Tucked away in a narrow alley in Trung Liet, Dong Da District, Hanoi, a small and bustling snail eatery known as Oc Oanh has become a sensation - not just for its flavorful dishes, but for its 71-year-old owner who serenades customers with live violin performances.

"Uncle Sy, can you play something for us today?" a diner asks. “Sure, what would you like to hear? Sit back, order what you want, and I’ll take care of the music,” replies owner Vu Van Sy, smiling as he juggles taking orders, serving dipping sauces, seating guests, and directing the kitchen.

The kitchen sizzles with the scent of fried spring rolls, sweet potatoes, and steaming bowls of snails. Amid the flurry, Mr. Sy ducks into his home, retrieves a violin case, wipes his hands, and proudly returns with his instrument.

As he emerges, customers applaud. The noisy eatery falls silent as Mr. Sy launches into heartfelt renditions of classic Vietnamese songs like Dat nuoc tron niem vui and Nhu co Bac Ho trong ngay vui dai thang. Despite his simple outfit - shorts, a T-shirt, flip-flops, and a baseball cap - he plays with the poise of a seasoned artist.

Viral clips of Mr. Sy performing in his modest snail shop have captivated social media users, who dub him “the barefoot violinist,” “the artist of the alley,” and “the gentleman of street food.” Some liken the experience to dining in a high-end lounge.

Owned by Mr. Sy’s wife, Tu Oanh (also known as Tu Anh), the shop has long been a local favorite in the Thai Ha-Trung Liet area. But since Mr. Sy began playing violin for guests, the crowds have only grown. While many visit for the expertly prepared snails, others come back for the music and Mr. Sy’s witty charm.

Music has been a lifelong passion for Mr. Sy. He joined a city music troupe as a teenager and began learning the violin in high school. Back then, students shared homemade violins crafted by local carpenters. Enthralled, he practiced constantly.

In 1975, he spent 200 dong - a considerable sum at the time - to buy his own violin. “Back then, a bowl of snails cost just two hào,” he recalled.

Despite his love for music, financial hardship forced Mr. Sy into labor work at a bus station. Meanwhile, his wife sold snails to support their family. "She would carry our baby while pushing a snail cart," he said. After work, he would help her. His violin gathered dust, a dream deferred.

Thanks to his wife’s skill in preparing snails and dipping sauces, their small business flourished. They opened a shop in Thai Ha, then relocated in 2008 to their current home in Trung Liet. As life stabilized, Mr. Sy returned to his violin at the age of 53. “My fingers were stiff at first. It took time to regain flexibility,” he shared.

Now, he plays whenever there’s a lull or a special request from a guest.

One time, a customer from Ho Chi Minh City asked him to play Moi tinh dau by The Duy. Mr. Sy admitted he didn’t know it, but the visitor promised to return in a week. Mr. Sy practiced daily - and when the guest came back, he played it confidently. “I was so happy. That’s what music is for,” he smiled.

Today, with their two children grown, Mr. Sy and his wife no longer bear the same financial burden. He helps prep ingredients in the morning - peeling fruit, chopping herbs, lighting the stove - while his wife selects and cleans the snails. They open the shop at 2 PM.

The shop has two small areas: one facing the alley and another in the front room of their home. The menu is modest - boiled snails, steamed clams, fried spring rolls, sweet potato fries, quail eggs (boiled or tamarind stir-fried), and seasonal fruits. Yet from 5 to 8 PM daily, the place is packed. Despite the narrow alley and lack of parking, patrons are willing to walk long distances to dine there. Delivery orders are just as busy.

“I’ve tried many places, but I always return to this one. The snails are clean and flavorful, and the dipping sauce is unmatched,” said Thu Huong, a 20-year regular. “Friends abroad even make this their first stop when they come back to Hanoi.”

Mr. Sy proudly credits his wife: “She uses basic ingredients - fish sauce, sugar, lime, chili - but her mix is perfect. Everyone says it’s ‘so good it needs no other sauce’!”

A small bowl of snails costs VND 30,000; the larger bowl is VND 60,000.

Some online reviews describe Mr. Sy as moody, but he admits that he’s firm with rude customers - especially those who smoke or speak loudly. “That’s why they call me Sy ‘the nutcase.’ But if you’re polite, I’m always warm and welcoming,” he laughs.

There’s no fixed violin schedule. When he has free time or when a guest asks, Mr. Sy brings out his treasured instrument and fills the alley with music.

Linh Trang