Hue beef noodle shop changes signboard, dishes: Why did ham suddenly 'disappear'?

Many Hue beef noodle shops cover the words 'gio cha' on their signs and switch to selling duck noodles and beef noodles to keep customers while diners are wary of using pork.

In recent days, the outbreak of African swine fever and information about streptococcus suis disease in Hue City has made many people worried. Not only are pork vendors in the market facing difficulties, but Hue beef noodle shops are also affected.

A beef noodle shop in Hue City covered the word "gio cha" on its signboard, replacing it with beef noodle soup and duck noodle soup to retain customers - PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

Bun bo Hue, a famous dish of the ancient capital, is not only made from beef but also comes with ham and pork sausage. That is why the signs of bun bo restaurants often include the words "bun bo, ham, sausage". However, when people are afraid of pork, especially since Hue City recorded cases of streptococcus suis, many restaurant owners have found ways to adapt. They changed the dish, covering the words "pork" on the sign.

Must adapt to retain customers

Ms. Phan Thi Le, 55 years old, owner of a long-standing Hue beef noodle shop on Truong Chinh Street, An Cuu Ward (merged from An Cuu, An Dong, An Tay wards of the old Thuan Hoa District), shared: "These past few days, customers coming to the shop have been asking very carefully about the origin of the pork. Many people shake their heads and leave when they hear that there is ham or sausage. There are days when I can only sell a few bowls of beef noodle without ham or sausage, while before I sold hundreds of bowls a day. Seeing that, I had to immediately switch to duck noodle and beef noodle without ham or sausage. Even though I know I'm losing the characteristics of traditional Hue beef noodle, if I don't change, how will I make a living?"

Pork ham and sausage dishes have been "removed" from the menu of many restaurants, instead, vermicelli dishes only use beef and duck - PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

Hue beef noodle soup before the development of streptococcus suis disease - PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

Similarly, at the beef noodle shop of Ms. Bui Thi Phuong (51 years old) on Nguyen Truong To Street, Thuan Hoa Ward (merged from Vinh Ninh, Phu Hoi, Phu Nhuan, Phuong Duc, Phuoc Vinh, Truong An Wards of the old Thuan Hoa District), the owner used tape to cover the words "gio, cha". Instead, the sign now reads "duck noodle, beef noodle" with the words: "Only use beef".

According to Ms. Phuong, the restaurant is not simply changing the menu but also to reassure customers while still ensuring the deliciousness and unique flavor of beef noodle soup.

Some shops use tape to cover the words "gio, cha, cua" (made from pork) on their signs - PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

"At the market, people still sell pork as usual. My family still eats it because we know that the pork is inspected. However, because many people are worried, the number of customers has decreased significantly. People are afraid to eat pork, especially pork sausages, so revenue has dropped dramatically. We have to be flexible. If we keep the old way, it will be difficult to survive. These days, we sell duck noodles, beef noodles, and noodle soup made from bones so that the natural sweetness is still retained. There seem to be a bit more customers," said Ms. Phuong.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao (75 years old, resident of Thuan Hoa Ward), a regular diner who chooses beef noodle soup as her breakfast dish, shared: "Hearing the news about swine fever and streptococcus suis makes me very worried. Before, I used to eat Hue beef noodle soup with ham and sausage every week, but now I have to abstain. Seeing some restaurants switch to selling duck noodle soup, I am also happy."

This change has made many diners feel secure when choosing beef noodle soup for breakfast - PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

According to information from the Hue City Department of Health , as of July 17, this locality discovered 38 cases of streptococcus suis, of which 2 deaths were recorded.

Regarding the pig epidemic, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Duc, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hue City, affirmed that the locality is controlling the epidemic situation in pigs very well. Although some localized areas have blue ear pig epidemic, African swine fever... but the Hue veterinary sector has promptly detected and destroyed the disease on the spot, preventing the spread of the disease. Regarding the areas where people are infected with Streptococcus suis, Mr. Duc said that the veterinary force has taken samples from the pigs in the infected person's family as well as the surrounding area, the test results show that the pigs are not sick.

Mr. Duc also said that people should feel secure eating pork as long as it is well-cooked and boiled, and pay attention to hygiene and safety of processing tools.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quan-bun-bo-hue-sua-bang-hieu-doi-mon-vi-sao-gio-cha-bong-bien-mat-185250718094959076.htm