The owner said her broken rice cart has been around for nearly 30 years, with a recipe she "learned" when she was young and worked as a shop assistant.
"Learn by heart" how to cook rice
In times of 'price storms', when work and the economy are difficult, and people don't have much money left, finding a restaurant with delicious, affordable food in Ho Chi Minh City is really a challenge. However, in a city with many restaurants, if you are willing to work a little harder, there are still restaurants that fit your budget.
In the morning, passing by Doan Van Bo Street (District 4, Ho Chi Minh City), I felt the bustling, bustling atmosphere of the early morning when the shops selling fragrant food and drinks lined up on this famous "culinary street". Many people go to school, go to work, conveniently looking for a favorite breakfast place to start a new day.
Mrs. Oanh has been selling broken rice for nearly 30 years.
Mrs. Oanh's broken rice cart is also tucked away on a corner of this street, eye-catching and the aroma of rice and grilled meat wafts gently. Around, there are regular customers stopping by the cart to order their favorite dishes and take them away. The owner is busy making things according to the customers' wishes so that no one has to wait long, and they are on time for work or school.
At 5am, the rice cart was already here. The owner said that she usually sells out by 8am. According to Ms. Oanh, she started selling broken rice nearly 30 years ago to earn money to raise her children and cover the family's financial expenses. Now that her children are grown and have their own lives, this is the "bowl of rice" that allows her to support herself without having to depend on her children and grandchildren.
“When I was young, I helped people sell rice for several years. Thanks to that, I learned the recipe and how to cook delicious broken rice. Later, I opened my own rice cart and was lucky to have customers support me. I am confident that every dish I make is delicious because it comes from my heart. If you make it with all your heart, everything will be delicious!", the owner smiled kindly.
Broken rice portion costs 30,000 VND.
[CLIP]: Broken rice cart for 15,000 VND with the price considered "cheapest" in Ho Chi Minh City
Here, each portion of Ms. Oanh’s rice costs 20,000 VND or more, depending on the customer’s needs. However, she said she still sells the rib rice dish for 15,000 VND for customers, especially students or poor workers.
At this time, the price of rice has increased, the price of raw materials has also increased, but the owner still keeps the same price as many years ago. "I sell cheap so that workers and students can buy their breakfast, if it is too expensive, who would dare to buy? It is cheap, but the quality must be good. I don't make much profit, but I make money from labor and quantity, enough to live on," Ms. Oanh added sincerely.
A restaurant for those days when your wallet hurts
This morning, Mrs. Thu (67 years old) also stopped by Mrs. Oanh's food cart to buy food, as usual. The customer said that she has been a "regular customer" here for decades, since her child was young and now has grown up and become an adult.
“Not only me but my whole family, especially my children, love broken rice here. The price is affordable and suitable for their taste. My house is nearby, so I come here every week, at least 2-3 days, sometimes every day. Nowadays, it is not easy to find a delicious restaurant with such cheap prices," Ms. Thu commented.
15,000 VND/portion of rice, the owner is also happy to sell to customers.
Mr. Ho Minh Hung (20 years old, living in District 4) said that he has been eating at Mrs. Oanh's restaurant for more than a year now, since he moved to a boarding house near this area to make it more convenient for him to go to school. Mr. Hung said that Doan Van Bo street is a "food paradise", among many choices, the young man often visits Mrs. Oanh's restaurant, especially on days when he is "in a tight spot".
“Her shop sells cheap food. During the last days of the month, I come to her shop every day to buy food. Sometimes the meal is 15,000 VND, sometimes the meal is 20,000 VND. She is happy and enthusiastic in selling to me. It's hard to find a shop like that in Saigon," the customer added.
I bought a portion of broken rice for 30,000 VND, with ribs, eggs and sausage all made by the owner herself. The broken rice was served with a piece of ribs marinated with spices, served with braised eggs, sausage with pickles, cucumber, pork rinds, fried onions and a little sweet and sour fish sauce, it was really "awesome". In terms of taste and price, I give it 8/10, worth trying and worthy of becoming a "favorite restaurant" for many customers.
The ribs are well marinated.
Ms. Oanh said that every day, she has to wake up at 2 am to prepare everything so that she can go to work at 5 am. She doesn’t feel tired because she is used to it, on the contrary, she feels happy when she can bring her beloved customers hearty, affordable meals.
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