Buzz
Discover the peculiar tactics of eateries like the 'insult smoothie' hotspot in the university area, and the long-standing 'fancy rice cake' establishment...
Spotlight on the Top 5 Most Unconventional Eateries in Saigon
In the realm of food business, every owner desires a bustling establishment. To achieve that, the food either has to be irresistibly delicious or the establishment must employ a bit of creativity and gimmicks to win over customers. Hence, eateries with unusual tactics like the 'insult smoothie' hotspot in the university area, and the 'fancy' rice cake stand have thrived for years, attracting more patrons by the day.
Snack Joint Where You Pay by Rapping
As the afternoon turns into evening, the small snack joint at 47 Phó Đức Chính becomes a hub of activity, with high school students flocking in droves. Tucked behind Bà Chiểu Market, this unnamed snack joint offers a variety of delicious snacks at affordable prices, thanks to the owner's unique method of payment – rapping.
Meet the owner of stall 47, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nghia, 53 years old, affectionately known as Mrs. Muoi. Originally from the North, she has been living in Saigon for a long time. Before venturing into her current snack business, Mrs. Muoi had tried her hand at various professions. Customers who come here not only enjoy the authentic Saigon street food at affordable prices such as beef offal stew, wonton dumplings, and longan ice cream but also anticipate Mrs. Muoi's remarkable billing skills. She calculates swiftly in her head, simply by looking at the number of plates on the table, and then proceeds to... 'rap', but with remarkable accuracy.
“Insult Smoothie” at Thu Duc University Village
Once a sensation some time ago, but still regarded as one of the prominent spots not only in the university village but also in Saigon, 'insult smoothie' by Mrs. Nhung can be considered the pioneering establishment in the quirky trading trend to attract customers in Saigon.
Commotion – 'insult', blocking the way – 'insult', slow ordering – 'insult'... practically anything prompts the shop owner to 'insult', however, this doesn’t drive customers away; on the contrary, it draws even more students, because according to them, 'a day without hearing insults feels... nostalgic'.
In reality, the shop owner is straightforward, and what she 'insults' is merely constructive criticism because she wants the students to be thoughtful, respectful, caring, and mature.
Countless generations of students have come and gone from the university village, but they still fondly remember the 'legendary insult smoothie' of days gone by.
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 24, 2015
