Lẩu Cua Đồng

Lẩu Cua Đồng, or Field Crab Hotpot, is a signature dish of Hai Phong, loved for its deeply savory broth, fresh ingredients, and rustic, homestyle flavors. Unlike other types of Vietnamese hotpot, this one highlights the rich, briny taste of rice field crabs, offering a heartwarming and uniquely northern Vietnamese culinary experience.

1. What Is Lẩu Cua Đồng?

Lẩu Cua Đồng is a Vietnamese-style hotpot made with freshwater field crabs, known for their sweet, earthy flavor and high nutritional value. The dish brings together a rich crab-based broth, assorted meats and seafood, tofu, and a variety of vegetables and noodles, all cooked tableside in a bubbling pot.

2. Key Ingredients

• Field Crab (Cua Đồng): Crabs are cleaned and pounded to extract both the meat and a special crab paste, which is cooked into a foamy, fragrant topping called "gạch cua".

• Broth: Simmered from crab stock and pork bones, often flavored with tomatoes, shallots, and fermented rice (mẻ) or tamarind for a lightly sour and umami-rich taste.

• Accompaniments:

  • Tofu (fried or fresh)

  • Pork ribs, beef, or snails

  • Shrimp, fish balls, or squid

  • Water spinach, banana blossoms, mushrooms, morning glory

  • Vermicelli or rice noodles

3. How It's Served

Lẩu Cua Đồng is typically served at the table with a portable gas stove or hotpot burner. Diners add ingredients into the boiling broth at their own pace, allowing for a fun and interactive dining experience. The foamy crab paste floats to the top, giving the hotpot a signature look and rich texture.

4. Taste & Experience

The flavor is rustic yet refined. The crab broth is naturally sweet and briny, with a light sourness that balances the richness of the meat and tofu. Each bite offers a comforting taste of Vietnamese countryside cooking. It’s perfect for family gatherings, especially on cooler days or rainy afternoons.

5. Cultural Significance

In Hai Phong, Lẩu Cua Đồng is more than just a meal—it’s a social event. It's commonly enjoyed with groups of friends or family, often accompanied by cold beer and laughter. The dish reflects the city's culinary heritage rooted in seafood and communal dining.

Famous places to try Lẩu Cua Đồng in Hai Phong include Lẩu Cua Đồng Hạ Lũng or Quán 102, where the dish is served in traditional pots with all the freshest local sides.