'One should know when to be content with what they have.'

The broken rice restaurant owned by Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Oanh (38 years old) has become a familiar address for many residents of District 8 in particular, as well as diners in Ho Chi Minh City in general, for many years now.

"Nothing unique or unusual, no charge!"

Knowing that the restaurant opens at 11:30 AM and only sells for about an hour, I made sure to arrive on time. Because if I arrived too late, many customers might have to go home hungry.

A plate of pork ribs with rice at Ms. Oanh's restaurant.

Ms. Oanh's family restaurant is located in a small corner on Pham The Hien Street (Ward 1, District 8). The restaurant is divided into two areas: a breezy outdoor area and an air-conditioned indoor room, which is also the owner's family home. Upon arrival, I was surprised to see all the tables occupied and customers constantly coming and going to buy takeout.

Most of the customers here are office workers and laborers. For 45,000 - 70,000 VND, customers get a hearty plate of rice with a very large piece of pork rib. The restaurant also offers a 35,000 VND portion with pork skin and sausage.

Mr. Tran Hai Thanh (58 years old, residing in District 8) said he has been a regular customer of this restaurant for over 15 years, since Mrs. Thang (the owner's mother) was still selling. Speaking about the restaurant, he remarked, "If it's not unique and special, then it's not worth the price." The richly marinated ribs and the sweet and sour dipping sauce are what make him unable to leave this broken rice restaurant no matter where he eats.

The restaurant is located at 47 Pham The Hien Street (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City). Mr. Thien (left) and Ms. Oanh grill ribs, continuously serving them while their youngest sister prepares rice for customers.

The ribs are marinated using a special recipe, resulting in a rich flavor and retaining their moisture.

"The ribs at this place are delicious, flavorful, and not dry. The ribs are huge. I come here to eat every week, sometimes two or three days, sometimes every day. Generally, I'm a regular here, and it's close to home, so I stop by at lunchtime after my motorbike taxi ride home. But you have to eat on time here, you have to time it right, otherwise if you arrive late, there might not be any left," he said with a delighted laugh.

As Mr. Thanh commented, I ordered a portion of pork ribs with egg for 55,000 VND and felt that the pork rib was the "soul" of this dish. The ribs, served with a fried egg, pickles, and drizzled with fish sauce, were absolutely fantastic. Many customers even "go big" and order an extra piece of rib to satisfy their craving. Personally, I'd rate this dish 8.5/10; it's definitely a favorite spot for many customers.

[CLIP]: The strange story of a broken rice restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City that sells out in just one hour.

Why did it only sell for one hour?

When asked why the restaurant is only open for one hour at lunchtime, Ms. Oanh explained that this time slot has been used by her three siblings for over a decade, since their mother passed away in 2012. According to the owner, in 2002, her parents, who were already cooks, opened this restaurant to earn a living for the family.

The shop opens at midday.

Back then, the shop was open in the afternoon, around 2 PM, until everything was sold out. Since the three siblings inherited the shop, the opening hours have changed to the current schedule.

Many people say, "Why don't you sell more when you can already sell so much?", but I think selling for an hour is enough. We should know when to be content! I say I sell for an hour, but on some slow days, I just sell for a little longer!

Ms. Oanh, the owner of the shop.

The three siblings each had a task. The older brother grilled the ribs, while Oanh took charge of the overall work, sometimes helping him grill, and other times assisting her younger sister at the food counter. Besides them, the stall also had a few other helpers, all cousins.

The plate of pork ribs with rice at this restaurant is huge.

Inheriting their parents' restaurant and the recipe for broken rice dishes is a source of happiness and pride for the three siblings in Ms. Oanh's family. Mr. Nguyen Chi Thien (40 years old), the eldest brother, said that the restaurant is a memento of their time with their parents, a reminder of their younger days after school when they helped out at home. It is thanks to this restaurant that their parents were able to provide them with the life they have today.

Day after day, without being told, each person strives to do their part well to maintain the restaurant, which has been around for over two decades, and to live up to the expectations of their parents and the customers who have supported the restaurant all this time…

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