Crab noodle Ba ba — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

They have odd operating hours so it’s a hit or miss that when you arrive they may be open or closed. My first time coming at 1600, they just closed even though I read they open till 2000. I came back the next day and had lunch around 1200.

They’re located around the corner at the end of an alley. So if you get drop off from the main street, just proceed to walk towards the back and follow the curve.

Their location is quite small and with just a couple of tables. The turnover for tables is quite quick though.

But their food was amazing! Fresh crab / seafood noodle soup made right before you. Nice and piping hot. Between three people we ordered a large pot and a small bowl to share—we were advise two large pots may be too much food, and to which it totally was. Each pot/ bowl was packed with seafood. Consistency of the soup is somewhat thick (probably added starch) but goes so perfect with the Vietnamese udon style noodles. Did I mention it’s packed with seafood?

Also ordered the pork knuckle which we didn’t realize was just one knuckle. I think they cooked this in a broth and then threw some sauce on top. Nonetheless, it was tender, tasty, and easy to get the meat off the bone.

Also got the fried donut (to add to the crab noodle soup) but I didn’t care...

It's not a very good dining experience overall.

The pros: the broth is one of the best broth i ever tried, with a naturally sweet taste. The sweetness comes from fried squid and dried prawn, so it's very smooth and easy to slurp down..... And that's the only good thing this place has.

The cons: The server will try to upsale you the big pot instead of 2 bowls, and i find the pot to be quite dissatisfactory compared to the 2 bowls. The amount of toppings is acceptable, but the quality of the topping is abysmal: The fish balls and beef balls are straight from instant fish/beef ball bag that can be bought for cheap in every supermarket; the fish cake and crab cake are way too sweet for the already sweet broth; the fried dough stick is stale and bland.

The final negative point is the eating area. I don't mind eating in a small alley, if i can sit down and eat my food in peace, i'm happy. But here, the amount of traffic going thru this little alley is so much that i can't fully enjoy my food without having a bunch of dust and smoke throw in my face (also the noise pollution too).

Overall, the broth is the only thing that's going for this place, all other aspects are way below average that i cannot recommend this place or want to...

If you're in the mood for a delightful bowl of crab noodles, Crab Noodle Ba Ba is a place you won't want to miss. The restaurant offers a quaint outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your meal seated outside using small table and chairs, adding to the authentic street food experience.

The star of the show is, without a doubt, the crab noodle dish. The noodle is tasty and comes with a generous helping of meat, ensuring that every bite is as satisfying as the last. The broth is rich and flavorful, with a depth that speaks to the quality of the ingredients and the care put into its preparation.

While the outdoor seating is charming, it's worth noting that it might not be ideal for those looking for a more conventional dining setting. However, for those who appreciate the vibrancy of street-side dining, it's a perfect fit.

In summary, Crab Noodle Ba Ba offers a delicious and authentic culinary experience for crab noodle enthusiasts. The ample portions of meat and the tasty noodles make it a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in this...