If you’ve set foot in Hue, you must definitely visit the famous Banh Khoai Hong Mai restaurant. It’s located right at the corner of Hue Citadel, at the intersection of Dinh Tien Hoang and Nguyen Bieu streets—very easy to find. The restaurant serves Banh Khoai—a distant relative of Southern Vietnamese pancakes, but with a thicker, crispier, and more flavorful crust—along with fragrant grilled pork rolls.
For more ideas on where to eat in this royal city, you can also explore our guide to the best restaurants in Hue.
1. Restaurant Information:
- Name: HONG MAI PANCAKE RESTAURANT (Bánh Khoái Hồng Mai in Vietnamese)
- Address: 110 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hue City
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Phone: +84 234 3535 046
2. The Atmosphere at First Glance
Hong Mai Pancake Restaurant is located on a small street corner but still exudes elegance.
The outdoor area has only a few small tables, just enough for one or two people to sit. The open-air space is breezy, and occasionally, you’ll spot a few foreign guests enjoying their food among the cool, green vines.
Inside, the shop is packed with people and extremely lively, especially during lunch and dinner hours. The sizzling sound of banh khoai frying over the fire is sometimes punctuated by the crackle of splashing oil.
The cooking area is close to the dining tables, allowing you to watch the cakes being fried or snap a few photos of the grilled spring rolls smoking on the grill. The whole space is neat and clean, and the staff work tirelessly, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.
3. Its Dishes: Crispy Combo of the Ancient Capital
When visiting Hong Mai, you absolutely must try the banh khoai—and don’t miss out on a serving of nem lui (grilled spring rolls) to round out the local taste.
The banh khoai is served hot and golden, filled with shrimp, char siu, quail eggs, and plenty of bean sprouts.
How to Eat, Hue Style: Tear a piece of fresh green lettuce, place it on top of the crispy banh khoai, and add a bit of cucumber and sweet-and-sour shredded carrots. Then, pour a little of the restaurant’s signature dipping sauce (Nước lèo) over the top.
Each bite offers the perfect combination: the crispy crust crumbles in your mouth, followed by the rich, savory-sweet flavor of the peanut and pork liver sauce. The shrimp filling is sweet, the fragrant char siu melts beautifully, and the raw vegetables add a refreshing contrast. It’s much richer and “heavier” than banh xeo.
Add a few skewers of nem lui, grilled until golden brown and fragrant with lemongrass. The meat is chewy and slightly sweet—roll it with fresh vegetables and dip it in the sauce, and you’ll experience a truly sublime mix of flavors.
Reference Prices:
- Banh Khoai: about 30,000 VND per piece
- Nem Lui: 10,000 VND per skewer (usually served on a plate of 10)
4. Highlights & Suggestions
4.1. Highlingts:
Consistently Good Food Quality: Whether you visit when the restaurant is crowded or quiet, the quality of the banh khoai remains consistent—crispy, hot, and generously filled. The ingredients are fresh, and the spring rolls are fragrant.
The Soul Is in the Sauce: The dipping sauce here is top-notch. Its rich, salty-sweet flavor is perfectly balanced, and the texture is just right. This sauce is what truly sets Hong Mai apart.
Professional Service: Service is quick, and the packaging—especially for takeout—is very neat and hygienic.
4.2. A Few Notes:
- Space Can Feel Cramped: Because the restaurant is so popular, it can get a bit crowded during peak hours. Seating may be tight, and you might have to wait a bit longer during lunch or dinner, as the banh khoai is freshly made to order.
- Suggestion: Try to avoid peak meal times (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 6:00 – 7:30 PM) to reduce wait times and find a more comfortable seat.
- Tip: If you enjoy a little heat, add some of the chili sauce that’s always available on the table. It gives the dish that extra kick of Hue’s bold flavor.
We also include this restaurant in our food tour. If you’d like to explore the local cuisine with us, check out our Hue Street Food Tour!