How Villagers Make Millions Growing Giant Mudcrabs in Blue Shoeboxes

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In this video, we journey to the Mekong Delta to explore an innovative farming practice where villagers use vertical farms to cultivate giant mudcrabs, turning a novel concept into a thriving business. This vertical farming method not only utilizes minimal space ingeniously but also promotes sustainability, significantly benefiting the local economy. We'll delve into the intricacies of these compact mudcrab farms, understand the challenges these farmers face, and observe the positive effects on their communities.
Additionally, we briefly compare this technique to the traditional Filipino open pond method, highlighting differences in efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. The video culminates in Saigon, where we indulge in some of the country's best softshell crab, showcasing the delicious end product of this unique aquaculture. Join us on this fascinating journey from innovative crab farming in the Mekong to the culinary delights of Saigon.
Restaurant address:
Miến Cua 94
94 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
maps.app.goo.gl/hj86VocqtX42F...
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[@coleyboy1921]

Once this becomes the norm the normal farms will start marketing as cage free mud crab 😂

[@user-nc7kj6uf4x]

lol and the preiium on these "ethical case free crabs" wil be fore the higher class to pay 🤣

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

"：00

[@QuickStrikes84]

Very clever to raise them like this. Some invertebrates like tarantulas, scorpions, crabs etc.. actually feel more comfortable/safe in an enclosed space. Replicates the burrows they occupy in the wild.

[@johndang7300]

Your getting better with every video, please keep doing more videos. Its better than others that have millions of subscribers.

[@senpaiasmr3889]

the crabs live in the matrix

[@TGravy-wp4rc]

breaded and fried softshell crab is a staple in the US South, put one on a baguet and you got a Po Boy!

[@johnrossi2516]

Yup soft shell blue crab are absolutely the bomb on a poboy. South Mississippi staple .

[@Steven-po8cu]

Already a huge fan of your work, Andrew. I've been watching you and Sonny on BEFRS for a long time. Keep it up! I know you'll become huge in no time. The amount of views you've been getting is crazy.

[@Traviare1985]

Great episode! I can't wait until next Sunday,i hope you continue putting new ones out weekly! Vertical growing Vertical farming is the future... its so smart... takes up very little space compared to needing farm land or lakes.... anyway keep up the good work!

[@wyliem]

If the villagers made that much , they would all be living in mansions. The company the villagers work for makes millions.

[@I_drive_porsches]

Hey Andrew, you've done it again! My mouth is watering and I'm craving crab dishes from Vietnam. U and ur guys are awesome at researching, filming and editing. Cheers 👍🇦🇺

[@melthonkiprono7416]

Innovative. The greatest business idea ever🎉

[@bourbakis]

Wonder whether the cage raised crabs have different textures compared to the wild ones, due to lack of movement.

[@gideonfaithtorno9229]

@Base on my own experience as a fisherman, crabs living in the fish pond have a better taste and fat rather than fatting in the box. Proven and tested for me for 5 years. Because in the fish pond we have a lot of foods for crabs aside from fish. 1. We have SULIB that will serve as a booster for the fat of the crab and also to increase the size as soon as possible in the small amount of time. 2. BALIBID serve for the growth of the crab within 3 months the crab can weight up to 500 grams, 4 months 800 grams, 5 months 1kg. and many more too long to mention on by one. 😁

[@minhducnguyen9276]

True. but they'll also compete for living space and engage in cannibalism so the production volume will be reduced in exchange for the higher quality of the meat. In my country both the box and pond method are used and the price will be difference as pond grown crabs will have higher price. The box method won't replace pond crabs, they just have a difference customer base.

[@brucelee5576]

Where have you had crab in a box before ? Also isn’t a crab trap in essence a box. If they sit in the trap too long by the time you eat them there’s absolutely no meat in the shell.

[@gideonfaithtorno9229]

@@minhducnguyen9276 I totally agree when the crab changes its skin sometimes it is eaten by a stronger crab when this happens the crab that is bitten or eaten will die or have damage to the body.

[@SeanOHanlon]

You will have to forgive me for calling BS on your growth rate claim. No crab grows to 2.2 lbs in less than 6 months.

[@tonynguyen36]

andrew the best...the crab look so good.

[@FusionKush]

Congratulations on the 100k subs Andrew. Im glad youre getting more recognition.

[@phinhnanthasone1231]

There is no need to choose one over another. I will gladly take any of those amazing dishes!

[@Thor_b]

This is looks like an interesting one! Thanks again love your videos especially that episode with the hornets 😂❤

[@kenngo4434]

another great video Andrew. thanks.

[@georgiadreamingbb1245]

That looked so good!! Yummy

[@mikejones-nd6ni]

This is great👌👌 And you know what they're eating which definitely affects the flavor. i bet there sooo good. And i don't know what they do with all those crab shells but they could be used as a ingredient in fertilizer.

[@waynem7186]

Wow, thank you for this amazing and informative content. I really enjoyed this. Very cool stuff.

[@josephdoan1355]

Ty for this video. Great work

[@josephdoan1355]

8:50 love how he understands how the customer is always right 😅

[@djoglala]

When you dipped it in the sweet chili sauce i moaned just a bit 🤣

[@TimK2646]

Amazing insight into clever business - 50 years ago Mud Crabs were so common in BURMA - what has happened? Climate Change perhaps. The crabs are now mutated but yield is so much higher. This is the scientific future

[@VuTang858]

Interesting. I been back to VN a few times and never tried mud crab. Must try the next time I’m there.

[@jamesmichaeljean7840]

No better than dungeness crab.

[@dragoonzen]

looks so delicious!

[@robertlawson206]

Again a great vlog keep doing it

[@robertlawson206]

Have u put location up for restaurant ?

[@AlbertLloydy]

Great video!

[@LilyBeth-wm6lg]

Great video ❤

[@joanneganon7157]

Sorft Shell Crabs are to die for🎉 JO JO IN VT 🇺🇲💞

[@dungareekogi2442]

Dude, Sunny just dropped a video on Maryland soft shell crab today and I just happened to click for the both of you. What are the odds?

[@brendon5553]

Great video

[@rizlaruler7404]

Your boy sunny from Best food reviews ever dropped a video of soft shell crabs at the same time

[@LSmallCatL]

Sustainable, profit making = success. The better these farmers do, the better for the country and their welfare.

[@psoon04286]

You might want to give eating prawns with their shells a try. Start with the deep fried variety first 😄😋

[@edward2448]

Hey Andy, I've used soft shell 🦀 crabs many times. Mostly here in the USA it's the Maryland blue Claws. When I made them I removed the gills. ALL you have to do is lift the shell and snip them out with a knife or scissors ✂️. Personally I can't stand them. We also have something called "Cocktail Claws" which are canned and have the shell removed up to the pincher. Usually too small to serve like you had them. The farming technique was cool. Crabs cooked in spicy Italian tomato sauce is really good too. Seeya next time.✝️

[@Andrew_Fraser]

I have had Maryland crabs with Old Bay spice once before in Maryland, but never in soft shell form. I wish they had been soft shell, those things destroyed my hands after a while. It's one of the very few places I have been in the US. I'd definitely give the edge to the muddies in the taste department but I did love that spice.

[@edward2448]

@@Andrew_Fraser Hi again, Ironically Sonny posted a Maryland Crab video today. I found yours much more interesting. I'm not crazy about Crabs but I do enjoy a griddled crabcake. Try crab with a little Tarragon, really compliments the Crab. I put it in my crabcake recipe. Per pound of Crab I add, one egg, old Bay, lemon juice, Tarragon, a little Mayo and a little panko bread crumbs to bind. The key is to make sure your spice mix doesn't take over the flavor of the Crab. Try these crabcakes or in the spicy marinara, I know you have access to chili 🌶️🌶️. Seeya next time ✝️

[@ButterFadeGolf]

Old Bay bwahhaha ....Zatarains ,soaked spicy enough to make your eyes hurt a lil....I tried old bay....just so weird...

[@ButterFadeGolf]

​@edward2448 I really wanna try the seasoning pan seared ..weird to see them put it on the outside of the shell and not 8n the water so it absorbs seasoning better..

[@dryagehk]

I wonder if there is anything you can do with those empty shells? can you like grind it up and use it for feeding other stuff such as fish etc?

[@dungokunyet]

This is greaattt

[@ayuboyadaham5142]

am kenya well good….thank you this video

[@emmanuelwekesa976]

hii pia inaweza kushika huku kenya. lakini watu wa kukula ndio wachache

[@Tommywijaya6767]

Please make a detailed vertical mud crab farm video next time .

[@BxBxProductions]

went fishing one day and made the first cast. reeled it back and it felt like it was snagged on something heavy. turns out a giant mudcrab was at the end of the line. reeled it in, got a $50 offer for the crab and a ride home from the fisherman beside me. i usually do catch and release but that was an unusually big boi

[@dmusket240]

That looked so good i almost hit thumbs down because i can't have any!

[@stuart207]

I wondering how much meal they go through? And, what it comprises of?

[@mac9245]

Heck yeah

[@dixie3087]

Louisiana does soft shell blue crabs. Fried whole… I’m not a huge fan of it, but love the blue crab boiled in Cajun seasoning. They do similar to these, but instead of aquaculture, they just take all the buster crabs (crabs about to bust out their shell), and put them in big tanks together. Once they shed they freeze/sell them instantly

[@dixie3087]

In fact Louisiana/ New Orleans has a large oriental population of seafood workers

[@AlexSaeteurn916]

Dang that looks tasty 🔥

[@randomphantom6499]

Dudes prepping to building a real world Skyrim.

[@bache3145]

Super delicious

[@prasan6828]

😂 He tasted it an said HOLY CRAB 😂

[@yoke-munchan1813]

Memories of casting a net on a beach back in Singapore in the 70s catching softshell crabs to be deep fried and washed down with cold tiger beers. Those beaches are airports and modern buildings now😢.

[@tazsnoop1044]

Bro I sa8d it before dam you are making me hungry mmmmm , we so need to do this in Australia

[@williammalapitan3801]

Great Story!!

[@brucewayne2773]

How much was the Crab meal Andrew ? . If you gave me a choice between food in the Philippines and Vietnam. Vietnam hands down is so much better , even the Filipinos admit to this.

[@prst99]

Filipino food is not good.

[@jamesmichaeljean7840]

Flip food is a joke. Their national cuisine is an egg called balut 😂

[@Chooong7]

True 😂

[@KingHarryCMotia]

​@@jamesmichaeljean7840 source?

[@jamesmichaeljean7840]

@@KingHarryCMotia kzbin.infoX5PUzfCptcw?si=etV6l4sxeyKFM9n5

[@thedude7319]

I am curious about all the hard numbers. and how easily you can slot in a different species or make it adjacent to aquaponics breeding fish

[@ChrisParayno]

Are these fresh water?

[@mark6302]

well now I know why these guys are running all over Morrowind

[@PizzaCologne3]

where's the restaurant link budd

[@ricodilay]

Dude, you went to a restaurant in Vietnam while you just ate at a local house in the Philippines, what do you expect? lol

[@michaeljohnjugar703]

Admit it, we're lagging behind. From production, to cuisine, to value for money, we're simply not there. In terms of dishes, Filipino cuisine is too simple and focuses on ingenuity rather than improvement. We're not even using lots of aromatics. Cilantro? Coriander seeds, cumin, fennel, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon bark? Come on. We only use onion, garlic, ginger, and occasional bay leaves. And I haven't discussed yet our almost nonexistent veggie dishes. Everything has meat!

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

Add some greens will taste better Example: 1. Hand shredded oyster mushrooms 2. Chives (cut long) 3. Bean Sprout (crisp) 4. Green Onion (cut long) 5. Parsley or similar soup leaf

[@vancevehrs5601]

From Fresno, CA gotta have sweet spicy.

[@hukmai]

Andrew said its giving 🦀

[@StevenKinnear-wn9dd]

Weird Sonny also released a video on soft shell crab today

[@smbarner784]

Andrew bud I seen u on best ever food review show. U and sunny r the best especially when he has u do wild stuff ( ant hunting lolol ) we need u to get a sick show name like that. Wild food super adventure /w Sgt Eat Anything

[@eleanortamse2391]

❤❤❤

[@thetruthspeaksvolumesq4351]

I’m so hungry now 😊❤

[@edenleave2054]

Literally the crab matrix

[@Oompa_Output]

Protein farming, if you can control the input costs will always have a greater demand than carbohydrate farming.

[@mehmettemel8725]

Now the question is how is it marketed? Is it caged, is it free roaming or free range?

[@Walterkooy]

No address of the restaurant in Saigon. Min cour 94. Is that the name of the restaurant?

[@tristanlee6538]

Just Google Quan 94 and you found it in Google map.

[@Andrew_Fraser]

I have added it to the description

[@testdasi]

12:10 - LOL look at the guy in the background looking entirely unimpressed. :D

[@OffGridInvestor]

Having worked with Vietnamese, it's common to show them something weird or interesting or rude and they're just absolutely straight faced the entire time. Nothing seems to phase them.

[@krismeaney2841]

I thought the Filipino preparation looked better! But I would love to try that soft shell in Vietnam for sure.

[@vancevehrs5601]

yummy

[@mikedubovs1574]

Out clams in the here too to clean the water

[@jonbonda1917]

This could work in the Philippines but likely a cooperative several joint farms as a single farm can't do it themselves due to the high capital cost for freezing&exporting it to market.

[@szehing13]

What's the name of the crab restaurant in saigon??

[@Andrew_Fraser]

I’m pretty sure it’s in the voice over and the sign with the address is in the edit.

[@tristanlee6538]

Just Google Quan 94 as you can in video

[@user-xh2yg4uv9q]

Softshell blue crabs are a big thing on the US east coast. Blue crabs don't get especially large so it can be a pain to shell then for meat but a short shell crab is pretty much all edible.

[@eldiablo7862]

If left to grow blue claw crab gets big enough that 2 will take up the entire diameter of a 5 gallon pail.

[@o1ecypher]

innovating a personalized hell for each crab.

[@AwesomeFish12]

Battery cage crabs.

[@scubasam4255]

giant water bugs, who cares. or you just gloss over the big yield lose in cannibalism

[@o1ecypher]

@@scubasam4255 life feeds on life

[@VeeBeeZee22]

You'll eat them anyway

[@ahmadhidayah1]

Whats the name of the company ??

[@WabuhWabuh]

Asia is interesting...

[@XHUERO3]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@joedoe2312]

10:48 - crab restaurant

[@davedave168]

Remind me of Matrix Pod 😂

[@Demokratie4laif]

It should be labelled as plastic contamined….

[@InternetArbiter]

do they fight the mud crabs?

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Nope

[@mungbean84]

Surprised they dont have the white pepper and lime for you instead of sweet chilli. Has been a while aince i was in vietnam though so maybe its not as common anymore.

[@wesbaumguardner8829]

Makes you wonder what they are feeding the crabs.

[@Markisamiller]

Ok, he said 30kg per day. That's about 10 thousand kilos per year from 4000 boxes. That's less than 3 kilos per box per year. I guess it makes sense in a low cost labor market or at massive scale, but fully automated.

[@repsaknivek]

I think it might be even lower revenues than your figuring. Three months to grow a 300 gram crab calculates to four crabs in a year = 1.2Kg per “shoebox” per year.

[@Rahul-yr8qt]

Good initiative though

[@alanday5255]

Sadly in the US, especially Florida, crabs are being over famed and females are also taken.

[@AnarchyEnsues]

Hmmm...fish farming density is out of control in south East Asia... Animals basically growing in their own filth.

[@andreandree4384]

Well are you eating pork?. If you do, they are also living in their own fifth no?. 😅 And rearing pork is everywhere found in the west too 😅

[@AnarchyEnsues]

@@andreandree4384 yep and we are generally moving away from such a thing, cage free pork is the direction we are going, however most operations use dry bed method of dealing with waste, which is then sold for high value fertilizer at the end of season. I'm all for pasture animal production, and wouldn't be surprised if it's legislated in the coming years. Having dead rivers is a shame. With the limited farmed fishing in Australia, we noticed the huge amount of waste and damage these farms do to sheltered bays...

[@brinjoness3386]

​@@AnarchyEnsues I think the big shareholders in Tasmanian salmon will also be the large shareholders in se Asian fish farming companies.

[@AnarchyEnsues]

@@brinjoness3386 wouldn't be surprised.

[@antoniomromo]

I believe the video said that the water is filtered to remove contaminants. This has the added benefit of reducing disease. Which is a huge problem in seafood production everywhere in the world. It's a tradeoff. Wild caught is expensive and has a natural limit to avoid depletion. Farmed products allow for more productivity, but have a higher risk of disease. That's not even. Touching the privilege mindset of the "just buy free range, cage free, wild caught etc." that all works when seafood is a luxury. However, for some cultures, it is a primary animal protein.

[@thewatersavior]

What do they do with all the shells?

[@JSICycles]

Wonder what happens when PETA and California start demanding they need more space to move around 😂

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Trust me, If PETA starts operating in Vietnam, these crab farms will not be first on their list. It might not even be on the first few pages.

[@namchau7712]

Welcome to Vietnam , mate 🤩🤩😍😍 gotta give you the flower u deserved for going straight in 1 of the most delicacy of Vnese cuisine 😊😊❤❤ I bet you that them soft shell craft is probably 1 of the best seafood you have ever tasted 💪🤗🤗

[@brk1705]

He lives in Vietnam.....

[@jamesmichaeljean7840]

No better than dungeness crab. 😂

[@user-vo4tu9le1u]

Hello Andrew, do you teach English in Vietnam? If not, please do so because it would significantly contribute to Vietnam.

[@drissaudia1323]

Soft shell crabs are not mud crabs. Totally different textures.

[@theotheleo6830]

What do you mean? These soft-shelled crabs are molted mud crabs. The video explained that.

[@ReadySetGo113]

It is still hard to grasp how a, say, a "giant" 400g soft shell crab compares to a "traditional" 2-3kg mud crab. Of course you are not suggesting that the shells way more than 1kg!!!!!!

[@mrmahmoud1278]

i think you miss MUD on the cage, if these are MUDcrabs

[@TheBureauAsia]

Love 94, there are actually two near each other with the same name, which I believe caused a stir back in the day when the second opened up 😅You can def burn a hole in your wallet there 😬

[@user-lu3ok6jl4j]

Why is this video one day ago I saw this a month ago

[@jerrodbeck1799]

Their electricity bill must be through the roof