Buzz
Situated on Hang Luoc Street, this renowned noodle soup joint manages to keep its price at only 25,000 VND per bowl. That's the reason why the place is always packed, with eager customers patiently waiting for their turn.
A decades-old noodle soup establishment continues to thrive amidst the historic streets of Hanoi.
Hanoi boasts a highly diverse and unique culinary scene, offering choices ranging from traditional Vietnamese dishes to Asian and European fusion delights. However, when it comes to breakfast, locals often prefer authentic Vietnamese options, especially the beloved noodle soups and pho. Even with thousands of breakfast eateries in Hanoi, the busiest ones are always the noodle soup and pho joints. In some well-known places, customers even have to wait for their turn due to the overwhelming popularity.
One of the bustling breakfast spots is the noodle soup spot on Hang Luoc Street. The place doesn't have a specific name like Mrs. Huong or Mrs. Hue; instead, it's named after the street where it's located. Indeed, specializing in just one dish—noodle soup—for over 30 years, this spot near the intersection of Hang Luoc and Hang Khoai has become something special, a distinctive feature of Hanoi's culinary scene.
Sharing the story of the establishment, Ms. Nguyet, the owner, revealed that her family started serving noodle soup in 1986. Over the course of 32 years, from her mother's time to the present, various family members have taken up the responsibility. In addition to the Hang Luoc location, Ms. Nguyet's twin sister also brought the traditional noodle soup recipe to Dien Bien Phu.
Although dubbed a 'restaurant,' the seating here is, in reality, just a few plastic tables, coupled with some wall benches and long benches lining the narrow alley. In terms of comfort, Bún Mọc Hang Luoc may not score high, but diners seldom complain. As Mrs. Nguyet, the owner, puts it, 'the Old Quarter is naturally cramped.' And above all, it's the distinctive flavor of Bún Mọc here that captivates the taste buds.
Bún Mọc Hang Luoc can be considered a type of noodle soup that is extremely authentic, comprising only raw pork sausage, mushroom sausage, wood ear fungus, and a touch of bamboo shoots. Simple as it may be, its flavor is unparalleled. Particularly, the meatballs from the eatery have a unique taste, with a perfect blend of lean and fatty meat, enhanced by fragrant mushrooms and finely chopped wood ear fungus, resulting in a rich, sweet, and aromatic taste that is not overwhelming. To prepare for the morning rush, Mrs. Nguyet and her team start preparing ingredients and meatballs the evening before.
Another noteworthy aspect of this noodle spot is its very affordable prices, with each bowl priced at only 25,000 VND—a highly reasonable rate for a renowned eatery in the Old Quarter. 'Back when my mother started selling, each bowl of noodles was only a few dong. It gradually increased to 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, and the latest is 25,000 VND, adjusted for inflation. But even at 25,000 VND, it's only been about 3 years since the last increase.' Despite the low price, the bowls at the eatery are quite generous, with each bowl containing over ten meatballs. For those who love meat, you can order a bowl with extra meatballs for only 30,000 VND.
Perhaps that's why, despite having quite a few seats, the eatery provides highly professional service. Each step, from taking orders to scooping noodles, collecting payment, and clearing bowls, has dedicated staff. Yet, in the morning, almost every day witnesses customers standing and waiting for a table. Some days, you might wait for more than 15 minutes before getting your meal.
Waiting for a meal is something no one enjoys, especially during breakfast when you have work to attend to or kids have to go to school. However, at historic spots like Mrs. Nguyet's place, customers willingly endure the wait every morning to savor a steaming bowl of delicious and unchanged family flavor for 30 years. Bún Mọc Hang Luoc is available from 6 am to around 11 am daily.
Source: Afamily
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourApril 9, 2018
