For a long time, Hang Be market has been associated with the culinary culture of the people. Although the prices are considered quite "expensive" compared to the general level, those who love the traditional flavors of Hanoi still choose to shop here every Tet holiday.
Hang Be Market is only a few hundred meters long, running along the streets from Gia Ngu, Hang Be, Cau Go alley and Trung Yen alley, but is famous for its full range of stores selling food and processed foods.
Surveying the days before Tet, many diners flocked to Hang Be market to buy items such as banh chung, gio, boiled chicken, sticky rice,...
According to many long-time traders here, the prices of Tet offerings have almost not increased compared to last year. For example, boiled chicken with fairy wings costs 230,000 VND/kg, on average customers have to pay nearly half a million VND to buy a chicken of about 2kg.
Not only located in a prime location in the old quarter, the market has long been famous for its delicious and beautiful food, pleasing even the most demanding customers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi To Lan (a merchant) said that this year, the majority of regular customers pre-ordered Tet offerings such as chicken with wings, sticky rice with gac fruit, and roast bird.
“Having been in business for many years, customers who have tried it once and found it delicious and to their liking will come back to support us again. Some long-time customers can even call ahead to order and have it delivered to their homes, without having to go there to choose or bargain,” the vendor shared.
According to Ms. Lan, the main dish during the days before Tet is boiled chicken with flowers in its mouth, to serve people in the most beautiful way to worship. In addition, side dishes such as sticky rice with gac fruit, roasted bird, and chicken broth are also chosen by many customers.
Meanwhile, specializing in selling braised fish and braised meat in this area, Ms. Nguyen Thi Trinh is busy making more than usual to meet people's needs.
“These days, my shop is working hard from early morning to late afternoon to deliver finished products to customers. There is no time to rest, but in return, revenue increases 2-3 times compared to normal days, so I also take advantage of the days before Tet,” said Ms. Trinh.
According to Ms. Trinh, prices during Tet have increased compared to normal days but not significantly. Specifically, braised grass carp costs 250,000 VND/kg (ranging from 0.8 kg - 1.2 kg/piece), braised Quang Binh mackerel costs about 250,000 VND/kg, braised pork costs about 350k/kg, traditional fried spring rolls cost about 80,000 VND/dozen, coconut fried pork costs about 300,000 VND/kg,...
“Many customers from Saigon also pre-ordered for Tet. They really like the rich, distinctive flavors of the meals of the people of the capital,” the merchant shared.
On February 8 (29th of Tet), Ms. Nguyen Mai Huong (Long Bien) was present at Hang Be market early to buy Tet items for her family.
“My mother-in-law is a Hanoian who is quite meticulous, so my family often orders pre-prepared food from this market, not daring to buy from other places for fear of not getting the desired taste. Every year, customers have to wait in line for a long time to get their turn, but this year, I see less traffic jams,” said Ms. Huong.
Ms. Thanh Huyen's family (Cau Giay district) chooses to buy processed food here because both husband and wife do not have much time to prepare.
According to Ms. Huyen, the prices at the market are not cheap, even expensive compared to the average income of workers. However, depending on the conditions and needs of each family, customers can make appropriate choices.
“With our busy work schedule, my family still chooses to shop for Tet here because it is delicious, beautiful and gives my husband and I time to finish unfinished work before the new year,” Huyen confided.
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