Besides fatty ribs and ginger fish sauce, what kind of seasoning makes some people hate and others criticize Lo Sieu noodles?

Lo Sieu noodle shop is considered by many to have the standard taste of Chinese noodles. The characteristic fatty noodles and long ribs are praised by those who like it, but criticized by those who don't.

Unique Lo Sieu rib noodles cooked in Chinese style - Photo: DANG KHUONG

The small Lo Sieu street (HCMC) is quiet in the morning, completely separate from the hustle and bustle of Saigon. The shops here have old signs, mixed with Vietnamese and Chinese. It seems that everyone walks here slowly and leisurely.

On that street, there was a busy restaurant, prominent and attractive. The restaurant was so crowded that one person jokingly said: "When you eat here, remember to bring a newspaper to read while waiting for your food."

That is Lo Sieu noodle shop. For decades, the shop has been here. Some people come to eat out of curiosity, others come because they crave the unique taste of Chinese noodles in the middle of "Hong Kong on the side of Cho Lon".

Early morning atmosphere at Lo Sieu noodle shop - Photo: DANG KHUONG

Eating Lo Sieu noodles but confused

Entering the restaurant, the diners suddenly felt "bewildered" because they could not understand what the owner was saying. Because the sellers and waiters often spoke to each other and to customers "on the same frequency" in Chinese.

Sharing tables here is normal - Photo: HUY DOAN

But if anyone loudly orders food in Vietnamese, the owner will respond flexibly and cheerfully.

This is a familiar way of communication in Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, speaking in both languages.

The restaurant is crowded, customers patiently wait for food, sometimes up to 20 minutes. Having time to observe and evaluate, I see that most tables have rib noodles, either noodle soup or dry noodles.

Rib noodles are the main character of Lo Sieu noodles.

The restaurant uses thin noodles, does not use many spices, the seller pours a layer of scallion oil on the noodles, thanks to which the noodles become shiny.

This seemingly simple preparation method helps the noodles not to be dry, enhancing the characteristic fatty flavor of Lo Sieu noodles.

Vinegar and soy sauce are available on the table, depending on the customer's taste.

Lo Sieu rib noodles impress with long ribs and shiny noodles - Photo: HUY DOAN

The highlight of the noodle bowl is the tender, sweet ribs that can be easily separated from the bone. The owner does not cut the ribs into small pieces but leaves them in long pieces, making the noodle bowl look more "stimulating".

With dry noodles, the broth from pork ribs and chicken bones is rich, light, and especially not too sweet like some other noodle shops.

The ginger fish sauce bowl is not too eye-catching but leaves a memorable flavor - Photo: HUY DOAN

Finally, a bowl of ginger fish sauce, this is the culprit that makes many people remember it.

Ginger fish sauce eaten with noodles is not available in "purely" Vietnamese restaurants.

At Lo Sieu noodles, this dish when eaten with noodles, the fish sauce has a rich sweet taste, and ginger warms the stomach.

So special that when you come here to eat noodles, you cannot miss the ginger fish sauce, if you forget, they will remind you immediately.

Besides rib noodles, chicken noodles here are equally famous. The chicken is shredded but not crumbly, the chicken skin is chewy and crispy, the meat is sweet and not greasy.

Because of the Chinese flavor, it is difficult to please Vietnamese customers?

Many people who have eaten here, left comments online, saying that Lo Sieu noodles have the most authentic Chinese flavor among the noodle shops they have eaten at in Ho Chi Minh City.

Not only rib noodles, chicken noodles also receive mixed opinions about the taste - Photo: HUY DOAN

But perhaps because the taste is so standard, the noodle dishes here are difficult to "please" all diners.

Reviewing on Google Maps, account 23 Lupin shared: "The food is really bland, has no flavor, the only good thing is the ribs are soft."

Many people also "complained" that the noodles were not as sweet as other noodle shops, but were salty instead.

Some people even say it's... boring.

However, many people also spoke up to "defend" the restaurant: "Because this is the standard Chinese cooking style, it's normal for anyone to find the food bland and not to their taste."

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mi-lo-sieu-ngoai-suon-beo-mam-gung-nem-cach-gi-ma-nguoi-che-ke-ghet-20241112124310028.htm