Surprisingly, a noodle shop in an alley in Ho Chi Minh City with the highest price of 130,000 VND/bowl is causing a fever.

The first time we came here to eat, we encountered an unexpected scene.

Introduced by a famous person on social media a few days ago, Vui noodle shop, located in an alley on Street 6 (Ward 4, District 4) suddenly became popular with many mixed opinions.

"Come back in an hour…"

According to the owner, each portion of Bun Mam here costs 80,000 VND for a normal portion and 130,000 VND for a special portion. Some people say that a portion of Bun Mam at 130,000 VND is expensive, but others argue that "you get what you pay for", it is no coincidence that a restaurant located deep in an alley has been supported by customers for so many years.

The 130,000 VND portion of vermicelli with fish sauce has been causing a stir on social networks in recent days.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

We first came to this restaurant on a weekday morning. We were quite surprised that it was not yet the "peak" lunch hour, but the tables were already packed with customers. The owner and 7-8 assistants were "breathlessly" making the vermicelli with fish sauce for customers to eat in and take away.

The restaurant said that since the news was shared on social media, the restaurant has been unusually busy. This morning, the restaurant had to prepare dozens of meals for customers who had ordered and transferred money in advance since yesterday, and there were so many customers coming to eat that they couldn't stop working.

Many customers who come to enjoy the food are quite surprised when the restaurant announces that they have to wait 1 or 2 hours. "It will be ready in about 1 hour, please come back later!", "It will be ready in about 2 hours, can you order then?", "Can you wait 1-2 hours?"...

Since becoming a hit on social media, the noodle shop has been packed with customers. The owner and his assistant are busy.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Some people were disappointed and left because they had something to do, deciding to come back later to enjoy it. There were also people who were "determined" to wait until they could enjoy the bowl of bun mam that was causing a stir. I wondered what was so special about the bun mam here that made it so attractive?

Waiting for nearly 30 minutes at this restaurant, Ms. Dieu (56 years old) and her relatives said that this was the first time they came here. They learned about the restaurant through social media, and bun mam is their favorite dish, so they came to try the flavor because "it looked so delicious online".

"I thought it would be crowded, but I didn't think it would be this crowded and that I would have to wait for a long time. But if I'm here, I'll wait, otherwise it would be a hassle to go back. I don't have anything to do today. As soon as I arrived at the restaurant, I smelled the delicious aroma of fish sauce. I'm waiting to eat but I don't know when it will be," she shared.

Bun mam at the restaurant costs from 80,000 - 130,000 VND.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Meanwhile, a young man came to this restaurant because of its appeal on social media. However, when he learned that he would have to wait a long time to buy something, he said he would go home and come back in the afternoon because he had something to do and couldn’t wait long. His house is nearby, so he said he would definitely enjoy the bowl of bun mam at the restaurant.

Many times moved premises, customers still follow

The owner said that this restaurant has been open for nearly 30 years, since her mother's generation. The name Vui of the noodle shop was also given by her mother. She has been selling at this restaurant for almost 8 years.

Although the restaurant has moved 3 times, it is currently owned by a family, but many regular customers who have been with the restaurant for many years still come to support it. After waiting for nearly 1 hour, I was able to buy a special portion of vermicelli with fish sauce at the restaurant for 130,000 VND.

Right from the food counter, I could feel the freshness and quality of the ingredients put into this bowl of vermicelli with fish sauce, from shrimp, squid, roast pork, fish and the hot pot of broth with the smell of fish sauce.

Rich broth

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Many customers are willing to wait to enjoy the "trendy" bun mam dish.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

The rich broth is "just my taste" as well as the freshness of the ingredients, plus the accompanying vegetables such as water mimosa, shredded banana blossom, shredded water spinach, water mimosa... eaten with the special tamarind fish sauce dipping sauce, creating a truly delicious bowl of vermicelli with fish sauce.

The "soul" of the bowl of bun mam at this restaurant, besides the quality ingredients, is the broth with its rich flavor and distinctive fish sauce smell. This flavor is unlike any other bun mam restaurant I've ever eaten at in Ho Chi Minh City, probably because the owner has a special secret passed down from her mother.

For me personally, the special bun mam portion with the price of 130,000 VND is suitable for an expensive city like Ho Chi Minh City, it cannot be said to be cheap. In terms of taste, the restaurant deserves a score of 8.5/10. Of course, everyone's taste is different.

Fresh ingredients

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

It can be said that this special bun mam restaurant is attracting more attention from diners in Ho Chi Minh City than ever before. However, with any "trending" restaurant, the core is still quality because that is the attraction to keep diners staying for a long time. And it is not by chance that a restaurant can exist in Ho Chi Minh City for decades.

What do you think about the price of 130,000 VND for the special portion at this bun mam restaurant that is causing a stir on social networks?