Where to go to eat ‘homemade, mom-made’ Asian dishes such as Malaysian fish vermicelli, Hong Kong roast duck and duck noodles, Singapore frog porridge, satay skewered satay with peanut sauce … in this era translate without having to get on the plane?
Diners from many countries at the Asian food court in District 2 – Photo: JD
Food court, Asian style, multi-style Yo! (The abbreviation for Yummy is delicious and oh – a Vietnamese word that is very familiar to foreigners) in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City is a suitable choice.
“I love Vietnam very much for its friendliness and because the food here is so delicious. I have eaten all the Vietnamese delicacies from North to South and up to 40 kg after 20 years of living here (terrible yet). and I’m not proud of it.)
YOU CHONG HAN KIONG
Establish a food court because … appetite
One night at the weekend of December, all tables at Yo! are closed. Customers line up to buy food in front of the stalls, while waitresses dressed in black are running around like shuttles.
Although it is an Asian food court, European and American visitors are sometimes outnumbered by Asians. A backstage stage has a band performing Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, Chinese and Vietnamese songs. Gan wen lu zai hefang (Please ask where for directions) – the title song in the movie Journey to the West – is one of the songs that stopped us from eating and was shocked to listen to the first time here.
This Asian-flavored Food court was set up from a children’s play area more than a year ago. The original founder, who is also the owner of a Malaysian food stall here – Monica Yen Lee On – said District 2 is the district with the most diverse expats in Saigon.
This district is characterized by an expensive, high standard of living. Luxury restaurants are not uncommon, and are mainly aimed at European and American customers, while foreigners living in District 2 and Saigon are not only Western.
As a Malaysian living in Vietnam for 14 years, Monica said there are times when she remembers turning Malaysian food around. Those are the times to either go to a fellow’s restaurant in District 1, now closed, or board a plane to eat for food.
Back to the charm of opening the food court Yo! in November 2019, thinking of times of craving for her own country and other foreign friends who used to be in this situation, Monica thought why not invite people who wanted to own the door. Small shops selling typical but rustic dishes, such as Vietnamese broken rice, that every person far from the countryside craves when thinking about?
In November 2019, with the commitment of three other stall owners – selling Singaporean, Indian and Malaysian satay, they opened with confidence. Christmas, New Year, foreigners often return home and then Vietnamese people return to their hometown so the food court will have a gentle warm-up period.
“But the calculation is not equal to heaven,” Monica said wittyly. The “momentum” period lasted too long because the COVID-19 epidemic appeared right after the New Year and almost extended to the national blockade in April 2020. However, in the mishaps there is luck.
“We are more exactly known and have received unprecedented support since the COVID-19 pandemic,” Monica said.
According to her, foreigners, especially those around Southeast Asia, come home as often as they go to the market in Vietnam. When they return home, they often take advantage of the food they like and buy to bring the foods they need. Suppose, if they do not go back to their hometown, they also ask their friends and countrymen to take care of these and other things.
To April is about 3-4 months to sit still. Missing flights, loved ones have had to, but the nostalgia for food is the most permanent. Malaysians go to Malaysian restaurants, Chinese people go to Hong Kong and China restaurants to find suitable tastes; The food court was accompanied by guests, more than the first time when the opening was supported by friends.
Also due to the translation of COVID-19, work and future become uncertain for many foreigners. They have to reduce their spending, wait for the new situation and do not often visit luxury restaurants as before. Once again, the Asian food court becomes a better choice.
Hong Kong roast shop chef chopped duck – Photo: JD
Turn Vietnamese shrimp sauce into Malaysian sweet sauce
As startups turn ideas into reality and then sell companies to potential investors, by September 2020 Yo! new owner – a culinary enthusiast, loves delicious food with the zeal to introduce the essence of Asian cuisine to many people.
Mr. Chong Han Kiong (Malaysian), the new owner of Yo !, who has lived in Vietnam for almost 20 years, proudly introduces the restaurant’s dishes, including typical Vietnamese dishes such as rice ribs, Hong Kong fried rice or duck, to Singapore recipe noodles.
Visiting the culinary area, we were introduced to Malaysian fish vermicelli (Laksa), a dish with a slightly thick and thick broth. The broth has a mildly sour taste and aroma, but it is absolutely impossible to compare this Malaysian fish noodle dish with any similar Vietnamese dish. The name of fish vermicelli is more and less similar to Chau Doc fish vermicelli bowl, Soc Trang noodle soup or Nha Trang fish noodle soup that Vietnamese people are familiar with.
This fish noodle dish, if not served with a sauce called Malaysian shrimp paste, is black and has a sweet taste. Monica, the owner of the shop, said this sweet shrimp paste is a super product of the store she made by herself using ingredients available in Vietnam, including shrimp paste and black soy sauce to eat pho.
“Hey, Vietnamese shrimp paste is very salty. I have to add water and a lot of sugar, but it must be palm sugar to turn into a sweet Malaysian shrimp paste. To be black, I use black soy sauce to eat pho and human color.” Vietnamese used to store meat and fish. Because of COVID-19, I could not import so I could make my own sweet shrimp paste. Diners often asked to buy them to take home “- Monica said.
Ms. Ai Ling – Malaysian Chinese, an entrepreneur in the furniture industry – is one of the regular customers of the food court and has introduced many friends and colleagues here. She said: “It’s easy, every day I try one dish, from a different counter. I know what is the best dish of each shop. I hope other countries’ cuisine will come here together as Thai food, Korean food for example “.
Talking about his decision, Mr. Chong Han Kiong said: “Vietnam has experienced an economic boom in the past 20 years and in the next 10 years this growth will reach new heights. The Vietnamese people will be richer. “Living standards will be higher, consumption will be higher. I believe in Vietnam’s future. That future is reflected in my investment decisions.”
Vietnamese diners
Aside from foreigners living in HCMC and Vietnam, Yo! also welcomes many Vietnamese diners. Vietnamese people who traveled often before, now can not fly to Thailand and Singapore to eat tom yum, frog porridge, they also need to change air and change dishes. Food and space in Yo! is a new experience, helping them experience a rich foreign cuisine in the heart of Saigon.
Tuoi Tre