While many travelers rave about phở, bún chả, and bánh mì, there's a lesser-known gem in Vietnamese cuisine that deserves your attention: Bún riêu cua - freshwater crab noodle soup 🦀✨
This dish is a favorite among locals and can be found on nearly every street in Hanoi. Known as the 'Vietnamese rustic specialties,' it ticks all the boxes: tasty, nutritious, and affordable. With its rich, savory broth and a hint of tanginess, you’ll regret missing out if you don’t give it a try while in Vietnam.
🦀 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 “𝐵𝑢́𝑛 𝑟𝑖𝑒̂𝑢 𝑐𝑢𝑎”? 🦀
“Bún riêu cua”-freshwater crab noodle soup is a simple yet cherished dish in Vietnam, especially loved in Hanoi and the Northern Delta. It started as a rustic meal for farmers, made with freshwater crabs caught after the rice harvest. Over time, this humble dish has evolved into a favorite, particularly enjoyed by city folks during the hot summer days.
🌾 𝐴 𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 i𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 🌾
The original Bún riêu cua was made from an assortment of easy-to-find ingredients like freshwater crabs, tomatoes, rice vermicelli, and dấm bỗng (a type of fermented rice vinegar typical of Northern Vietnamese cuisine, used to eliminate the fishy smell of the crabs). But as preferences have changed over time, this noodle soup now comes with a variety of toppings such as crispy fried tofu, Vietnamese sausage, beef, crispy pork, fried shallots, shrimp paste,… Depending on your taste, you can customize your bowl with your favorite toppings, making it as simple or as rich as you like. 🤤These additions enhance the dish's flavors, creating a more robust experience that contrasts with the dish's original delicate broth.
✨ 𝐴 𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 ✨
Bún riêu cua may be street food, but it’s a dish that requires skill and precision in preparation. In the Northern style, care is taken to maintain its light yet rich flavor. Freshwater crabs are pounded, strained, and simmered until the crab meat forms delicate clumps. The broth is lightly sour and refreshing, with sauté tomatoes and dấm bỗng (fermented rice vinegar) adding a unique aroma.
🥰 𝐴 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑒 🥰
The sweetness of the crab pairs nicely with the richness of the broth, while the tangy tomatoes and dấm bỗng (fermented rice vinegar) bring everything together. Plus, crispy fried tofu adds a satisfying crunch, while seasonings like shrimp paste, chili, and fresh herbs complete the dish’s perfectly balanced flavor! 😋🍜 Each bite will keep you coming back for more! 😍😍😍
🌆 𝐴 𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 🌆
Bún riêu cua is not only a beloved street food but also a cultural icon of Hanoi’s culinary scene. Whether from a simple street cart or a high-end restaurant, it’s a go-to choice for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. Imagine sitting under shady trees, savoring a steaming bowl of bún riêu cua, and enjoying the fresh, rich flavors that evoke the rustic charm of the Northern countryside 🌿☀️ You won’t want to miss this delightful experience!
Join us to try "Bún riêu cua" and other lesser-known dishes: click here
Ngoc Anh (Ice)
Beyond Vietnam
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