Among countless familiar choices such as beef, chicken or duck vermicelli soup, a small restaurant in Trung Yen alley (Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi) creates a unique impression thanks to a rather strange variation: squid vermicelli soup.
No elaborate signs, simple space, but the restaurant located at the beginning of Trung Yen alley for many years has always been crowded with customers, especially at noon and early afternoon.
Squid vermicelli mixed with vermicelli here causes curiosity right from the name. For many people, this is almost a rare address in Hanoi that serves this dish methodically. Instead of familiar toppings, the restaurant uses dried squid as the main highlight, creating a completely different flavor compared to ordinary vermicelli mixed with vermicelli.
A full bowl of vermicelli costs 55,000 VND, including many accompanying ingredients such as eggs, fish cakes, shredded spring rolls, raw vegetables, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts... All are mixed well with chewy and soft vermicelli, soaked in the rich broth. However, what makes the dish most memorable is the squid part.
Dried squid is soaked until soft, shredded and then fried until crispy. When eaten, each piece of squid has a crispy texture, a characteristic aroma, and a distinct salty taste but not harsh at all. Crispy dried squid is delicious to eat, combined with vermicelli and other ingredients creates a harmonious overall, both strange and rolling. This is also the reason why many diners evaluate the dish as "unique" but easily impressing from the first try.
In addition to squid, the fish patties in the vermicelli bowl also contribute to increasing richness. The patties are soft and have a moderate taste, although sometimes slightly mushy. Boiled eggs and shredded spring rolls help balance the taste buds, while raw vegetables and bean sprouts bring a cool feeling, avoiding being greasy when eating a full bowl.
Another factor contributing to the restaurant's appeal is the broth. Not too elaborate but mixed according to a special recipe, the broth has a rich flavor, slightly leaning towards salty and sweet, enough to highlight the ingredients without overshadowing the flavor of squid. When mixed evenly, the vermicelli strands absorb the spices, taste thick but not harsh, creating a pleasant taste.
Although located in a small alley, the restaurant still attracts a stable number of customers every day. Not only local people, but also many diners from other places, even some familiar faces in the media such as BTV Bach Duong, also regularly visit the restaurant.
Mr. Nguyen Tran Quang Huy (Hanoi) shared that the dish has a strange flavor, is easy to eat and quite appealing, especially the crispy fried squid part. However, the restaurant space is small and the number of customers is large, so he often has to queue for about 30 minutes to get to his turn.
Recently, the restaurant has also added some dishes such as banh cuon, bringing more choices for diners.
Currently, the restaurant has opened a second establishment in alley 66 Ngoc Lam (Bo De ward, Hanoi), helping diners in the area across the Red River have more convenient choices to enjoy this characteristic squid vermicelli soup.
Trung Yen vermicelli mixed with squid is not a sophisticated or luxurious dish. But it is the difference in ingredients, processing methods and characteristic flavors that has helped the restaurant maintain its own position. For those who like to explore "strange but familiar" dishes, this is a place worth trying at least once when strolling around Hanoi's Old Quarter.
