HO CHI MINH CITY Opened for 40 years at Ben Thanh Market, the vermicelli shop is also nicknamed the “luxurious” vermicelli because it attracts foreign customers and overseas Vietnamese.
Visitors to Ben Thanh market, through the East Gate at the corner of Le Loi Street intersecting with Phan Boi Chau, ask where everyone knows where to carry the “luxury” bun. Because more than 40 years ago, Ms. Mai Thi Lien’s rice noodle (60 years old) was present and harmonized with the life of the central market in Ho Chi Minh City.
The special feature of the restaurant is that there is no snail, no crab bricks, and no spring rolls like the regular version, but still called crab vermicelli.
Mrs. Lien’s vermicelli bowl at first glance is simple, consisting of small noodles, a whole piece of blood, crab balls, corner tofu and tomatoes, plus onion on top. Each of the ingredients of the bowl of vermicelli are large in size, have to bite a few pieces to finish the meaty crab pies and soft chewy duck blood, hot tofu with tamarind juice mixed with chili sauce.
The broth is clear, rich, and naturally bright yellow, not the red color of tomatoes, often found in vermicelli. Served vegetables include water spinach, shredded banana, bean sprouts, cilantro, and basil.
Ms. Lien explained, because she learned to cook from her mother, she still kept the ingredients and ingredients and kept the old noodle flavor for more than 40 years. “The noodle dish in the restaurant is rustic and tasteful, customers do not need to add much seasoning.
The restaurant does not use lemons and kumquats like elsewhere, but instead uses tamarind juice and has its own plate of seasonings such as fish sauce, chili, and tamarind for guests” she said.
The pot of soup placed right at the door attracts diners. Video: Huynh Nhi
Explaining the name “sang rieu banh”, Mrs. Lien said that the restaurant was called so because before Covid-19 appeared, most of her visitors were foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and artists. With the price of 55,000 VND per bowl, the shop still has Vietnamese customers to support.
“Although the bowl of vermicelli does not have rolls, pork rolls like other places selling for 40,000 VND, but the food at the restaurant is of guaranteed quality. The price of raw materials I buy is more expensive, but I still do not regret”, the owner said.
In addition, because the restaurant is located in the city center, the rent is quite high. “The day before, I sold vermicelli at the market, customers who come to eat have to sit thanks to the nearby water stalls. About 7 years ago I rented a place to sell with tables, chairs, air-conditioning as now. Rent for a place to sell is too expensive, I am not in Vietnamese currency but in dollars “, Lien shared.
Mr. Nguyen Nhat Huy (District 4) came to the shop for the first time because of his friends’ recommendation. This customer is impressed with the sweet, clear broth and the clean look of the restaurant. “This vermicelli shop is also a long time and is cooked according to an inherited recipe, so I think the price of 55,000 VND per bowl, with 10,000 VND of pork rolls is also reasonable, not too expensive”, Mr. Huy said.
The restaurant is open for sale from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. The restaurant has a narrow space, low tables and chairs, but has air conditioning so it is not too hot and clean. Some diners rate the vermicelli in a bowl not much for people who have the ability to eat.
In addition to the food in the bowl, customers who order tofu meat crab rolls, blood crab meat, blood and tofu will be charged at 55,000 VND per piece and cold towels 3,000 VND per item. Motorbike riders need to pay an additional 5,000 VND for parking fees near the shop.
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