Vietnamese soup always holds a special place in the hearts of culinary enthusiasts, and one of the most exquisite and flavorful dishes you must try is Vietnamese crab soup. This dish offers a delightful culinary experience, showcasing the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. If you have the opportunity to taste it once, you will undoubtedly never forget this exceptional dish.
1. Origin and key ingredients of Vietnamese crab soup
One of the dishes made from Vietnamese seafood, Vietnamese crab soup, is often chosen as an appetizer for parties. This soup has origins in the West and was previously only served at large restaurants, and the taste is as different as it is now. Gradually, chefs adapted it to suit local tastes.
The Vietnamese crab soup ingredients are crab meat, chicken or quail eggs, and the addition of chicken bones to create a richer, more nutritious broth. The preparation of Vietnamese crab soup is relatively simple. First, chicken bones are simmered to enhance the broth’s sweetness. After the bones are removed, strain the broth to remove any leftover bone fragments. Gradually add the tapioca starch slurry to slightly thicken the broth. Then, eggs are swiftly whisked in to create silky egg strands. Finally, add crab meat and season to taste. When enjoying this soup, you can add a little pepper, sesame oil, or soy sauce to make it even more enticing and flavorful.
2. 6 easy Vietnamese crab soup recipes to warm your body and soul
2.1. Vietnamese crab soup with abalone
Vietnamese crab soup with abalone is a nutritious dish often used to nourish relatives or change meals for children.
Ingredients:
- 1 abalone
- 200g of crab
- 200g of shrimp
- 5 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 chicken
- Chicken eggs, tapioca starch, pepper
Instructions:
- Peel and clean the shrimp, then boil and cut them into small pieces.
- Blanch chicken bones in boiling water, then simmer them to make the broth.
- Boil the crab, remove the shells, and drain the water.
- Clean and slice the abalone and shiitake mushrooms.
- Add shrimp, crab, abalone, and mushrooms to the pot of broth and season to taste. Dissolve the tapioca starch with water to make the slurry, then add it to the soup and mix well.
- Beat the egg yolks, add them to the soup, and stir quickly. Once everything is cooked, serve your soup in bowls, sprinkle a bit of pepper, and enjoy.
2.2. Vietnamese crab soup with pork brain
Vietnamese crab soup with pork brain is a dish that brings many health benefits, such as supplementing calcium for the body, aiding in bone strength, preventing osteoporosis, and supporting a child's brain development.
Ingredients:
- 1kg of crab
- 100g of pork brain
- 1 kg of chicken bones
- 3 chicken eggs
- 30 quail eggs
- 12 dried shiitake mushrooms
- Sweet corn kernels, tapioca starch
Instructions:
- Clean and cook the crab, remove the shell, and get the meat.
- Rinse the pork brains with diluted saltwater, steam them, then dice them.
- Soak shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 10 minutes, then rinse, drain, and cut them into strips.
- Boil corn kernels and quail eggs until cooked, peel the quail eggs.
- Prepare a flavorful chicken bone broth.
- Then, add the corn kernels, mushrooms, crab, pork brains, and quail eggs to the pot and cook for another 7–8 minutes.
- Gradually add tapioca starch, stir well, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Season to taste and place in a bowl. Add a little pepper, and you are done.
2.3. Vietnamese crab soup with century eggs
Crab soup with century eggs is a popular Vietnamese street food in Ho Chi Minh City. This dish impresses diners with its broth, which combines the sweetness of crab with the unique taste of century eggs.
Ingredients:
- 2 crabs
- 150g of chicken breast
- 2 chicken eggs
- 1 century egg
- 10 quail eggs
- Tapioca starch, crab cakes, black moss
Instructions:
- Boil the chicken breast and shred it into small pieces.
- Add crab meat, crab cake, quail eggs, and century eggs to the pot of chicken broth.
- Beat the eggs and add them to the soup, then add black moss.
- Mix tapioca starch with water and pour it into the soup, stirring well.
- Finally, adjust the seasoning to taste.
2.4. Vietnamese crab and asparagus soup
Crab and asparagus soup is a type of Vietnamese egg drop crab soup. This is not just a delicious dish found on the appetizer menu of many restaurants but is also a popular choice for breakfast.
Ingredients:
- 2 crabs
- 10 quail eggs
- 300g of chicken
- 200g of asparagus
- Tapioca starch, chicken eggs
Instructions:
- Rinse the asparagus, then cut it into pieces about 2–3 centimeters long.
- Boil the crab and get the meat. Boil the quail eggs, then peel them.
- Cook the chicken in water or broth until done, then remove and finely shred it.
- Next, add the asparagus, crab, chicken, and quail eggs to the pot and cook for 2–3 minutes. Pour the egg yolks into the soup and quickly stir.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in water and add it to the soup. Then season to taste.
2.5. Jade crab soup
One of the unique and intriguing Vietnamese crab soup recipes is the jade crab soup. This Vietnamese food takes inspiration from the green of jade, using winter melon to create its main color.
Ingredients:
- Crab
- Winter melon
- Seasoning and seafood powder
Instructions:
- Boil the crab and separate the meat from the shells.
- Peel and dice the winter melon, then cook until tender with a bit of seasoning and seafood powder. Blend about half of the cooked winter melon.
- Pour the crab broth into the blended winter melon mixture and strain it to extract the soup base. When served, add the remaining winter melon and crab meat and garnish to your liking. There are many ways you can get creative with this dish.
2.6. Vietnamese egg drop crab soup with corn & mushrooms
Finally, a simple and easy-to-make soup you can try at home is egg drop crab soup with corn and mushrooms. This dish is not only eye-catching but also delicious and nutritious.
Ingredients:
- 2 crabs
- 150g chicken breast
- 1 kg of pork bones
- 50g shiitake mushrooms
- 50g of snow mushrooms
- 10 quail eggs
- Tapioca starch, chicken eggs, and sweet corn kernels
Instructions:
- Clean the pork bones, blanch them in boiling water, and then simmer them to get the broth.
- Boil the crab, then get the meat. Also, boil the quail eggs and peel them.
- Add sweet corn, shredded chicken, and shitake mushrooms to the broth and cook until they are tender. Then add the crab meat and snow mushrooms.
- Stir the tapioca slurry into the soup.
- Add egg yolks and adjust the seasoning to taste.
3. Best Vietnamese crab soup restaurants you must visit
Crab soup is a prominent dish in Vietnamese cuisine. If you have the opportunity, be sure to try the authentic crab soup to savor its unique and rich flavors. Here are some restaurants where you can sample this culinary delight:
- Crab soup eatery near Notre Dame Cathedral: Nguyen Du Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The crab soup eatery near Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the oldest restaurants in the city. This crab soup not only appeals to locals but also to international tourists. The rich and creamy flavor of the broth, combined with the ingredients, creates a delightful and mouthwatering taste, making diners want to come back again and again to enjoy it.
- Lan’s fish maw crab soup: No. 239 Luong Nhu Hoc Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
This restaurant is a prominent name on the list of delicious Vietnamese crab soup restaurants. A bowl of fish maw crab soup here is quite rich with crabs, quail eggs, century eggs, and fish maws. If you have tried various fish maw crab soup dishes in Saigon, you will find that Mrs. Lan's crab soup has a truly unique flavor. Perhaps, even if you explore all of Saigon, you won't be able to find a restaurant with a similar taste.
- Thiec Market crab soup: No. 166 Pho Co Dieu Street, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
This address is also known by regular customers as Mrs. Bong's crab soup. The restaurant is located in a famous jewelry market on Pho Co Dieu Street. The ingredients for a bowl of soup here typically include quail eggs, shredded chicken, crab meat, century eggs, and snow mushrooms. In addition to the familiar ingredients, diners can also order pig brains and pig marrow according to their preferences.
- Thao’s crab soup: No. 4 Nguyen Khoa Chiem Street, Cam Le District, Da Nang
For food enthusiasts, the most recommended crab soup in Da Nang is Thao's crab soup. The crab soup bowls here are meticulously prepared, ensuring both cleanliness and delightful flavors, all at reasonable prices. A hot bowl of soup with a variety of toppings will provide you with an exciting culinary experience in Vietnam.
- Ton Duc Thang crab soup: No. 18 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Although Ton Duc Thang crab soup has an affordable price, it is quite good quality with diverse toppings, such as chicken, quail eggs, century eggs, crab cake, and crab meat. The creamy taste of the eggs, combined with the various ingredients in the soup, harmoniously blend to create an overall delicious and enticing flavor, making diners enjoy it more and more.
- Hoa’s crab soup: No. 75 O Cho Dua Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Another name that cannot be overlooked when mentioning delicious Vietnamese crab soup restaurants is "Sup Cua Hoa" in Hanoi. The crab soup here is meticulously prepared through various stages and a combination of numerous ingredients to create a fragrant soup with crab meat, a mild sweet broth from simmered bones, the sweetness of corn, and a variety of vegetables, resulting in a distinctive and unique soup flavor. If your Vietnam travel plan includes a visit to Hanoi, you should definitely try this restaurant once.
In addition to delicious crab soup, Vietnam offers a plethora of other unique and enticing dishes in various cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Ha Long. Each city provides a distinctive culinary adventure, showcasing a diverse cuisine that captivates many visitors.
After a day of exploration at these locations, you can unwind and rejuvenate at Vinpearl's hotels and resorts, which offer luxurious, modern accommodations and a series of high-class services. Additionally, don't forget to visit the fantastic VinWonders entertainment complexes for an exciting day filled with thrilling games, engaging activities, and unique experiences.
>>> Book rooms in Vinpearl Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Nha Trang, Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, and Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long to enjoy maximum comfort during your trip to Vietnam!
Vietnamese crab soup is the quintessential representation of this country's cuisine. The skillful combination of ingredients and the use of traditional Vietnamese flavors make this dish leave a lasting impression on diners. The vibrant colors and delightful taste of Vietnamese crab soup are sure to delight anyone passionate about cuisine. So, don’t forget to give it a try at least once and warm your stomach with a hearty meal.
