Enjoy the Soup ~ Beware of the Owner !

Lunch today turned out to be a bit of a strange event.

I hadn’t been to one of my favorite eateries for quite a while. So, when my good friend Tan asked where we should have lunch, I was actually excited to remember Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng and suggested we head over to District 3 for a bowl of miến gà (chicken noodle soup).

Miến, the thin, chewy “glass” noodles at Kỳ Đồng are always cooked to perfection.  The soup broth is somewhat variable, ranging from good to excellent – not a bad range.

I always ask for thịt trắng gà, không da (white meat chicken, no chicken skin).  Of course, the local folk here prefer the chewy dark meat with lots o’ skin … but it seems special orders don’t upset them. I also always enjoy a cold glass of rau má here. It tastes a bit like a glass of blended lawn clippings, but sweetened with sugar, and surprisingly light and refreshing.

 

Today we found out what does upset them.  Or to be more exact, we witnessed what drives the elderly severe-looking Vietnamese woman holding a large wad of cash in her and, and sitting at the money table into a frenzied verbal assault on one of her employees!

While Tan and I were enjoying our miến gà and before we could order a plate of chicken salad to share together, this woman (presumably the owner) launched her assault on a small gentle-looking woman who was boiling noodles in the restaurant’s public cooking area.

Screaming across the tables of the crowded restaurant, the owner accused (as I would find out later when Tan translated the tirade for me) the petite cook of giving away her secret recipe tips to one of the other customers.  Apparently, a crime worth shocking a restaurant full of customers while they tried to enjoy their lunch.  The screaming went on and off periodically for 5 minutes, tears flowed behind the boiling pot of noodles, and the petite “criminal” left her work station in disgrace. Apparently, the accused woman denied any wrong-doing and the other customers talked amongst themselves that the owner was a tyrant. Whatever the facts, Tan and I quickly finished up our soup, decided to pass on the chicken salad (typically delicious), and headed out to enjoy a cup of coffee elsewhere.

Historically, I have consider Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng at Yum,Yum,Yum rating.  But, I must ratchet it down a notch or two given the discomfort of our last meal!

So, your choice – if you want to try a bowl of miến gà, rating somewhere between very good and delicious, and you don’t mind your meal being overseen by a Kadafi loyalist, stop by and give Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng a try. But, be careful – no photos of the kitchen area, and certainly don’t chat with the help!

Phở Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng is a YUM here on Eating Saigon!’s Yum Meter.

HOURS:  05:00- 21:00

Phở Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng
14/1 Kỳ Đồng  Street
P.9, District 3
HCMC
088435630

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