The Distinctive Cù Kỳ Rice Noodle Soup, Infused with Coastal Cuisine Flavors

1Cù kỳ rice noodle soup, the specialty that has made Quảng Ninh cuisine famous

Alongside famous specialties such as Hạ Long horseshoe crab, Đông Triều ragworm patties, and Tiên Yên hill chicken…, diners exploring Quảng Ninh cuisine cannot help but be curious about cù kỳ rice noodle soup. As its name suggests, this appealing dish is prepared with cù kỳ, a specialty found only in the coastal waters of Quảng Ninh. From the very first taste, the harmonious combination of the broth’s gentle sweetness and the dish’s rich, fatty cù kỳ meat will leave you impressed and delighted.

2Discovering cù kỳ rice noodle soup, a dish infused with the flavors of the sea

2.1 Ingredients for cù kỳ rice noodle soup

The dish is prepared with cù kỳ (also known as thunder crab, rock crab, or cùm vùm crab) as its main ingredient. This species of crab lives in rock crevices and pieces of wood commonly found along beaches and in mangrove forests. It belongs to the same family as crabs but has claws that are noticeably larger in proportion to its body. Cù kỳ are aggressive and tenacious, and once they clamp down, they will only release their opponent when they hear thunder. That is why the species is also known as thunder crab.

In general, there are 2 types of cù kỳ, distinguished by their color: black and red. Red cù kỳ are more attractive in appearance and have tastier meat, so they are usually caught for cooking. According to local residents, cù kỳ rice noodle soup originated in fishing villages. When cù kỳ season arrived, instead of only grilling and steaming them, people came up with the idea of making noodle soup. Since this seafood has plenty of roe, it is particularly suitable for making bún riêu.

2.2 How to cook this specialty noodle dish

After being caught and prepared, almost the entire cù kỳ is used to make the noodle soup. Since the body is rather spongy, it is ground and strained to remove the shells before being used to make the broth. The rich roe is lightly fried with garlic and chili and prepared into a crab paste. The broth is not only fragrant with roe; combined with cù kỳ meat, it also has a uniquely delicious and enticing flavor.

As for the claws, the cook cracks the hard outer shell and removes the meat while keeping its original shape, then places it on top of the bowl of noodles. Although cù kỳ meat is not as sweet as sea crab, it is firm, fresh, and not cloying. Since this seafood has fairly large claws, there is also more meat to enjoy.

2.3 The universally loved flavor of cù kỳ rice noodle soup

Cù kỳ rice noodle soup is cooked similarly to crab bún riêu, giving it an enticingly fragrant and gently sour flavor. With just one mouthful of noodles accompanied by a large piece of meat and a sip of broth, you can immediately taste the harmonious blend of tender, sweet meat, rich roe, and intensely flavored broth. 

A proper bowl of cù kỳ rice noodle soup includes noodles at the bottom, cù kỳ claw meat on top, and toppings such as mantis shrimp, shrimp, scallions, tofu, and elephant ear stalks… Finally, the bowl is filled with hot, clear, sweet broth. When eating, you can squeeze in some lime and add a little chili bamboo shoots to enhance the dish’s flavor.

3Top places for delicious cù kỳ rice noodle soup in Quảng Ninh

It would be a major omission to pass up the chance to enjoy delicious and enticing cù kỳ rice noodle soup during your trip to Hạ Long. It is no coincidence that this dish has captured the hearts of so many diners, even the most discerning ones. The reason you should try it in Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, rather than elsewhere is that the cù kỳ are caught right in these waters. Combined with the distinctive preparation and seasoning of local people, this creates an authentic bowl of specialty noodles.

For an authentic and delicious taste of cù kỳ rice noodle soup, here are some addresses that MIA.vn recommends visiting:

Bún cù kỳ 268

Address: 268 Giếng Đồn, Cao Thắng Ward, Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh

Reference price: 25.000 - 30.000 VNĐ/serving

Opening hours: 5h00 - 12h00

Bún cù kỳ Hường Béo

Address: 10-56 Tấn Mài, Bãi Cháy, Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh

Reference price: Approximately 50.000 VNĐ/serving

Opening hours: 5h30 - 21h00

Bún cù kỳ Quốc Huy

Address: Hạ Long Trade Union Hotel, Kiosk No. 3, Bãi Cháy, Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh

Reference price: Approximately 50.000 VNĐ/serving

Opening hours: 5h00 - 17h00

Bún cù kỳ Bà Lan

Address: Khu Sân Vườn, Lot 12 Thượng Mai, Cái Dăm Ward, Bãi Cháy, Hạ Long

Reference price: Approximately 50.000 VNĐ/serving

Opening hours: 5h30 - 22h00

Bún cù kỳ - Móng Cái seafood

Address: PG1-08 Vinhomes Dragon Bay Urban Area, Hồng Gai Ward, Hạ Long

Reference price: 50.000 - 60.000 VNĐ/serving

Opening hours: 6h00 - 12h30

*Note: Prices were updated in 10/2023 and are for reference only.

The distinctive flavor of cù kỳ rice noodle soup comes not only from the fresh ingredients caught in the coastal waters of Quảng Ninh, but also from the characteristic cooking and seasoning methods of local people. Therefore, be sure to save this specialty noodle dish in your personal travel guide so you do not miss the chance to try it during your journey to explore the coastal paradise of Hạ Long.