Go to Phu Xuyen Hen vermicelli

Vermicelli noodles, have you ever eaten? I lived in exile for a long time, a few years ago, when I returned to the village, I found out that my hometown had a famous mussel noodle dish. The name sounds like a characteristic of a certain area of ​​​​river and water, but it turns out that this traditional mussel noodle shop has existed for decades in a low-lying field on the outskirts of Hanoi, in my hometown, Phu Xuyen town. I also plan to try it and then buy a portion to bring back to people at home so that I don’t have to cook.

The entrance to the shop is located quite deep in a small alley, feeling a bit cramped but cozy as if you are weaving in a corner in Ngang Hang Dao. Once inside, the restaurant is quite spacious. A large covered yard where the stove system is located and the dining table is set up for guests. The shop owner is older than me, she smiled when I asked for mussel noodles. “You come so early in the afternoon to have vermicelli, the shop sells from afternoon to late at night!”. “Oh yeah, it’s my first time here so I didn’t know that”.

It’s a pity because it’s five or six kilometers from my village to here, but now it’s back to zero. Suddenly seeing next to the kitchen was a large pan like a feeding pan filled with freshly fried mussel meat that was still emitting a fragrant aroma, so she asked “I’ll sell you some of these fried mussels”. The owner still smiled meekly and was always about to prepare the kitchen and said, she will come here to eat delicious noodles, not buy mussels. I secretly understood that she did not want to sell, so she chose to refuse wisely.

Maybe she doesn’t want to open the door for a day to be something incomplete, but if there is a surplus of mussels at the end of the session, she will be ready immediately. I must say that the pan of fried mussels looks so attractive that I keep lingering. It was not until the next afternoon that I had the opportunity to return to the shop with my wife and my younger brother. Knowing that I haven’t enjoyed this dish yet, so they are welcome to invite you to eat it, you just have to eat it once and let me know.

Do you know people say that, if you come to Phu Xuyen without eating mussel vermicelli, you will not know Phu Xuyen. I laughed so hard, such a famous dish must be enjoyed today. The enthusiasm of the children made me feel excited because the fried mussels pan from the previous day was still fragrant in me. Of course, the two younger siblings had no way of knowing about my eating noodles. Going to the shop more than five o’clock in the afternoon, right at the peak of work, workers, teachers and students each flocked to the crowded shop.

Had to wait more than fifteen minutes to be served a bowl of vermicelli. So it’s still lucky because there are groups that can’t wait to have to pull each other out in anger. The irritation must have overwhelmed the need to enjoy. I secretly regret the scope of this shop, but being able to go out on the main road is so wonderful. But maybe it is because sinking in a deep alley is a curious factor for visitors from all over the world to come back. My younger brother said that it’s like this every afternoon until late, sister. If you’re lucky to get a place right away, you have to wait, but it’s not uncommon to wait for a long time and then leave like this. I was busy watching the world, now I look at the bowl of hot vermicelli that has just arrived.

A large bowl is not shiny and colorful, but is as simple and simple as the character of a person in the countryside. A few stalks of cilantro, finely chopped scallions, a bowl of vermicelli without any fat, and on top is an attractive layer of fried mussels. Sip a piece of broth to immediately see the rich and cool mussel taste. Coriander herbs, chili vinegar soaked in garlic are served according to the taste of the guests and especially there is a bowl of pickled young figs with home flavor. I can’t eat salted figs, but listening to the young people at the table chewing on figs and then holding the bowl to ask for more, I feel very excited.

If you eat any kind of vermicelli, you should order a plate of fried mussels and fried tofu. The patties here are sweet and chewy with mussel flavor, cool and fragrant with dill, peppercorns dipped in garlic and chili fish sauce and thinly sliced ​​tofu, crispy golden brown, looks delicious. The two younger siblings are always urging her to eat, is it good for you to eat, is it delicious? You can rest assured that you are not afraid of a cold stomach, the vermicelli here is boiled in mussel water, then scooped out into a bowl and sprinkled with fried mussels on top. It turns out that it is, but eating healthy because of the mussel breed is often afraid of it being too cool. It’s delicious, how can it not be delicious when you have given people far from home with both sincerity and a little pride in the homeland.

Enjoying delicious food together in this friendly atmosphere, almost everyone is very welcoming. At one table and the other, the guests started talking to each other and said hello, which village did you look familiar in, no wonder… I thought it was a strange place, I still passed it continuously… The intimate village stories were similar like all are acquaintances, not visitors. People in the area know that this restaurant is both cheap and delicious, so they often come here to enjoy it.

Guests who can’t stand the crowded waiting should take advantage of coming early before closing time. At that time, the shop was empty and chatted with the owner and the kitchen staff were all very friendly. Those who like to have a lot of fun, coming at peak hours will be immersed in the bustling but warm atmosphere. Like I’m sitting here eating now, but my heart still flutters, half of my soul is immersed in a bowl of vermicelli, half is floating. I wish that among those bustling crowds, I would be happy to see an old familiar face.

Three years of high school, the district school knows how many memories of the phoenix age with friends in this lovely small town, now everyone is on their own. It’s true”Friends have gone far / spread their wings to the sky“. Vermicelli with mussels is very easy to eat. It’s delicious in winter as well as in summer. It’s cheap at only 20 thousand/bowl. If you have the opportunity to go to Phu Xuyen, would you like to try it? From Hanoi, down Highway 1A for about thirty dozen. kilometers to town.

Through Phu Xuyen Station, turn left, there is a small alley, go a few dozen meters deeper to reach Dat Hien heirloom mussel vermicelli, it will certainly not disappoint you. As for me, since then, every time I go to Phu Xuyen, I have to visit mussel vermicelli. If not with brothers and sisters, go with some village friends from childhood. And around the bowl of vermicelli are stories, happy and sad feelings filled with village love, so that when going away, the country soul brings with them the taste of vermicelli and mussels in their luggage.