Buzz
A bowl of Hoang Ky crab noodle soup, with its rich broth, sweet and tangy, is the perfect choice for scorching summer lunches.
When exploring Hanoi, make sure to visit the renowned crab noodle soup spot.
While Hanoi boasts many famous and delectable crab noodle soup spots, some diners passing through Tô Hiệu Street in Cầu Giấy can't resist stopping at this humble eatery. Despite doubts about the quality of a restaurant established since 1988, Hoang Ky crab noodle soup proudly maintains a steady stream of customers for nearly three decades.
Customers accustomed to other eateries may find the broth here unfamiliar on their first visit. According to the owner, the key difference lies in her reduction of vinegar to preserve the natural sweetness of the bone broth, resulting in a lighter and clearer soup. Those desiring a tangier taste can add garlic vinegar to their liking.
The price of a bowl of crab noodle soup varies depending on the choice of ingredients. The most expensive bowl, priced at 35,000 VND, includes beef, fish cake, crab paste, crispy tofu, and a substantial slice of mushroom. The restaurant does not serve snails, a common ingredient in crab noodle soup, so customers need to be aware before visiting. The beef portion may seem small because the restaurant selects only the finest and freshest meat, thus slightly raising the price. The most crucial element is the crab paste; the owner emphasizes the careful selection of crabs with plenty of roe, lightly sautéed with shallots until golden before adding the meat, ensuring both the roe and shallots turn the same rich golden hue before incorporating the crab meat.
Ripe tomatoes with a sweet and tangy taste enhance the dish, providing a well-rounded flavor without being overwhelming. Fresh, clean vegetables are finely sliced for individual servings. A jar of shrimp paste is readily available on each table, allowing customers to add it to their bowl of noodles according to their preference.
Eating noodles for 15,000 VND in the capital city may seem unbelievable, but the eatery is willing to serve a bowl with only crab paste and broth at this price, called the 'regular' portion, with additional noodles at no extra cost. If you're not flush with cash, consider this budget-friendly bowl of noodles.
The eatery sells over a ton of noodles daily, serving customers continuously from 7 am to 9 pm. However, it's still advisable to time your visit to avoid the possibility of the eatery running out of stock early. The restaurant is always bustling during the typical meal times throughout the day. Ms. Hong, a familiar face who visits the eatery around 6:30 pm, brings along a container to comfortably take the food home.
The staff at the eatery, many of whom are quite young, may not always communicate effectively with customers. However, they are generally well-behaved, especially in not aggressively soliciting customers like many other eateries in Hanoi.
Many people also have a positive impression of the eatery because of the Dong Ho paintings adorning the walls, evoking a sense of nostalgia for an old-fashioned space while enjoying a dish that has been a part of the capital's culinary scene for a long time.
According to Vnexpress
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJuly 12, 2016
