Canh Bún or Bún Riêu | Vietnamese Noodle Soup Recipe

Canh Bún and Bún Riêu are both from the same pot!
This \”Crab Cake Noodle Soup\” is very popular in Vietnam

What\’s the difference between Canh Bun and Bun Rieu?

Depending on the region you are in (north, mid, south), you will be serve either canh bun or bun rieu.The difference mainly is in the noodle size and the veggies that accommodates it.

This dish originated from northern Vietnam.

What crab is used to make canh bun?

Authentically, it is made from crabs that are in the rice patties.
These crabs are so tiny, with little to no meat, so they smashed these up, extract the crab flavors and blend it with pork broth.

To make the crab cakes in the soup, using the leftover crab remains, they blend it with ground pork, ground dried shrimps, fermented shrimp paste, and other seasoning. Fluff it up with plenty of eggs, and added to the soup.
tomatoes and water spinach is their veggies for this noodle soup dish.

How the original recipe compares to the new and improved recipe?

Of course as the dish makes its way throughout Vietnam and to other parts of the world. We make use of what we have on hand and at the supermarket. So the canh bun and bun rieu in today\’s standard is way more rich in protein and flavor compare to back in the day. Better of course!

I used dungeness crab meat for my \”rieu\”. And there are premade crab extract that I could use to make broth base as well. The \”cha\” or pork loaf adds extra meaty flavor and the \”oc\” or periwinkle meat gives it an exotic vietnamese \”home feel\” taste.

Which one do you prefer? Canh bun or bun rieu?

If you prefer the bigger rice noodles and less veggies, then canh bun is probably a good choice. Bun rieu is equally as good though. With more mint and crunch from the raw veggies.

If I were you, I\’d choose BOTH!