The most anticipated holiday in Vietnam has just passed. It is the Lunar New Year or Tết, a time when people rush to their hometowns, shop for the best articles of clothing, frantically clean their houses, and gather with their families to welcome the new year. It must be said that one of the most important elements of this celebration is the food.

As Vietnam is divided into three main regions, there are also regional distinctions in the meals served during the holiday. However, a central aspect of all the dishes served during this special celebration is the way they are prepared and cooked by loved ones at home.

Some may think that special meals can only be enjoyed when we return to our hometowns or during holidays like Tết, but this is not the case when you visit this small restaurant located on the bustling Hoang Dieu street in Da Nang City.

An Image of Home in the Middle of the City

Anyone who has been to Hoang Dieu street will understand how busy and crowded it can be. The street is lined with all kinds of shops-from electronics and clothing stores to cafes, street food stalls, cosmetics shops, English centers, and banks. It is as bustling as it gets, so passersby often stop at a street food stall or eatery for a quick bite. However, one should not overlook the quaint restaurant offering a home-cooked menu: Tiệm Cơm Cậu Ba, loosely translated as Third Uncle’s Restaurant.

Outside the restaurant is a nostalgic recreation of a vintage grocery store, or “tiệm tạp hóa” that invites customers to take a trip down memory lane. Beside this diorama is a small sitting area with low chairs and a low table, complemented by a creative replica of a tree bearing mini mandarins, or “quả quýt.” This outdoor space is certainly a “check-in” spot, as Vietnamese would call it.

The interior is just as interesting as its facade. Tapping into the collective nostalgia of old Vietnam, trinkets are decoratively placed throughout the main dining area. What caught my attention inside the restaurant were the old sack fabrics ingeniously hung from the ceiling as in the photo above.

With this modern twist combined with vintage pieces-such as an old cabinet serving as a counter, Paris by Night tapes, items from the 80s and 90s, and traditional Vietnamese tableware-the vision of Tiệm Cơm Cậu Ba is easily realized: nostalgic home-cooked food served in the heart of the city.

The Passion of a Power Couple

Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted with a friendly smile. Ms. Vi, dressed in unmistakable Vietnamese attire, invited us to a table and handed us the menu. Ms. Vi is the co-owner of the restaurant and manages it alongside her partner, who is the namesake of the place.

A brief chat with Ms. Vi revealed that she is also an English teacher. Being a restaurateur might seem like a different path from teaching, but Ms. Vi balances both roles well, helping out at the bar while still making time for some online classes.

Both hailing from Quang Ngai Province, the couple’s inspiration to bring home-cooked meals to a metropolis like Da Nang is no surprise. As a determined young couple – Ms. Vi and Mr. Son – with a mission to make Vietnamese home-cooked favorites accessible to everyone, their secret ingredient is their passion.

The Taste and Comfort of Home

In Vietnam, I have noticed that meals at home typically include soup, vegetables, and a main dish cooked with pork, fish, chicken, or beef. The same concept is present at this restaurant. We decided to order the chicken and pork dishes as our main proteins for lunch, paired with a freshly squeezed guava juice.

Looking at the menu, I would say it is simple and easy to follow. What stood out to me is that the restaurant serves its meals on woven bamboo trays, called “mẹt” in Vietnamese. The bamboo trays are available for 1 to 4 people, allowing guests to order 2 to 3 main courses depending on their appetite.

This bamboo tray concept is unique, as most restaurants serving similar types of food offer them as set dishes or à la carte. The tray offering at Tiệm Cơm Cậu Ba makes the meals more affordable for guests. A tray for one person, including 2 main dishes, steamed rice, and the soup of the day, costs only 45,000 VND (~2$). Meanwhile, a larger tray for four people, with 3 main dishes, rice, and soup is priced at 199,000 VND (~8$).

The entire tray of dishes looked like a feast, not only for the stomach but also for the eyes. I took a portion of steamed white rice and transferred it to my bowl. I then picked up a piece of boiled pork and dipped it in the special fish sauce. The meat was fresh and cooked ideally, making it tender and flavorful. It paired well with the fried fish cakes, adding a variety of textures to the meal.

Nothing can really go wrong with simple boiled meat and a flavorful fish sauce mixture. What makes this combination even better are the vegetable dishes-bok choy boiled just right, retaining its vibrant color and crunch, and stir-fried eggplant with ground meat.

Another main dish served was the lemongrass chicken, which I consider a Vietnamese staple. This meal was full of different textures and flavors, and the steamed white rice provided a comforting base that allowed my taste buds to savor each dish fully.

An interesting addition to the tray was the stir-fried pork intestines with fermented bok choy. Although not my usual choice, this dish was a welcome addition to the otherwise simple selection. To top it off, we were served the soup of the day.

Overall, the lunch at Tiệm Cơm Cậu Ba was filling and delicious. The restaurant delivers on its promise of bringing home-cooked Vietnamese favorites at an affordable price. Each guest can enjoy a taste of simple dishes made special not only by the skillful cooks but also by the inspiring atmosphere of the place.

Tiệm Cơm Cậu Ba transports its guests back to their homes with its savory meals and comforting ambiance. The restaurant caters to a fairly young group of customers, including pairs and groups of friends, office employees on their lunch breaks, and families looking for a cozy dining experience. Its affordable pricing and nostalgic vibe make it a popular spot for a wide range of diners, all seeking a taste of home in the middle of the city.

Tiệm Cơm Cậu Ba
Address: 442 Hoang Dieu, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Tel: 0396962891