What is Banh Canh Cua? a much-loved Vietnamese noodle soup made with thick, chewy noodles and a rich, savory crab-based broth. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that’s especially popular in the south, with Saigon being one of the best places to try it.

You’ll find it everywhere from busy street stalls to quiet neighborhood spots. What makes it special is the springy noodles and the silky broth that’s full of crab flavor. A bowl usually comes loaded with shredded crab meat, pork sausage, quail eggs, and sometimes even a whole crab claw. It’s a bold and delicious taste of Saigon that’s hard to forget.

Here is a list of 10 Banh Canh Cua places in Ho Chi Minh City that SaigonVibes recommends you try. We’ve also included a Google Maps link for each restaurant to make it easy for you to find them, along with a selection of well-rated tours in Ho Chi Minh City from GetYourGuide. We hope you enjoy and find the best tours that suit your travel plans.

Behind this comforting bowl is nearly 40 years of family tradition. Mrs. Tuyet grew up beside pots of crab broth and her mother’s laughter in the kitchen. Today, she still follows the same recipe with quiet devotion, believing each bowl reflects patience and care passed down through generations.

Every morning at 5 a.m., she starts simmering a golden broth that’s naturally sweet and rich. Thick tapioca-rice noodles soak up the flavor, topped with hand-shredded crab, pork slices, shrimp, quail egg, and crab-fish cakes. Locals love dunking crispy Quay into the silky soup, finished with a squeeze of lime and a dash of chili.
Service: No fuss, no extras. You order, they serve fast, hot, and like they’ve done a thousand times.

Banh Canh Cua Tran Khac Tran
Address: 87 Tran Khac Tran, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM

Opened in 2013, Banh Canh Ton That Dam quickly became a go-to spot for crab noodle lovers. Locals often call it the “Kho Bac Crab Noodle” thanks to its location across from Vietnam’s State Bank, where office workers in suits line up for a steaming bowl between meetings.

The kitchen uses only live crab and fresh shrimp each morning. The broth is simmered for hours until clear and naturally sweet, then poured over chewy tapioca rice noodles. Every bowl comes loaded with tender crab meat, pork knuckle, shrimp, quail egg, and homemade crab-fish cakes, finished with a sprinkle of scallions.
Service: One bite in and you can tell the crab and seafood are fresh, not frozen. That’s why many regulars say the price tag of 80,000 VND feels fair for the quality you’re getting. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it.

Banh Canh Cua Ton That Dam
Address: 16 Nguyen Cong Tru, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 7 AM – 1 PM

Ba Ba’s kitchen looks like just a few big pots and a tiny counter holding everything together, but from that little corner, magic happens. She doesn’t measure or time anything; she just knows. Every morning, she builds the broth slowly from fresh crab shells and pork bones while prepping the rest by hand.

Her noodles are thick and chewy, a bit messy in the best way. Each pot comes loaded with crab meat, shrimp, quail eggs, and sometimes a tender slice of pork knuckle. Unlike other shops, Ba Ba serves everything in a bubbling metal pot meant for sharing, making the meal feel warm and homestyle.
Service: Don’t come on the 1st or 15th of the lunar month. Those are her days off, out of respect for spiritual practice. Locals know this by heart, and regulars plan around it.

Banh Canh Cua Ba Ba
Address:  84/6 Nguyen Bieu, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 8AM – 8PM

Standing behind the same pot she’s stirred for years. She never set out to be famous. She only started selling because neighbors kept asking, “Why don’t you open a shop?” One bowl became ten, then a line out the door, simply because it tasted like home.

Before dawn, she heads to Ba Chieu Market to pick the freshest crab, shrimp, and pork, never frozen, never leftover. The broth is simmered until rich but smooth, then ladled over thick tapioca-rice noodles cooked to the perfect chew. Each bowl comes packed with real crab meat, shrimp, crab cake, quail egg, and blood jelly, topped with green onions and served with quiet care.
Service: The place gets busy, sure but the staff never forget to smile. There’s something about sitting down with a hot bowl of Banh Canh while the Saigon sun beams down and sweat starts to roll.

Banh Canh Cua Hien
Address: 395 Bui Dinh Tuy, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6AM – 10PM

Unlike many casual spots around Saigon, Banh Canh Cua Ut Le takes a more intentional approach without losing the soul of the dish. With over 40 years of history, this shop is now run by the fourth generation, carrying on a family legacy that shows in every bowl of steaming crab noodle soup.

Each day, nearly 100 kilograms of pork bones are simmered for hours to create a broth that’s clear, rich, and naturally sweet. Fresh crab or blue crab if needed, joins house-made crab cakes, shrimp, quail eggs, and blood pudding. Instead of thick noodles, Ut Le uses thin tapioca strands that stay silky and light, letting the broth shine in every bite.
Service: It’s got that “auntie energy.” Busy but warm. You don’t come here for fancy plating. You come because they remember your face, and your soup’s always hot.

Banh Canh Cua Ut Le
Address: 210 To Hien Thanh, Ward 15, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 3PM – 10:30PM

The experience of Banh Canh Cua Kim Ngan here feels like a bustling morning market. Every day starts early when fresh crab and shrimp arrive straight from the Mekong Delta. The broth is gently simmered from pork bones and crab shells until rich but light, with a clean, slightly sweet finish that doesn’t overwhelm.

Medium-thin noodles stay springy and soak up the broth beautifully. Each bowl comes packed with crab meat, shrimp, pork slices, quail egg, blood jelly, and a soft golden crab cake. Every table has a giant shared jar of fiery chili sauce to balance the richness, and prices remain surprisingly reasonable for the quality.
Service: It’s always busy, but the staff move quick and talk to you like you’re fam “eat up, sweetie, coming right up!” and that giant chili jar on the table? Lowkey the real MVP.

Banh Canh Cua Kim Ngan
Address: 28 Ton Nu Vuong, Ward 4, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 8AM – 10PM

At Banh Canh Ghe Cau Bong, this spot has quietly earned a reputation for serving some of the best crab noodles in the area. Locals know it by heart, and regulars often stop by early in the morning when the broth is at its sweetest. The place feels like unpretentious plastic stools, simple tables, but the steady flow of diners tells you everything you need to know.

Here, the broth is simmered gently from fresh sea crab and pork bones until golden and clear, never heavy or overly rich. The noodles are medium-thick, soft but still springy, ready to soak up every spoonful. Each bowl is generously topped with firm crab meat, a whole crab claw, shrimp, pork slices, quail egg, and bright orange crab roe. It’s the kind of meal that feels both comforting and a little special.
Service: It’s comforting, flavorful, and full of personality. A bowl from Banh Canh Ghe Cau Bong doesn’t just satisfy your hunger; it tastes like coming home.

Banh Canh Ghe Cau Bong
Address: 2 Le Van Duyet, Ward 1, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Hours: 9AM – 10PM

Banh Canh Cua Co Dan has quietly built a loyal following over the years. There’s no flashy sign or big storefront, just Co Dan (the owner) behind her well-worn pot, greeting regulars with a warm nod. Many say it’s the kind of place you hear about from a friend rather than spot by chance.

The broth here is rich but clean, simmered gently from pork bones and fresh crab shells until it turns a clear golden hue. Thick tapioca noodles stay springy without turning gluey, soaking up just enough flavor. Each bowl comes topped with tender crab meat, shrimp, quail eggs, pork, and her signature crab cakes, lightly browned and full of sweet ocean taste. It’s simple, comforting, and made with quiet care.
Service: No cap, it’s simple, comforting, and made with quiet care. The owner is obviously friendly and energetic to create the vibe of her restaurant.

Banh Canh Cua Co Dan
Address: 38 Cao Thang, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Hours: AM – 10PM

Corners here fill with the aroma of simmering bones and crab shells first thing in the morning. Ut Thao skips all shortcuts, no powders, no artificial flavor, just pork bones and fresh crab shells cooked low and slow until the broth turns naturally sweet and clear. Medium-thick tapioca noodles are cut by hand, holding the broth perfectly without going soggy.

The star is the crab, hand-picked straight from Ca Mau, famous for the sweetest, firmest meat in the South. Every bowl comes with real crab, shrimp, pork slices, quail eggs, and her signature crab-fish patties, all served piping hot in a clay pot. That little touch keeps the soup warm to the last bite and gives each spoonful an earthy, slow-cooked depth you won’t forget.
Service: Warm, chatty, and a little nosy in the best way. The owner might tell you about the crab delivery while asking if you want extra spice.

Banh Canh Cua Ut Thao
Address 1: 120 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Address 2: 170 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 9:30AM – 11PM