Thuy Luong garlic stir-fried duck eatery, situated on Hang Luoc street, has a 4-star rating on Google Review. Many food and travel forums suggest it as a "must-try" spot in the Old Quarter. The eatery draws diners with its dish, created by chance and popular for nearly 10 years.

Luong Thi Le Thuy, born in 1974, the main manager of the eatery, stated that besides the Hang Luoc location, her family also operates a second branch on Nguyen Khang street. Thuy inherited the eatery from her older sister.

"In 2016, my sister opened the shop, primarily selling boiled duck, but business was slow. One day, she marinated and fried duck with garlic for the family to try. Everyone praised its delicious and unique flavor," she recounted. Since then, garlic stir-fried duck appeared on the menu, becoming the best-selling dish. At that time, no other eatery in Hanoi's Old Quarter offered a similar item.

Thuy sources ingredients from a trusted supplier with clear origins in Dong Anh. Around 7-8 a.m., staff and family members are busy with preparations for the 10:30 a.m. daily opening.

Duck is boiled, chopped, marinated with a special sauce recipe, then deep-fried. Thuy noted that only she and her nephew's couple know the marinating recipe. Staff follow guided steps to ensure consistency. The result is crispy duck pieces, flavorful inside, fragrant with garlic, and not greasy.

Approximately 90% of customers order garlic stir-fried duck. Another popular dish is stir-fried vermicelli with offal. Due to limited quantities, this dish often sells out first.

A combo for two people (pictured) typically includes a half-duck garlic stir-fried duck plate, a bamboo shoot and blood cake soup, a plate of vermicelli, and a bowl of mixed vermicelli. For 4-5 people, customers can order a whole duck.

Combo prices range from VND 310,000 to VND 540,000. The eatery's signature drink is tangerine juice, which Thuy added to the menu to create a unique offering and complement the garlic stir-fried duck.

The eatery is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and may close earlier if sold out. It serves about 40-50 people at a time.

Customers come and go continuously during peak lunch and dinner hours. Since sidewalk sales were prohibited, seating inside is limited, so customers often wait longer, about 10-20 minutes.

Striker Dinh Bac (center), a player who performed well at the U23 Asian football championship, is a regular customer of Thuy Luong garlic stir-fried duck. Dinh Bac visited the eatery before departing for the SEA Games 33 in Thailand. He went with a teammate from the Vietnam youth team.

"Bac ate three plates on his first visit and even bought some to take home," the owner said. Goalkeeper Trung Kien and center-back Ly Duc both ordered two plates.

Tu Pham (right), Thuy's nephew, who helps manage the eatery, said that football players recommend the place to each other and come on their own. Due to busy schedules and frequent travel, groups of players visit the eatery whenever they have free time in Hanoi.

According to Tu, players often arrive unexpectedly. Many customers ask when players will visit to meet, take photos, and ask for autographs, but the eatery rarely knows, only occasionally being informed in advance. He expressed joy that his family's eatery has become a gathering spot for footballers.

Pictured, Tu sits with Hoang Duc (left).

The generation of U23 players who competed in the 2018 Asian championship finals in Changzhou (China), such as Van Toan (pictured), Duy Manh, Van Hau, Xuan Truong, and Bui Tien Dung, are also regular customers of the eatery. Diners recognize the players and ask for photos or autographs.

Kim Thanh (red shirt, left), from TP HCM, always eats garlic stir-fried duck with colleagues when in Hanoi. "I've eaten here three to four times, and also ordered delivery to TP HCM." Thuy My (right), a Hanoi local, says this is the "best garlic stir-fried duck in Hanoi." She noted the food is delicious, but seating is cramped and it is crowded, so she often waits a long time.

Thuy said she is happy that the dish has spread widely, becoming a new specialty of Hanoi cuisine. "Tourists visiting Hanoi now often seek out garlic stir-fried duck alongside traditional dishes like pho, banh mi, and bun cha," Thuy stated.

One limitation of the eatery is the lack of parking. Customers must park in lots around the Old Quarter, within about 50 meters.

Linh Huong

Photos: Hoang Giang - Video: Tu Pham