Buzz
Mrs. Hào's porridge haven opens its doors from 5 PM to 9 AM, tucked away in a small alley in downtown Saigon.
The Unsleeping Pork Broth Gem of Saigon for Over 40 Years
With nearly a dozen folding plastic tables and chairs lining the narrow alley on Trần Khắc Chân Street, District 1, this pork broth spot is a renowned address for early birds and night owls in Saigon.
The owner, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Hào, shares: “The shop has been open for about 45 – 46 years now.”
An employee at the spot reveals that they start preparations around 4 PM to be ready for opening at 5 PM. Prior to that, the market shopping, ingredient prepping, and cooking processes are all completed.
“Saigon never lacks porridge options, from heart porridge to pig brain porridge, chicken porridge, duck porridge... all available. But pork rib porridge is scarce; experienced eateries can be counted on one hand,” a diner remarked.
Mrs. Hào's eatery sells a bowl of porridge for a fixed price of 30,000 VND. The porridge is cooked and sold on the same day. Initially, the menu featured only pork rib porridge paired with a bit of minced pork, but now, there are over 10 items. Guests can freely choose accompaniments such as tripe, liver, jellyfish, century egg, squid, pig skin...
The owner shares that instead of using a mortar and pestle, the eatery now has a machine to grind rice for porridge. The rice used is of high quality. “Back then, I sold porridge on a cart. People found it delicious, so they came directly to my house. That's why I opened a shop to make it more convenient for customers,” Mrs. Hào revealed.
The steaming bowl of porridge is served hot, topped with crispy fried shallots and appealing green onions. The dish is also served with fried dough sticks for those who desire. “The sticks here are fried to be crispy and less oily than usual. Paired with chili fish sauce, it's remarkably delightful,” commented Ms. Kim Yến (District 7).
Visiting the eatery at 5 AM, Mr. Huy Hoàng (District 7) said: “This is my second time here after eating with a friend last week. The porridge here is well-cooked, smooth, and has a perfect taste. Since the shop opens at night, it's very convenient for late-night outings.”
In addition to the main dish, Mrs. Hào's family also prepares ginseng water for customers. The kitchen, placed openly, emits a fragrant aroma that captivates anyone passing by.
According to Di Vỹ/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourSeptember 5, 2018
