
Mouth wateringly good… the small rice sticky cakes are topped by shredded shrimps… you only need to drop the vinegar concoction while scooping it out from its ceramic mold.. then it is ready to be swallowed.

Interestingly this cakes are taken during tea time and I could imagine the tea ceremony that the Emperor and his empress had experience while someone reads poetry or a hush music from a guitar is played as they enjoy the soft breeze of the lovely afternoon.

“Bon Bo dac biet” or Bon bo hue…. A soup made of……special pork leg part, sliced beef, potted ham and grounded shrimp with its orangey spicy color made the broth made of 24 herbs & spices made every slurp of the rich rice noodle expensive in taste but big value for money as it is only $2 dollars.

It comes with of course the staple in every Vietnamese cuisine garden salad of mint, lettuce & cilantros

The total bill is only $4 dollars again Good food Cheap eats… Rat hue made food for the goods affordable to the masses.