Buzz
When exploring Ha Long Bay, beyond the famous squid sausage on the culinary map, visitors also have a deep fondness for the Quang Ninh crab noodle dish made from the unique cù kỳ crab, a type of rock crab found in these coastal waters.
Savor the Exquisite Quang Ninh Crab Noodles in Ha Long
Travelers to Quang Ninh province are always curious about the specialty, cù kỳ. Similar to crabs, cù kỳ distinguishes itself with noticeably larger claws compared to its body size, a brownish shell, and green eyes. The preferred part is the claw, with a tender, non-fatty body, rich in nutrients like other crab and shellfish bodies.
Cù kỳ is easily found in seafood markets in Ha Long. There are many culinary variations using this seafood, with the most famous being cù kỳ noodles. This dish originates from the fishing villages, where, during the cù kỳ season, instead of just grilling and steaming, locals devised a way to cook noodles due to the abundance of cù kỳ shells, perfect for making noodle broth.
Fresh cù kỳ is thoroughly cleaned, with claws and body separated before being steamed. The body becomes the base for the broth. The cù kỳ body is ground separately, strained to remove impurities, boiled, and then the meat is extracted. The broth is then simmered with various seafood, dried shrimp, dried squid, tomatoes, and suddenly vinegar to create a sweet and mildly tangy broth.
The crab claws are meticulously peeled, leaving the meat intact, presenting an visually appealing bowl of noodles. The large, firm crab claws, expertly shelled, are not only eye-catching but also instantly attract diners as the bowl of noodles is served.
For a delicious bowl of Quang Ninh crab noodles, all seafood must be fresh. Freshly steamed shrimp and crab are carefully extracted for their meat. Especially, keeping them whole enhances the visual aesthetics of the noodle bowl. The shrimp is then lightly stir-fried with a bit of cooking oil and seasonings.
The characteristic thin Quang Ninh crab noodles are delicately soaked in broth, adorned with cù kỳ crab, crab meat, fresh squid slices, fish cake, grilled minced pork wrapped in betel leaves, herbs, water celery, spring onions, and tomatoes.
Seated before a harmonious bowl of vibrant colors, stimulating both the visual and olfactory senses, diners quickly scoop up some crispy salted chili in a glass jar, squeeze in lime, and add a spicy chili slice. Then, they savor the dish while the bowl of noodles is still steaming hot.
In the seafood noodle shops of Ha Long, Quang Ninh, there is an abundance of crunchy pickled bamboo shoots available for diners to enjoy liberally. Bamboo shoots are locally sourced and utilized in various dishes.
During the rainy season, bundles of bamboo shoots, weighing several kilograms, are sold at very affordable prices. The shoots are peeled, cut into square pieces, boiled, and soaked in a mixture of salt, chili, garlic, and sugar. This accompanying dish complements the meal, making diners revel in both the noodles and the flavorful bamboo shoots.
When visiting the heritage site of Ha Long Bay, don't miss out on discovering excellent eateries and indulging in a bowl of Quang Ninh's distinctive crab noodles with authentic flavors. Make sure to follow Mytour's blog for fascinating information to enhance your complete journey!
By Mytour
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourOctober 20, 2022
