These four modest crab noodle soup stalls not only boast affordable prices but also guarantee unparalleled quality. No room for doubt here!
Savor the perfection of crab noodle soup at these four establishments, and you won't feel the need to splurge on fancy, Americanized flavors!
1. Ham Long Crab Noodle Soup
With 25 years of expertise, Mrs. Anh's mobile crab noodle soup cart is a familiar sight to the residents of Ham Long – Le Van Huu area. Similar to many street vendors, her entire setup fits into two baskets: one for broth and one for vegetables, crab pieces, bowls, and utensils. Despite the compact size, everything is neatly organized and looks exceptionally clean.

Mrs. Anh's broth is distinctive – light yellow and clear. To the untrained eye, the absence of crab shells may cause a bit of hesitation, but for those familiar with crab cuisine or homemade crab soup, this is unmistakably the authentic crab broth. The crab pieces are scooped separately, carefully selected for color, and served with a small ladle into the bowl. While this style of crab presentation may lack the excitement of biting into solid crab chunks, when mixed with the noodle, it ensures an even distribution of crab goodness throughout the dish.

Crafted in the tradition of simplicity, Mrs. Anh's bowl of crab noodle soup consists solely of noodles (or vermicelli) paired with water spinach, morning glory (when in season), a spoonful of prepared crab, small pork ear slices, and broth. If opting for mixed crab noodles, add fried shallots and crushed peanuts. It's as straightforward as it gets yet irresistibly delicious.

Mrs. Anh's crab noodle soup bowl is neither too large nor overwhelming, just perfectly charming to satisfy without overwhelming. The price for a bowl of crab noodles here ranges from 25,000 to 35,000 VND, depending on the amount of pork ear slices. One reassuring aspect of dining here is the close proximity of Mrs. Anh's stall to her home. The bowls and plates are brought home for washing, ensuring hygiene. The stall operates from 11 am to around 4 pm daily.
2. Crab Noodle Soup on Ly Thuong Kiet Street
Although just a tiny mobile stall, it initially sold on the go, and only recently secured a space for customers to sit temporarily, the reputation of Ly Thuong Kiet's crab noodle soup seems to speak for itself. In reality, with over 10 years of experience, this crab noodle soup spot has become a fixture for office workers in the area and multiple generations of students from Viet Duc School.

The stall's assets are compactly packed in two baskets – one for the constantly boiling broth and the other for the 'storehouse' of bowls, crab noodles, accompanying vegetables, all neatly arranged for efficient use of space. When a customer arrives, Mrs. Anh assembles the dish according to their preferences, adding a few slices of thin fish cake, small pork ear pieces, and a touch of fried shallots.

Ly Thuong Kiet's crab noodle soup carries the pure, savory taste of the noodles and vermicelli, soaked in rich, flavorful broth, complemented by the 'side' ingredients to avoid monotony but without overwhelming. The standout elements are undoubtedly the broth and the crab pieces. Mrs. Anh doesn't scoop the crab separately but leaves the floating crab chunks in the pot. When serving, she adds one or two small pieces to the bowl. Eating a piece of crab here reveals its unique tenderness and fragrant aroma.

A delightful touch at this spot is that, after serving a bowl of crab noodle soup or vermicelli, Mrs. Anh thoughtfully adds a piece of paper underneath to prevent it from getting too hot. Given the sidewalk setting, there are no tables and chairs; customers simply sit on small plastic stools and enjoy their meal. A complete bowl of crab noodle soup here is only 30,000 VND. The stall operates from around noon until 4 or 5 pm, and they often sell out.
3. Crab Noodle Soup at Hang Chinh
For those passionate about crab noodle soup, Hang Chinh's name must ring a bell. With over 20 years in the trade, this establishment has been a fixture on Hang Chinh Street for about 5 years now. Despite being called a 'stall,' Hang Chinh's crab noodle soup is humble, with only a few tables and plastic chairs for customers. Yet, every lunchtime, the place is bustling with patrons.

Anyone who has tasted Hang Chinh's crab noodle soup is likely impressed by its light, crab-flavored broth, perfectly-cooked noodles, neither too soft nor soggy, and the aromatic crab chunks. Many patrons claim the addictive quality of the noodles, as they are both chewy and tender, providing a delightful rice flavor that not every crab noodle spot can achieve.
It's known that the special noodle used here is sourced from Bác Thom's hometown in Nam Dinh to cater to the sophisticated taste of Hanoi residents. However, a great crab noodle soup isn't just about good noodles; it's also about the broth, the crab chunks, and the accompanying fried shallots. Bác Thom shares that he cooks 3 kg of crab every day to create the flavorful broth and tender crab chunks.

Each bowl of crab noodle soup at Hang Chinh is a harmonious blend of soft red noodles, water spinach, morning glory (or seasonal greens), slices of fish cake, pork ear slices in pale pink hues (offering three varieties: beef, sausage, and pork ear for selection), crushed peanuts, a spoonful of prepared crab, and a touch of fried shallots. Just add a bit of chili, vinegar, and a few spoons of broth, mix well, and enjoy a satisfying and never boring meal.

Hang Chinh Crab Noodle Soup is available daily from 11 am to around 4 pm. Whether mixed or in broth, a serving of crab noodle soup here is only 30,000 VND, delivering a delicious and satisfying bowl, perfect for a flavorful lunch break for office workers.
4. Crab Noodle Soup at Trung Liet
In Trung Liet Street, Dong Da district, there's a renowned spot for crab noodle soup and mixed vermicelli. Situated within a collective housing compound near the turn from Thai Thinh to Trung Liet, this establishment has been serving customers for over 10 years. The menu features only crab noodle soup and mixed vermicelli in two versions: with broth or mixed. Despite the limited options, the place is always bustling with customers.

While customers can choose between mixed and broth versions, it seems that the mixed dishes are more popular here. A bowl of mixed vermicelli, priced at around 30,000 VND, is generously filled with fried tofu, pork ear, vegetables, beef, and shallots, all bathed in a rich, spicy, and oily broth. However, the greens here are not water spinach but mustard greens, and the broth lacks the distinct crab flavor.

In terms of ambiance, this spot has a rustic appeal, offering both outdoor seating in the collective compound and indoor seating (depending on the time of day). When dining here for lunch, you need to park your vehicle in the collective compound, but customers dining in are exempt from the parking fee. Remember to keep the ticket provided by the staff to retrieve your vehicle when leaving.
Source: Afamily
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourJuly 14, 2017