Even though it's in an alley, the mother and her two children's shop is always crowded with customers.

Just like that, for nearly 15 years now, the beef with betel leaves and beef with caul fat restaurant (caul fat is a thin layer of fat covering the abdominal cavity around the stomach of some animals such as cows, sheep, pigs, etc.) of Aunt Nam Phuong (real name is Nguyen Thi Phuong, 65 years old) is still a familiar destination for many "regular" customers, even though the price is higher than the average.

"On busy days, sold out in 3 hours!"

After 3pm, Aunt Phuong and her children started to open the door to welcome customers. This was also the time when I started to weave through many alleys, following the train tracks to visit Aunt Phuong's shop located in an alley on Hoang Van Thu Street (Phu Nhuan District).

Each meal at the restaurant costs 80,000 VND.

As soon as I arrived, the fragrant smell of grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves spread out, making my stomach rumble. Immediately, I was impressed by the peaceful space of the restaurant facing the train tracks. I thought to myself that there was nothing more ideal than a sunset afternoon, eating beef wrapped in betel leaves while looking out at the restaurant's signature "train track view".

Inside the restaurant, Aunt Phuong and her son and daughter were busy preparing meals for the customers. It had only been open for a short time, but customers were coming and going regularly. When she saw me, the owner smiled kindly and chatted warmly.

Aunt Phuong said that her parents used to work for a famous beef restaurant in Saigon that opened before 1975, located on Nguyen Minh Chieu Street (now Nguyen Trong Tuyen Street in Phu Nhuan District), not far from the current restaurant. Later, that restaurant closed because the owner moved abroad, and her parents also stopped working.

Warm restaurant space.

But during the days working at the beef restaurant, my parents learned how to make delicious beef dishes, including beef in betel leaves and beef in caul fat. My grandparents passed it down to me, mainly for cooking at home or at parties, the recipe was delicious so everyone liked it...

Aunt Phuong, Owner

In 2010, from the recipe passed down from her parents, Aunt Phuong decided to open this beef restaurant to make a living, also following her parents' wishes, although before that, she also sold delicious Hu Tieu which was famous in this area. So the restaurant has been with her and her family for nearly 15 years, from Nguyen Van Troi Street, until moving to a new address not long ago, many customers still come to support.

The owner introduced the restaurant, the specialties are beef in betel leaves, beef in caul fat, beef dipped in vinegar, grilled on a grill... Each portion is priced at 80,000 VND. Although the price is a bit "expensive" compared to the general level, but Aunt Phuong said that you get what you pay for, when customers eat, they will definitely feel that it is worth the money they spend because of the quality and flavor of the dish.

“On busy days, especially on weekends, the shop usually sells out in just 3 hours. On regular days with regular customers, sales are slower, usually closing around 9pm. It’s not by chance that the prices are high, but customers have supported my shop for many years, all thanks to the seasoning secrets, the quality of the beef…”, the owner confided.

[CLIP]: 'Beef with betel leaves on the train street' 80,000 VND/portion in Ho Chi Minh City: 3 mothers and children sell well, what's the secret?

Passing on the profession to the next generation

Being hungry, I ordered a portion of beef wrapped in betel leaves and caul fat for 80,000 VND. The owner and her two children prepared the dish meticulously. Looking at the food on the table, I thought to myself that for the price, it was probably worth it.

Indeed, the beef rolls wrapped in betel leaves, grilled caul fat, along with pickles, a few slices of star fruit, green banana, vegetables, bean sprouts, a little vermicelli, peanuts... rolled up, dipped in the restaurant's signature fish sauce, the flavors explode in your mouth.

The food is well seasoned.

I can clearly feel the richness in the way the owner seasoned the beef with betel leaves and beef with caul fat. For me, the taste of the dishes here deserves a score of 8/10, worthy of eating many times. Aunt Phuong also said that when cooking with a heart for the guests, the dishes will surely be delicious.

"I am passing on my profession to my children, hoping that when I am no longer able to do it, they will inherit it. Later on, they will have a profession to follow and support themselves," said Aunt Phuong.

Mr. Nhat Hao (34 years old) also takes his wife to this restaurant every afternoon. The customer said that because his house is nearby, he has eaten at this restaurant for many years and finds the taste suitable, so he often comes to support.

The restaurant is located in alley 129/12B Hoang Van Thu street (Phu Nhan district).

Mr. Hao said that what he likes most about the beef in betel leaves and beef in caul fat here is the combination of fresh ingredients. “Sometimes I change things up and order the beef dipped in vinegar. This dish has a small charcoal stove, so I can eat while looking out at the road ahead,” he said, smiling.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-la-lot-duong-tau-80000-dong-phan-o-tphcm-du-trong-hem-nhung-3-me-con-ban-luon-dong-khach-185231031105227474.htm