Recently, there was a stir on social networks when a guest posted a picture of a Bat Trang feast with a menu of 10 dishes, priced at 2.7 million VND for a tray of 6 people (450,000 VND/serving).
The dishes on the menu include: squid soup, boiled chicken, grilled shrimp paste, bird's nest spring roll, stir-fried squid, mixed shrimp, peanuts salad, healthy fish soup, Tam rice, sticky rice and sugar sticky rice.
According to this guest, the dishes are not full, with simple ingredients and normal flavors, but the price is too high, not commensurate with the amount of money diners have to spend.
Immediately, the post attracted the attention of the online community with hundreds of controversial comments. Some opinions say that with that much ingredients, the price of the tray is too expensive, especially when compared to trays full of seafood, fish meat... the price is only about 1.5 million VND. Some people even compare the cost of 450,000 VND/person to a full bowl of seafood buffet.
Meanwhile, others said that for a tray of rice cooked by a culinary artist in Bat Trang, this price is acceptable. In particular, some opinions emphasized the comparison of the Bat Trang tray with the wedding, the usual dish or the buffet is sloppy.
According to Lao Dong reporter's research, this is a tray cooked by artist Pham Thi Hoa at her shop in Bat Trang. Before the news of the incident caused a stir on social networks, the artisans said she felt quite sad and surprised.
The artist shared: "Up to now, I have sent detailed and complete menus to customers first. When the customer is satisfied, both parties will make a deposit and pay. The groups of guests before now were all very happy to enjoy. Suddenly, this incident happened, which made me very sad.
Artisan Pham Thi Hoa affirmed that the customer had decided the dishes and prices with the restaurant before depositing so that the restaurant could prepare and enjoy the meal. Her restaurant also always clarifies the menu with customers, even with foreign customers.
According to her, the trays here have a strong culinary identity of Bat Trang, completely different from neighboring villages. Many people say bamboo shoots are difficult to cook, but for us, squid bamboo shoots are a specialty. Even stir-fried su is the same, still su fruit in the market, but the way we combine it with squid is rare in other places to make giong".
In terms of ingredients, the restaurant ensures to import fresh, delicious foods at high prices compared to the market.
"It's just boiled chicken, but I have to collect the chicken, it's delicious, not industrial chicken. Normally, people buy 110,000 - 120,000 VND/kg, but I have to collect 170,000 - 180,000 VND, even 200,000 VND/kg, she said.
The artist added that to complete a complete meal to welcome guests, she and the staff had to prepare 1-2 days in advance, mobilizing 5-7 workers to complete.
"The restaurant even had to hire workers and mobilize women to work at home in time to welcome guests. Such a meal is very elaborate and meticulous, said Ms. Hoa.
After the incident, the artisan said the restaurant was still operating normally, with few customers booking for the next 2-3 days.
I dont judge what online people say as their intentions, because that is their personal right. I am just a little sad because I do not follow social trends. I cook to preserve the culture of the Bat Trang people. I am confident in my hands and my heart, the artisan shared.
The restaurant of artist Pham Thi Hoa opened in 2017. She said that she has never had a customer complaining about the high price. In addition to domestic visitors, almost every day there are foreign visitors from China, Korea, Belgium, the Netherlands, France... coming to enjoy. Recently, the restaurant also welcomed a group of Japanese culinary experts to enjoy and evaluate.
