A five-star secret in Đà Lạt
Lam cooks bún riêu cua đồng, the field-crab and tomato noodle soup she grew up on. A neighbourhood favourite in the highlands, now setting a place for travellers.
Open every morning from 5:30
“Ngồi ăn tô bún bình minh, thấy như mẹ nấu, trong lành sớm mai.”
Sit down to a bowl at first light, and it tastes the way your mother’s cooking did.
Painted on the wall above Lam’s counter
01 Her story
Cua đồng, the little paddy crab at the heart of this soup, is gathered by hand from flooded rice fields. Lam grew up among those fields.
What she learned there she never put down: feed people well, put them first, and teach anyone who wants to learn.
02 The market
Herbs, bean sprouts, shredded banana blossom, tomatoes, limes and green chilli. Lam is at the market early, and the blue shutter goes up at half past five, while Đà Lạt is still cool and grey.
03 The pot
Field crab and ripe tomato, simmered slow. The riêu, a soft raft of crab and pork, rises to the top. Tofu puffs, pork, a little heat. This is the part you cannot rush.
“The best I had so far in Vietnam.”
Fabs S., traveller
04 The bowl
A real bowl, barely more than a euro. Slippery rice noodles, that deep tomato broth, crab, herbs you add yourself. Here is the whole board.
What people say
A small place, loved by locals and the travellers who find it.
I came across Lam’s shop while in Da Lat and I was extremely pleased. The Crab Noodle Soup was outstanding, the best I had so far in Vietnam. I visited it three times in a few days.
Fabs S. · traveller
Found this local gem while exploring Da Lat. Best Bún riêu I had in the whole city. The staff even showed me where to get good coffee down the street. Very helpful and sweet.
Kevin · traveller
Very local place, so it’s also affordable. The owner and the staff always greet you with a warm smile, so you feel welcome. 10/10.
Tim K. · traveller
The best food I’ve ever had during my time here, and I came back quite often. Traditional cooked food that’s simply amazing.
Vanessa K. · traveller
The owner is lovely, and kind-hearted too. If you come to Đà Lạt, you have to try this place.
Như Q. · local guest
05 Cooking class
Lam loves to teach. Walk the market with her at dawn, build the broth, roll the riêu, and sit down to the bowl you made. Small groups, in English or Vietnamese.
06 Visit
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