Nem Cua Bể
Crab Spring Rolls
A specialty from Hai Phong, these square crab spring rolls are packed with fresh crab meat, pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables, wrapped and fried until golden and crispy.
Other variations:
Nem cua bể vuông, Nem cua bể cuốn dài, Nem cua bể chiên giòn, Nem cua bể hấp
Category
Pan-Fried Dish
Region
Northern Vietnam
Preparation Time
1h10
Servings
4
Difficulty
Hard
About this recipe
Nem Cua Bể comes from the coastal city of Hai Phong. Its distinctive square shape and inclusion of fresh crab meat set it apart from other Vietnamese spring rolls, making it a celebrated dish during festivals and family gatherings.
Ingredients List
200 g fresh crab meat
100 g ground pork
100 g shrimp (peeled
chopped)
20 g wood ear mushrooms (soaked, chopped)
30 g glass noodles (soaked, cut)
1 small carrot (grated)
50 g bean sprouts
2 shallots (minced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 egg
10–12 sheets rice paper
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp ground pepper
oil for frying
Materials & Tools
Mixing bowls
knife and chopping board
frying pan or deep fryer
spider strainer
absorbent paper towels
Preparation steps
Total Time :
1h10
Active Time :
1h10
Cooking Time
–
Step 1
Make Filling
Mix crab meat, minced pork, shrimp, mushrooms, glass noodles, carrot, sprouts, shallots, garlic, egg, fish sauce, and pepper.
20 min
Step 2
Prep Wrappers
Moisten rice paper sheets with a damp cloth until soft and pliable.
5 min
Step 3
Wrap Rolls
Place filling in the center, fold into a neat square.
15 min
Step 4
Fry Rolls
Heat oil in a pan, fry rolls over medium heat until golden on all sides.
15 min
Step 5
Drain Rolls
Mix fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili into dipping sauce.
5 min
Step 6
Make Sauce
Mix fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili into dipping sauce.
10 min
Step 7
Serve
Serve hot with sauce and herbs.
5 min
Step 8
Chef’s Tips
Use fresh crab for best flavor; keep oil at medium heat to ensure rolls cook through without burning.
Serving Suggestions
Fish sauce dipping sauce, fresh herbs, lettuce leaves
Nutritional info
300 kcal15 g protein18 g fat20 g carbs
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