Tiếng ViệtA delightful twist on Vietnam’s beloved noodle soup, crab pho takes this iconic dish in a decadently rich and flavorful new direction. Instead of the traditional beef or chicken broth base, this dish showcases an intensely flavored broth infused with the sweetness of fresh crab.
In this article, we will introduce the dish and how to make it at home.
What is crab pho?
Crab pho is a decadent variation that swaps the traditional beef or chicken broth for a rich, seafood-based broth made by simmering crab shells and bodies with aromatics.
The crab-infused broth gets ladled over fresh banh pho rice noodles and topped with lump crabmeat, slices of crab legs/claws, and classic pho garnishes like herbs and lime.
The sweetness of the crab broth combined with chewy noodles and bright toppings creates an amazingly flavorful, coastal Vietnamese twist on the iconic noodle soup.
Crab pho
More information: Vietnamese seafood pho recipe
Health benefits of crab pho
Crab pho offers several potential health benefits:
- Protein-rich
The crab meat in crab pho is an excellent source of lean, high-quality protein, essential for building and repairing tissues.
- Low in fat
Crab is very low in unhealthy saturated fat. The broth is also relatively low in fat compared to beef-based pho.
- Good source of vitamins and minerals
Crab provides valuable nutrients like vitamin B12, zinc, copper and selenium. The herbs and vegetables added also contribute vitamins and minerals.
Crab meat
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
The spices such as ginger, star anise, and coriander have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation
- Boosts immunity
Crab is high in selenium, zinc, and protein which support a healthy immune system. The vitamin C in lime juice added also enhances immunity.
- Low in calories
A serving of crab pho made with lean protein and veggie toppings can be a relatively low-calorie, nutrient-dense meal option.
Traditional crab pho recipe
- Ingredients list
For the Broth:
1 lb crab bodies/shells
8 cups water
1 onion, halved
4 slices ginger
2 whole star anise
4 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp fish sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Pho spices
For the bowls:
8 oz fresh banh pho noodles
1 lb lump crabmeat
1/2 lb cooked crab legs/claws, meat removed and sliced
Bean sprouts
Cilantro
Basil
Lime wedges
Sliced chilies (optional)
- Preparation steps
Rinse the crab bodies/shells under cold water to remove any grit.
Slice the onion in half and lightly char the cut sides.
Pick cilantro and basil leaves and rinse the sprouts.
Slice the chili peppers if using.
- Cooking instructions
In a large pot, combine the crab bodies/shells, water, charred onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander seeds.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes to extract all the crab flavor.
Boil crab
Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer, pressing on the solids. Discard the solids.
Return the strained broth to the pot and season with fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
Pho broth
In another pot, cook the banh pho noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Following draining, submerge the ingredients in cold water and rinse to halt the cooking process.
Pho noodles
Commence the serving process by placing a desired quantity of noodles into each serving bowl. Carefully pour the steaming crab broth over the bed of noodles in each bowl.
Top each bowl with lump crabmeat, sliced crab leg meat, bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, a lime wedge, and sliced chilies if desired.
A bowl of crab pho
Cooking crab pho: tips and tricks
- Tips for selecting the best crab
Look for fresh, live crabs for optimal flavor and texture.
Choose blue crab, or other lump crab varieties known for their sweet meat.
Avoid crabs that smell fishy or have discolored shells.
Blue crab
- How to clean and prepare crab properly
Carefully clean the crab by scrubbing the shells under cold running water to remove grit.
Remove the dead man’s fingers (gills) and discard them as they can make the broth bitter.
Break the bodies into smaller pieces to extract maximum flavor when simmering.
Prepare the crab
- Techniques for a tasty broth
Char the onion halves before adding to the broth to enhance the depth of flavor.
Use crab shells/bodies rather than legs/claws for an intense crab essence.
Simmer low and slow – at least 45-60 minutes to extract the crab essence.
Season the finished broth with fish sauce and sugar to balance the flavors.
Pho broth
- Pho selection and preparation
Use fresh, chewy banh pho rice noodles for authentic texture – dried will never be the same.
Soak or quickly blanch the noodles until just tender but still chewy in the center.
Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent overcooking.
Pho noodles
More information: Authentic beef pho soup recipe: A taste of Vietnam
How to serve crab pho?
Here are some tips for serving an authentic and delicious crab pho:
- Top with generous portions of lump crabmeat and sliced crab leg meat.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and cilantro.
- Add crunchy toppings like bean sprouts, sliced chilies, and lime wedges.
- Serve with a plate of fresh herb garnishes like extra cilantro, mint, and basil.
- Offer lime wedges, chili sauce, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha for diners to customize.
Serve crab pho
- Provide fresh chili slices or chili oil for those who like heat.
- Have a small dish for discarded crab shells from the toppings.
- Encourage adding garnishes to the taste to get the perfect balance of aromatics.
- Suggest a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up the rich crab flavors.
- For an enhanced experience, serve with a Vietnamese iced coffee or cold beer.
Conclusion
Pho crab
Crab pho‘s unique sweet brininess balanced with herbaceous notes makes it an intriguing Vietnamese delicacy.
The decadent crab stock at its heart extracts every drop of natural ocean sweetness and salinity from simmered shells and bodies. Ladled over noodles, it creates a luscious, slurpable base for lump crabmeat and crab legs. Bright garnishes like cilantro, basil, and lime cut through the rich crab essence, achieving sublime flavor harmony.
With quality ingredients and skilled broth technique, this dish exemplifies the balance of umami depth, sweet delicacy, and vibrant aromatics in Vietnamese cuisine. Master it at home to indulge in pho’s luxurious new dimension.
For any inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us through the following channels:
Anh Kim Food Production Joint Stock Company (AK FOOD)
Phone number: +84 28 3815 9696
Email: contact@akfood.com.vn
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