When it comes to wonton noodles, people often think of wontons wrapped in banana leaves, served with pork, pork knuckles, and other meats. However, at Di Mui’s wonton noodle shop in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll get to enjoy a unique twist on this dish – wontons with shrimp. This special touch has made Di Mui’s shop a popular destination for food lovers.
1 Introducing Di Mui’s Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp
Introducing Di Mui’s Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp
Restaurant Quality: 4.2/5 ( Rated by Google)
Address: Hem 66 Lang Binh Thang, Ward 13, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening Hours: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Price Range: Around 45,000 VND
Phone Number: None
Facebook: None
Delivery: No
Menu: Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp, Stir-fried Noodles in Hoa Style
Signature Dish: Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp
Pros: Long-established wonton noodle shop, unique toppings, sweet and delicate broth
Cons: Mainly take-out, limited seating
If you’re craving a unique pho experience in the heart of glamorous Saigon, look no further than Di Mui’s Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp. Located in the alley of 66 Lang Binh Thang, District 11, this place is famous for its signature dry wonton noodles with shrimp.
What sets their dish apart is the sweet and delicate broth, simmered from chicken bones and dried shrimp. Di Mui presents a hearty bowl of wontons with a rich flavor. The handmade wontons are filled with minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, wrapped in soft and chewy dough, and served with crispy Chinese chives, creating a perfect harmony of textures and tastes.
With reasonable prices at only around 45,000 VND per bowl and a commitment to food safety and hygiene, Di Mui’s Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp has become a favorite spot for many diners. Despite mainly offering take-out options and limited seating, the shop attracts a large number of customers daily, proving the irresistible appeal of this unique pho dish.
In addition to the signature wonton noodles, Di Mui also offers stir-fried noodles in Hoa style, catering to diverse culinary preferences.
Handmade wontons with minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, wrapped in soft and chewy dough
2 What Makes Di Mui’s Dry Wonton Noodles So Enticing?
Hearty Bowl of Wonton Noodles with Toppings for Just 45,000 VND
Di Mui’s modest shop, located at the beginning of the alley on Lang Binh Thang Street, is always bustling with customers, whether they choose to dine in or take their food to go.
The shop may be simple, with a small counter, where a pot of simmering wonton broth sits alongside various toppings like dried shrimp, scallions, and fried dough sticks, all neatly arranged around it. Tucked away in a small alley without any fancy signage, Di Mui’s wonton noodle shop still manages to attract a steady stream of customers.
A bowl of dry wonton noodles with blood pudding, scallions, and of course, a generous portion of dried shrimp, will only cost you around 45,000 VND. Accompanying the wontons are a plate of crispy fried dough sticks and a bowl of homemade scallion oil and pork belly fat that will tantalize your taste buds.
To enhance the flavors, you can add scallion oil, pork belly fat, a squeeze of lime, and some chili to your bowl. The sweet and delicate broth from the dried shrimp blends beautifully with the spiciness of the pepper, while the soft wontons, crispy shrimp, and chewy blood pudding create a perfect textural harmony.
Hearty Bowl of Wonton Noodles with Toppings for Just 45,000 VND
The Owner’s Passion for Quality Ingredients
Even with a busy shop, Di Mui made sure to stop by my table when she learned it was my first time trying her dry wonton noodles. She kindly asked, “Do you know how to eat this dish?” and proceeded to guide me through the process of dipping the blood pudding into a mixture of fish sauce, lime, and chili. She explained that the way of mixing fish sauce can vary depending on personal preference and regional differences. She also proudly introduced the high-quality fish sauce she selected herself, assuring me that she only uses the best ingredients.
Di Mui has been dedicated to the craft of making and selling dry wonton noodles since she was 18 years old, amounting to 43 years of experience. In the beginning, she had to carry her wares and sell them on the streets, without a fixed stall. Over time, she learned and perfected her unique dry wonton noodle recipe by drawing inspiration from various sources. Instead of using conventional ingredients, she chose to incorporate dried shrimp to create a distinctive flavor profile.
She shared, “While many wonton noodle shops serve their dishes with meat or pork knuckles, I opted for dried shrimp to give the broth a sweet and delicate taste without any fishy flavor. I also managed to find a wholesale supplier of delicious and high-quality dried shrimp, so I felt confident in using them. I’m not in it for huge profits; dried shrimp are expensive, so I just aim to cover my costs and make a modest living.”
The reason she chose dried shrimp over fresh shrimp was to achieve that sweet and delicate broth. She always uses large, high-quality dried shrimp and adds a generous amount to each bowl of wonton noodles. Every day, she sells tens of kilograms of dried shrimp, keeping a constant supply in large pots to meet the demands of her customers.
The Owner’s Passion for Quality Ingredients
Selling Out “Decades” of Noodles in Just 2 Afternoon Hours
Di Mui’s noodle shop opens at 3:00 PM, but within just 2-3 hours, they sell out for the day. If you’re too late, you might miss out on this delicious treat. While Di Mui can open earlier, if they experience a high volume of customers, they may close earlier than 5:00 PM.
It’s important to note that the shop remains closed on the 1st and 15th day of the lunar month, as well as during holidays and festive seasons. Di Mui shared, “During holidays, I close the shop so that my employees can spend time with their loved ones. I can’t manage the shop by myself!” Her laughter was infectious as she spoke about this.
So, what is it that makes Di Mui’s noodle shop so popular? Despite only operating for a few hours each day, Di Mui sells around ten pots of noodles daily, which is already a challenging task. She wakes up as early as 4:00 AM to prepare everything, and surprisingly, the most time-consuming task is chopping the scallions.
Customers are drawn to Di Mui’s shop not only for the delicious food but also for her cheerful and optimistic demeanor. This woman in her 60s always wears a radiant smile. When I jokingly asked if she had become rich from her successful business, she laughed and replied, “I like to joke around with my customers. If they ask if I’ve become rich, I tell them, ‘Yes, I bought all the houses in Binh Chanh District,’ and if they ask again, I say, ‘I also bought all the houses in Long An Province.’ I just say whatever comes to mind; it’s all in good fun!”
Selling Out “Decades” of Noodles in Just 2 Afternoon Hours
Di Mui’s Dry Wonton Noodles with Shrimp is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking to indulge in the unique flavors of Saigon. With reasonable prices and a commitment to quality, the shop continues to attract a steady stream of customers daily.