Bún bò Huế is the Vietnamese noodle soup named for Huế and known for beef, lemongrass and chili.
The dish comes from Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam in Central Vietnam. Its broth is typically built from beef bones, lemongrass, shrimp paste and chili, giving it a deeper and often spicier flavor than the milder broths associated with northern pho. Round rice vermicelli distinguishes it from the flat rice noodles used in pho.
Common toppings include slices of beef, pork sausage, pork knuckle and herbs. Recipes vary substantially between restaurants and regions, so not every bowl contains every topping. The name can also cause confusion: bún means rice vermicelli, bò means beef, and Huế identifies the regional style.
Bún bò Huế is not simply a beef version of pho. Its fermented shrimp paste, lemongrass and chili-centered seasoning create a separate culinary tradition tied to Central Vietnamese cooking.