The tofu stall with molasses has been selling for over 30 years and is always crowded with people. They don't dare to raise the price because... they care about their customers.

When talking about snacks in Saigon, we cannot help but mention hot tofu. This simple, rustic dish brings a sweet taste that anyone who eats it will remember forever.

This is probably also a childhood memory dish for many people. When I was a kid, just hearing the call: "Who wants tofu?" , every child would eagerly ask their mother to eat it.

In Ho Chi Minh City, there are many places selling hot tofu, but the one that is popular with gourmets is Ms. Hiep's hot tofu, which has been sold for over 30 years, located in District 3.

The simple tofu stall is the childhood of many people. Some people have eaten tofu here since they were little and now that they are grown up and have families, they bring their children here to eat.

Located in alley 284 Le Van Sy street, district 3, Ho Chi Minh city, is the small tofu stall of Ms. Hiep. With just a pot of tofu, a pot of molasses and more than a dozen plastic chairs for customers to sit and eat, Ms. Hiep's tofu stall has existed for more than 30 years and is the place to support her whole family.

The pot of tapioca pearl molasses water is always hot.

From 7am, Ms. Hiep started to set up her stall for sale. The tofu dish seems simple but it makes many people fall in love. The soft, fragrant white tofu is served with sweet molasses water with a hint of ginger, chewy tapioca pearls, mixed with fatty coconut milk, all creating a delicious harmony. That is why, despite the hot weather, hot tofu is still a favorite dish of many people.

Ms. Hiep started selling hot tofu for only 1,000 VND/bowl in the early days. The price gradually increased, the hot tofu bowls cost 2,000 VND, 3,000 VND, 5,000 VND, 8,000 VND... then stopped at 10,000 VND. "I have been selling for 10,000 VND for several years now. Many people ask why the price of raw materials has increased but I have not increased it, but honestly, I look at the children and I feel sorry for them, I cannot bear to increase the price" - Ms. Hiep confided.

Ms. Hiep's tofu stall is always crowded with customers.

A bowl of hot tofu costs only 10,000 VND but is always filled with tofu, ginger syrup, coconut milk and lots of tapioca pearls. Customers who come to eat tofu will have it served in a ceramic bowl placed on an aluminum bowl to keep it from getting too hot. Even though there are many customers, Ms. Hiep always asks customers how they want to eat it so she can make it exactly as they like.

A full bowl of tofu costs only 10,000 VND.

The afternoon is probably the busiest time for Ms. Hiep's tofu stall, with customers coming to eat and buy take-out. Because her shop does not sell on food ordering apps, customers who want to eat can only come directly to the shop. Just like that, people gather around the tofu stall and the always hot pot of molasses, everyone eats and chats with Ms. Hiep, everything is simple and comfortable like returning to childhood.

Ms. Hiep always smiles at customers.

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Ms. Hiep's family has been making tofu for three generations. Ms. Hiep was taught the craft of making tofu by her mother and grandmother. She has been doing this job since she was 26 years old. Tofu seems simple but it turns out to be extremely elaborate and time-consuming to make. That's why Ms. Hiep said she doesn't want to pass on the craft to her children because it's very hard work.

Every day, Ms. Hiep sells 2 large pots of tofu.

Every day, Ms. Hiep soaks soybeans from 9 pm, goes to bed at 10 pm, then wakes up at 2 pm to grind and cook, finishing everything at 6 pm and selling at 7 pm. To make tofu, the most important step is the grinding, because if it is not ground properly, the finished product can be ruined. Ms. Hiep said: "Making tofu is very hard. In the past, there were times when I failed to make it, the tofu did not solidify, and all I could do was cry. My uncle and I often argued because we did not grind the beans properly. Now we are used to it, but it is still hard. I only sleep 4 hours a day, so sometimes I fall asleep while selling."

Ms. Hiep chooses the best soybeans from her hometown in Quang Ngai to make tofu. Every day, she uses about 20kg of soybeans to make two large pots of tofu. Ms. Hiep also makes the coconut milk and molasses herself, and her family makes the tapioca pearls for her. The fragrant, thick molasses is also what makes Ms. Hiep's tofu brand. She said that using this type of sugar is more expensive, but the finished product is delicious and sweet, not too sweet, so it is very delicious.

All ingredients are handmade by her and her family so they are of very high quality.

At nearly 60 years old, Ms. Hiep's health is no longer good, so the tofu stall is both a place for her to make a living and a place for her to find joy every day. Although tired, she always has a bright smile, especially when she sees customers enjoying their food. Each bowl of tofu is scooped evenly by Ms. Hiep, the soft tofu pieces are stacked on top of each other, drizzled with hot molasses water with the aroma of fresh ginger, adding coconut milk and delicious tapioca pearls made from tapioca starch. And then there is a bowl of tofu that warms the stomach.

If you have a chance, try visiting Ms. Hiep's tofu stall!

Source: https://toquoc.vn/ganh-tau-hu-duong-mat-nup-hem-ban-hon-30-nam-luc-nao-cung-tap-nap-nguoi-den-an-khong-no-tang-gia-vi-thuong-khach-20240326152730104.htm