Vietnamese Banh Canh Tom Cua - Thick Noodle Soup with Crab and Shrimp

Ingredients

• 16 ounces of lump crab meat
• 2 pounds of shrimp or prawns, ground
• 1/2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 2 32 oz boxes of chicken broth
• 3 medium shallots, minced
• 2 bags of premade banh canh noodles
• fish sauce, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• crispy onion
• fresh herbs like cilantro, green onion, and Thai basil

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, mix together the crab...: In a large bowl, mix together the crab meat and ground shrimp.

2. 2

   Add in sugar, ground black pepper, and fish...: Add in sugar, ground black pepper, and fish sauce. Incorporate well. Set aside.

3. 3

   Prepare the noodles according to packaging instructions. Set...: Prepare the noodles according to packaging instructions. Set aside.

4. 4

   To make the soup broth, heat up vegetable...: To make the soup broth, heat up vegetable oil. Add in paprika and stir for 30 seconds to bring out the flavor.

5. 5

   Next, pour chicken stock into a medium soup...: Next, pour chicken stock into a medium soup pot. Add in water to ¾ from the top of the pot. Bring it to a boil.

6. 6

   Bring the bowl of crab and shrimp mixture...: Bring the bowl of crab and shrimp mixture next to the pot. Using your fingers, creating small, loose meatballs. Slowly drop them into the soup broth.

7. 7

   Allow the meat to cook for five minutes...: Allow the meat to cook for five minutes and come to a boil. Turn off the stove.

8. 8

   With a new pot, move enough broth for...: With a new pot, move enough broth for the serving along with the crab meat.

9. 9

   Next, add in the precooked noodles. The noodles...: Next, add in the precooked noodles. The noodles will be ready when they float to the top (3 minutes) and thicken the soup broth.

10. 10

    Ladle into a bowl.

11. 11

    Personalize to taste with fish sauce, black pepper,...: Personalize to taste with fish sauce, black pepper, and annatto oil.

12. 12

    Top with crispy onion, cilantro, green onion, and...: Top with crispy onion, cilantro, green onion, and Thai basil.