Thieu Ky Mi Gia is a place that preserves culinary flavors for many generations in Saigon

1 The long and legendary history of Thieu Ky Mi Gia restaurant

1.1 Anecdotes about “Tu Ky Alley”

Address: 66/5 D. Le Dai Hanh, Ward 7, District 11, Ho Chi Minh

Nestled in a small alley at 66 Le Dai Hanh, Thieu Ky Mi Gia is not only a restaurant but also a living historical symbol with a history of about 70 years. The reputation of the founder, Mr. Tu Ky, is so deeply imprinted that this alley is lovingly called “Tu Ky alley” by locals. The noodle shop not only reminds many Saigon tourists because of its unique flavor but also because of its attachment to generations of diners through many historical events.

1.2 Journey of attachment to Vietnamese land

In the 1930s, Mr. Tu Ky, a Chinese, chose Vietnam as his second homeland. Starting with a small noodle stall, he sold it around the streets of Thuan Kieu, Tran Quy and Hoa Hao (today’s District 11). From a simple noodle cart, he gradually upgraded it to a mobile noodle truck, serving the crowded Chinese community in the area. After 1975, Thieu Ky noodle shop officially “settled” in a small alley on Le Dai Hanh street, a place associated with the memories and memories of many diners.

2 Unique flavors and traditional secrets

2.1 Esoteric noodles Thieu Ky Mi Gia

One of the highlights that makes up the Thieu Ky Mi Gia brand is the esoteric noodles. The noodles are meticulously processed and retain their chewiness throughout the enjoyment process even though you have almost finished eating the bowl of noodles. This unique flavor is the crystallization of Mr. Tu Ky’s experience and skills, passed down through many generations.

After nearly a century, Mr. Tu Ky’s successors still maintain the traditional noodle making recipe. No matter how modern the machines are today, making noodles by hand still remains the same, with only additional support from dough rolling machines to increase efficiency. This “conservatism” is the factor that creates the sustainable attraction of the shop.

According to the current owner, Thieu Ky Mi Gia’s fresh noodles are chewy and delicious thanks to the secret of using duck eggs instead of chicken eggs when mixing the dough. Every day, from 5 to 7 a.m., shop staff will begin kneading dough, cutting fibers and shaping, preparing for opening day. Each tray of noodles has about 114-116 noodles, always arranged regularly to ensure the standard quantity for each bowl of noodles.

2.2 Unique technique of blanching noodles

When preparing, squeeze fresh noodles into boiling water, then drain, continue dipping in cold water and then cook completely in a pot of boiling water. This method helps the noodles retain their characteristic crispiness. Before adding the accompanying ingredients, the cook skillfully taps the long chopstick on the noodle dish to ensure the noodles are completely drained.

The meticulousness in each step of processing, from shaping the noodles to how to boil and shock the noodles, also demonstrates the “conservative” spirit of the restaurant. This is the reason why Thieu Ky Mi Gia, despite being “hidden in an alley”, is still always crowded with customers, including foreign diners who love the somewhat ancient flavors.

2.3 Origin and creation

The origin of Thieu Ky noodles bears a strong impression of Chinese culinary culture. The journey of creating this noodle is reminiscent of the adaptation of the Mannan (Fujian) people when migrating to Southeast Asia. In the context of lacking traditional noodle making ingredients, they took advantage of available rice resources to create chewy noodles – an interesting and suitable variation with local ingredients. This characteristic is still maintained in Thieu Ky’s dishes, harmoniously combining culinary heritage and creativity.

3 Outstanding dish at Thieu Ky Mi Gia

3.1 Dried noodles with oyster sauce

Dried noodles with oyster sauce is the “star” of Thieu Ky’s menu. The noodles are naturally chewy and crispy, mixed with oyster sauce, pork rinds and a little red vinegar. When paired with soft, fragrant char siu, diners will feel the absolute harmony between the ingredients, resulting in a “genuine” bowl of Tu Ky noodles. With dry noodles, broth made from pork bones and thoroughly stewed chicken are kept separately in a small bowl.

3.2 Other dishes of Thieu Ky Mi Gia

In addition to dried noodles with oyster sauce, the restaurant also serves many other attractive dishes such as mixed noodles, braised beef, wontons and dumplings. The dumplings here are quite special because of their large size and plump shrimp filling, different from other restaurants that prioritize quantity over quality. According to travel experience, mixed noodles combined with intestines, pork ribs and rich broth is also an option not to be missed. The characteristic of Chinese noodles is that they are not served with herbs but use red vinegar instead of lemon, creating a unique flavor.

4 Space and services at Thieu Ky Mi Gia restaurant

4.1 Traditional decoration style

The shop is decorated with red parallel sentences, wall-mounted tureens, statues of Quan Cong and God of Wealth, bearing bold Chinese culture. The noodle truck is not only a place for processing but also a typical symbol of the restaurant. The main area is the family’s residence, but Thieu Ky Mi Gia restaurant has rented two neighboring premises to expand service space.

4.2 Staff and service speed

With nearly a dozen employees taking on tasks from making noodles, processing to serving, the dishes are brought out quite quickly. Customers do not have to wait long, even though this restaurant in District 11 is quite crowded.

5 The ideal moment to enjoy Thieu Ky Mi Gia

The shop opens from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next morning, selling about 350 portions of noodles every day. The large sign at the beginning of the alley helps Thieu Ky Mi Gia restaurant to be easily recognized, however the parking space in the alley is quite tight during peak hours. The menu here is written in both Vietnamese and Chinese, but does not list specific prices. Drinking water prices range from 3,000 to 15,000 VND.

The best time to visit Thieu Ky Mi Gia according to Vietnamtravelio is from 9 to 10 am, when the weather in Saigon is mild and the sun is not too harsh. The small alley at 66 Le Dai Hanh is now less crowded, providing a quiet space for diners to fully enjoy the special flavors of the restaurant. Enjoying the cuisine at Thieu Ky Mi Gia is not just a normal meal, but also an experience reminiscent of the past and passion preserved for many generations.

Thieu Ky Mi Gia is not only a place to eat but also a part of the memory, culture and history of the area. From the initial small noodle shop, the restaurant has developed into a culinary icon, preserving traditional flavors through generations. If you are looking for a culinary experience that is both delicious and nostalgic, or simply don’t know what to eat in Saigon, Thieu Ky Mi Gia is definitely a destination not to be missed.