A 90-year-old woman follows her daughter's career, selling vermicelli with meatballs: A touching 'contradictory' story

Waking up at 3am to cook vermicelli with meatballs to serve customers, a 90-year-old woman in Ho Chi Minh City follows her daughter's footsteps and spreads the spirit of 'as long as you have the strength, you will continue working', making many people admire her.

Every day, old lady Ly Ba, with her white hair and hunched back, still diligently cooks attractive bowls of vermicelli with meatballs for diners in Ho Chi Minh City. The story behind the popular restaurant of the 90-year-old woman in Ho Chi Minh City makes diners emotional.

Inheritance… of deceased daughter

One morning at the beginning of the week, I stopped by my familiar noodle shop at 49 Doi Cung, Phu Tho Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (old District 11). As usual, Mr. Ly Ba was still sitting next to the hot pot of broth, diligently making bowls of noodle soup to bring to customers. The restaurant was simple with 1-2 tables for customers to sit.

At the age of 84, Mr. Ly Ba is still working hard at his late daughter's vermicelli noodle shop.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

The old lady is Cantonese Chinese, but speaks fluent Vietnamese. Despite her advanced age, Ly Ba is still very healthy and alert. Although she prepares dishes a bit slowly while taking care of everything in the restaurant by herself, the customers all sympathize with her.

According to the story, this restaurant has been around for over 40 years. Before that, the restaurant was opened by Mr. Ly Ba's daughter, so the restaurant was named Phuong after the owner. Over 4 years ago, Mrs. Phuong passed away due to a serious illness.

Mourning her daughter, the mother decided to inherit her daughter's restaurant until now. Because, in this restaurant, the mother saw a part of her daughter's image. "When she was in her teens, my daughter wanted to open a restaurant, to do business for a living. I went to many places to eat, saw this vermicelli with meatballs dish was so delicious that I learned how to make it, then taught her to open a restaurant. I had another job, not selling with my daughter. Only after my daughter passed away, did I replace her to sell," the old woman confided.

Mr. Ly Ba also has a youngest son. He hopes that his mother will be able to rest in her old age and not have to work hard to make a living, but she still opens the restaurant every day. Partly because she does not want to depend on her children and grandchildren, and partly because she has feelings for this restaurant and for the customers who have supported her over the years.

Attractive bowl of noodles for 50,000 VND

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

"I believe that as long as I have the strength, I will continue to work and create value for life. I will work until I no longer have the strength to support my children and grandchildren. I find joy in working and in my daily work," the shop owner added.

4am food available

Every day, Mr. Ly Ba gets up at 3am to prepare the dishes and can serve customers by 4am. The restaurant only opens in the morning, and on days when there are few customers, he opens until after 11am.

Each meal here costs 50,000 VND. The bowl of vermicelli with meatballs has fresh shrimp, quality meatballs and ham. The broth is clear and has a sweet aftertaste. Diners can order additional dishes depending on their needs.

Ms. Le Kim (25 years old) said that not long ago, she learned about the restaurant through social networks. Her house is not far from the restaurant, she and her relatives came to try the food and became regular customers here, often stopping by every week to support.

For Mr. Ly Ba, as long as he has strength, he will continue to work.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

"What impressed me most about the restaurant was not only the food, but also the old lady's enthusiasm. Even in her old age, she still works tirelessly, truly a role model for young people like us," the girl shared.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Binh (28 years old) likes the taste of the vermicelli with meatballs here because there are not too many spices and the ingredients used in the bowl are of good quality. He said that every time he has a chance to come to this area, he stops by to eat and will continue to support the owner.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cu-ba-u90-noi-nghiep-con-gai-ban-bun-moc-cau-chuyen-nguoc-doi-gay-xuc-dong-185251013124010439.htm