Sup cua — Vietnamese crab soup with egg ribbons, corn, and mushrooms in a silky cornstarch-thickened broth — is a popular appetizer at Honolulu's Vietnamese restaurants, especially at spots that serve it as part of their family-style dinners.
Bac Nam top-pick
Mon-Sun 11AM-10PM
Bac Nam's seafood-centric menu naturally includes excellent sup cua. Their version is rich with real crab meat, sweet corn, and egg ribbons in a properly thick broth. The upscale Vietnamese setting means the crab is real, not imitation, and the consistency is velvety.
Pho Vietnam best-value
Mon-Sun 10AM-10PM
Pho Vietnam includes a solid sup cua among their starters. The Chinatown location means access to fresh crab, and the soup reflects it — generous with crab meat, properly thickened, and seasoned with white pepper. A warming starter that sets up a big Vietnamese meal.
Saigon Grill hidden-gem
Mon-Sun 11AM-10PM
Saigon Grill includes a well-executed sup cua with plenty of crab and a silky egg-drop texture. It is a comforting starter that pairs well with their larger entrees. The Kapiolani Boulevard location offers a slightly more upscale dining experience, and the soup quality reflects it.