I still remember a long time ago, every time there was a cry of the bean curd lady coming to the alley, we kids in the neighborhood would rush outside with our bowls. We would hustle to have them filled with the hot silky tofu, topped with ginger syrup and coconut milk (commonly called Tàu hủ). Hot as the bean curd was, and also the weather, we would eat the tofu and sip the syrup as fast as possible, as if someone could come and take it away from us. Then our parents would come out and pay for our dessert, for as low as VND2,000 (US 10 cents). Bean curd is one of a few products made from soya or soy beans, as well as soy milk, soy sauce and soy paste, which is what you dip fresh sprint rolls into. The health benefits of soy beans are undeniable. High in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, soy beans promote weight loss and prevent prostate cancer and osteoporosis. Although proven to be more beneficial to women than men, soy-based products remain a healthy choice in every diet.
A few shops have recently sprung up in Ho Chi Minh City focusing on selling products made from soy, with a little twist. One of the most popular is a chilled mango bean curd topped with chopped fruits like mango, kiwi, watermelon and pomelo, truly a lift-me- up during the middle of the day. If you want something warm to calm you down after a hard day, try black or red bean soup bean curd served in a beautiful wooden container. The drinks here are also enjoyable, with flavors ranging from plain to mint, strawberry and chocolate. You can opt for ice-blended drinks where milk is replaced with soy milk, in different flavors of matcha, chocolate or Japanese Azuki. Those who are on a diet or concerned about their insulin intake can ask the staff to reduce the sweetness or go for sugar-free drinks. Using wooden furniture and yellow lights, the shop is a cosy hangout after work or on the weekend. But if you do not have time to sit down and dine, you can also pop in and grab a quick snack or smoothie to go. Soy drinks and desserts are in the VND24-50,000 (US$1.2-2) range.
Also claimed to come from the merlion’s island, several shops in District 1 offer the Singaporean sweet made from soy milk and agar for VND25,000 ($1.2). The flavors include plain, honey dew, taro and water melon or almond. You can add tapioca, red bean and mung bean for a little extra. Since it is small in size, the shop is more suitable for takeaway or delivery.
Children have got used to the image of vendor women carrying Tàu hủ in alleys and crying for sales (Photo: Tuoi Tre)
When we arrived at 4pm on Tran Hung Dao Street in District 5 on a weekday, some places selling Tau hu were almost packed and it was hard to find an empty table. Offering soy-based products in a creative way for affordable prices, this newly opened shop has captivated the hearts of many young city-dwellers. Cold bean curd is served together with coffee, cocoa, and pandan juice with sweetened milk or the soy milk itself. Hot bean curd is cooked in palm sugar syrup or ginger syrup and served in a big ceramic bowl for VND8-10,000 (US 40-50 cents). Here you can also find soy drinks with added jellies, pudding or tapioca, just like at any milk tea shop in Saigon.
As the city has grown and changed every day, our bean curd lady also has been replaced with new shops selling at fixed prices in air-conditioned rooms with comfortable furniture. It is a part of modernity that we have to accept: new things come out, replacing old things. People in the city will continue to visit these shops to find the good old flavors, to seek a part of their childhood that seems like just yesterday.