If you’ve ever slurped a bowl of steaming bún riêu (Vietnamese crab noodle soup) or twirled your chopsticks into a plate of glossy miến xào cua (stir-fried glass noodles with crab), you probably won’t be surprised by this news: According to TasteAtlas, a global food guide beloved by travel-hungry foodies, bún riêu and miến xào cua just landed a spot in the top 100 best crustacean dishes in the world.
And honestly? About time.
Vietnamese cuisine has always punched far above its weight when it comes to flavor, variety, and sheer creativity. These two dishes are just the tip of the iceberg—or should we say, the first two delicious bites on a much bigger platter.
Let’s dig in.
Bún Riêu (Vietnamese Crab Noodle Soup) – The Soulful, Tomato-Red Classic
Bún riêu isn’t just a dish—it’s a full sensory experience.
The first thing that hits you is the smell: a mix of tomato tang, crab paste richness, and a hint of mắm tôm (fermented shrimp paste) that might scare you at first, but trust us—once you get used to it, there’s no going back. The broth is simmered from pork bones and tomatoes, but the star is the riêu cua, a kind of crab-paste-meets-eggy-fluff that floats in delicate chunks on the surface. Some places add snails, fried tofu, pork knuckles, even blood pudding if you're into it.
Don’t skip the herbs. In true Vietnamese style, your bowl comes with a side garden: banana blossom, shredded morning glory, perilla, Vietnamese balm, and bean sprouts. It’s messy, hearty, and incredibly satisfying—especially if you’re sitting on a plastic stool at a street corner at 8AM, surrounded by locals doing the exact same thing.
Miến Xào Cua (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with Crab) – Fancy, but Make It Comfort Food
If bún riêu is your cozy Sunday morning comfort, miến xào cua is its dressed-up cousin who just got back from a spa weekend.
At its core, this dish is simple: glass noodles stir-fried with fresh crab meat, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and other aromatics. But don’t let the simplicity fool you—each element is carefully balanced to bring out that natural sweetness of the crab, and the noodles? Silky but with a bite, absorbing all that umami goodness from the wok.
It’s the kind of dish you’d expect at a fancy Vietnamese restaurant, but locals will tell you some of the best versions are hidden in small family-run shops where the auntie behind the wok has been making it for 20 years.
But Wait—Vietnam’s Culinary Scene Has So Much More
Here’s the thing: these two dishes getting international recognition is great, but Vietnamese cuisine is an endless buffet of mind-blowing flavors. Every region, every city—even every family—has their own way of making everyday dishes unforgettable.
1. Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup from Hue) – Central Vietnam’s bold, beefy powerhouse
Forget pho for a second (don’t worry, we love pho too). If you want depth, spice, and a broth that’ll wake up your entire soul, bún bò Huế is it. The lemongrass aroma, the fiery red chili oil, the thick round noodles—it’s a bold statement in a bowl.
2. Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop) – Saigon’s ultimate street food plate
Broken rice, grilled pork chops, a sunny-side-up egg, and a drizzle of fish sauce dressing? Cơm tấm is what locals grab for a quick lunch, but the combination of textures and flavors feels like it was crafted by a chef. Add pickled veggies, shredded pork skin, and a spoonful of scallion oil? Chef’s kiss.
3. Bánh Xèo (Crispy Savory Pancake) – The Vietnamese "pancake" that's not what you think
This crispy, golden crepe made with rice flour and turmeric is stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in lettuce and herbs before dipping into dipping sauce. Crunchy, fresh, herby—it’s like a flavor explosion with every bite.
4. Chè (Vietnamese Sweet Soup/Dessert) – Not your average dessert
If you think dessert has to be cake or chocolate, chè is here to expand your universe. Sweet soups made from mung beans, black beans, jellies, coconut milk, and more—served hot or cold depending on the weather and your mood. It's not too sweet, just right.
So Why Is Vietnamese Food So Good?
We could talk all day about ingredients and techniques, but honestly? It’s about balance and care. Vietnamese cuisine is a masterclass in harmony—sweet and salty, crunchy and soft, hot and cold, fresh and cooked. Every bite is carefully built to feel good in your mouth and good in your body.
And the experience of eating in Vietnam? That’s half the joy. Whether it’s sitting on a tiny stool in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, trying a random dish at a local market in Hue, or getting invited into someone’s home for a family meal—food is a way of connecting.
It’s not just about what's on the plate. It’s about the people, the places, the stories.
TasteAtlas got it right—but they’re only scratching the surface
Bún riêu and miến xào cua deserve their spot on the global food map, no doubt. But if you’re planning a trip to Vietnam or just looking to explore Vietnamese cuisine, don’t stop there. Take a detour. Try something you can’t pronounce yet. Follow the smells. Ask locals what they eat.
Because in Vietnam, the best meal of your life might just come from a tiny stall you almost walked past.
Want more food stories like this? Or need help planning your Vietnam food crawl? Hit us up - a reputable Vietnam travel agency - we’ve got guides, tips, and maybe even a few secret spots to share. Just don’t come hungry without a plan. That’s dangerous in the best way.
