As a foodie, wanting to discover the story behind the dishes, I often spend my free time searching and accumulating many experiences. If Hanoi cuisine is famous for its delicate flavors, Ho Chi Minh City cuisine attracts me with its rich flavors. Among them, we cannot miss Chinese dishes such as: Hu Tieu, noodles, sweet soup, dim sum, dumplings...
Once, when I visited Thieu Ky noodle shop which is nearly 100 years old, I was introduced to Thien Thien dumplings by a customer who is also a food lover. On a rainy afternoon, I went to Ha Ton Quyen street, which is known as “Dumpling Paradise”. There are many different brands of dumplings here, I chose to go to Thien Thien dumplings, the shop is located in a small alley as recommended by the customer.
Ha Ton Quyen Street is known as "Dumpling Paradise"
In contrast to the hustle and bustle of the street, the restaurant has a quiet space that allows me to fully enjoy and feel the flavor of the food. Initially, there were not many customers visiting the restaurant due to the weather, but only about 15-20 minutes after the rain gradually stopped, all the tables in the restaurant were covered with customers. The restaurant staff quickly arranged seats for customers at the space rented by the restaurant owner nearby.
Mr. Sel, an employee of the shop, shared: "Diners who come to the shop often choose to eat mixed noodles, dry noodles with char siu, fried dumplings. To make the dishes delicious and ensure the health of the customers, the ingredients are imported by the shop owner from familiar, branded places. The broth is simmered from marrow bones, so it has a sweet and fragrant taste."
Fried dumplings, one of the restaurant's best sellers
I quickly ordered a portion of fried dumplings, one of the restaurant’s best sellers. The nostalgic space with old walls seemed to contrast with the scene of the restaurant’s staff tirelessly preparing food for customers. The pot of broth was steaming, the aroma spreading throughout the space.
The dumplings are dropped into the broth and then scooped out and placed in a large bowl for the staff to prepare the dish for the guests. I suddenly remembered the sharing of a diner I knew while enjoying Chinese food that to know the skill of the chef, the dumplings when blanched in boiling water will not break apart, when enjoyed, they will still feel the chewy and crispy taste, that is the delicious dumpling.
I didn’t have to wait long before I had a plate of hot, fragrant fried dumplings. After just one bite, I was immediately captivated by the delicious taste of this dish. The dumpling skin was thin, crispy, not greasy at all, the filling was made from sweet, fragrant shrimp and even more delicious when dipped in sauce. Only then did I understand why the customer who introduced me to this dumpling restaurant had so many compliments for the food here.
Just like a trip, the culinary journey helps me make new friends with the same interests, accumulate experiences, help me learn more about delicious dishes, and understand more about culture and history.
I slowly enjoyed the food to enjoy the delicious taste, as well as the family culture. Through a conversation with the diners at the next table, I learned that the restaurant was opened more than 30 years ago by Mr. Nham Lang. Until now, due to his old age, he passed on the recipe and the restaurant to his children to manage.
The dumpling shop is crowded with customers.
Mr. Tung in Tan Phu district shared: “I have been eating at this restaurant for 7-8 years. I have enjoyed dumplings in many places, but for me, this restaurant is still the best. Every time I come here, I usually eat two dishes: dry noodle dumplings and fried dumplings. I usually visit the restaurant in the evening, sometimes in the afternoon. My house is 10km away, sometimes it rains but I still want to eat so I still visit the restaurant. My friend lives in Bien Hoa, about 30-40km away, but often visits the restaurant because he loves the flavor of dumplings."
The shop opens from 12 noon to around 12, 1 am then closes. Mr. Sel said that around 6-8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday are the busiest times. The shop's menu includes: mixed noodle dumplings, fried dumplings, noodle dumplings, dry noodle dumplings, squid dumplings, fish ball dumplings, pork skin dumplings, dry Chinese char siu noodles, char siu noodles... The dishes are priced from 70 to 100,000 VND.
