Buzz
Fragrant broth with the essence of the countryside, affordable prices, customer-centric service—next to Phu Nhuan market, Mrs. Sang's crab noodle soup has enchanted artist Viet Huong.
Exploring Saigon: Dive into Viet Huong's Sidewalk Noodle Haven
Viet Huong shares her surprise at the generous bowl filled with crab at Mrs. Sang's eatery. The generous owner readily adds extra crab, noodles, and tofu when needed, all for just 15,000 VND. The down-to-earth eatery caught the artist's attention, becoming a feature on her personal channel.
According to Viet Huong and familiar patrons of Mrs. Sang's crab noodle soup stall, the bowl stands out with its delightful sweetness and the aroma of countryside crab. 'My family has been customers for three generations. The bowl, simple yet carrying the traditional flavors of Northern crab noodle soup,' comments Mrs. Hoa from Phu Nhuan.
Mrs. Sang, the owner, reveals that her crab noodle soup is crafted following the traditional Northern style. She shares, 'My family moved from the North to Saigon in 1954. At that time, Phu Nhuan market area was sparsely populated, surrounded by greenery. My mother didn't know what to do, so she started selling crab noodle soup. From the day I started selling alongside my mother, it has been 52 years,' the elderly lady says.
The owner reveals that to achieve the aromatic essence, field crabs are finely crushed, meticulously removing the shells, then boiled with fresh coconut water. 'I cook it simply, without using many spices, only blood tofu, regular tofu, and tomatoes—never heard of pork or bone broth,' says Mrs. Sang. According to diners, it's perhaps this simplicity that prevents Mrs. Sang's crab noodle soup from being overwhelming or having a mixed scent like in other eateries.
With just a few tables set up on the sidewalk along Cao Thang Street next to Phu Nhuan market, Mrs. Sang's crab noodle soup stall is always bustling from 6:30 AM. Typically, the stall is cleaned up around 11 AM. 'I don't know how many bowls I sell each session, I only know if I sell out 10 kg of noodles, I'll close,' says the owner.
Apart from the rich flavor of field crab broth, another reason people love to visit the stall is Mrs. Sang's generosity. Her noodle bowls are always filled to the brim, each customer gets a bowl of greens, and those who want extra noodles, tofu, blood tofu, or even more crab, Mrs. Sang scoops it in without charging extra.
Eating on the sweltering sidewalk, sometimes enduring a wait due to the crowded space, and those who are particular about not eating 'street food' may find it unhygienic. However, for those addicted to Northern-style crab noodle soup, Mrs. Sang's humble stall is a place where one taste will forever remember the crab essence.
Source: Ngôi Sao
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Explore: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourMay 13, 2016
