"Owner" of Uncle Bau's Countryside Rice, city prices, compares herself with Thai Cong

In the context of the increasingly competitive culinary industry in Ho Chi Minh City with a series of restaurants and eateries opening every day, "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" - a small restaurant located in the center of District 1 - suddenly became the center of discussion on social networks.

The restaurant not only attracts attention because of its country-sounding name, but also because of two details that make people talk non-stop: chipped dishes and unbelievably high food prices.

The chipped bowl

The biggest difference that makes "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" stand out among countless eateries is the use of chipped dishes to serve customers. Many people who come to the restaurant for the first time are surprised when they are served bowls that are no longer intact.

However, this detail is not accidental, but intentional on the part of the restaurant owner. The woman behind the restaurant said:

"I wanted to recreate a traditional home-cooked meal, where bowls and plates were not always intact and white. So, I directed my staff to proactively create chipped bowls in the style of the past."

The idea immediately sparked a wave of mixed opinions on platforms like TikTok and Facebook. Many people were excited because of the nostalgic feeling, reminiscent of their childhood. However, many diners expressed concerns about hygiene and safety when using chipped dishes.

In response to this, the restaurant owner affirmed:

"Not all the dishes in the restaurant are broken. If customers want to use intact dishes, they can absolutely request it. The restaurant still serves both types to satisfy many people's preferences."

The price of "country food - city price" is controversial.

Not only attracting attention because of the dishes, the price of the dishes at the restaurant is also a topic that makes the online community "stormy". Many people are surprised that a simple meal can cost up to nearly 550,000 VND.

In a review video by TikToker Hoang Anh Panda, he ordered some dishes from the restaurant to try: fried eggs (VND 110,000), boiled meat (VND 150,000), crab soup (VND 140,000), stir-fried vegetables (VND 115,000) and a bottle of mineral water (VND 30,000). The total cost was up to VND 548,000.

The male TikToker thinks that the boiled meat with shrimp paste is the highlight, while the fried eggs and crab soup are quite normal. In particular, the 110,000 VND fried egg dish quickly became a ho.t topic of discussion.

According to the restaurant, this egg dish only includes 3 eggs and green onions – common, inexpensive ingredients. This makes many people question the reasonableness of the price.

However, besides skepticism, some netizens believe that it is necessary to evaluate objectively, taking into account factors such as location, central location in District 1 and operating costs.

In response to questions from the online community, the restaurant representative directly explained on TikTok:

"Many people on TikTok say that 110k for fried eggs is too expensive. It's really expensive, it's expensive compared to other areas. Other areas will be 30k, 40k. But in this area, my restaurant is located right in the center of District 1, right on Nguyen Hue walking street, so all the costs, from the premises, are several times higher than other areas. Then this and that, the price must be higher than other places. If employees work in District 1, the price will be higher, the salary must be higher. So please understand! Compared to the restaurants around District 1, the price of that egg dish is not too high. So you guys say it's country food at city prices, I think it's right!"

In addition to fried eggs, other dishes such as stir-fried pork belly with shrimp paste (200g) - 150,000 VND, braised pork with pepper (200g) - 150,000 VND, the restaurant has all publicly listed ingredients and prices on the official TikTok channel. The goal, according to the restaurant representative, is to give customers transparency before ordering.

Strong media, viral on social networks

Another reason why "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" quickly became famous is its effective communication strategy. The restaurant's TikTok channel regularly posts cooking videos and food reviews that are carefully invested in terms of images, content, and background music.

The person behind this TikTok channel is Nguyen Anh Dung (Dung MeTik) - a professional content creator.

The story of "home-cooked meals - street prices" has not cooled down yet.

The appearance of "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" has reminded many netizens of Thai Cong - a famous interior designer with a luxurious, individual and controversial style. If Thai Cong sells experiences through high-end space and aesthetics, then "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" is doing the same thing in the culinary field: selling memories, emotions and personal stories - even though the price is considered beyond familiarity.

The common point between the two is: the confidence to pursue one's own "taste", regardless of the majority's taste. Thai Cong was once criticized for selling a glass of mineral water for 120,000 VND in a design showroom, but he still insisted that the price was for the space, experience and spiritual value - not just pure water. Similarly, the owner of the restaurant "Com Que Duong Bau" did not avoid complaints about the 110,000 VND fried egg dish, but frankly replied: "Mineral water at Thai Cong is 120k, while at my place it is only 28k. What do you think?"

This comparison reveals a deeper layer of meaning in the way modern consumers approach product value. As experiences, emotions, and personal brands become increasingly valued, people like Thai Cong or the owner of "Com Que Duong Bau" understand that they don't sell to everyone - but to the right people who are willing to pay the price for the difference.

However, if Thai Cong can sustainably survive thanks to its high-end customer community and established niche market, "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" is still a test in the heart of Saigon - where every day there is a new trend, a new phenomenon appearing, and it is also easily forgotten if it does not create real value.

Multidimensional perspective in the era of "eating must also be beautiful"

Media success does not necessarily go hand in hand with business success, and "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" is a typical example. In a highly competitive culinary environment like Ho Chi Minh City, customers not only care about image, but also appreciate real value and the feeling of being respected.

Serving chipped bowls can be nostalgic, but can also be a double-edged sword if hygiene is not properly managed. Similarly, high prices can be acceptable in places that truly deliver a worthwhile experience – but “home-cooked rice” is something that evokes simplicity and rusticity. The disconnect between the message and the actual experience can leave customers disappointed.

Currently, "Duong Bau's Countryside Rice" continues to attract attention from the media and online community. But can the restaurant go the long way, or is it just a temporary phenomenon?

That depends on the restaurant’s ability to maintain the quality of its food, the customer experience, and its ability to handle a media crisis with tact. For now, love it or hat.e it, it’s doing what many brands dream of: getting people talking.

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