Unique to the West: Bees are regular customers at the hot tofu shop in Can Tho

For the past 3 months, every time it opens for business, the hot tofu shop on Vo Nguyen Giap Street, at the roundabout near Hoan My Cuu Long Hospital (Hung Phu Ward, Can Tho City) welcomes special guests. It is a swarm of bold bees, who always go out first to "open" the shop.

Độc lạ quán tàu hũ nóng ở miền Tây có bầy ong đến ‘mở hàng’ mỗi ngày - Ảnh 1. — Bees are attracted to a tofu shop in Can Tho

The soft sweet dumplings, the sweet broth, and the scent of ginger made the bees crazy. The shop sold many snacks, but all day long, the bees only flew around the pot of sweet dumplings.

The staff are also used to the presence of this large group of "guests" so they work normally, although sometimes they land on their heads and hands. Occasionally, a bee flies after the bowl of tofu served to the guests.

Truong Minh Triet (21 years old), a waiter, said that the restaurant started serving at around 4 pm. When the pot of sweet soup was heated and the sugar water bag was opened, the bees soon arrived. No one knew where they came from, only that they were engrossed in the pot of sweet soup, and only flew back when it was almost dark. On days when the restaurant broke the rule of selling early, the bees also arrived mysteriously early.

Độc lạ quán tàu hũ nóng ở miền Tây có bầy ong đến ‘mở hàng’ mỗi ngày - Ảnh 2. — The hot tofu and sweet soup shop is located on Vo Nguyen Giap Street, at the roundabout near Hoan My Cuu Long Hospital (Hung Phu Ward, Can Tho City).

A swarm of bees 'opens' a tofu shop in the West: Weather forecaster collaborator

According to Nguyen Minh Hien (32 years old, manager of the restaurant), the restaurant has been open for nearly 4 months. After the first month of operation, the swarm of bees appeared. Initially, due to ignorance, many employees made them angry, stinging a few people. Many preventive measures were taken such as burning incense and covering the restaurant, but in the end, the bees still flew to the restaurant.

Mr. Hien continued, the reason why the restaurant was wary of the bees was because they were afraid that they would affect customers and create an unfavorable view of aesthetics and hygiene. However, most customers thought that this was a unique and interesting image in the inner city. Another reason was that honey was popular. Some people thought that the fact that the bees flew to the restaurant every day also said something about the food here being safe and using clean ingredients.

Coming to buy hot tofu, Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem My shared: "In the city, with so many people and vehicles, it's rare to see bees. The shop must be very lucky to have them stop by like this."

Meanwhile, a beekeeper said that this is a native honeybee species that often nests on electric poles. During the rainy season, there is little nectar so they are attracted to the sweet smell.

Độc lạ quán tàu hũ nóng ở miền Tây có bầy ong đến ‘mở hàng’ mỗi ngày - Ảnh 3. — When the shop opened, the bees were the first customers.

Độc lạ quán tàu hũ nóng ở miền Tây có bầy ong đến ‘mở hàng’ mỗi ngày - Ảnh 4. — Each bowl of hot tofu costs 15,000 VND.

Based on customer feedback, the restaurant has let the bees freely operate according to their own habits. After working together for a while, everyone realized that the bees are not "stubborn". If not disturbed, they only focus on their work. Therefore, the restaurant treats the bees kindly, letting them fly freely until they get bored.

After 3 months of the bees becoming regular customers, the shop also realized many useful and interesting things. For example, on sunny days, they stay longer in the shop, and on rainy days at night, they return to the nest early. Based on this characteristic, the shop anticipates weather factors and proactively prepares cover for the outdoor trading area.

Độc lạ quán tàu hũ nóng ở miền Tây có bầy ong đến ‘mở hàng’ mỗi ngày - Ảnh 5. — The bees enjoyed themselves until dusk and then flew back to the hive.

Mr. Hien said that for the hot tofu dish, all ingredients are brought from Soc Trang (old). The sugar syrup is mixed thickly according to a special recipe to match the traditional sweet soup topping. The shop opens around 10 p.m.

The good news is that the shop is gradually becoming more and more popular, currently selling 100-150 cups/cups per day, priced at 15,000 VND/portion. The shop considers bees as a factor that brings good luck, so they always welcome them with open arms to let them roam freely.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-la-mien-tay-bay-ong-la-khach-quen-quan-tau-hu-nong-can-tho-185250924140529336.htm