Old ice cream shop

A plate of winter ice cream evokes the whole sky of childhood.

The ice cream at the shop is not round like Italian ice cream or colorful ice cream bars. The winter ice cream slices are cut into squares, neatly arranged on a white plastic plate, each slice is a distinct color, a distinct flavor: sweet pink of strawberry, gentle green of young rice, dreamy purple of taro, bright orange yellow, dark bitter brown of cocoa and pure white of coconut. Looking at the ice cream slices, the heart suddenly softens, as if returning to a distant summer afternoon. The ice cream is smooth, cold, melting quickly on the tip of the tongue, leaving a sweet, fatty aftertaste, not harsh, not boring, but penetrating the soul deeply and long-lastingly.

A large portion for 4 people costs only 45,000 VND, an unbelievable price in today's era. But what makes this ice cream irreplaceable are the side dishes: fragrant and fatty shredded coconut, crushed peanuts, golden papaya jam, and red candied gooseberries. The toppings are not elaborate but are gracefully combined, creating a harmony of flavors of the old days. Taking a bite is like sitting on a low plastic chair, under the cool shade of a tree, while mom is ordering another glass of iced tea from the familiar corner shop. All worries instantly fade away, leaving only the clear laughter of the days when I didn't need to grow up.

The shop is small, with soft yellow light and a gentle breeze blowing from the quiet alley. The owner is old, quietly serving as if she were the keeper of time. The shop is not crowded but never empty.

Perhaps anyone who has visited will bring back a promise: "Next time I come back to Vung Tau, I will definitely have that ice cream again." Because that winter ice cream is not only to cool down, but also filled with memories.

Article and photos: AN NHAT

Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/du-lich/202504/quan-kem-cu-1040885/