How to Cook Rich and Flavorful Field Crab Noodle Soup

Field crab noodle soup is a traditional, rich, and delicious dish in Vietnamese cuisine. The intense flavor of the broth, finely minced crab, and chewy vermicelli will leave you irresistibly captivated. In this article, Mytour guides you through the process of cooking field crab noodle soup at home with simple and readily available ingredients!

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Ingredients for Cooking Field Crab Noodle Soup

To embark on creating delicious and authentic bun rieu, first, gather a few essential ingredients:

Simple Recipe for Cooking Bun Rieu 

Bun rieu is a beloved traditional dish known for its delicious and nutritious flavor. Let's learn the easy way to cook bun rieu with Mytour!

Prepare the Ingredients

• Clean and cut tomatoes in halves or bite-sized pieces. Wash and finely chop green onions.
• Rinse pig's blood with hot water, then cut it into small pieces.
• Soak dried shrimp in water until soft, then rinse and drain. Mix two duck eggs thoroughly with minced dried shrimp.
• Heat a pan, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until hot, then add tomatoes and stir for about 1 minute before turning off the heat.
• Clean field crabs, extract eggs, discard intestines, and grind finely. Heat 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan, sauté minced purple onion with crushed garlic. Add crab eggs, stir-fry for about 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Making crab vermicelli:

• Grind field crabs finely into cold water (3 liters), soak for about 15 minutes. Sprinkle 1 coffee spoon of salt into the water and stir well with a spoon.
• Next, grate this crab water to remove the crab residue. Then, add 3 coffee spoons of sugar, 2 coffee spoons of salt, 2 coffee spoons of shrimp sauce, and ½ coffee spoon of MSG to the crab water and stir well. Add prepared dried shrimp and eggs to the crab water mixture and stir.
• Bring the crab water to a boil. When boiling, scoop the floating crab vermicelli onto a separate bowl, then use a sieve to drain the water from the vermicelli bowl.
• Grind the vermicelli finely, mix with 2 duck eggs, 1 tablespoon of green onion until smooth. Spread the sautéed crab meat evenly on the vermicelli and put the vermicelli bowl in the microwave for 3 minutes at medium temperature.

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Cooking the Broth for Bun Rieu

• Sauté tomatoes in the broth that has been cleared of crab residue. Add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 3 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of MSG. Stir to dissolve the spices, then turn off the heat.
• You can taste the broth to adjust the seasoning as it also includes shrimp sauce.
• Finally, add pig's blood and fried tofu, wait for it to boil again, then turn off the heat.

Presentation and Enjoyment

• Place the rice vermicelli in a bowl, scoop the crab mixture on top, pour the broth with tomatoes, tofu, blood, and sprinkle with green onions. You can also add your favorite sausages.
• To enhance the delicious taste of the dish, you can enjoy it with lime or kumquat, chili, shrimp paste, and various herbs.

How to Choose Delicious Field Crabs

• When buying crabs, check if the crab shells are shiny, firm, and smooth. Also, flip the crab and press on the flap under the belly. If the flap does not sink, those are full and delicious crabs. However, if the flap is indented, they are old, less meaty, and less tasty.
• Avoid buying crabs in the middle of the lunar month because at this time, crabs molt, making it easier to get crabs that are less meaty. Choose to buy crabs in the early or late lunar month because during these times, crabs are fat, firm, and the most delicious.

What to Eat with Crab Vermicelli Soup?

• You can add tomatoes, tofu, blood pudding, Vietnamese pork sausage, fish sausage, shrimp sausage, pork bones, or snails to the crab vermicelli soup to make it more delicious and visually appealing.
• You can also enjoy crab vermicelli soup with condiments like lime or kumquat, fried shallots, green onions, chili, shrimp paste, etc., to enhance the sour, spicy, and salty flavors of the dish.
• You can add shredded water spinach, bean sprouts, basil, various raw vegetables, etc., to provide vitamins and minerals to your body.

Explore Some Delicious Bun Rieu Restaurants in Saigon

Saigon is renowned for its diverse and delicious cuisine, with Bun Rieu being a flavorful dish loved by many. Here are some famous Bun Rieu eateries in Saigon that you should try when visiting the city!

Bun Rieu at Ben Thanh Market Stall

This is a familiar address for Bun Rieu enthusiasts, from locals to international tourists. The standout feature of the Ben Thanh Market Bun Rieu stall is the large pot of simmering Bun Rieu with rich toppings such as crab vermicelli, tofu, blood pudding, tomatoes, and more. The bowl of Bun here is very hearty, including pork hock, crab vermicelli, and various sausages.

The generous portion of pork knuckle and the abundance of crab bricks make the bowl of Bun even more enticing. The broth, simmered from bone marrow, has a naturally sweet and rich flavor. Diners can pair it with shrimp paste to enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Address: 16-18 Phan Bội Châu, Ben Thanh District 1
• Opening Hours: 14:00 – 23:00

Bun Rieu with Crab and Snails at Banana Garden

For die-hard fans of crab noodle soup, you can't miss the renowned crab and snail noodle soup spot on Vinh Vien Street. The place boasts a simple setting with closely arranged tables and chairs, yet it consistently draws a crowd from the moment it opens. To reach this eatery, head down Vinh Vien Street from Ngo Quyen Street, then turn left at the Ngo Quyen intersection.

The distinctive feature of the establishment is their noodle bowl served with snails, making it incredibly enticing. Each serving comes with a variety of toppings, including crab bricks, snails, and coagulated pig blood. The blood is crispy, devoid of any gamey smell, and the snails are tender, complemented by the spicy ginger fish sauce. The broth has a refreshing acidity, enhanced with tofu and tomatoes. This delightful flavor is sure to win over even the most discerning palates!

• Address: 417 Vinh Vien Street, Ward 10
• Opening Hours: 11:00 – 21:30

Bun Rieu in Ong Tien Alley

One of the best spots for crab noodle soup in Saigon is undoubtedly Ong Tien Alley, also known as Alley 96, located across from Phu Nhuan Market. Despite being a small sidewalk stall, it consistently draws a crowd due to its exceptional food quality.

The standout feature here is the deliciously chewy crab cake made from enticing field crabs. The broth carries a distinctive aroma, neither overly sweet nor salty. The dipping sauce is luscious, accompanied by fresh vegetables and crispy snails. Despite being a sidewalk eatery, cleanliness is a priority, with all ingredients neatly stored in clean glass cabinets. Diners will be delighted by the generous bowl of noodle soup with enticing and diverse toppings.

• Address: Alley 96, Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 17, Phu Nhuan District
• Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Tu Lan Crab Noodle Soup

If you're in District 10 and craving an 'affordable and delicious' bowl of crab noodle soup, look no further than this spot on Nguyen Tri Phuong Street. The eatery consistently attracts a bustling crowd with its quality food at reasonable prices.

For just 25,000 VND, you'll enjoy a bowl brimming with various toppings like crab roe, congealed pig's blood, pork sausage, and more. The crab roe is made from fresh, sizable crabs, retaining its robust texture in the broth. The broth, visually appealing and fragrant, strikes a balance, not overly sweet or salty, catering to diverse palates. Diners can pair it with fresh vegetables and dipping sauce according to their preferences.

• Address: 413, Vinh Vien Street, Ward 5, District 10
• Opening Hours: 6:00 – 18:00

Thu Nga Crab Noodle Soup

While the space at Thu Nga Crab Noodle Soup may be modest, it consistently draws a bustling crowd due to its irresistibly delicious noodle soup. The bowl is enticing with an abundance of ingredients, featuring crab roe, pork sausage, and more.

Diners will be pleasantly surprised by the richness of the ingredients in the bowl—thick and luscious crab roe, large and tender pork sausage, fragrant pork patties, all meticulously prepared and fresh. Notably, the broth is visually appealing and can be accompanied by a plate of fresh vegetables for a fully satisfying experience.

• Address: Q32 Vinh Hoi Residential Area, 41 Street, Ward 6, District 4
• Opening Hours: 11:00 – 19:00

Mytour hopes that the guide on how to cook crab noodle soup along with some tips for selecting ingredients above will help you explore more cooking recipes and succeed in your culinary endeavors! Don't forget to visit Mytour Ngon to purchase fresh and high-quality ingredients at incredibly favorable prices today!