Vietnamese Fish Soup with Chinese Celery and Tomatoes (Canh Ca Nau Ngot)

Vietnamese Fish Soup with Chinese Celery and Tomatoes (Canh Ca Nau Ngot)
Vietnamese Fish Soup with Chinese Celery and Tomatoes (Canh Ca Nau Ngot)

Fish Soup with Chinese Celery and Tomatoes (Canh Ca Nau Ngot) is a traditional Vietnamese soup that can be whipped up in mere minutes. This soup is similar to the Vietnamese Sour Fish Soup (Canh Chua Ca) but it’s more mild in flavor and utilizes fewer ingredients. It’s a great alternative when you don’t have all ingredients for Canh Chua. The tartness in this soup comes from the tomatoes instead of tamarind as in Canh Chua. For me, I like a bit more tartness so I squeezed in some limes. For a more flavorful soup, use chicken or fish stock instead of water. As for the fish, any type will do. I like to stick to either tilapia, salmon or cod. Serve this soup with a bowl of steamed white rice and you got yourself a complete and quick meal.

Tomatoes, minced garlic and lime (for added tartness)
Tomatoes, minced garlic and lime (for added tartness)
Salmon fillets with skin
Salmon fillets with skin

Complete the Meal

Sour soup is traditionally served with caramelized claypot catfish (Ca Kho).

Looking for something else? Try these other popular side dishes:

Chinese celery. Separate the stalks from the leaves. The leaves cook up much faster than the stalks.
Chinese celery. Separate the stalks from the leaves. The leaves cook up much faster than the stalks.
If you have a garden, don't discard the root end of the celery. Plant them in your garden and it will regenerate. Give it plenty of water and watch the magic happens. It's awesome.
If you have a garden, don’t discard the root end of the celery. Plant them in your garden and it will regenerate. Give it plenty of water and watch the magic happens. It’s awesome.
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Vietnamese Fish Soup with Chinese Celery and Tomatoes (Canh Ca Nau Ngot)


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  • Author: Vicky Pham
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6

Description

A simple fish soup with Chinese celery and tomatoes, this quick recipe pairs perfectly with steamed rice for a complete meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 liters water/chicken stock/fish stock
  • 1 1/2 lbs whole fish or 1 lb fish fillets
  • 1 stalk Chinese celery
  • 2 large tomatoes (quartered)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
  • Juice of 2 limes

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chinese celery: Separate leaves from stalks, then cut into bite-size pieces. For the thicker stalks, use a vegetable peeler to remove the fibers. This will make them tender and easier to eat
  2. Prepare Aromatics: In a medium pot, coat the bottom with vegetable oil and heat on medium high. Add garlic. Saute until fragrant and lightly browned.
  3. Add Stock and Fish: Add stock/water and fish. Bring to a boil then turn. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Add Vegetables: Add celery stalks and tomatoes. Cook for about 2 more minutes or until stalks are tender.
  5. Season the Soup: Season with fish sauce, sugar, chicken bouillon powder and limes.
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vietnamese
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11 responses to “Vietnamese Fish Soup with Chinese Celery and Tomatoes (Canh Ca Nau Ngot)”

  1. This is my favorite soup! I think it’s better than canh chua

    1. Forgot to mention I also add cilantro and green onions!

      1. Yum! Thank you for comment, Jessica 🙂

  2. Hi Vicky, I cooked this recipes 2 times now and it was very well received! Thank you for sharing. You are correct in that it is simpler than cooking canh chua but the yumminess level is right up there with canh chua!

    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Ann. And thank you for the comment!

  3. Hi Vicky,Would it be possible to have a print option for your recipes?Thank you,Hoa

  4. Hi Vicky, I enjoy reading your blog very much. Thank you for sharing all the yummy recipes!

  5. I was about to ask the same thing! When do you add the tomatoes? And can you use cherry or grape tomatoes cut in halves instead?

    1. Hi Mel. Sorry about that. Add the tomatoes with the celery. I’ll update the recipe when I get a chance. Thanks!

  6. When are the tomatoes added?

    1. Hi Huy. Sorry about that. Add the tomatoes with the celery. I’ll update the recipe when I get a chance. Thanks!

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