The delicate ingredients, preparation, and presentation of Hue royal cuisine have long been considered cultural hallmarks of the ancient imperial city. Hue cuisine is considered not only a sophisticated work of culinary art but the embodiment of the philosophy of the ancestors.
Hue royal cuisine is considered the pinnacle of Vietnamese gastronomy for its sophistication and refinement. What makes Hue royal cuisine unique is its delicate way of cooking and a presentation that makes it like a work of art. Hue culinary artisan Ton Nu Thi Ha says there is a special way of using spices in cooking Hue royal cuisine: "Hue royal food has a special flavor thanks to the way spices are used. Pepper is added to the food several times. Pepper is added while mixing the ingredients, while cooking, and again before finishing cooking. Pepper is also put into the dish just before it is served".
Hue royal food not only has a delicious taste but is also eye-catching. It creates a harmony between color, and taste, between yin and yang, between hot and cold. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Relic Preservation Center, said: "Hue royal cuisine is delicate and elegant but not extravagant. The ingredients are carefully chosen and cooked in a sophisticated way. The food is healthy and follows the Vietnamese philosophy which balances yin and yang".
At the 2014 Hue festival, Hue was determined to restore typical dishes that had nearly fallen into oblivion – dished like sea cucumber with shrimp and vegetables, sweet potato cake, and Hue chicken salad. Artisan Ho Thi Hoang Anh, the successor of Ho Van Ta, head of a cooking team that served at the royal court of King Khai Dinh’s regime under the Nguyen Dynasty, said Hue royal food is so sophisticated, even the bowls and plates are specially designed. Royal chopsticks were made from ivory or precious wood. Ms. Ho Thi Hoang Anh: "When reproducing those dishes, we focus on their taste. High quality ingredients were used - Phu Quoc sea cucumbers, Truong Sa shellfish, Ly Son garlic, Phu Quoc pepper, and Hue lotus seeds".
Nguyen Phuong from Hanoi shared his feelings while sampling a kind of royal cake in Hue: "This cake is really special. The mixture of ingredients and sophisticated cooking technique show the skill of the cook".
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Enjoying Hue royal food while listening to Hue royal court music is an unforgettable experience for visitors to Hue. The Hue Relic Preservation Center plans to reproduce and promote more dishes from the royal menu so visitors can enjoy the authentic taste and refinement of the royal cuisine.
