A noodle shop in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam has become a culinary landmark thanks to its unique take on bún riêu, a traditional Vietnamese crab noodle soup. 

Unlike the typical version made with freshwater crab, the shop at 14 Doan Thi Diem Street, Phan Rang City serves a variant known as bún riêu cua biển, featuring the rich flavors of sea crab. 

The dish stands out because it excludes five ingredients commonly found in the traditional recipe: tofu, pork blood pudding, pig’s feet, pig skin, and freshwater crab paste.

The restaurant, named 'Bún Riêu Cua Ốc 5 Không' (5-Nos Bún Riêu), reflects the five ingredients the dish omits.

According to Tra, the owner of the stall, her decision to serve bún riêu cua biển stems from her personal preference, as she does not enjoy freshwater crabs. 

"I wanted to make use of the fresh seafood available in my hometown, where we have access to fresh sea crabs every day," she explained. 

Tra also mentioned that the flavor of her noodle soup is seasoned to reflect the traditional taste of the central region of Vietnam.

A full bowl fetching VND50,000 (US$1.99) includes noodles, broth, sea crab paste, and a variety of chả (Vietnamese pork rolls).

Tra explained that she avoids adding too many toppings like pig’s feet or tofu because they would overpower the distinct taste of the sea crab paste. 

The complete dish is served with a side of sautéed snails, seasoned with aromatic satay.

Another intriguing element lies in a brown-orange slice of chả that often puzzles diners. 

The topping has a sweet, fragrant taste and a crunchy texture, making it irresistible after the first bite. 

Upon inquiry, it is revealed that the chả is made from a blend of mushrooms and pork, seasoned to perfectly complement the soup, according to Tra.

During the venue's 20 years of operation, its commitment to quality has helped the stall build a loyal customer base despite some initial skepticism toward the unconventional recipe.

The shop's reputation has grown to the point where it now has branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau City in southern Vietnam. 

The owners have introduced take-home combos, enabling customers to cook and enjoy their favorite dish at home. 

These combos are available for nationwide delivery and even for shipment abroad, allowing the taste of Phan Rang’s sea crabs to reach a wider audience.

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