No sign but still crowded

Around 7am, on my way to work, I stopped by Mrs. Quyen's sandwich shop. It had just opened but customers were already crowding the table waiting to buy. The small table was filled with all kinds of ingredients for customers to choose from. According to the owner, the sandwich had more than 10 types of "toppings": meatballs, ham, sausage, meat, sausage, grilled spring rolls, peanut butter, fish cakes, eggs, pork skin... displayed very attractively.

After standing and talking for more than an hour, I learned that Ms. Quyen used to work in an office. In 1991, she started selling bread, and has been doing so for 32 years now. At first, she sold around Tan Binh market, and later rented a space for 3 million VND/month at 31 Tan Tien street.

Ms. Quyen and her two daughters help sell, working "breathlessly" so that customers don't have to wait too long. However, because there are too many customers, many have to leave. It is noticeable that the customers here are mainly regular customers, ordinary workers, students, and even office workers. "Most of the customers here are my regular customers for decades. Many people from Thu Duc District and District 7 also come to eat, because they are familiar with us," Ms. Quyen said.

Mr. Dong (57 years old, Tan Binh District) is a regular customer of the restaurant and shared: "I have been stopping here for breakfast for nearly 10 years on my way to work. My favorite dishes are egg bread and ham. The eggs the owner fries on the spot are hot and delicious. The prices here are also affordable, suitable for workers."

Similarly, Ms. Van (60 years old, Tan Binh District) considered herself a "regular customer" of the restaurant, saying: "I'm used to eating bread here so I rarely eat elsewhere. The bread here is delicious and cheap. I usually go early to avoid having to wait in line. The owner and her daughter are enthusiastic and talkative."

No price increase because…

Mrs. Quyen's shop opens from 6am to 11am. She sells nearly 200 loaves of bread every day. Each loaf of bread at her shop costs 10,000 VND. Large loaves of bread cost from 15,000 VND depending on the customer's request. I ordered a portion of meat and sausage sandwich as advertised, a combination of meat, sausage, pate, raw vegetables, pickles and a thick, rich sauce. If only considering the taste, I give it 8.5/10, worth stopping by to enjoy.

Ms. Quyen said this price is suitable for her and her customers. Currently, the economy is difficult, the price of raw materials is increasing, but she decided not to increase the price and take the quantity as profit. "I have kept this price for decades. This price is suitable for workers, I sell it so that people have something to eat, go to work, go to school. I give it to those who are too poor, beggars", she said.

The number of customers is increasing day by day, I was curious to ask what is the secret to keeping customers coming back, this elderly woman slowly introduced: "My restaurant not only has unique flavors that suit everyone but also uses fresh ingredients. I make all the meatballs, pate, fish cakes... all by myself. I don't have any secret, as long as I sell cheap, homemade, food safe food, customers will come."

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (28 years old), an office worker in District 8, said: "Ms. Quyen's bread is my familiar breakfast place. I didn't expect that there would still be a 10,000 VND bread shop in Ho Chi Minh City. The ingredients here are fresh, delicious and suitable for me."

Although she has to wake up at 4am to prepare, she does not find it difficult but considers it a joy every day. She is happy when diners from near and far come to support her so that she has money to cover her living expenses. Ms. Quyen believes that when cooking with heart, with love for the food and for the customers, the customers will definitely feel it.

Despite her old age, she said she will continue to sell as long as she has the strength, because this is her anniversary sandwich shop, and it is also the place where she receives the love and support of many generations of diners near and far...