An attractive bowl of noodle soup with thick pieces of shredded crab served with a variety of other dishes - Photo: TO CUONG
Chau Loan crab noodle shop is located deep in the heart of the market, making many first-time visitors confused about finding their way. However, you just need to ask a few vendors around, and everyone will be enthusiastic in showing you the way.
Because, in Binh Tay market, there are few people who do not know the noodle shop of Mrs. Pham Thi Lan, who has literally devoted her entire youth to this traditional dish.
Small crab noodle stall has been lasting for over 40 years
The price of each bowl of Chau Lan crab noodle soup ranges from 40,000 to 80,000 VND, depending on the portion that the diner chooses. According to the writer's experience, a bowl of 60,000 VND is enough to fill you up, and the restaurant's price has remained the same for many years despite the increase in prices.
In particular, the highlight that makes the restaurant famous is the whole crab noodle soup, priced at 120,000 VND.
Chau Lan noodle shop in the heart of the large Binh Tay market, the easiest way for anyone who wants to experience it is to go to gate number 6 or number 7 of Binh Tay market and ask the vendors there - Photo: TO CUONG
Ms. Lan added that on lucky days when she can choose big crabs, a bowl of noodle soup can cost up to 150,000 VND and many diners are still willing to spend money to enjoy it.
The writer's first impression of the dish is the sweet broth without any spices, rich, almost no need for additional seasoning.
Confiding to Tuoi Tre newspaper, Ms. Lan shared that the secret to creating that flavor lies in continuously simmering pork bones with fish cakes, fried fish cakes, dried shrimp and some other "secret" ingredients.
The noodles are made from light, chewy rice flour, combined with a rich filling including thick shredded crab meat, unique chewy and crispy fish cakes, crunchy pork skin... creating a knot that makes the bowl of crab noodles so attractive that once you eat it, you can't stop eating your chopsticks.
Mrs. Lan shows off the shiny orange crab that she is about to sell to customers - Photo: TO CUONG
Ms. Hoa (24 years old) shared that she learned about the restaurant through a post on Thread and did not hesitate to travel from Phu Nhuan district just to try it. “The effort to travel far is completely worth it,” she said.
Mr. Huy (36 years old) excitedly said: "Although the price is a bit high, but sometimes I crave it so much that I have to 'finish' half a crab."
On social media, Chau Lan crab noodle soup is always a familiar name in Saigon culinary groups. Many people have been with the restaurant for 10-20 years, while others have to find that bowl of noodle soup every time they visit Binh Tay market.
Diners have a myriad of "toppings" to choose from, from crunchy pork skin to crispy fried fish cakes that taste very unique - Photo: TO CUONG
Not only is it a delicious dish, crab noodle soup is also part of Ms. Lan’s family heritage. She started selling noodle soup with her mother at the age of 14, before 1975, and her mother passed down the profession throughout her childhood.
At the age of twenty, she opened a crab noodle shop in the middle of the bustling Binh Tay market. Since then, Chau Lan has maintained its simple stall and generous service attitude even though the market has undergone many changes.
The couple still works tirelessly, bowl after bowl, serving customers consistently for more than four long decades.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/banh-canh-cua-chau-lan-cho-binh-tay-nuc-tieng-gan-nua-the-ky-20250609212509881.htm
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