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| - Hue is a very fun place to stop in for a casual meal that offers more than what you're used to at your typical Vietnamese pho spot. It's basically set in the food court of Mekong Plaza and you'll order from the counter using the menu and photographs of items before sitting in one of the few simple tables just a few feet from the counter. When we were there, the counter server didn't speak a lot of English, but did his best to explain any items we questioned and came out multiple times to refill our small beverage cups.
What the place lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in bang for your buck. When we were there, we tried the banh beo, tiny rice cakes that slid into your mouth or onto a spoon in a single round piece from a circular dish - one order came with a dozen tiny dishes! We also had the banh loc la, clear, chewy pillows of tapioca flour with bits of crispy shrimp inside, and the banh gio trung cut, a pyramid-shaped pocket of dense rice with wood ear mushrooms and what tasted like seasoned sausage inside (reminiscent of the banana leaf wrapped rice pockets you see at dim sum). We weren't impressed by the cha gio tom, or egg rolls, but my husband loved the com tom nuoc cham (broken rice with pork) which was served with tomato and cucumber slices and a bowl of broth. The pork was tender and flavorful and this dish is easily accessible to diners who might not be willing to try some of Hue Gourmet's less familiar dishes. We can't wait to get back and try more of them!
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