Food & Receipts

Nostalgic Rice Noodle Soup: The $3.50 Dish That’s a Saigon Legend

Nestled away in a small alley, Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan is a humble restaurant that has stood the test of time for over 70 years. Serving up a taste of nostalgia to many Saigonese, this unassuming spot is a beloved fixture in the city's culinary landscape. Step inside and you'll find a delightful haven where time-honored traditions and flavors come alive.

Administrator

10 July, 2024

Hủ tiếu is a familiar dish to the people of Saigon, with many diverse variations. The most famous ones are hủ tiếu Nam Vang and hủ tiếu Hoa, each with its unique flavor. However, today, let’s explore the special hủ tiếu at Thanh Xuan shop – a place that holds the youth of countless generations of Saigonese. Join us today as we uncover what makes a bowl of hủ tiếu worth up to 85,000 VND (~$3.60 USD)!

1 Introducing the Thanh Xuan Hủ Tiếu Shop

Introducing the Thanh Xuan Hủ Tiếu Shop

Restaurant Quality: 4.2/5 (Rated by Google)

Address: 62 Ton That Thiep, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening Hours: 06:00 AM – 01:00 PM (Usually crowded at 09:00 AM)

Price Range: 50,000 – 85,000 VND

Phone Number: 0909542097

Website: Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho Thanh Xuân

Facebook: Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho Thanh Xuân

Delivery: Available (Shopee Food)

Menu: Hủ tiếu nước thịt trứng cút, hủ tiếu nước thường, hủ tiếu khô cua, hủ tiếu nước tôm cua thập cẩm, hủ tiếu khô tôm cua, hủ tiếu nước cua

Signature Dish: Hủ tiếu nước tôm cua thập cẩm

Pros: Well-known long-established restaurant, unique flavors, fresh ingredients, enthusiastic service

Cons: Relatively high prices, the broth may be a bit sweet for some palates

Tucked away in a small alley on Ton That Thiep Street, the Thanh Xuan hủ tiếu shop is like an oasis of peace in the bustling city of Saigon. This place has captivated diners for over 70 years with its delicious and hearty hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho and a cozy, nostalgic ambiance.

The most distinctive feature of the hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho at Thanh Xuan is its unforgettable flavor, characterized by a sweet and clear broth simmered from pork bones for hours, blended with the subtle fattiness of pork liver, creating an irresistible harmony. The chewy and soft hủ tiếu noodles are accompanied by ground pork, shrimp, and pork offal, resulting in a symphony of tastes. Fresh green herbs and a specially-made sweet and sour fish sauce enhance the overall dining experience.

The unique flavor of hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho at Thanh Xuan is its highlight

The restaurant exudes a cozy and rustic charm with its simple wooden tables and chairs, reminiscent of the humble eateries of the past.

If you’re seeking an authentic hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho experience, look no further than Thanh Xuan.

2 What Makes the Thanh Xuan Hủ Tiếu Shop So Enticing?

Vỉa Hè Hủ Tiếu with Prices up to 85k VND/Bowl

As you step into the shop, you’ll be greeted by a vintage signboard and a simple, crowded space with tables and chairs close together. The food preparation area is located along the wall, creating a sense of closeness.

What surprises many is the price range of 50,000 – 85,000 VND/bowl for hủ tiếu here. A basic bowl with pork costs 50,000 VND, while those with seafood like shrimp and crab go up to 70,000 – 85,000 VND. These prices are considered high for a sidewalk eatery, especially in the heart of District 1. However, compared to more upscale hủ tiếu establishments charging over 100,000 VND per bowl, these prices are seen as reasonable.

Vỉa Hè Hủ Tiếu with prices reaching 85k VND/bowl

The menu offers a variety of options, including hủ tiếu nước (soup hủ tiếu) and hủ tiếu khô (dry hủ tiếu). While the hủ tiếu nước features a sweet and clear broth and fresh shrimp, it is relatively ordinary. The hủ tiếu khô stands out with its distinctive tomato-based sauce.

The hủ tiếu thập cẩm (assorted hủ tiếu) comes with a variety of toppings such as shrimp, crab, ground pork, liver, pork, and quail eggs. However, the hủ tiếu noodles tend to stick together, making mixing a challenge. The sauce is flavorful and delicious, while the other toppings are just average.

As taste is a subjective matter, we cannot base our judgment on personal opinions alone. Nonetheless, it can be asserted that the hủ tiếu here caters to those with a sweet tooth, as both the broth and sauce have a certain level of sweetness. Ms. Tuoi, the owner of the hủ tiếu shop, shared: “Our regular customers are used to the sweetness. If I reduce it, they immediately notice.”

The menu offers a diverse range of hủ tiếu options

A Hủ Tiếu Shop That Captures the Essence of Youth

For many, Thanh Xuan is not just the name of a hủ tiếu shop but a reminder of their youthful days associated with a warm bowl of hủ tiếu. For over 70 years, the flavor of Thanh Xuan’s hủ tiếu has remained unchanged, becoming an integral part of the memories of those who have dined here.

The sweet and clear broth, simmered from pork bones, the chewy hủ tiếu noodles coated in the richness of ground pork and fresh shrimp, and the fragrant fried shallots create an irresistible combination. Each bowl is carefully crafted, offering diners a sense of warmth and familiarity, reminiscent of home-cooked meals.

Beyond just a restaurant, Thanh Xuan is a repository of beautiful memories for countless generations. In the hustle and bustle of Saigon, this modest eatery serves as a sanctuary where people come to relive their youth, savoring the familiar flavors and sharing stories with loved ones.

Thanh Xuan is more than just a restaurant; it’s a keeper of Saigon’s traditions and memories.

Thanh Xuan Hủ Tiếu Shop is not just a culinary destination but also a guardian of Saigon’s traditional values. Visit Thanh Xuan to indulge in the delicious hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho and immerse yourself in a nostalgic atmosphere.