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Vietnamese fish soup

Vietnamese fish soup (canh chua ca): A perfect sour-sweet culinary blend

08/12/2023 1.286 views

Vietnamese fish soup, whether enjoyed in the serene North or the vibrant South, is a symphony of fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and skillful preparation, making it an unmissable delight for every culinary enthusiast.
Vietnamese fish soup is one of the best fish soups globally

Vietnamese fish soup is one of the best fish soups globally (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese fish soup, a popular Vietnamese food, was rated as one of the best soup dishes in the world by TasteAtlas – a reputable online travel guide. This fish soup Vietnamese recipe offers an exquisite taste that you definitely should savor on your Vietnam travel.

1. A glance at Vietnamese fish soup in the local cuisine

Fish soup, a widely enjoyed dish in Vietnamese culinary traditions, boasts a delightful combination of fresh fish and Vietnamese vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and fragrant herbs like cilantro, dill, basil. The addition of spices like garlic and chili further enhances the overall flavor profile. Vietnamese fish soup recipes exhibit a delightful diversity across the different regions in Vietnam, with each locale showcasing its unique cooking techniques.

1.1. Vietnamese fish soup in the North

Representing the sophisticated culinary legacy of Northern Vietnam, Vietnamese fish soup in the Northern region exudes a subtly aromatic essence. The characteristic sourness of this soup is traditionally derived from fruits like starfruit, tomatoes, and limequat, complemented by the use of naturally fermented condiments. Freshwater fish, including snakehead fish, carp, and catfish, are preferred for Northern Vietnamese fish soup. Minimal use of chili and the absence of sugar characterize this soup, reflecting a preference for a naturally mild sourness. 

Northern Vietnamese fish soup is characterized by a mild sourness

Northern Vietnamese fish soup is characterized by a mild sourness (Source: Collected)

1.2. Vietnamese fish soup in the Central

The dominant tanginess in the fish soup in Central Vietnam, coupled with the traditional utilization of seafish, captures the essence of the region’s coastal culinary heritage. Essential components include various types of seafish, with bitterness playing a vital role. In Central Vietnamese cuisine, the sour taste often stems from fruits like starfruit, pineapples, and tomatoes. Furthermore, pickled vegetables such as sour bamboo shoots, pickled mustard greens, and salted water spinach contribute to the flavor profile of Central Vietnamese fish soup. 

1.3. Vietnamese fish soup in the South

In Southern Vietnam, fish soup is a go-to dish to beat the summer heat. The flavor of Southern Vietnamese fish soup boasts a greater diversity than that in other regions, featuring a milder sourness that intertwines harmoniously with the lush sweetness of sugar. The sourness often comes from the region’s abundant produce, including tomatoes, pineapples, tamarind, starfruit, pomelos, limes, kumquats, and ground cherries. Moreover, various sour leaves, such as arrowhead leaf, tamarind leaf, and vinegar tree leaf, cater to those who prefer a gently sour taste.

With just fish and vegetables, you can experiment with numerous variations of Vietnamese fish noodle soup

With just fish and vegetables, you can experiment with numerous variations of Vietnamese fish noodle soup (Source: Collected)

>>> Read more: Vietnamese sweet and sour soup (Canh chua): A harmonious fusion of flavors

2. The 7 most well-regarded recipes of Vietnamese fish soup

2.1. Vietnamese cobia fish soup (canh chua ca bop)

Canh chua ca bop is a delightful variation featuring a subtle tartness from bamboo shoots and the delicious flavor of fish. To prepare this dish, you will need cobia fish, doc mung (a type of herb), tomatoes, bamboo shoots, garlic, seasoning, and aromatic herbs. This speedy Vietnamese soup recipe involves the following steps:

  • Prepare the ingredients by blanching the bamboo shoots and chopping other ingredients.
  • Heat oil in a pan. Sauté the garlic and tomatoes. Stir until the tomatoes soften.
  • Add the fish and bamboo shoots, allowing the soup to simmer. Season the broth to taste. Garnish the soup with aromatic herbs.

2.2. Vietnamese snakehead fish soup (canh chua ca loc)

Canh chua ca loc, a famous Southern Vietnamese fish soup, blends sweet and tangy flavors with snakehead fish. Other ingredients include okra, tomatoes, pineapples, tamarind, doc mung, bean sprouts, purple onions, garlic, chili, salt, seasoning powder, cooking oil, sugar, and aromatic herbs. To make this dish:

  • Prep the ingredients.
  • Marinate the bite-sized fish pieces with purple onions, garlic, and seasoning powder.
  • Slice the pineapples and okra, cut the tomatoes, and chop the herbs.
  • Blanch the doc mung and soak the tamarind in warm water.
  • Sauté onions and garlic, stir-fry the marinated fish, add water, pineapples, and tamarind.
  • After 3 minutes, add tomatoes, okra, doc mung, and bean sprouts. Season and garnish with herbs before serving.
Vietnamese fish soup with pineapples and snakehead fish

Vietnamese fish soup with pineapples and snakehead fish (Source: Collected)

2.3. Vietnamese red tilapia fish soup (canh chua ca dieu hong)

This dish features a straightforward Vietnamese fish soup recipe that accentuates red tilapia fish’s sweet and fatty notes. Other ingredients encompass okra, tomatoes, pineapples, doc mung, bean sprouts, purple onions, garlic, tamarind, seasoning, and aromatic herbs. This Vietnamese sour fish soup recipe includes the following steps:

  • Prep the ingredients as mentioned above.
  • Boil water to cook the red tilapia fish, then use the fish stock, pineapples, and tomatoes to create the broth. Allow it to simmer.
  • Introduce doc mung, okra, and bean sprouts. Continue cooking for approximately two minutes. Season the soup to your taste.
  • Turn off the heat and serve. Garnish with aromatic herbs.

2.4. Vietnamese howler fish soup (canh chua ca hu)

There are numerous ways to prepare sour fish soup with howler fish depending on personal preferences, such as using pineapples or tamarinds. This version includes preparing the soup with sesbania flowers. Here’s a simple recipe:

  • Heat a pot and add a bit of cooking oil. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add salt and sugar. 
  • Once the garlic is aromatic, add tomatoes and stir-fry. Add a tablespoon of chili paste.
  • Add about one bowl of water when the tomatoes are well-cooked.
  • Once the broth is boiling again, add the howler fish. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. When the howler fish is cooked, remove it to avoid overcooking.
  • Add sesbania flowers. Sauté some minced garlic and aromatic herbs until the sesbania flowers are tender but still crispy.
Vietnamese fish soup with tomatoes and howler fish

Vietnamese fish soup with tomatoes and howler fish (Source: Collected)

2.5. Vietnamese basa fish soup (canh chua ca basa)

“Canh chua ca basa” offers a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess, making it a perfect choice for hot summer lunches. The necessary ingredients include basa fish, tomatoes, pineapples, bean sprouts, corn, chili, and various herbs such as scallions and cilantro. Follow these steps to prepare this authentic Vietnamese fish soup:

  • Sauté the scallions. Stir-fry the tomatoes and pineapples until soft. Gently add the basa fish, flipping the fish pieces delicately.
  • Once the fish is partially cooked, add broth and bring it to a boil for about 10 minutes. At this point, you can incorporate pineapples, tamarind, or other preferred souring agents.
  • As the fish approaches readiness, add various herbs. Season to taste. Ladle the soup into a bowl, topping it with spices.

2.6. Vietnamese catfish soup (canh chua ca lang)

“Canh chua ca lang” is a flavorful entry among the diverse Vietnamese fish soup recipes. The Vietnamese catfish soup recipe includes catfish, tomatoes, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, garlic, seasoning, and aromatic herbs. To prepare this Vietnamese fish soup:

  • Marinate the catfish with fish sauce, ground pepper, ginger, and turmeric.
  • Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Quickly sear the catfish to eliminate any fishy odor.
  • Pour water into the pan and bring it to a boil. Add dracontomelon, lemongrass, and tomatoes. Simmer thoroughly.
  • Adjust the sourness of the dracontomelon.
Vietnamese catfish soup with dracontomelon

Vietnamese catfish soup with dracontomelon (Source: Collected)

2.7. Vietnamese goby fish soup (canh chua ca keo)

This simple yet incredibly delicious soup brings an unforgettable culinary experience for anyone fortunate enough to try it. In addition to goby fish, you will need to prepare agati flowers, water mimosa, tomatoes, bean sprouts, and a tamarind broth. Cooking “canh chua ca keo” is relatively straightforward, and you can easily follow these steps:

  • Sauté the oil with tomatoes and minced garlic until fragrant.
  • Pour the tamarind broth into a pot, bring it to a boil, and add the snakehead fish. Simmer for about 3 minutes.
  • Once the snakehead fish is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot to prevent it from breaking apart.
  • Add various herbs and season to taste, then turn off the heat.

>>> Check out these Vietnamese rice noodle recipes and get yourself an authentic home-made Vietnamese dish! 

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3. How does Vietnamese fish soup rank globally?

Vietnamese fish soup holds an impressive global ranking, securing the fourth position among the top 10 most delightful fish soups worldwide, fifth in the list of the tastiest seafood soups, and eighteenth among the top 100 dishes centered around fish, as per the renowned online travel guide Taste Atlas.

Widely embraced across different regions, Vietnamese sour fish soup recipe variations showcase the diverse culinary cultures of Vietnam. This diversity contributes to the culinary richness that defines Vietnamese food tourism, an exploration that no traveler should overlook while visiting the country.

Vietnamese hot and sour fish soup is ranked among the most delightful fish soups worldwide

Vietnamese hot and sour fish soup is ranked among the most delightful fish soups worldwide (Source: Collected)

>>> Try Vietnamese fish cake and enhance your trip with its amazing flavor! 

If you are a culinary enthusiast, Vietnam is undoubtedly the paradise you should check out. In every city you visit, whether Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc, mouth-watering dishes are ready to captivate even the most discerning palates. Beyond the delightful fish soup, Vietnam boasts thousands of other delicious dishes such as pho, bun, traditional cakes, and much more.

After your food adventure, don’t forget to immerse yourself in a realm of fun at VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. These incredible entertainment complexes boast a variety of activities catering to visitors of all ages. Here, you can delve into exhilarating rides, explore magnificent aquariums, venture through safari parks, and enjoy captivating shows. Whether you are with family or friends, VinWonders ensures boundless fun.

And if you still need to decide on your accommodation, Vinpearl stands out as the top choice. As a leading hospitality brand in Vietnam, Vinpearl has branches in the most captivating destinations, promising to provide a relaxing stay and enhance your journey to its fullest.

Enjoy endless fun at VinWonders

Enjoy endless fun at VinWonders

Vinpearl is a leading hospitality brand in Vietnam

Vinpearl is a leading hospitality brand in Vietnam

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park to have the most enjoyable moments in Vietnam at the best prices!

As a staple in daily Vietnamese meals, Vietnamese fish soup exemplifies the country’s commitment to blending fresh ingredients and skillful techniques. Each bowl tells a unique story of the local tastes and traditions, from the serene Northern sour fish soups to the spicy versions in the Central and the tangy renditions in the South. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor the symphony of flavors in Vietnamese fish soup when you explore Vietnam’s culinary landscape.

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