VI
EN
Nestled on the bustling Van Kiet street, this small eatery, with its few simple plastic tables, is always crowded with customers. A steaming pot of noodle soup sits on the porch, alongside baskets of meatballs, sausages, and condiments... evoking the familiar image of street vendors in the ancient capital city.
The name "My Mother" may sound unfamiliar to people in Saigon, but it holds deep affection for those from Central Vietnam living far from home. Amidst the hustle and bustle of a foreign land, finding familiar flavors and the accent of their homeland evokes a sense of nostalgia in many.
Even the service style remains true to the familiar street vendor tradition of Hue.
The authentic taste of Central Vietnam inside a bowl of banh canh (rice noodle soup).
Stepping into the restaurant, diners feel transported back in time to dreamy Hue, thanks to its simple yet warm and inviting atmosphere. The small, unpretentious eatery attracts customers with the distinctive and rich flavor of Hue-style banh canh (rice noodle soup). The pot of banh canh simmers gently on a charcoal stove, emitting a fragrant aroma. Beside it, a neatly arranged platter of pork sausage, ham, crab, and scallions and peppers sits. Customers can choose their preferred seating, order a bowl of mixed banh canh, and savor the spicy, rich, and characteristic flavor of the dish.
Central Vietnamese rice noodle soup is quite different from the pork knuckle or meat rice noodle soup you usually enjoy in Saigon.
Central Vietnamese rice noodle soup is completely different from the typical rice noodle soup found in Saigon. The noodles are made from rice flour and hand-cut, resulting in an irregular shape, but anyone who tries it once will be impressed by its chewy, soft, and smooth texture. The broth is simmered from bones for many hours, resulting in a thick, fragrant broth with a delicate sweetness that is rich and flavorful without being overwhelming. Each thick, square, opaque noodle is cooked directly in the broth, absorbing the full flavor.
The distinctive spiciness of Hue chili powder blends with the delicate sweetness of the bone broth, creating an irresistible flavor. Diners often order the mixed noodle soup here, with a layer of crab at the bottom, lean pork or pork leg, blood pudding, crab cake, and quail eggs piled high on top. Fish sauce, chili, and lime are always readily available on the table so diners can adjust the seasoning to their taste.
The authentic flavor of Central Vietnamese rice noodle soup is incomplete without a bowl of fragrant, spicy pickled chili peppers that tingle the throat.
The bowl of banh canh (Vietnamese rice noodle soup) is generous, seemingly simple at first glance, but anyone trying it for the first time will exclaim "wow!" after the first spoonful. Each pristine white noodle is immersed in a golden broth, garnished with succulent crab cakes, fatty pork trotters, white quail eggs, and a sprinkle of green scallions. With each spoonful, diners will experience the perfect blend of the broth's delicate sweetness, the chewy texture of the noodles, the crunchy crab cakes, the richness of the pork trotters, and the spicy kick of the chili peppers.
More than just a delicious dish
"My Mother's" noodle soup not only captivates customers with its delicious flavor but also with the warm and friendly attitude of the owner. The owner, originally from Bao Vinh in the Old Quarter, migrated to Saigon to start her business nearly a decade ago. Although the shop isn't very old, the Central Vietnamese flavor of the dish, combined with her gentle Hue accent, has gradually made it a popular spot. Open from 3 PM until late at night, the owner serves an average of over eight large pots of noodle soup daily.
The shop is always bustling with customers from the moment it opens until it sells out.
Nhat Hao (24 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) said: "I accidentally discovered this restaurant while walking down this street. I saw many people eating there, so I stopped to try it. The noodle soup here is really unique; the flavor is both light and rich, and I'll never forget it after just one bite. The bowl of noodle soup is generous and filling, and the price is reasonable, so it's easy to understand why the restaurant is always crowded every day."
With its rich flavor, affordable prices, and the warm hospitality of the vendors, Ma's noodle soup has become a familiar destination for Saigon food lovers. Enjoying a steaming bowl of noodle soup amidst the bustling city, one feels as if they have found a touch of the peaceful, refined atmosphere of dreamy Hue.
