Beneath a lush green Indian-almond tree, diners at a rustic restaurant enjoy a bowl of ‘bánh canh tôm tít’ (mantis shrimp noodle soup) topped with various ingredients, basking in the gentle, salty sunshine and breeze from Can Gio beach, a coastal suburban district about 60 km from downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

Located at the corner of Dang Van Kieu and Duyen Hai Streets in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, Cay Bang mantis shrimp noodle soup restaurant is a beloved destination for locals. 

According to the owner, Tam, local and foreign customers have been frequenting the shop for nearly 10 years.

Initially, Tam offered breakfast dishes such as ‘bún riêu’ (Vietnamese minced crab vermicelli soup), ‘hủ tiếu’ (rice noodle soup), and ‘bò kho’ (beef stew).

To increase his income, he decided to diversify the menu. 

Cay Bang mantis shrimp noodle soup restaurant in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huy Doan / Tuoi Tre

Upon discovering Can Gio’s abundant supply of fresh mantis shrimp, he added mantis shrimp noodle soup to the menu.

For the price of VND45,000 (US$1.78), a bowl of mantis shrimp noodle soup at Cay Bang features a variety of toppings, including mantis shrimp, fish cakes, meatballs, ribs, and blood pudding. 

The mantis shrimp is skillfully processed to ensure the meat remains sweet and firm, with the shell left intact during cooking to prevent crushing.

A serving of mantis shrimp noodle soup at Cay Bang restaurant in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huy Doan / Tuoi Tre

While the focus is on the mantis shrimp, other ingredients are not overlooked. 

The meatballs are well-seasoned and chewy, the fried fish cakes are sweet and not greasy, and the ribs are tender from slow cooking. 

The broth is aromatic, with hints of vegetables and shrimp paste, creating a harmonious balance with the umami toppings.

It is perfectly balanced for southern tastes, with moderate unami profiles from bone cooking.

Toppings in a serving of mantis shrimp noodle soup at Cay Bang restaurant in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huy Doan / Tuoi Tre

Each bowl is served with boiled bean sprouts and a thick salted dipping sauce, which features a special recipe that many diners never forget. 

Customers can even purchase the dipping sauce in jars.

The restaurant’s ambiance is enhanced by the shade of a large, leafy Indian almond tree that is over 30 years old and has been there since Tam opened. 

Tam recalls a memorable customer who drove from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Gio at 6:30 am to try the mantis shrimp noodle soup, remarking that “hearing is not as good as seeing.”

Tam sells mantis shrimp noodle soup at Cay Bang restaurant in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huy Doan / Tuoi Tre

Regular patrons say that a visit to Can Gio isn’t complete without stopping by Cay Bang. 

“Every time I see them enjoying their meal, it makes me happy,” Tam shared.

Diner Quac Ca Ca remarked that Cay Bang serves the best noodle soup in Can Gio, while others have left glowing reviews on Google Maps, contributing to the restaurant’s impressive 4.5-star rating from over 500 reviews.

A large pot of broth for mantis shrimp noodle soup at Cay Bang restaurant in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Huy Doan / Tuoi Tre

Phuc Sinh Le wrote, “The soft noodles and mantis shrimp are very tasty, especially with the special sweet and sour dipping sauce."

Another diner commented, "This restaurant is the highlight of my trip to Can Gio.”

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