What is the most recommended dish to try during the Huế dragon boat dinner cruise?
If you’re only picking one thing to remember from the Huế dragon boat dinner cruise, go for the grilled lemongrass seafood skewers. Don’t overthink it. Just that dish alone kinda sums up the whole vibe — fresh, aromatic, a bit smoky, and full of flavor without being too fussy.
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They usually do it with a mix of prawns, squid, and sometimes fish — marinated with garlic, a touch of chili, and loads of lemongrass. It gets grilled right before dinner starts, so the smell hits you before you even sit down properly. I had it last time on the Sông Hương cruise in Huế, around March 2024 — still a bit breezy at night, and those skewers with a cold beer hit just right. Price-wise, it wasn’t crazy. The whole dinner cruise was about 890.000 VND, and this dish was included in the set.
They don’t make it overly fancy, which I liked. It’s plated simply, often on a banana leaf, still steaming. And the dipping sauce — a mix of salt, lime, and fresh chili — brings everything together. That sharp, zesty contrast cuts through the grilled flavors in the best way.
A few folks at my table leaned more toward the claypot fish or the coconut sticky rice (also solid picks), but those skewers disappeared fast. One guy even tried to ask for seconds. Not sure he got them, but can’t blame him for trying.
If you’re vegetarian, there’s usually a tofu or mushroom version too. Not quite the same, but still satisfying if you’re into that earthy, umami depth. So yeah, lemongrass seafood skewers. That’s the one you don’t want to skip.
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