 |
| Ms. Hoang Thi Thoi pours her love for her homeland into every dish she prepares |
From a kitchen far from home
In the bustling atmosphere of Hue Thuong, Ms. Hoang Thi Thoi moves constantly between coordinating restaurant operations and checking online orders. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “More than ten years ago, when I left my hometown of Phong Thai to study in Japan, I carried with me both dreams and memories of the meals my mother used to cook. At that time, I never imagined that one day I would become the owner of a small restaurant serving the flavors of my homeland in the Land of the Rising Sun”.
During her years as a student in Japan, the small kitchen in her apartment became a place where she could ease her homesickness. Cooking familiar Vietnamese dishes helped her reconnect with the tastes and aromas of home while living abroad.
At first, preparing Hue dishes was simply a way to cope with missing home. However, her cooking quickly gained popularity among fellow Vietnamese and Japanese friends alike. Recognizing growing demand, she began selling food online during breaks from her studies. Starting with small orders of banh loc and banh nam, she gradually built a loyal customer base. About four years ago, Hue Thuong officially opened its doors.
Preserving the taste of the Ancient Capital
According to Ms. Thoi, preparing Hue cuisine in Japan involves much more than simply following recipes. The greatest challenge is sourcing suitable ingredients while maintaining authentic Hue flavors. Everything, from banana leaves used for wrapping cakes to flours, seasonings, and other cooking ingredients, requires significant effort to obtain and often costs considerably more than in Vietnam.
Carefully crafted and diverse, the menu at Hue Thuong features specialties such as bun bo Hue, bun mam nem, nem lui, hen xuc banh trang (cooked mussels served with grilled rice crackers), and traditional cakes including banh loc, banh nam, banh beo, banh it, and banh ep.
For Quynh Nhi, a student from A Luoi 2 Commune currently studying in Ehime Prefecture, Hue Thuong has become a must-visit destination whenever she travels to Osaka. After learning about the restaurant through a social media group for Hue residents in Japan, she and her friends made a journey of more than 300 kilometers from Imabari to Osaka.
“When I first came to Japan, I missed home terribly, especially the dishes my mother used to cook”. Therefore, the moment she stepped into the restaurant, familiar aromas and surroundings immediately stirred deep emotions. “I heard the Hue accent, saw the dishes I grew up with, and even noticed the white plates with blue patterns and the bamboo racks holding jars of fermented sauce. It felt exactly like being back home, just a few steps away from my family,” she said with a smile.
Not only Vietnamese customers, Hue Thuong also attracts many Japanese diners. Curious about Vietnamese cuisine, and Hue cuisine in particular, Yuzuru Akehi visited the restaurant and quickly became a fan. “I really enjoy the food here, especially bun bo Hue. The broth impressed me with its depth, richness, and aromatic complexity. The pork is also very tender, flavorful, and not greasy. To me, it is a truly refined dish,” he commented.
Along with its food, Ms. Thoi also imbues into Hue Thuong with many elements of home. From bowls, plates to simple wooden furniture, conical hats, and paintings depicting the Ancient Capital, many decorative items were carefully transported from Vietnam by Thoi herself. During national holidays and Lunar New Year celebrations, the restaurant is adorned with the red and yellow colors of Vietnam’s national flag, along with images and banners celebrating the country. For Ms.Thoi, these decorations are a meaningful way to preserve and share her love for Vietnam while living abroad. “No matter where I live, I want to introduce international friends to Vietnam, to Hue, and to the things I am proud of,” she said.