Bun rieu, soup from Vietnam: what it is and how it is eaten

Bun rieu is a Vietnamese soup made with rice vermicelli, a clear tomato broth, and often minced freshwater crab. The dish is known for its fresh, sour flavor and is commonly eaten in Vietnam, especially during summer. Toppings can include tofu, crab cakes, congealed pig's blood, and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables.

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Made with pounded freshwater crab and tomato broth
Topped with fried tofu, crab cakes, and fresh herbs
Sour flavor comes from tamarind or local fruits
Popular in Vietnam, especially in summer
Served with rice vermicelli noodles

What is Bun rieu?

Bun rieu is a noodle soup from Vietnam that features a light, tangy broth made with tomato and often flavored with pounded freshwater crab. The soup is built on rice vermicelli noodles and topped with ingredients like fried tofu, crab cakes, congealed pig's blood, and a mix of fresh herbs such as perilla and Vietnamese balm. Sliced banana flower and water spinach add crunch and freshness. The broth gets its sour note from tamarind, rice vinegar, or local fruits. Bun rieu is known for its bright, appetizing color and a balance of savory, sour, and herbal flavors.

Where does Bun rieu come from?

Bun rieu comes from Vietnam, where it is a traditional dish found in many restaurants and homes. The most common version, bun rieu cua, uses freshwater paddy crabs that are pounded whole and strained to make the soup base and crab cakes. The dish showcases local ingredients like tomatoes, souring fruits, and a variety of fresh herbs. Its popularity is tied to the hot Vietnamese summer, when its fresh and sour taste is especially appealing. Over time, different versions have appeared, such as those with fish or snails.

How is Bun rieu made?

To make bun rieu, freshwater crabs are cleaned and pounded into a paste, which is then strained. The liquid forms the soup base, simmered with tomato and sometimes colored with annatto seeds. The crab solids are shaped into cakes and cooked in the broth. Souring agents like tamarind, rice vinegar, or local fruits are added for a tangy flavor. Fried tofu and congealed pig's blood may be included. The soup is served over rice vermicelli and topped with fresh herbs, banana flower, and water spinach.

How and when is Bun rieu eaten?

Bun rieu is usually eaten for lunch or dinner, often as a casual everyday meal. It is served hot in a bowl, with rice vermicelli noodles at the bottom and the broth poured over. Diners add fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and vegetables to taste. The dish is popular in Vietnamese restaurants and street stalls, where it is enjoyed for its refreshing, sour flavor. It can be eaten alone or with accompaniments like lime or chili for extra flavor.

Kinds of Bun rieu

There are several types of bun rieu, each named for its main topping. Bun rieu cua uses minced crab, while bun rieu cá adds fish, and bun rieu ốc includes snails. Vegetarian versions use tofu and vegetarian sausage. The souring agents and herbs may vary by region, and some versions include extra toppings like congealed pig's blood or different greens. Each cook may adjust the balance of sour, savory, and herbal notes.

What Bun rieu means

Bun rieu is a familiar part of daily life in Vietnam, especially in the summer when its fresh taste is most appreciated. It is valued for its nutritional content, providing calcium from crab shells and iron from pig's blood, along with vitamins from vegetables. The dish is widely available in restaurants and street stalls, reflecting its place in Vietnamese food culture as a satisfying, everyday meal.

Questions people ask about Bun rieu

What is bun rieu made of?

Bun rieu is made with rice vermicelli noodles, a tomato-based broth, pounded freshwater crab, fried tofu, and a mix of fresh herbs and vegetables. Souring agents like tamarind or rice vinegar give it a tangy flavor.

Where does bun rieu come from?

Bun rieu comes from Vietnam, where it is a traditional soup found in many restaurants and homes. It is especially popular during the summer months.

What does bun rieu taste like?

Bun rieu has a fresh, sour flavor from tomatoes and souring fruits, balanced with the savory taste of crab and the herbal notes from fresh greens and herbs.

Are there different types of bun rieu?

Yes, there are several types, including bun rieu cua (with crab), bun rieu cá (with fish), and bun rieu ốc (with snail). Vegetarian versions also exist.

Is bun rieu vegetarian?

Most bun rieu contains crab or other seafood, but vegetarian versions can be made using tofu and vegetarian sausage instead of crab.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bún riêu", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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