Tariq, who has roots in both Vietnam and Pakistan and currently resides in Canada, recently traveled to Vietnam with the intention of exploring and sharing the rich culinary culture of his homeland with an international audience.

During his stay in Hanoi, Tariq and his friend Leon spent time sampling various local dishes. Among them, one stood out and earned Tariq's highest praise as “one of the best dishes in Vietnam” - the famed Banh Da Cua (crab noodle soup with rice paper noodles).

Tariq shared that he had previously tasted Banh Da Cua both in Vietnam and Canada, while for Leon, it was his first time trying the dish. Tariq enthusiastically introduced the dish to Leon, highlighting its popularity and cultural significance in northern Vietnam.

“Banh Da Cua features characteristic brown noodles. A bowl is filled with various ingredients like beef, pork rolls, fried tofu, along with bean sprouts and fresh herbs. As far as I know, this dish originates from Hai Phong,” Tariq explained.

Tariq also carefully guided his friend on how to eat Banh Da Cua like a local - adding a bit of fresh greens (lettuce, perilla, and Vietnamese balm) to the broth, letting them wilt slightly, then adding slices of chili and a splash of lime juice for a tangy finish.

He revealed that finding Banh Da Cua in Vancouver, Canada, where he lives, is quite difficult. Thus, whenever he returns to Vietnam, he makes it a point to savor this dish.

“Pho might be the star of Vietnamese cuisine, but Banh Da Cua deserves to be loved too. This dish stands out with its brown, slightly chewy noodles and rich crab-flavored broth, along with other fresh, tasty ingredients,” Tariq commented.

According to Tariq, the appeal of Banh Da Cua lies not just in its visual presentation but also in its well-blended flavors from various ingredients. He particularly enjoyed how the textures and tastes came together, making Banh Da Cua his top choice for noodle and broth dishes in Vietnam.

Sitting at a street-side eatery, Tariq found himself savoring the dish while observing the bustling street life of Hanoi. This brought back fond memories for him and allowed him to feel the vibrant atmosphere of the capital, different from his previous visit.

“It’s wonderful to be back here. Hanoi is still as lively as ever,” the Vietnamese-Pakistani visitor expressed.

Thao Trinh