Description
A comforting Vietnamese crab noodle soup with rich flavors, chewy rice noodles, and fresh herbs that bring the dish to life.
Ingredients
- Banh Da Noodles (flat, wide rice noodles)
- Fresh or canned crab meat
- Crab paste
- Fresh, ripe tomatoes
- Fried shallots
- Fish sauce
- Chicken or pork stock
- Fresh garlic
- Spring onions
- Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, perilla leaves)
- Salt
- Sugar
- Optional MSG
Instructions
- Prepare the Fried Shallots: Thinly slice shallots and fry them in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel and set aside.
- Make the Broth: In a large stockpot, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until softened, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken or pork stock and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in the crab paste, fish sauce, and a pinch of sugar and salt. Let the broth simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil water in a separate pot. Add the banh da noodles and cook according to the package instructions—usually 3-5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
- Add the Crab Meat: Gently add the crab meat to the simmering broth, being careful not to break it apart too much. Cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
- Assemble the Soup: Divide the cooked noodles into bowls. Ladle the hot broth and crab meat over the noodles. Top with fried shallots, chopped spring onions, and fresh herbs.
- Serve: Serve immediately with lime wedges, chili slices, and extra fish sauce on the side for customization.
Notes
[‘Don’t skip the fried shallots—they add a crunchy texture and deep flavor.’, ‘Use fresh ingredients like ripe tomatoes and fresh crab meat for the best results.’, ‘Simmer the broth gently to preserve the delicate seafood flavor.’, ‘Prep herbs and fried shallots ahead of time to save cooking time.’, ‘Serve chili slices on the side for customizable spice levels.’]
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: Vietnamese soup, crab noodle soup, Banh Da Cua, comfort food, Vietnamese recipe