Bánh Canh Cua

Fact: In Vietnam, bánh canh cua typically has a higher price than other bánh canh variants, all thanks to the addition of crabs.

Bánh Canh Cua: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/bɑːn kɑːn kwaː/

Alternative Name(s)

No

Dish Type

Noodle soups, rice dishes

Course

Main Course

Mealtime

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bánh Canh Cua: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified

Popular Bánh Canh Cua Variations

Bánh Canh Cua Chả Cá

Features slices of fish cake alongside crab in a rich broth

Bánh Canh Cua Ghẹ

Utilizes the distinctive taste of blue crab, known for its sweet meat

Bánh Canh Cua Giò Heo

Includes pork trotters for a gelatinous texture and richer flavor profile in the broth

Bánh Canh Cua Xào

Offer stir-fried crab meat that provides a caramelized flavor
Served in a broth with toppings

Bánh Canh Cua Lột

Highlights the soft profile of peeled crab

Bánh Canh Cua Nước Cốt Dừa

Characterized by the creamy, sweet taste of coconut milk in the broth

Bánh Canh Cua Phồng Tôm

Distinguished by the crunchy texture of shrimp crackers added on top

Bánh Canh Cua Rời

Named after the separation of the tapioca noodles when served

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Bánh canh cua is a Vietnamese thick noodle soup with noodles made from either rice or tapioca. As for the main highlight, crabs are the main attraction as it’s often boiled and served cut in half in a bowl.

To make the street-side dish more flavorful, the broth fully utilizes the water of boiling crab to infuse a strong seafood flavor. Additionally, the crab meat is only a part of the topping as the pork knuckles, shrimp, and straw mushrooms are also used to diversify the experience.

Besides the clear broth, some versions of bánh canh cua even employ cashew oil to produce a more attractive orange broth.

After getting to know the features of bánh canh cua, make sure to follow along to figure out its variants, how this dish is made, and the spots to find this dish in Vietnam before diving deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of eating it.

Plus, I’d like to give you some answers to common questions revolving around the dish. Then, explore some dishes that have similar features to bánh canh cua.

Bánh Canh Cua Images

Bánh canh cua is a hearty bowl of toppings and flavorful soup.

A bowl of bánh canh cua full with toppings.

The seafood profile of bánh canh cua makes it stand out.

What Are the Many Versions of Bánh Canh Cua?

Bánh canh cua is not about crab only, as many ingredients are used to produce various versions of this treat:

Bánh Canh Cua Chả Cá

Features slices of fish cake alongside crab in a rich broth

Bánh Canh Cua Ghẹ

Utilizes the distinctive taste of blue crab, known for its sweet meat

Bánh Canh Cua Giò Heo

Includes pork trotters for a gelatinous texture and richer flavor profile in the broth

Bánh Canh Cua Xào

Offer stir-fried crab meat that provides a caramelized flavor
Served in a broth with toppings

Bánh Canh Cua Lột

Highlights the soft profile of peeled crab

Bánh Canh Cua Nước Cốt Dừa

Characterized by the creamy, sweet taste of coconut milk in the broth

Bánh Canh Cua Phồng Tôm

Distinguished by the crunchy texture of shrimp crackers added on top

Bánh Canh Cua Rời

Named after the separation of the tapioca noodles when served

After knowing about the variants of bánh canh cua, you should have a look at the process of making a standard bowl of this lovely crab noodle soup.

How to Make Bánh Canh Cua?

Making bánh canh cua is all about balancing the flavor that ideally brings out the flavor of the crabs in the dish:

Step 1: Broth Preparation

Start by boiling crab shells in water to create a rich seafood stock. This may take a couple of hours to extract all the flavors. Season the broth with salt, fish sauce, and a bit of sugar to taste.

Step 2: Crab Preparation

Once cooked, remove the crab meat from the shells. However, some often just cut the crab in half for serving.

Step 3: Additional Toppings

Prepare additional toppings like pork knuckles, shrimp, and straw mushrooms. Pork knuckles are typically simmered until tender, shrimp are peeled and deveined, and mushrooms are cleaned and sliced.

Step 4: Noodle Preparation

Bánh canh noodles, which are thicker than most other Vietnamese noodles, are either homemade or store-bought. They are boiled until they are just tender and then rinsed under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 5: Assembling the Bowl

Place a portion of the cooked noodles in a bowl. Add the prepared toppings, including the crab meat, pork, shrimp, and mushrooms.

Step 6: Finishing the Broth

Before serving, ensure the broth is seasoned to your liking and hot. Some versions of the dish may also include a spoonful of annatto oil for color.

Step 7: Serving

Pour the hot broth over the noodles and toppings into the bowl. Garnish with chopped green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Chili paste or fish sauce can be added to taste.

The process of making bánh canh cua is relatively laborious, but it’s worth it. However, you should prepare yourself with some of the locations that sell bánh canh cua in Vietnam.

Where to Eat Bánh Canh Cua in Vietnam?

When in Vietnam, these destinations are your ticket to get a lovely bowl of bánh canh cua to enjoy the flavor of Vietnamese cuisine:

Remember, these are just some of the locations that specialize in bánh canh cua to deliver the best experience. Now, you should also be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of eating bánh canh cua to determine whether this dish fits your taste buds or not.

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Canh Cua

These are the features that many should consider carefully when eating bánh canh cua:

Before you head out to enjoy bánh canh cua, make sure to learn about some of the inquiries that people often have about the dish.

Bánh Canh Cua FAQs

Bánh Đa Cua

Bánh đa cua is a Vietnamese noodle soup from Hai Phong, featuring flat rice noodles, crab-and-pork broth, and various toppings.

Bún Riêu Cua

Bún riêu cua is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of rice vermicelli, a clear crab-based broth, crab cakes, and other toppings.