The infamous "swearing noodle" Ms. Huyen in Saigon

Who said that only Hanoi has Bun Chuyen and Pho Chuyen? Ho Chi Minh City residents can still experience this type of business at Ms. Huyen's Bun Nuoc restaurant in Phu Nhuan district.

Ms. Huyen worked tirelessly, showing off her trademark "tricks" while working - Photo: TO CUONG

Ms. Huyen's noodle shop is located deep in an alley on Nguyen Cong Hoan Street, Ward 7, Phu Nhuan District, behind Phu Nhuan Cultural Park.

Although the entrance is densely packed with shops and small streets, Ms. Huyen's shop is still easy to find because from the beginning of the alley, diners can hear the owner's "cursing" echoing like singing.

When customers come to the restaurant, remember to call the dish by its correct name, which is "bun nuoc" or else they will be "indulged" by Ms. Huyen.

What's special about Ms. Huyen's cursing noodles?

Surely some readers reading this will wonder what kind of dish is bun nuoc and why have they never heard of it? This is a unique dish in Ho Chi Minh City, completely different from the famous Khmer-originated bun nuoc leo in the Western provinces.

Although the origin of this dish is unknown, according to the owner, this is one of the first noodle shops in Ho Chi Minh City and has been selling for more than 30 years, the recipe passed down from her mother and aunt.

The noodles mixed with chili sauce, chili salt, MSG, and pepper look quite "student" - Photo: TO CUONG

Around Phu Nhuan area, there are also restaurants selling this dish, the common point is that they must have the word "Miss" in front like Miss Co's restaurant, Miss Dung's restaurant... to be authentic.

Although it is a noodle soup shop, the best-selling dish at Ms. Huyen's shop is still noodle soup/mixed noodles.

Basically it's still a noodle soup but instead of instant noodles, those who eat it dry mix it with pepper, MSG and chili salt.

At first glance, the ingredients of the dish seem a bit "hybrid" as it includes beef, beef patties, shrimp patties, beef balls, shrimp crackers and soft-boiled eggs.

When the dish was served, the writer immediately thought of the "fancy" instant noodle meals during college, when he would rummage through the fridge for something, blanch it in boiling water, and enjoy it.

The broth consists of beef, beef patties, shrimp patties, beef balls, soft-boiled eggs. The best thing in this bowl is probably the chewy shrimp patties that are seasoned just right - Photo: TO CUONG

The cloudy broth, accompanied by green onions, fried onions and foam from the eggs and beef, creates an indescribable nostalgic feeling.

Taking a spoonful, the ingredients such as shrimp patties, beef and the mild spiciness from pepper and chili make the broth quite rich in flavor, but overall it is not outstanding or distinctive enough to call this a new, unique dish.

Compared to that, a bowl of noodles/noodle soup has a price that is not "student" at all, up to more than 70,000 VND.

Swearing just to "please customers"

On social networking sites, every time the name of Ms. Huyen’s noodle soup is mentioned, a heated debate immediately breaks out. Most of the criticism is that the food is not special, but the food is also cursed and the price is high.

Some people joke that when you come here, in addition to paying for the noodles, you also have to pay an additional "cursing fee" to get the price.

Although the food quality is not bad, the delicious taste is not the reason why diners from near and far come to Bun Chuyen Co Huyen - Photo: TO CUONG

In fact, according to the writer's observation, when the restaurant had few customers, Ms. Huyen did not curse at all. It was only when she saw groups of people coming in from the alley that she started to raise her voice.

These "swearing" words are not for customers but are reminders to the restaurant staff about small things like cleaning or which table to bring this dish to...

When chatting, Ms. Huyen was also friendly, not showing that she was a fierce person, perhaps she only cursed to maintain the "brand" of the restaurant, jokingly speaking, it was like a very rustic marketing method.

Indeed, if it weren't for the curious Bun Chuyen brand, Ms. Huyen's restaurant would not have been so crowded for so many years. "Good news travels fast" also made many YouTubers, TikTokers, media people... including the writer come to the restaurant to experience it.

There are also many people who come out of curiosity to try the food and then fall in love with the bustling atmosphere and the taste of the restaurant and become regular customers. From there, Ms. Huyen's vermicelli soup has left its own mark in the hearts of the people of Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bun-chui-co-huyen-khet-tieng-sai-gon-20241124163545479.htm