Unique 1 meter wide noodle shop, 36 years old in Ho Chi Minh City: Still crowded with customers

That is the "alley" noodle shop of Mrs. Ngo Thi Lan's family (67 years old) located at 169 Le Quang Dinh Street (Ward 7, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City), nearly 40 years old.

The family's bread and butter

Passing by the crowded Le Quang Dinh street at 7 pm, I was surprised by a restaurant with a path leading to the kitchen. The seating area was only 1 meter but still full of customers.

The restaurant opens from 6pm to midnight, this is a familiar place for many night food lovers. The later it gets, the more customers flock to the alley restaurant.

Space only enough for one person to pass through.

For the past 36 years, Mrs. Lan and her husband have been raising four children. Currently, her daughter, son and daughter-in-law also help out. The atmosphere at the restaurant is always bustling, even though it is crowded, the owner still quickly prepares the fastest meals for the customers.

Sharing with reporters, the owner said that the whole family lives off this noodle shop. Since they were young, her son and daughter have helped their mother wait tables. Up to now, the two children have gradually taken over their mother's business.

Every day, the restaurant sells about 40kg of noodles, pasta, rice noodles... and 60kg of bones. All are prepared by the whole family from early morning to late afternoon. Because the restaurant is located in an alley, the space is quite cramped, but the whole family works together smoothly. One person scoops food, another pours broth into bowls, and then another brings it to each table. The restaurant owner's son often chats and guides customers on how to eat the most delicious food. The family members feel happy and enthusiastic every day when welcoming customers in and out.

Mrs. Lan (right) and her daughter.

Unique 36-year-old alley noodle soup in Ho Chi Minh City: The shop is only 1 meter wide but crowded.

After nearly an hour of chatting, it was noticed that most of the customers here are regulars who have been eating here for decades. Mr. Ha (47 years old), who has been eating here for more than 20 years, believes that the reason why customers stay here is thanks to the enthusiasm of Mrs. Lan's family. "The whole family is happy and friendly. I feel very comfortable eating here. Many restaurants nowadays have very unpleasant service," Mr. Ha shared.

"This restaurant is unique in Saigon"

The price of a full bowl of banh canh gio is 45,000 VND and the special bowl costs 65,000 VND including blood, pig's trotters, lean meat, pork skin, radish... In addition, the restaurant also sells other dishes such as spring rolls, flan, jelly,...

"There are so many customers, you must have some special secret," we asked curiously. Ms. Lan said: "The broth is a specialty here, prepared according to a unique recipe unlike anywhere else. The broth is sweet and clear because it is made from simmered bones combined with radish. That is also the secret to customers coming to the restaurant over the years."

A bowl of noodle soup costs 45,000 VND.

Although the shop is only wide enough for one person to pass through, the space is narrow enough for 4 tables and cooking, but when we asked "Are you planning to open more branches or expand the premises?" the owner smiled and replied: "I have been selling for 36 years, customers here are used to it. It is cramped, inconvenient to walk, have to squeeze and avoid each other but it is fun. It is this uniqueness that makes the name and brand of the shop. Anyone who comes once will remember."

Among the regular customers at this restaurant is Mr. Tran Le Quang (35 years old, Binh Thanh District). Tonight, he stopped by to eat a full portion of banh canh. He shared that he knew about the restaurant because his mother used to take him here to eat, and for the past several decades, he has stopped by to eat almost 2-3 times a week.

“I have been eating here since I was little, probably 20 years. The noodle soup here is delicious, with a unique flavor. The ham is not too tough or too soft, and the broth is sweet and very suitable for me,” said Mr. Quang.

Only 1 meter wide but still crowded.

Similarly, Ms. Tran (50 years old, Binh Thanh District) commented that this restaurant is the "unique" noodle shop in Saigon. "I'm used to eating here, the noodles here are delicious, the broth is sweet and not too much MSG." Evaluating the quality of the food plus the enthusiasm and cheerfulness of the owner and her four children, Ms. Tran gave it a perfect score of 10.

Mrs. Lan's family has no intention of opening more branches or expanding the premises. Mrs. Lan is grateful and appreciates the support of customers from near and far. At the age of 67, she decided that as long as she has the strength, she will continue to sell, and bring the most dedicated meals to diners.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-la-quan-banh-canh-rong-1-met-36-nam-o-tphcm-khach-van-nuom-nuop-185231110085307965.htm