Passed down through two generations of daughters-in-law.

Accordingly, the beef offal porridge shop run by the sisters Diep Thuy Lan (87 years old) has been a familiar destination for many diners in Ho Chi Minh City for over 30 years.

Daughter-in-law quits accounting job, inherits mother-in-law's business.

It was drizzling in Ho Chi Minh City at noon. On my way to work, craving something warm to eat, I stopped by Mrs. Lan's pork offal porridge shop on Tran Hung Dao Street (District 5). I first learned about this eatery from a friend. People often call it the "two old ladies'" porridge shop because whenever I go, I always see Mrs. Lan and her sister meticulously serving customers, despite their age.

A bowl of mixed beef offal porridge with meatballs costs 43,000 VND at Ms. Lan's shop.

It had been a long time since I last visited, and upon my return, the shop was still bustling with customers filling all 5-6 tables in its cozy, family-like setting, filled with lively laughter and conversation. But now, only Mrs. Lan remained. Upon inquiring, I learned that Mrs. Diep Thuy Binh, Mrs. Lan's younger sister who used to sell porridge with her, had passed away over a year ago at the age of 83. Now, only her older sister remains.

Grandma Lan is now nearly 90 years old, walking around but still sharp-minded and cheerful. The porridge shop is now run by her granddaughter-in-law, who is also Grandma Binh's daughter-in-law. Grandma Lan goes in and out, helping out as much as she can. Every now and then, she pulls up a chair and chats with a few regular customers.

Speaking to us, Mrs. Lan said that in 1990, after retiring from decades of working as a civil servant, she decided to open this porridge shop with her sister. The recipe for the porridge was passed down from Mrs. Binh's mother-in-law. However, to learn how to cook it, Mrs. Binh also had to study with her mother-in-law for three years.

The pork offal porridge shop used to be run by two sisters, now only Mrs. Lan remains.

Upon retirement, Mrs. Lan said she didn't want to live a life of leisure; she wanted to continue working and earning money to support herself without relying on her children or grandchildren. So, the two sisters devoted themselves wholeheartedly to this porridge shop, cooking according to the same recipe for decades without change.

Word spread quickly, and the eatery gradually built up a stable base of loyal customers. They have quietly served customers for over three decades. Ms. Lan confided that the reason the porridge shop has retained its customers for so many years is precisely because of its secret recipe.

Ms. Lan Anh (38 years old, daughter-in-law of Mrs. Lan), the current heir to the shop, said that three years ago, she was working as an accountant for a company in Ho Chi Minh City, with a stable income. Seeing her mother and aunt getting older, she decided to quit her job to dedicate herself to the family's porridge shop.

I've been helping out at the restaurant since I was in school. As I grew older, especially after my mother passed away, I became even more motivated to keep this restaurant going because it's the result of my aunt and mother's hard work; it would be a shame to let it go!

Ms. Lan Anh, the heir to the restaurant.

[CLIP]: Pork offal porridge sold by two elderly women for 30 years in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoying a warm bowl of pork offal porridge while watching the Saigon rain…

At this porridge shop, I found peace in the clean and cozy atmosphere of a family-run eatery. Listening to the warm laughter and conversation of the customers sitting next to me, smelling the fragrant porridge always kept warm, and looking out at the wide road ahead with its bustling traffic in the rain… it felt truly peaceful.

That's also the feeling of Mr. Tran Hieu (57 years old, residing in District 1), a customer who has been eating at this restaurant for almost 20 years. He said that because he likes the taste of the porridge at this restaurant run by the two elderly ladies, he visits every week, sometimes 2-3 times, sometimes once.

The fact that the ingredients are prepared hygienically is what the elderly woman is most proud of.

"The rainy season is more frequent here. Eating porridge here, especially the pork offal, you can clearly feel how clean it is. You can eat here with peace of mind; it's guaranteed clean and delicious," Mr. Hieu said with a delighted smile, glancing at his wife sitting at the same table.

Meanwhile, for Hai (30 years old), this porridge shop holds special childhood memories. He says that when he was little, his mother often took him here to eat porridge. The shop's location has remained the same for decades.

He recounted that back when he was studying abroad, every time he came home to visit, he would stop by here for a meal. Now, having returned to Ho Chi Minh City to live and work for many years, he still remains attached to this eatery that brings back the flavors of his childhood.

Lan Anh quit her accounting job and followed in her husband's family's footsteps.

Here, each bowl of porridge costs between 20,000 and 43,000 VND. The shop opens around 10:30 AM and sells until everything is gone. Usually, the pot is empty by 3 PM. It seems that regular customers are already very familiar with this fixed schedule.

Grandma Lan and her sister Lan Anh continue to diligently work by the steaming pot of porridge every day. They bring the special flavor of beef offal porridge, passed down through generations, to satisfy customers near and far…

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