(Dan Tri) - As a dining spot for many famous politicians such as US President Bill Clinton, Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet..., the owner of Pho 2000 was rumored to have a "not-so-ordinary" background.
"Could I try your dish to welcome a VIP guest?", the US Consulate General in Vietnam asked Mr. Alain Tan after Pho 2000 restaurant opened a few months ago.
"Just relax!", Mr. Tan answered frankly and did not think any further.
A few months later, while in the US to arrange work, Mr. Tan suddenly received a phone call from his mother-in-law. On the other end of the line, she panicked and announced: "Honey! It seems that President Bill Clinton will be visiting our shop."
After hearing that, Mr. Tan and his wife were both happy and worried.
"He ordered a bowl of chicken pho and a mango smoothie."
"Many people keep saying that I opened the restaurant to welcome Mr. Bill Clinton and have a "not-so-average" relationship with the high-ranking politician. However, I'll just tell you one thing, it's all coincidental because if it was arranged, why wouldn't I be in Vietnam to welcome him directly?", Mr. Alain Tan began the conversation with this explanation.
Accordingly, at the end of 1999, Mr. Tan decided to open a pho restaurant at the corner of Phan Chu Trinh Street (District 1, HCMC). This place quickly became a familiar dining spot for foreign tourists who wanted to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine.
As soon as they learned that Mr. Alain Tan was also a Vietnamese-American, many foreign friends were even more impressed by his affection and closeness. In particular, the US Consul General in Vietnam at that time often visited, bringing his wife, children, and friends to enjoy the restaurant. He always gave compliments to the extremely delicious pho made by the Vietnamese-American chef.
"It was at times like that that he and I became very close. When making a list of places to eat for President Bill Clinton, he chose Pho 2000 but kept it a secret until the last minute," Mr. Tan recalled.
Pho 2000 was one of three places visited by US President Bill Clinton during his visit to Vietnam in 2000 (Photo: NVCC)
One day in November 2000, many security vehicles surrounded the corner of Phan Chu Trinh Street. A few hours later, US President Bill Clinton got out of the car and chose a seat on the second floor, while the entire delegation took turns covering all the tables and chairs. Only then did Mr. Tan's family completely believe that the story of the US President visiting the restaurant was true.
"He ordered a bowl of chicken pho, a mango smoothie and ate very well with all the other politicians of the two countries," Mr. Tan said.
Although the US President did not have any compliments for the dish, he still ate the last piece of pho and actively wanted to take a photo with the chef and all the staff of the pho restaurant.
"That action alone was worth more than a thousand compliments. President Bill Clinton was extremely friendly and comfortable. He even stood on the second floor of the building to wave to all the Vietnamese people," Mr. Tan said.
The President comfortably shook hands with Mr. Tan's mother-in-law, the pho chef (Photo: Loan To).
The top choice of foreign politicians
After the visit of US President Bill Clinton, Pho 2000 became a famous restaurant. Over the past 2 decades, this place has welcomed many stars, celebrities and foreign politicians.
In particular, Mr. Alain Tan was also personally chosen by Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi, Princess of Thailand, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, General Vo Nguyen Giap... to be the chef for banquets.
To achieve these successes, Mr. Alain Tan said it was a difficult process. In the 90s of the last century, Mr. Tan and his wife were among the pioneers in the high-end restaurant business, owning many famous chains of stores such as Le Mekong, Vietnam House, Lemon Grass, Dalat House, Blue Gringer, Chef Lap...
By 1998, the Asian financial crisis had severely affected Mr. Tan's high-end brands and hotels and restaurants. At this time, Mr. Tan began to cherish the idea of opening a fast food business that was both affordable for all classes and imbued with national traditions.
Among the countless popular dishes in Vietnam such as pho, vermicelli, spring rolls, hu tieu, banh canh, banh khot, banh xeo..., Mr. Tan and his wife chose pho.
Immediately, Mr. Tan and his wife spent 6 months traveling from North to South, looking for famous pho restaurants. A few months later, a high-class pho restaurant appeared for the first time on Vo Thi Sau Street - the once famous Hien Vuong pho street, surprising everyone.
"We make pho but it will be at a different level. You know what? Because at that time, Vietnamese pho was very delicious but the restaurants usually had shabby tables and chairs, littered with trash, and were not hygienic... I wanted to have a restaurant and it had to be really neat," Mr. Tan said.
Quickly, the delicious pho, each type of vegetable, broth, and pho noodles made by the owner himself, became famous. At one point, Mr. Tan's restaurant had more than 1,000 customers lining up just to enjoy Pho 2000.
Mr. Tan is the "chosen face" for many banquets and meals of famous world politicians (Photo: Loan To).
20 years still attracting customers
Currently, Pho 2000 is always a destination for many diners, of which 90% are international guests.
Regarding this, Mr. Tan said that his family's pho always has special, strict standards for food hygiene and safety... Especially after many experiments, the couple chose to cook with a unique recipe, making the flavor unmistakable.
In particular, the broth of Pho 2000 must be simmered for over 8 hours with more than 18 spices, the sweetness comes entirely from the bones and no MSG, each piece of meat is cut into the right size, not thin to lose the sweetness, not thick to cause greasiness, the broth before being poured into the bowl is always boiled at a certain temperature, not too long to cause saltiness but also not too hasty to cause the pho to lose its delicious taste.
"Our country's pho is not as thin as hu tieu, nor as thick as mi quang or banh canh... The pho noodles we make must be soft, chewy, not broken, not thin, not thick, the fried breadsticks eaten with it must be crispy, the vegetables are carefully selected, the beef used to make pho must be Vietnamese beef... Ensuring that it meets the standards of a luxurious dish," Mr. Tan explained.
His children have now returned to Vietnam to take over this famous pho restaurant (Photo: NVCC).
Having spent his entire life as an Asian chef in Europe, opening a series of famous high-end restaurants around the world, but for Mr. Tan, the proudest thing in his career is traditional Vietnamese cuisine, for the reason: "Where there is pho, there is Vietnamese culture".
"I don't say which place is good or bad because everyone has their own taste, but I have worked with pho all my life with my heart and love. My restaurant attracts foreign customers, proving that it meets international standards and Pho 2000 can be present everywhere," Mr. Tan laughed.
Dantri.com.vn
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