Located on Vo Thi Sau Street in the center of Hue City, Madam Thu Restaurant stands out with its elegant signboard—black background accented by eye-catching yellow and white. The restaurant’s space immediately creates an impression of warmth and intimacy. Especially in the evening, the soft yellow lighting and decorative string lights contribute to a romantic and inviting atmosphere.
The restaurant’s design harmoniously blends modern architecture—such as large, clean glass doors—with traditional elements of Vietnamese street food, including open space and rustic bamboo tables and chairs. This combination creates a welcoming, comfortable environment while still ensuring professionalism and quality, attracting both locals and tourists in search of an authentic Hue culinary experience.
Mandam Thu Restaurant Information
- Address: 45 Vo Thi Sau, Hue City
- Opening Hours: 10:00 to 22:30
- Phone number: +84 90 512 66 61
Google maps of Madam Thu Restaurant 1 and 2:
Top Dishes in the Menu of Madam Thu Restaurant to Try
Madam Thu’s menu is a symphony of flavors from the ancient capital of Hue, elevating local and street food to a collection of beautifully presented specialties. Each dish is carefully crafted. Among the diverse offerings, there are three must-try dishes to fully experience the essence of Hue cuisine at this restaurant:
1. Nem Lui (Grilled Chopped Pork) – Lemongrass Flavor on a Bamboo Mat
- Specialty at Madam Thu: Nem Lui is served whole on fresh lemongrass stalks, neatly arranged on a bamboo tray lined with green banana leaves. This rustic presentation enhances the freshness of the ingredients. It’s accompanied by a plate of fresh raw vegetables (lettuce, herbs, green banana, star fruit, etc.), all beautifully sliced, and soft rice paper, ready for rolling.
- Flavor: The grilled meat has a fragrant lemongrass aroma, rich in flavor and perfectly balanced when dipped in a thick, orange peanut sauce that is fatty and slightly sweet. The entire process of rolling and dipping offers a fun and interactive experience.
2. Banh Khoai (Stuffed Rice Pancake) – Golden on a Green Tray
- Specialty at Madam Thu: Golden, crispy Banh Khoai are neatly cut (or left whole) and placed on a prominent layer of banana leaves. They are often served on a bamboo tray alongside other rolls (like Banh Uot), creating a miniature “feast tray.” Notably, the dish is always accompanied by a bowl of Hue’s signature broth (thick dipping sauce) served in a blue-and-white porcelain bowl adorned with elegant antique motifs.
- Flavor: The crust is crispy right out of the oven, and the shrimp and meat filling is rich and savory. The dipping sauce is key, offering a rich, slightly spicy, and aromatic taste from the meat, resulting in an irresistible combination of hot, crispy, and thick textures.
3. Traditional Cake Trays (Hue Mini Cakes) – A Variety on Blue Porcelain
- Specialties at Madam Thu: Whether it’s Banh Beo or other traditional cakes, they are served in small, delicate porcelain cups (like Banh Beo) or neatly stacked, often featuring blue-and-white patterns typical of ancient Hue. The arrangement of these small cakes, placed side by side on the table (as seen in the photo), creates a rich, indulgent display, inviting diners to sample multiple types in one meal.
- Flavor: With Banh Beo, you’ll experience the soft texture of rice flour combined with the salty and fatty taste of fried shrimp and crispy pork skin, all dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. The result is a dish that embodies the sophistication and elegance typical of the ancient capital’s cuisine.
Madam Thu’s strength lies not only in flavor but also in the way they transform familiar dishes into works of art, presented beautifully on the dining table. This allows visitors to experience the quintessence of Hue cuisine in the most authentic and traditional way.
Gallery of Madam Thu Restaurant
Here is a collection of beautiful photos of Madam Thu Restaurant and the famous dishes on its menu, selected from the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Highlights & Suggestions
Highlights
Madam Thu is not only famous for its meticulously prepared Hue dishes, but also for the friendliness and professionalism of its staff, who are fluent in English. Given that the majority of the restaurant’s customers are international tourists, Madam Thu places a strong emphasis on both dedicated service and the foreign language skills of its staff.
Although it has only been around since 2017, Madam Thu has quickly become an ideal destination for those wanting to explore local cuisine. The restaurant’s menu mainly features traditional dishes and Hue street food, but with a service style that caters to international visitors.
Currently, the restaurant has two locations on the same street, just a short distance from each other. However, I was particularly impressed with Location 1 at 45 Vo Thi Sau. The space here is both cozy, with indoor air conditioning, and airy, with an outdoor seating area.
Madam Thu serves both lunch and dinner, though evening meals are always the ideal choice for a cozy dining experience. As a result, the restaurant is also known as one of the most family-friendly dining spots in Hue.
Madam Thu is known for its high-quality traditional dishes and friendly service, making it a top spot for local cuisine. Explore more dining options in our guide to the popular restaurants in Hue City.
Suggestions
During peak hours (7 PM to 9 PM), the restaurant can get quite crowded. To ensure you have a seat, it’s best to book a table in advance.
If you want to dive deeper into Hue cuisine, after your meal at Madam Thu, you can join the cooking class organized by the restaurant. The restaurant offers three sessions each day, providing an excellent opportunity to learn more about Hue’s specialties.
Additionally, if you’d like to explore the street dishes at different locations, don’t miss out on the street food tour we organize. It’s a unique way to discover more of the city’s unique flavors.