The reason why the snail shop is called "goosebumps" is because of its location right in the grounds of the tomb of scholar Truong Vinh Ky - Petrus Ky (1837-1898), who is the editor of the national newspaper. The first language in Vietnam - Gia Dinh newspaper. Here in addition to the old house - where scholar Truong Vinh Ky lived in the last years of his life and his grave, there is also a small cemetery of the Truong family.
The tomb of scholar Truong Vinh Ky (Photo: SaiGon Palette)
The owner of the shop "ancient snail" is Mr. Le Quang Toai (born in 1975, Ho Chi Minh City).
According to Mr. Toai, this land was previously maintained and looked after by his wife's family. More than 20 years ago, seeing that the yard in the campus was empty, Mr. Toai's wife decided to open a small snail shop with the desire to earn more income for the family. No one expected, until now, the snail shop has become a familiar address, attracting a large number of diners every day.
Outside the gate of the ancient tomb, the shop only displays a small stall with a few types of seafood and a simple nameplate "Garden snail". Stepping inside, the new diners could not help but be surprised by the crowded and busy scene of the restaurant. The snail shop is located in the middle of the backyard. Right behind the restaurant's kitchen is the house built by scholar Petrus Ky in 1886.
Although he and his wife named Toai "garden snail", many diners from near and far to enjoy the food are still familiar with each other calling this "ancient grave snail". This name makes many people curious.
"Actually, the originator of this name "ancient snail" is Meritorious Artist Huu Loc. In the past, he often visited the snail restaurant, seeing that the restaurant had a unique location, so he named it like that. In the end, this name became the specialty of the restaurant, following the shop until now," said Mr. Toai.
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The outside and inside of the restaurant "ancient snail" (Photo: Nhu Khanh/Trung Nguyen)
A customer said that a few years ago, she and her friends came to the shop because they were curious about the strange name. “We got here around 20pm. As we approached, a member of the group was afraid, and asked us to change places. She is a bit weak. However, the group was still determined to find out. The space is large, cool, pleasant atmosphere, delicious food. Now, the shop has become a familiar meeting place for the group," said the female customer.
Mr. Toai's snail shop is open for sale from about 17 pm to 23 pm every day with more than 30 different types of seafood, most of which are snails such as lentils, star apple, and coconut snails. The average price at Mr. Toai's snail shop is around 65.000-70.000 VND/dish or more. According to many diners, for a popular snail shop, this price is quite high compared to the common ground.
Sharing about the price, Mr. Toai confided: "Actually, many customers see the model as a popular restaurant, so they default to the price is also very affordable. But from the day it opened for sale, my wife and I had to choose the best, fresh and delicious food. That's why the price can't be cheap."
Mr. Toai also added, if the food is expensive but the processing is bad, the customers will not come back many times. In order for the shop to be as crowded as it is today, this boss focuses on every step, from finding and importing safe ingredients, to preliminary processing, processing and even exclusive recipes.
“Customers come to the snail restaurant, there is any rotten snail in the plate, I am ready to pay for it without looking at or blaming anything. I always put the business mind on top, so that over the past few decades, the shop has always been loved and trusted by customers, "said Mr. Toai.
The food at the restaurant is rated fresh, delicious, and attractive (Photo: Trung Nguyen)
At his shop, Mr. Toai is most confident in the sauces and cheeses with his own recipe.
Mr. Trung (HCMC) often visits the snail shop to sip with his group of friends. He shared: “From the outside, it is impossible to know that inside the big gate there is such an enthusiastic, delicious and interesting snail shop. The food is fresh and clean.”
Quyen (born in 1995, Ho Chi Minh City) is currently one of the "inner disciples" who followed Mr. Toai to learn the culinary profession. For more than 12 years, according to him, Ms. Quyen is currently the main chef of the restaurant, and is taught by Mr. Toai many "secrets" to be able to maintain the cooking job for the restaurant in the future.
“I have been following Uncle Toi for more than 10 years, from the time I was a waitress until I was dedicated to teaching the recipe by him. He has a great heart, regardless of whether he is a family member or an outsider, as long as he has passion, responsibility and love for cooking, he teaches wholeheartedly," she confided.
Vo Nhu Khanh – Linh Trang
