Hue Gourmet

Focusing on the distinctive food of Hue (pronounced "hweh"), located in the center of Vietnam and the country’s one-time imperial capital, this counter-service stand in the food court of Mekong Plaza, the Asian-themed mall in Mesa, is a rare treat for lovers of Vietnamese food and a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone else. Highly flavorful, ridiculously affordable, and unlike anything else in the Valley, the menu includes a taste of the city’s royal side as well as more modern-day meals inspired from throughout Vietnam. To start or share, try banh knot, bite-size versions of the Vietnamese pancake, or dainty dishes of petite filled rice cakes called banh beo. Stellar soups include the lemongrass-heavy bo Hue and the Vietnamese crab soup called banh canh cua. And don’t miss the popular Hue street food com hen for an intensely unique and intricate dish that gets better with every bite.