Vietnamese Canh

Vietnamese Canh is a light, clear soup that serves as a comforting and essential part of a traditional Vietnamese family meal. It typically features a clear broth simmered with daikon radish, often accompanied by ingredients like shrimp, pork, or tofu, and finished with fresh herbs like cilantro and scallions. This humble dish is a staple across Vietnam, valued for its simplicity and ability to balance richer dishes on the table.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Canh is generally low in fat and carbohydrates, with a modest amount of protein depending on the added shrimp or meat. It provides hydration and key nutrients like vitamin C and potassium from the daikon, and a typical serving contains roughly 50-100 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	35 kcal
Protein	1.5 g
Carbs	6.5 g
Fat	0.5 g
Fiber	1.2 g
Sugar	3 g
Sodium	480 mg
Potassium	280 mg
Vitamin C	12 mg
Vitamin A	85 mcg RAE
Folate	35 mcg
Calcium	30 mg
Iron	0.5 mg
Magnesium	15 mg
Manganese	0.2 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Canh is more than just a soup; it's a symbol of home cooking and balance in a Vietnamese meal, often meant to be sipped between bites of rice and other dishes. Nutritionally, the slow-simmered daikon is prized in traditional beliefs for its 'cooling' properties, believed to aid digestion and cleanse the palate.