Beloved Hanoi tofu pudding shop sells over 100 kg daily

For generations of students in Cau Giay, childhood memories are intertwined with the sweet, cool taste of affordable tofu pudding from a decades-old stall on Yen Hoa street.

The Yen Hoa tofu pudding stall, a local institution for over 30 years, holds cherished childhood memories for many, especially alumni of Yen Hoa High School. Its unique location, nestled within the courtyard of the owner's ancestral home, shaded by trees and exuding a nostalgic charm, adds to its appeal.

The indoor dining area can accommodate dozens of customers at a time. During peak hours, such as after school, the courtyard tables are often full.

The stall sells over 100 kg of tofu pudding daily. Tuan Anh starts his day at 5 a.m., grinding soybeans, cooking the pudding, preparing the sugar syrup, and steeping jasmine flowers. The quality of the pudding depends heavily on the soybeans. He reveals that the secret to the fragrant jasmine-infused syrup is steeping fresh jasmine flowers in warm sugar water for 30 minutes to an hour.

Tuan Anh, the second-generation owner, took over the business from his mother, affectionately known as "Mrs. Chien" by generations of students. The tofu pudding recipe, unchanged for decades, continues to draw loyal customers, many of whom have been coming for years.

The stall was even recommended to tourists by the global food review website Restaurant Guru in 2024.

The stall also sells nostalgic snacks from 10,000 VND.

Despite its popularity, the service is fast. The generous servings are another reason customers love this stall.

A distinguishing feature of this stall is its commitment to serving freshly made, warm tofu pudding. It's never refrigerated, ensuring every serving is smooth, warm, and delightful.

"The selection of soybeans and the preparation of the sugar syrup are our unique secrets, which is why we have so many regulars," Tuan Anh says with a smile, adding that many customers who came as children now bring their own kids.

Ngo Anh Thai, a first-time customer drawn by the unique setting, says the tofu pudding suits his taste. He appreciates the mildly sweet jasmine-infused syrup, the smooth texture of the pudding, and its traditional style.

Mrs. Chien, the original owner, now 74, helps her children by washing dishes and doing other small tasks when the stall is busy.

Regular customers still affectionately refer to the stall as "Mrs. Chien's tofu pudding." She recalls allowing many students to pay later when they were short on cash or forgot their money. Despite advice against this practice, she ignored it, believing, "If they call me 'Mrs.', they'll remember to pay."

About 10 years ago, a bowl of mixed tofu pudding with grass jelly, dried coconut, and tapioca pearls cost 8,000 VND, while a regular bowl with just grass jelly was 6,000 VND. Today, the price per bowl ranges from 13,000-15,000 VND, with the menu remaining unchanged.

A group of 10th-grade students from Yen Hoa High School describe the stall as their "go-to" place, a tradition passed down through generations. They often visit three times a week after school.

"The tofu pudding is delicious and affordable, so we'll probably become regulars too," says Khanh Lam (wearing glasses, seated on the left).