Buzz
Situated at the entrance of Tan Dinh Market for 72 years, the Giang Lam Ky hu tieu vehicle is one of the few vehicles that still preserves the intact Chinese cultural heritage in Saigon.
Discover Saigon's Finest Traditional Hu Tieu
Giang Lam Ky is the name of a hu tieu vehicle that has been passed down through 3 generations of the Giang family, originally from Guangdong province, for over 7 decades.
At the age of 18, Mr. Giang Lam Ky migrated from Guangdong to Saigon to pursue his career. He rented a worker of Chinese descent to build and decorate the vehicle. According to the current owner, Mr. Giang Thanh (grandson of Mr. Giang Lam Ky), the worker passed away several decades ago. Therefore, apart from Giang Lam Ky, there is no other vehicle built with traditional Chinese patterns.
Many hu tieu and noodle vehicles over 60 years old still exist in the Chinese district. However, it is rare to find a vehicle with traditional Chinese roof decorations, intricate Chinese motifs on both sides, and the original chicken wing roof design like Giang Lam Ky.
Crafted from resilient and beautiful rosewood, the vehicle's frame must be air-dried for several years before being planed and painted in a deep brown color. Valuing the craftsmanship, Mr. Giang Thanh knows how to preserve his ancestral vehicle. He shares that every full moon day, he takes a break from selling to attend temple in the morning and performs maintenance on the vehicle in the afternoon. As a result, despite being associated with the Giang family for decades, the hu tieu vehicle still gleams as if freshly painted. While the motifs and ancient symbols drawn on the glass windows have somewhat faded over time, they remain distinct.
The chicken wing, the horizontal part of the vehicle where customers sit and dine, accommodates 4-5 people comfortably and is always kept clean. It's also extremely rare to find a hu tieu or noodle vehicle with a wooden chicken wing that still exists to this day.
Although the stall has been renamed 'Uncle Dog's Noodles' for many years now, it still attracts many diners. Mr. Giang Thanh shares: 'Customers remember us not because of the name but because they appreciate our service style. Moreover, we have been here for many years, so it's not difficult for customers to find us again.'
Sometimes when the stall is full, customers patiently wait for Mr. Giang to set up a new seating area. His service style is very pleasant and welcoming. There are customers who change their order up to 3 times, but he quickly accommodates their requests and serves with a smile. Within a minute of ordering, customers can enjoy a bowl of the distinctive hu tieu or noodles from Giang Lam Ky.
The stall opens every day from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The average price for a bowl of hu tieu or noodles is 30,000 - 35,000 VND.
Source: Vnexpress
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Referencing: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourAugust 30, 2016
