We are a small Family Owned Muslim Enterprise. Our food ingredients are either locally or Vietnam sourced and halal,
Insya-Allah.
Nearly all the parts of our dishes and condiments are made by us. We design original Vietnamese recipes to ensure that you enjoy the same quality tastes as we did, back in our hometown of Phan Thiết, Vietnam.
Rất Ngon !
We want to share our joy for good Vietnamese culinary with everyone who appreciate the Vietnamese culture.
Growing Up
Emina Abdullah was born and raised in Phan Thiết, the capital of Bình Thuận Province, a beautiful coastal city situated in the south-east region of Vietnam. The city is famous for its fish sauce industry and tranquil beaches. It has grown rapidly since the mid 90's to become a modern and international tourism hotbed.
Growing up as the 4th child, Emina's family lived in a tiny crooked house where they survived through farming, in plantations cultivating rice and dragonfuit. Occasionally, they would hunt for honey bee hives or rear livestocks. To supplement income, Emina's mother would set up shop selling food and it was here that Emina's culinary journey began.
Working since 14 years old, Emina eventually saved up enough to build a proper house with an attached food shop unit. Her passion for cooking grew until her mother passed on.
Moving to Singapore
Years later, Emina moved to Singapore. Working as an independent seamstress, she sewed Malay 'baju kurung' for women and their families. Ramadhan was especially busy period with demand stretching 4 months before festivities.
During off-peak season, as demand for baju kurung dipped tremendously, Emina would sell Vietnamese food from home to make up for the loss of income. Each week she takes delivery of customers advanced orders and work hard in the home kitchen to prepare them. With her trusty trolley on hand, Emina would then traverse every corner of Singapore on trains, buses and by foot to fulfil her customers' purchases.
She began to realise, that there wasn't to be found in Singapore authentic Vietnamese cooking that is true to orgin and halal!
As the Muslim-Vietnamese customers caught on, they bonded over regular meetings and became a tight knit support group. Her home turned into a place to meet and Emina would cook Phở Bò and variety of Phan Thiết Vietnamese cuisines to satiate their longing for authentic home cooked Vietnamese food.
Pandemic
During the middle of Covid in 2021, Emina started a hawker business at Old Airport Road Food Centre, selling only 4 popular Vietnamese street food - halal Phở Bò (Beef soup noodle), Bún bò Huế (Spicy beef soup noodle), Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh spring roll) and Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice). The tiny 2m by 2m kitchen became her passion and she left sewing entirely to focus on building her food business.
The stall aptly named 'Emina's Mi' reflects Emina's journey in making fabulous Vietnamese noodle soups, was popular with consumers who travelled all over Singapore to taste her cooking. Subsequently Emina expanded her menu with her version of Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette), Chả Giò (Fried Spring Rolls) and Bún Thịt Nướng (Dry Noodles).
Driven by local tastes, Emina adjusted her dishes to suit Singaporean palate without sacrificing traditions taught to her by her mother.
Next
In March of 2023 on the eve of the month of Ramadhan, Bistro Eminami opened its doors at the historic Kampong Gelam district along Kandahar Street. Now offering an expanded menu and comfortable dining, Emina hopes that her customers could now enjoy good food in a cozier restaurant setting.
From growing up poor to living in a modern city to building a restaurant. Her story has yet to be told.
Copyright © 2023 Bistro Eminami Halal Vietnam
46 Kandahar Street Singapore (198898)
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