Saigon's late-night noodle soup: Street vendors make customers wait 45 minutes.

Located on Tran Binh Trong Street, Ms. Trang's noodle shop is open all night and is famous for customers having to queue for nearly an hour to enjoy a bowl of noodles.

A familiar meeting place for sleepless Saigonese.

Amidst the vibrant nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City, a section of sidewalk on Tran Binh Trong Street (Cho Quan Ward) has become a familiar destination for those seeking a quality late-night meal. Here, the unnamed noodle shop of Ms. Luong Thi My Trang (born in 1974) is always bustling with customers from evening until 4 am the following morning.

Despite it being nearly midnight, customers were still filling the tables set up on the sidewalk in front of the noodle stall run by Ms. Trang. Photo: Ha Nguyen

What's special here isn't the luxurious ambiance, but the long lines of people patiently waiting, 30 to 45 minutes long, just to enjoy a steaming bowl of noodle soup. This scene has become a defining characteristic of the restaurant for almost 10 years.

With no seats available, later-arriving customers had to queue in long lines to wait for their turn. Photo: Ha Nguyen

What makes street-side noodle soup so appealing?

Starting with Phnom Penh-style noodle soup, Ms. Trang has gradually expanded the menu to cater to the diverse tastes of her customers. Currently, the restaurant serves two main dishes: pork noodle soup and chicken noodle soup, along with other options such as rice noodle soup, vermicelli, macaroni, and noodles. Prices per serving range from 35,000 to 100,000 VND.

Ms. Trang, the owner of the restaurant, said she doesn't have any special secrets other than preparing dishes that suit the tastes of most customers. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Her secret lies in the meticulous attention to detail in every step. The broth is simmered from pork ribs, bone marrow, chicken bones, and vegetables, creating a naturally sweet and savory flavor that is rich and not cloying. The toppings are abundant, ranging from heart, liver, intestines, stomach, and pork ribs to shredded chicken, chopped chicken, quail eggs, and chicken offal. All ingredients are carefully selected and prepared with the utmost care.

The noodle soup at this restaurant has a clear broth and a variety of delicious, flavorful toppings. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Another distinctive feature is the unique dipping sauce, made from high-quality fish sauce and lime leaves, which stimulates the taste buds and enhances the flavor of the dish.

Experience the "test of patience".

Having to wait a long time has become part of the experience at this restaurant. Ms. Thanh (37 years old), a regular customer, happily calls it "a restaurant not for the impatient." She says that even though she always has to wait 30-40 minutes, she still visits frequently because of the delicious food and the lively, cozy atmosphere.

Thu Ngan (on the right) and her friend said the food at the restaurant was delicious. Photo: Ha Nguyen

On her first visit to the restaurant, Thu Ngan (20 years old) was surprised to have to wait nearly 45 minutes. "However, the food was delicious, the broth was sweet and savory, the chicken was tender and flavorful, not mushy, and the dipping sauce was also very tasty. The only downside is the long wait, which isn't suitable for someone who is hungry," Ngan shared.

Explaining the slow service, Ms. Trang said it was due to the large number of customers and that all dishes are prepared on the spot when customers order to ensure they are hot and fresh. Despite this, she is very happy that customers are always understanding and continue to support her.

Despite the long wait, almost no diners showed any signs of frustration or left; instead, they patiently continued to experience the food here. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/hu-tieu-dem-sai-gon-quan-via-he-khien-khach-cho-45-phut-398275.html