Nomadicus
Google
Madam Thu was recommended by one of our guides, and with two locations in Hue—one geared a bit more toward groups and cooking classes—I initially expected a very tourist-oriented trap as opposed to a true local experience. And yes, at first glance it looks exactly like that but in reality, it was far from it. So much so that we dine here twice! The food is excellent, thoughtful, and a fantastic introduction to Hue’s rich culinary landscape.
The menu is designed so you can explore the city’s most iconic dishes without hopping around to multiple stalls. You can order individually, or go straight for the Hue Sample Platter, which brings together all the greatest hits: Banh Khoai, Banh Uot, Nem Lui, Banh Nam, Banh Beo, Banh Loc, Banh It, Nem Ran, and Cuon Tom Thit. It’s essentially a guided tour of Hue’s street food classics, all in one place.
We also added one of Hue’s most famous dishes, Bun Bo Hue, and it was spot on—aromatic broth, bold flavors, and plenty of depth.
Service ties everything together. The staff is warm, friendly, and genuinely enthusiastic about sharing Hue cuisine. You can feel their pride as they introduce each dish and explain its origins. That aligns with the fact that they offer Vietnamese cooking classes at both locations as well.
Whether its hands-on instruction or just stopping in for a meal, Madam Thu delivers an outstanding meal and an excellent snapshot of Hue’s culinary identity. It’s absolutely worth a visit.