Living in Saigon, I’m constantly adding new Vietnamese words to my vocabulary. It’s fascinating how some terms stick straightaway, while others, regardless of how many times I run into them, refuse to integrate into my lexicon. For instance, I can’t seem to remember the words for “menu” even though I ask to see one practically every day. However, just one tasty encounter with soft-shell crabs was all it took for the words cua lot to be forever seared into my mind. I guess the part of my brain that processes new information is directly connected to my taste buds.
I visited Quán 94, a restaurant specializing in crabs, a few weeks back with a travel journalist named Peter. I was so stoked about the place after my initial visit that I returned less than a week later with a posse of friends because great food begs to be shared.
A section of the restaurant’s entryway functions as a makeshift kitchen, and the soft-shells are prominently displayed front and center. There’s something strange and yet strangely appealing about seeing the crustaceans alive and kicking prior to consuming them.
The not-to-be-missed dishes are the soft-shell crabs with tamarind (cua lot xao me - 75,000 VND) and the traditional battered and deep-fried soft-shell crabs (cua lot chien bot - 75,000 VND). The tamarind variety was doused in a glossy sweet and sour sheen that managed to leave me speechless. The soft-shells’ texture was nothing short of perfect and absorbed the tamarind sauce unexpectedly well. The battered and deep-fried ones were served up golden and crispy with a condiment made from fish sauce, ginger and chilies that complemented the texture and flavors beautifully. I can’t believe soft-shell crabs are available in Saigon for $2.34 a piece! Criminal.
The glass noodles sautéed with crab (mien xao cua - 70,000 VND) and shrimp (mien xao tom - 70,000 VND) were also fantastic. Flavored with fish sauce and potent black pepper, the crab glass noodles contained generous hunks of meat and roe. Sure, there was the occasional shell, but I didn’t mind because these noodles were on par with Grandma’s. The consistency of the shrimp glass noodles was unbeatable and my dining companions were pleased that the shrimps were served peeled, a rarity in this country.
The crab-stuffed egg rolls (cha gio cua - 55,000 VND) were deep-fried to order and served with vermicelli rice noodles, fish sauce, herbs, and lettuce. At 11,000 VND a piece, these were the priciest cha gio I’ve ever encountered, but absolutely worth every dong because the kitchen didn’t mess around with fillers like taro, onions, and woodear mushrooms. The innards were one-hundred percent pure crab meat.
–
84 Dinh Tien Hoang Street
District 1, HCMC
Phone: 9101062
I LOVE crab, and those cha gio look absolutely perfect. Swallows.
More of a ghe man myself — once had a Biblical experience in Phan Thiet with a large plain steamed ghe which broke up into large pieces so easily and then we just dipped the chunks into a dish with the standard mix of lime, salt, pepper and chili and washed it down with cold Saigon beer.
And was it good.
Can’t wait to try these, I am drooling again, darn it!
Can’t help but noticing the discrepancy between the name of the resto Quan 94 and the address 84 Dinh Tien Hoang St. I just want to be sure to go the same one, I understand that imitation restaurants usually open near the real ones. Did this one move from its previous location 94 to 84?
holy cow you guys are killing me! Everything looks fantastic and delicious… those fried crab rolls sound heavenly
Wow! This is really expensive food by Vietnamese standards.
I was one of the lucky few in the crab shack entourage and must say that every bit of this meal was ngon qua (delicious). Un-pictured here are the deep fried ones, which are a guilty pleasure like elephant ears at the carnival.
I’ve been meaning to sneak off for a plate….
11,000 VND for a cha gio? Are you sure they didn’t rip you off?
@N. VN is the last place you should want to worry about people ripping you off if you’re a foregner cause it’s still cheap compare to whereever you came from. You need to relax and enjoy life a little!
@the author: wow 11,000 vd a piece sounds like a huge rip off even to me.
It’s hilarious when someone feels the need to lecture people over stuff they say themselves, one comment later. Yes, I’m totally relaxed now.
(Sorry Gastronomer, couldn’t help it :D)
Tia - They were decadent little things, but in terms of bang for buck, pork rules.
Teddy - I had the opportunity to try ghe last week in Nha Trang, but was so fixated on cua lot that I didn’t give ‘em a shot. I will be heading to Phan Thiet/Mui Ne in a bit, where do you recommend I go for a equally biblical experience?
Htran - From what I hear, Quan 94 used to be located at 94, but moved to 84 and kept their old name. I think this is the real deal. And if it’s not, this imposter’s got it going on.
foodhoe - I think you eat pretty darn well yourself
user - Yah, but totally worth it. Today I was charged 20,000 VND for a small plate of chicken sticky rice, now that’s a rip off.
Hawk - Let’s eat again soon!
N - Nah, that was the stated price on the Viet and English menu. But like I said, they don’t mess around here with fillers here.
Hien & N - Simmer down now
@N & Astronomer: I was trying to be funny with the second comment! guess I need to work on the funny department!