Your trip to Hue city might be incomplete without enjoying culinary art famed nationwide for its fineness, elegance and taste. There are two kinds of cakes which have long been specialties in the city of Hue, those are, banh bot loc (steamed clear tapioca cake in banana leaf) and banh beo (steamed savory rice cake).

Banh bot loc is made of clear rice flour batter in a small flattish tube shape. Inside are shrimps and ground pork. Everything is wrapped and cooked in a banana leaves, served with fish sauce mixed with fresh chilies. It is the transparent outer layer revealing the red-colored shrimp inside that makes it look so beautiful and appetizing.

Though also made of rice flour with shrimp filling, banh beo is in small round shape that looks like a flower petal with red pistil in the center. It is put in a tiny bowl using with fish sauce when serving.

As the highlight of common people's cuisine, both cakes are available everywhere in Hue city. Despite many fancy dishes in Hue, banh beo and banh bot loc are still great favorites for locals and tourists alike.  

See other special food from Hue: Hue-style beef noodle, Hue mussel rice