As soon as she landed, the Saigon girl immediately urged her Hanoi sister to take her to find some cold snail noodle shops in the capital because she was very curious about the taste of a dish that has reached the artistic goal of delicious food of Hanoi people, as said by writer Vu Bang.
Cold Hanoi snail noodle soup makes many people miss it - Photo: DAU DUNG
The Saigon girl was first taken to the ancient snail noodle shop - Bui Thi Xuan.
If you search for the keyword phrase "cold vermicelli with snails" on TikTok, it's not hard to see videos introducing the old vermicelli with snails shop - Bui Thi Xuan is at the top of the suggestions, followed by Ms. Bau's cold vermicelli with snails.
Diners slurp cold snail noodle soup at Bui Thi Xuan's old snail noodle shop - Photo: DAU DUNG
Bui Thi Xuan ancient snail noodle soup has sour broth and fatty snails.
The old snail noodle shop is located on the sidewalk of the busy Bui Thi Xuan street. The space is small, only enough to serve about 4 or 5 customers, but the owner can never rest.
Everything here is simply decorated. There are bamboo trays for storing things, a few pairs of bowls, a ladle to scoop snail broth... The broth is sour, clear, and especially not fishy. Those who like it can slurp up the whole bowl, even order a second bowl to "relish" it.
The snails were quickly picked and placed into the bowl by the shop owner herself. There were only a few snails in a bowl, but each one was quite big and fat, and crunchy.
Bui Thi Xuan's ancient snail noodle soup is always crowded, there are no tables, diners often bring the cold snail noodle soup directly to eat - Photo: HO LAM
A portion of Bui Thi Xuan cold vermicelli with snails includes a large bowl of broth, accompanied by a plate of vermicelli with neatly arranged vermicelli slices.
On the Google Maps review page, Thai Tran commented: "The cold vermicelli with snails here is a suitable gift for hot summer days.
Soft noodles blend in the broth, a mixture of snail water and vinegar.
A bowl of vermicelli has the sweetness of snails, the sourness of vinegar, and a little chili sauce to create a spicy taste that stimulates the taste buds, which is more than enough for an afternoon meal."
What makes Bui Thi Xuan snail noodle shop famous is the "unapproachable" owner. Even the account Nhan di an on TikTok commented that Bui Thi Xuan snail noodle shop is the most snobbish snail noodle shop in Hanoi.
"The noodle seller admitted that she was difficult and received a lot of backlash from netizens. Lately, she has become much gentler and easier to sell";
"Sitting down to eat a bowl of noodles, listening to a few curses, and watching the street pass by is also nice. It's not by chance that it's always crowded"... are some of the comments from diners about this dining place.
The most authentic way to eat cold snail noodles is to add chili and satay to the broth, stir gently and enjoy with noodles - Video: HO LAM
Ms. Bau's cold vermicelli with snails and nostalgic shoulder poles
Different from the hustle and bustle around the ancient Bui Thi Xuan snail noodle shop, Ms. Bau's cold snail noodle shop is hidden deep in the quiet alley 176 Tay Son.
Walking to this snail noodle shop makes you feel at home because the shoulder poles evoke the familiar nostalgic look of sidewalk vendors.
Ms. Bau's cold snail noodles are quiet and simple - Photo: HO LAM
On one side of the shoulder pole there is also a ceramic jar containing snail broth underneath, and on top is a bamboo tray displaying golden snail shells. These shells are dried to decorate the shoulder pole.
Compared to Bui Thi Xuan's ancient snail noodle soup, Ms. Bau's cold snail noodle soup has a less sour broth. Customers who like sour food have to ask the owner for a bottle of vinegar to add more flavor.
The jar contains snail water below, and the top is made of golden snail shells, dried for decoration - Photo: HO LAM
While sipping the last drops of broth from a bowl of cold snail noodles, I suddenly heard a female voice from the South exclaiming, "Oh! Actually, this dish isn't that hard to eat!"
Perhaps cold vermicelli with snails is like durian. Those who have eaten it will be fascinated, and will become more and more addicted, but those with a weak stomach and not used to it will find this dish fishy. Well, that is also a matter of taste.
But Hanoi's cold snail noodle shop is not only interesting because of its taste. It is even more lovely thanks to the shoulder pole, the ladle, the rustic, old jar of snail broth, and the meals at the street stalls...
Ms. Bau's cold snail noodle soup has chili sauce, vermicelli noodles, a large bowl of broth, and a layer of snails underneath - Photo: HO LAM
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ra-ha-noi-mua-nay-an-bun-oc-co-bui-thi-xuan-ghe-ganh-bun-oc-nguoi-co-bau-20241123213153665.htm
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