Northern-style noodle soup eatery by the Saigon railway owned by a Northern family

The dishes here offer a unique and affordable flavor that pleases many customers.

Northern-style noodle soup eatery by the Saigon railway owned by a Northern family

Noodle soup has been a staple street food in Saigon for many years. In addition to the typical Southern-style clear broth and meat-filled noodles, locals also enjoy the Northern-style broth-soaked noodles, despite their simpler appearance.

Facing the railroad tracks at the intersection of Lê Văn Sỹ Street (Phú Nhuận District, Saigon

), there's a family-owned eatery specializing in authentic Northern-style noodle soup: Cần's. Mr. Cần, the owner, shared that he learned to cook from his Northern-born mother, hence the distinctive flavor of the dish.

The owner reminisced that his mother also sold noodle soup for decades. 'Before opening my own shop, I spent time assisting my mother's wholesale business. This experience gave me additional expertise to establish my own career,' said Mr. Cần.

Newly opened establishment a few years ago. The space isn't grand, located on Mai Văn Ngọc Street (Phú Nhuận District, Saigon) parallel to the railway tracks near the intersection with Lê Văn Sỹ. Getting here during peak hours might be a bit challenging due to the narrow road and heavy traffic.

The main menu of the establishment features noodle soup. The pot of broth is placed right at the entrance. The owner neatly arranges more than 5 sets of tall stainless steel tables and chairs for diners.

The bowl of noodle soup looks quite simple: it includes water spinach (referred to as morning glory in Southern Vietnam), a few pieces of crab tofu and meatloaf, sprinkled with coriander leaves instead of onions, accompanied by a plate of blanched morning glory instead of raw vegetables like other noodle dishes.

The noodle soup here isn't as red and meat-filled as the Southern-style noodle soup. However, the broth, cooked from crab and shrimp, brings a naturally sweet and refreshing taste that complements the other ingredients.

In addition to condiments like shrimp paste, sautéed chili, and fish sauce for the noodle soup, the establishment also prepares Southern-style sour tamarind water instead of using lime or kumquat like in the North, giving the bowl of noodle soup a unique flavor.

Over time, the establishment has attracted quite a few local diners and received positive reviews. Ms. Thủy (originally from Hanoi, currently residing in Phú Nhuận District) commented: 'The noodle soup here caters well to Northern taste preferences, and the prices are affordable, so I often have it as a satisfying snack. Compared to the general standard of noodle soup, the advantage here lies in bringing the Northern flavor without being too heavy on the portion size.'

Prices range from 20,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese dong depending on the size of the bowl. Additionally, the shop also sells flat rice noodles for those who prefer not to have vermicelli. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

According to Linh Sea/Vnexpress

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References: Mytour Travel Guide

MytourJanuary 14, 2019