Authentic Ca Mau Crab Gỏi Recipe: A Taste of the Mekong Delta

Ca Mau Crab Gỏi is a renowned specialty from the Southern region of Vietnam, known for its harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. Let’s explore how to make this delicious dish in detail and easily at home with Sổ Tay Món Ăn.

How to Make Ca Mau Crab Gỏi

Ingredients Preparation

To make Ca Mau Crab Gỏi for 4 servings, you will need the following ingredients:

• Salted crabs: 100g
• Green papaya: 500g
• Dried shrimp: 30g
• Carrot: 1 (100g)
• Long beans: 40g
• Tomato: 1
• Pickled eggplant: 4
• Garlic: 10g
• Red bird’s eye chili: 2
• Vietnamese coriander/culantro: a few
• Roasted peanuts: 15g
• Palm sugar: 50g
• Lime/lemon juice: 1/2 cup
• Fish sauce: 1 teaspoon
• Salt/sugar: a pinch

Choosing Fresh Ingredients

Selecting Crabs

• Choose large crabs with firm meat, especially those carrying eggs
• Check by breaking a leg; if the meat is full and white, it’s fresh
• The best season for crabs is from August to October in the lunar calendar

Selecting Papaya

• Choose medium-sized, green, and heavy papayas
• Prefer freshly picked ones with sticky sap at the stem for crispness

Selecting Carrots

• Opt for straight, smooth-skinned, bright-colored carrots
• Avoid those with lush leaves at the base or oddly shaped ones

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Preparing the Crabs

• Wash the salted crabs with warm water for about 10 minutes
• Drain and marinate with 1 teaspoon of sugar
• Refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavor soak in

Step 2: Preparing Other Ingredients

• Peel and shred the papaya and carrot, then soak in ice water
• Cut the long beans into 5cm pieces
• Soak the dried shrimp in warm water for 15 minutes, then lightly fry
• Deseed the tomato and cut into bite-sized squares

Step 3: Making the Dressing

• Mix 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of fermented fish sauce, 50g of palm sugar, and 1/2 cup of lime/lemon juice

Step 4: Mixing the Gỏi

• Pound the garlic and chili until fine
• Add the ingredients to the mortar one by one, pounding and mixing evenly
• Finally, top with Vietnamese coriander and roasted peanuts

Finished Ca Mau Crab Gỏi

Final Product

A perfect Ca Mau Crab Gỏi should have:

• Attractive colors from various vegetables
• A harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors
• The crunchiness of papaya and carrot
• The rich, nutty taste of crabs and dried shrimp
• Fragrant roasted peanuts as a garnish

We hope that with the detailed guide above, you have mastered the authentic Ca Mau Crab Gỏi recipe. Give it a try and share your results with us!