A unique food market located in a small alley in Ho Chi Minh City sells all kinds of delicious food at affordable prices. Notably, the market only meets once a year and lasts for a month.
Special food market
At the end of the day, female student Trinh My Phung and her friends went to experience the unique food market located in alley 157 Duong Ba Trac street, district 8, Ho Chi Minh City.
Weaving through the bustling crowd, My Phung and her friends took photos and enjoyed the food sold on both sides of the small alley. This was the first time the group of female students had come to the market. The girls were surprised to see that there were many customers and a variety of food.
It is known that this is a food market for Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Mr. Abdohalim, Deputy Imam of the Jamiul Anwar Mosque Management Board, said that Ramadan, also known as the month of fasting, is one of the most important occasions for Muslims.
During this month, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and even swallowing saliva during the day. Traditionally, they eat Suhoor (meal before sunrise) and Iftar (meal after sunset) during this month.
On normal days, the winding alley, which branches into many small branches, is usually quiet. Women here do small business on the sidewalk while men often sit and drink water and chat with each other.
However, during Ramadan, the alley becomes especially crowded and bustling. On both sides of the alley, people sell a variety of foods, attracting a large number of diners to visit and experience.
Gohimi (22 years old) and her aunt have been selling traditional Cham Muslim food in alley 157 for the past 15 years. She said the market only opens once a year during the holy month of Ramadan.
“Usually, I just stay home to look after my children. But during the holy month of Ramadan, the demand for food from Muslims is very high, so I have to go to the market to help my aunt sell.
The market opens once a year and lasts throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Because it mainly serves Muslims who buy food to break their fast at the end of the day, the market only opens in the early afternoon. The later the afternoon, the more crowded the market becomes,” Gohimi shared.
Variety of dishes
The market is located in a small alley so there are only about 20 stalls. However, the vendors still sell a variety of food.
Here, there are traditional cakes of the Cham Muslims such as: Saykaya, grilled banana, pumpkin, steamed liver cake... The cakes usually cost from 5,000-10,000 VND/piece.
 |  |
In addition, the market also sells many outstanding dishes with unique flavors such as: Goat curry, beef stir-fry, ni rice (rice cooked with milk or coconut milk), ca pua (beef curry), fried quail, chicken wings, fried chicken thighs, rice-flour soup...
Because Muslims do not eat pork, the meat dishes at the market are made from chicken, beef, crab... These dishes cost from 20,000-100,000 VND/portion.
The market also sells soft drinks such as milk tea, grass jelly, ginseng water, palm juice, beauty tea... with prices ranging from 7,000-10,000 VND.
“Before, I thought Muslim food was greasy because it was usually fried or grilled. However, when I went to the market, I saw a lot of steamed, salad, grilled, vermicelli dishes…
I really like dishes made from beef and coconut milk. These dishes have a natural sweetness and fat, so they are very delicious and suitable for the taste," said a diner.
Muslims consider Ramadan an occasion to eat together, creating a cozy atmosphere. Therefore, Muslim diners often go to the market to choose food to take home. To serve this need, vendors often pre-package their food.
However, many other stalls still serve food on the spot for customers in need. Grills and frying pans are constantly on fire. The aroma of food spreads throughout the alley crowded with buyers and sellers.
Ms. Na (40 years old), who sells grilled chicken thighs and wings at the market, said: "In recent years, customers coming to the market are not only religious people but all kinds of people.
They come to the market to experience the culture and enjoy the food. Therefore, in addition to selling pre-packaged food, we also prepare it directly for customers to enjoy.
Because of the limited space, customers often stand or sit close to the sidewalk to experience. However, this is also an interesting and unique way to experience the dishes.
During the fasting month, each person usually sells the dishes that they feel most confident and delicious in. These dishes are prepared according to each person's own recipe and experience.
'Ghost' market in the West, buyers don't have time to see the seller's face before the market closes
Fascinated by visiting the century-old market known as the 'fish sauce kingdom' of the West
Thousands of people travel long distances to unique fair, eat hot pho for 0 VND
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/cho-am-thuc-nup-hem-o-tphcm-moi-nam-chi-hop-mot-lan-nhung-keo-dai-ca-thang-2382399.html
![[Photo] General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attend the first Congress of the National Data Association](https://vstatic.vietnam.vn/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/3/22/5d9be594d4824ccba3ddff5886db2a9e)
Comment (0)