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Originating from old memories
Rice noodle soup has been around for a very long time, but it became most famous during the subsidy period, when people's lives were still full of difficulties and shortages. During those years, rice noodle soup, with its simple and readily available ingredients, became a familiar, nutritious, and inexpensive dish in the daily meals of many families.
During the subsidy period, when food supplies were limited, the people of Hanoi cleverly utilized what was readily available to create dishes that were not only filling but also nutritious. Noodle soup is a prime example; each ingredient was easily found in the market at affordable prices, suitable for the budgets of working people.
Rice noodle soup is closely associated with memories of Hanoi.
More than just a dish, bun canh (noodle soup) is also a part of the memories of many Hanoians, associated with difficult but heartwarming times. These steaming, simple bowls of bun canh, rich in the flavors of home, have become a symbol of the resilience, hard work, and optimistic spirit of the people of the capital during those challenging years.
Hanoi-style noodle soup is made from simple ingredients.
Rice noodle soup is a testament to the creativity and resilience of the Vietnamese people during the subsidy period. This dish not only has culinary value but also cultural and spiritual value.
Today, bun canh (noodle soup) still holds a special place in the hearts of Hanoians. Despite changing times, these delicious, warm bowls of bun canh remain a favorite choice for many, a way to remember the past, the days filled with memories and family affection.
Simple yet captivating flavors
"Canh bún rau," "bún rau," "bún canh"... are different names for a simple yet unique noodle dish in Hanoi. The standout feature of this dish is its extra-large noodles, 3-4 times thicker than regular noodles, providing a crunchy and substantial texture.
Hanoi-style vermicelli soup is made from simple ingredients such as vermicelli, crab roe, pork sausage, meat, fish cake, water spinach, watercress, and celery... The broth is simmered from pork or chicken bones, giving it a sweet and savory flavor. The crab roe is boiled, finely chopped, and sautéed with onions and lard. The pork sausage, meat, and fish cake are fried until golden and crispy. Water spinach, watercress, and celery are boiled until cooked, then drained.
This noodle soup with vegetables is not only a simple and easy-to-make dish, but also an indispensable part of Hanoi's street food.
This noodle dish is usually served with seasonal vegetables. Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy it with water spinach, morning glory, or watercress, each type of vegetable offering a unique, fresh, and nutritious flavor.
An essential accompaniment to a bowl of noodle soup is the generous selection of side dishes such as pork ear sausage, beef sausage, pork cracklings, and fried onions. The pork ear sausage and beef sausage add a delicious and firm texture, the crispy pork cracklings provide a highlight to the dish, and the fragrant fried onions enhance the rich flavor.
When eating, people usually pour hot broth over the bowl of vermicelli, then add crab roe, pork sausage, meat, fish cake, water spinach, watercress, and celery on top. Vermicelli soup can be eaten with shrimp paste, chili, lime, or kumquat...
This noodle soup with vegetables is not only a simple, easy-to-make dish, but also an indispensable part of Hanoi's street food. Every morning, strolling through the small streets, you'll see noodle soup stalls with their fragrant aroma, attracting passersby with their simple yet rich traditional flavor. It's not just a dish, but also a part of childhood memories, a part of Hanoi life that its people are always proud of.
In Hanoi, crab noodle soup is commonly sold at street vendors and small eateries on Thanh Ha, Hoe Nhai, Hang Chieu, and O Quan Chuong streets. This dish is also quite popular in southern provinces like Ho Chi Minh City.
Rice noodle soup is an inseparable part of the memories and culture of many generations of Vietnamese people. It clearly demonstrates the culinary skill and the resilient spirit of the people in facing life's challenges. A bowl of rice noodle soup is not just a dish, but also a story, a symbol of a difficult yet proud era.
