With no signboard and nestled quietly on a sidewalk, a humble three-generation family-run grilled pork rice stall in Ho Chi Minh City continues to draw in crowds night after night, selling out over 50 kilograms of pork ribs every evening.

By day’s end, the modest sidewalk stall run by husband-and-wife duo Tran Tan Phong (54) and Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (53) on Co Giang Street (District 1) comes alive with hungry patrons. Set directly across from the Nhon Hoa temple, the stall serves familiar, comforting dishes-grilled pork ribs, sunny-side-up eggs, steamed egg meatloaf, salted egg meatballs, lemongrass fried chicken, tofu, caramelized pork and egg, Chinese sausage-all neatly arranged in polished stainless steel trays.

A legacy passed down through generations

Flipping ribs over glowing coals with practiced speed, Phong releases a smoky aroma that spreads across the street. As the evening progresses, the crowd grows. Across the road, seated diners continue to fill the tables, calling for more dishes, while five staffers rush to keep up with orders.

Thanh proudly shares that the rice shop dates back to her grandmother’s time. It originally offered only broken rice at night. Her mother expanded the menu slightly, but it wasn’t until Thanh took over that the stall gained its current popularity with an expanded menu.

The couple previously operated on Co Bac Street, where their grilled pork ribs earned a reputation for being succulent and flavorful. Back then, they sold nearly 100 kg of ribs per night. When they lost the original space, they relocated to Co Giang and quickly regained a loyal following, becoming a late-night favorite.

“All the dishes here are made by my husband and me,” said Thanh. “We rise early every morning to shop for ingredients and prepare fresh meals daily. We only buy what we can cook and sell in one day-nothing is kept overnight.”

Thanh typically handles stir-fried dishes, while Phong prepares braised, fried, and grilled items. He only grills ribs at the stall each evening to ensure the meat is hot and freshly made.

Over 400 meals sold each night

The shop doesn’t just attract local laborers-it’s popular among office workers and foreign tourists as well. Most visitors opt for the signature grilled pork rib rice, praised for its juicy tenderness and rich, balanced flavor that requires no dipping sauce.

Phong uses a proprietary family marinade, refusing common additives like honey or milk. Instead, he ensures each rib is evenly marinated and grilled over high-quality charcoal, carefully managing heat and timing to avoid charring and maintain juiciness.

“Our ribs are grilled to perfection-not dry or burnt,” he explained. “They stay moist and flavorful, capturing all the goodness of the marinade.”

Dishes are priced between VND 35,000 and 50,000 (approximately USD 1.40–2.00). The stall operates from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. While no longer reaching the peak volumes of their previous location, the couple still sells 40–50 kilograms of ribs a night-around 400–500 servings.

As one loyal customer explained, the stall’s growing popularity stems mainly from the quality of the food. “The grilled ribs are incredibly flavorful and tender,” she said. “Aside from locals and office workers, I’ve seen tour guides bring foreign visitors here to experience this delicious local dish.”