Commuters traveling along Hoang Sa Street near Le Van Sy Bridge in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City are likely to find themselves enveloped in the aromatic scent of fermented shrimp paste wafting through the air, leading them to a bustling bún bò (spicy beef noodles) stall nearby.

The stall is located at 725 Hoang Sa and opens around 5:00 pm, closing two hours later or when they have sold out.

The venue welcomes diners as early as 4:30 pm to secure their bowl of bún bò with the fully stocked option, easily the best-seller. 

This bowl is served brimming with chả cua (crab loaf), chả cây (Hue-style pork sausage), nạm (sliced beef flank), gân (beef tendon), bò viên (beef meatballs), and giò heo (pig's trotter).

What levels up the bowl of bún bò here is the extra tóp mỡ (fried pork fat cubes), adding a luscious, slightly fatty crunch to the soup. 

Despite the busy crowds, the staff remains friendly and welcoming, handling the lively atmosphere with ease -- whether guests are dining in or grabbing a quick takeout.

The café’s limited hours leave some office workers disappointed when they miss out, but online reviews are full of praise for the warm, attentive service that makes every customer feel right at home.

“Your order arrives within one to two minutes, even when the place is packed,” one reviewed.

“This has been my go-to spot since my student days,” said Huyen Chi, who traveled from District 8 for a bowl of bún bò here.

“The broth is rich, the meat is tender, and the pork fat cubes are super crispy, making each bite so satisfying.

"It’s definitely worth a try!”

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