Customers have been fascinated by it for 30 years, why?

Not unfamiliar to many, it's the crab soup shop of Ms. Lan (62 years old, real name Giang Thi Huong), a woman of Chinese descent famous for her delicious cooking.

"Not affected!"

On a cool afternoon at the end of the year, Ho Chi Minh City is pleasantly chilly. In this weather, nothing beats slurping down a steaming hot bowl of crab soup. I visited Ms. Lan's restaurant on Luong Nhu Hoc Street (District 5), my favorite spot for many years.

Ms. Lan has been selling crab soup for 30 years.

It was early afternoon, so the restaurant wasn't too crowded yet; customers were arriving in steady streams to eat in or take away. Taking advantage of the time, the owner shared stories about the restaurant, which she had dedicated 30 years of her life to.

Back then, Ms. Lan was a housewife, taking her children to and from school every day. She recounted that her children loved crab soup and often asked her to cook it, or every time they came home from school, they would ask her to stop at roadside stalls to buy some to eat.

"Once, my child suggested I sell crab soup. Seeing that there weren't many vendors in this area in the past, and my family wasn't very well-off, and since I knew how to cook it, I decided to give it a try. So, in 1993, I started selling crab soup in the Cholon area, and every day, my children get to enjoy their favorite dish cooked by their mother," the owner recounted.

Back then, she said each portion of crab soup cost 1,000 dong, 2,000 dong… and the special portions were a little more expensive. But because of its delicious taste and good reputation, she received a lot of support from customers, especially students from nearby. Gradually, her business prospered, and she started renting a larger space to sell her food permanently, instead of selling on the street.

Here, the special soup costs 96,000 VND.

[CLIP]: What makes the most expensive crab soup restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, costing nearly 100,000 VND per bowl, so popular with customers for 30 years?

Pointing to the spacious and well-maintained premises, the owner said she has been selling here for over 10 years, as it's the home of an acquaintance. Currently, Ms. Lan sells crab soup for 46,000 VND for the cheapest portion and 96,000 VND for the special portion. She said that for students, she'll sell portions for 30,000 VND or even 20,000 VND.

The owner explained that at this price, it's not expensive, considering the special portion contains plenty of crab, fish maw, quail eggs, century eggs, mushrooms, etc., truly embodying the saying "you get what you pay for." Ms. Lan confided that the most special thing about her crab soup is the special fish maw she buys, which she selects herself. When eating, customers will notice the difference compared to other restaurants. In addition, Ms. Lan's own secret seasoning recipe is also what makes this eatery so appealing.

Mother passes it down to her son.

For me, just as Ms. Lan recommended, the crab soup here has a rich and flavorful taste. The real highlight is the high-quality ingredients in the bowl of crab soup, such as the crab and the chewy, fragrant, soft, and creamy fish maw, which have a unique and delicious taste. In my opinion, the soup here deserves an 8.5/10, considering both its flavor and price.

Having been a regular customer here for over 10 years, Mr. Tran Hoang (45 years old, residing in District 5) said that whenever he craves crab soup or something that isn't too filling, he always comes here. The customer commented that the rich flavor and freshness of the ingredients make the bowl of soup worth the price.

"I usually eat a regular bowl, or one with extra fish balls. On payday, I order a special bowl. I usually come here 2-3 times a week because the shop is open from 10 am to 6 pm, so it's convenient for lunch or a snack since I work nearby," the customer said with a smile.

Many people have been regulars at the restaurant for decades.

Tri (34 years old), the son of Ms. Lan, shared that his mother has been selling crab soup since he was 4 years old. His childhood was filled with days spent helping his mother sell soup after school. For him, it was thanks to this eatery that his parents raised him and his sister to become the adults they are today.

His sister got married and has her own life. Tri, however, has been helping his mother sell soup for over a decade, determined to stick with and inherit his mother's profession. Every day, he finds happiness in standing alongside his mother, selling and serving familiar customers.

Ms. Lan proudly says that many of her customers have been coming back since they were little schoolchildren, and now, even after having children of their own, they still visit with their families. Some have settled abroad, and when they return home, they still remember and seek out the delicious taste of Ms. Lan's soup.

“In 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have one breast removed. At that time, I stopped selling for almost a year. Customers kept asking about me, and I missed them, so as soon as I recovered, I started selling again. Unexpectedly, business was even better. That's the motivation for me to keep selling until I no longer have the strength to do so…,” the shop owner confided.

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