How to make Canh Bi Do

Why cooks start here

Canh Bi Do is cooked the way home kitchens cooks it — salt judged by hand, fat used generously, and the table set for sharing. This is the home version, written down the way a vietnamese family cook actually puts it on the table.

Canh Bi Do is a beloved staple in Vietnamese home kitchens, often gracing the table during family meals. A comforting soup made with pumpkin, it is steeped in tradition and prepared with an intuitive touch — salt measured by the pinch and fat added with a generous hand. This home-style version captures the essence of everyday Vietnamese cooking, where recipes are as much about feel and instinct as they are about ingredients. The soup's velvety texture comes from tender pumpkin simmered in a rich pork or vegetable stock, with shrimp adding a subtle brininess. Scallions lend a bright, fresh finish, balancing the sweetness of the pumpkin. Each spoonful is a harmonious blend of the sea and earth, embodying the simplicity and depth of Vietnamese flavors.