Why are they called… 'twin pho'?

20 years of selling hours in a way unlike any other.

In Ho Chi Minh City, it's not surprising if an eatery opens at 6-7 a.m., as this is peak time for people going to work and stopping by a restaurant for a meal or takeout. But for over 20 years, day after day, at 3:30 a.m., Mrs. Ho Thi Loi's (62 years old, also known as Auntie 7) pho restaurant has been opening its doors to customers.

Auntie 7's shop has been around for over 20 years.

[CLIP]: The "twin pho" restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City has unusual opening hours.

I'd heard about it for a long time, but only this afternoon did I have the chance to visit Auntie 7's restaurant to enjoy it. Braving the drizzling afternoon rain and the traffic jam, I stopped in front of Auntie 7's restaurant with its huge sign that read "Twin Pho." Auntie 7's restaurant, which is also her home, is located on the main road of Huong Lo 80 (Vinh Loc B Commune, Binh Chanh District).

At this time, the restaurant wasn't very crowded. Auntie 7 said that on weekdays, it's a steady stream of customers. On weekends, it gets packed with people, filling all the tables, and the 12 morning shift staff or the 6 evening shift staff are busier than ever.

Back then, the restaurant didn't have a name or a sign. Customers asked why we didn't name it so people would know who was selling it, and I thought it made sense. After a few years of selling, my eldest son had twin daughters, so we decided to name the restaurant "Twin Pho," and we've kept that name for the past 18 years. Now my two daughters are grown up and in 12th grade!

Auntie 7, the owner of the shop.

The owner honestly explained that she didn't open the restaurant herself. Back then, a close friend of hers decided to open it to make a living, and it was quite popular. After about two or three years, her friend retired, and she "inherited" the restaurant to continue selling. Before that, although she had sold other noodle dishes for many years, she decided to stick with pho, partly because of a sense of "destiny" or "karma."

The broth was boiling vigorously.

Each meal costs between 40,000 and 50,000 VND.

From the beginning, noticing the high demand from customers eating in the early morning, the owner decided to start selling at 3:30 AM. Most customers are factory workers, freelancers returning from late-night jobs, or early risers. They became accustomed to this time slot, and the owner has been selling for almost two decades.

Normally, she would only sell from 3:30 AM to 3:00 PM and then close. But since the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to sell until midnight the next day to earn extra money. In the morning, she works with 12 employees. In the evening, her daughter-in-law takes over her shift, with 6 employees helping out.

A bowl of pho costs 50,000 dong.

I understood why they started selling from dawn because they "cared for their customers." But the name of the restaurant, "Twin Pho," piqued my curiosity, and I was determined to ask the owner. Hearing this, Auntie 7 chuckled, explaining that she had two twin grandchildren, the children of her eldest son.

“Back then, the restaurant didn’t have a name or a sign. Customers asked why we didn’t name it so people would know who was selling it, and I thought it made sense. After a few years of selling, my eldest son had twin daughters, so we decided to name the restaurant ‘Twin Pho,’ and we’ve kept that name for the past 18 years. Now my two granddaughters are grown up and in 12th grade!” Auntie 7 explained.

I hope my children will inherit this legacy.

Every afternoon, Mr. Hoa (29 years old, residing in Binh Chanh District) comes to buy a portion of pho to take away. The customer said he has been a regular at the restaurant for many years, so long that he can't remember when he first fell in love with the pho here.

Mr. Hoa is a regular customer of the restaurant.

Many people in Binh Chanh know about Auntie 7's long-standing pho restaurant.

"The broth here is delicious and suits my taste. Every time I have a chance to work nearby, I stop by your place to buy some food. It looks clean here, and the prices are reasonable, so I just keep supporting you," he said.

Speaking about the secret to making pho, the owner is most proud of her broth. According to her, the sweetness of the broth comes from the bones she simmers. In addition, the freshness of the beef and the combination with other ingredients make the bowl of pho a favorite among customers, with some having been eating there for decades.

I tried it and it was exactly as the owner described: the broth was rich and flavorful with a sweet aftertaste. The pho's taste suits people from the South or those who prefer slightly sweeter flavors. For me, the bowl of pho gets an 8/10; it's definitely worth trying. Of course, everyone has different tastes, so you can try it and judge for yourself if you have the chance.

Auntie 7 hopes someone will carry on the family business.

This flavorful bowl of pho is definitely worth trying.

Here, each bowl of pho costs between 40,000 and 50,000 VND depending on the type, with the special bowl costing 50,000 VND. The price is reasonable considering the restaurant is located far from the city center. According to the owner, the ingredient that sells out the fastest is beef tendon, which is quite popular with customers.

Thanks to this pho restaurant, Auntie 7 and her husband raised their three children (two sons and one daughter) to adulthood. Now, all their children have families and stable lives. Currently, her daughter-in-law, the wife of her eldest son, mainly helps her with the business. The owner hopes that one day, if she is no longer able to run the restaurant, her children will inherit her beloved eatery.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/quan-pho-o-tphcm-ban-luc-nua-dem-vi-sao-la-pho-sinh-doi-185230626193746471.htm