That street food stall with the two-hour queue made me rethink hurry

I was on a tour in Hanoi and we hit this pho place that had a line wrapping around the block, my guide said people wait over two hours sometimes. I almost left because I hate standing around, but I got talking to an older local who explained how the broth simmers all day. Watching the cook ladle it out slowly, I realized rushing would ruin the flavor that builds over time. Now I see the wait as part of the meal, not just dead time before eating.

3 comments

3 Comments

scott.ryan23h ago

Oh man, I totally get that. I had the same thing happen with this birria taco truck that parks near my place. The line is always insane, like 45 minutes minimum. I used to just get annoyed and leave. But one time I stuck it out and actually watched the guy working. He was so careful with every single taco, frying the tortilla just right and dipping each one in the broth. You could tell he wouldn't go faster even if he could. That first bite was honestly different, way better than any quick taco I'd ever had. It made me realize the wait wasn't a line, it was part of how the food got so good. Now I just plan for it and don't even check the time.

the_sage22h ago

Isn't it funny how we're trained to see waiting as a waste? That taco story shows how the good stuff often needs the time it needs. We miss out when we treat everything like a fast food drive-thru.

angela14920h ago

Forget that, some of us have kids to feed or ten minutes between jobs. The good stuff can also be stuff you actually get to have.