Some names really don’t translate well across languages and cultures.
For example, when Apple’s Siri first came to Japan, users quickly noticed that the name sounded pretty close to the Japanese word “shiri,” meaning “buttocks.”
Normally, names like these are good for a few early jokes, then eventually become normal over time. However, one diner spotted a restaurant with a concerning name. Here’s how his saga with the restaurant ended up earning the owner over $100,000.
What’s The Deal With This Restaurant?
Across several videos, TikTok user Julian Becerra (@juulianbecerra) documents his experience with a Pinellas Park, Florida, Vietnamese restaurant called “Bích Nga.” Before you ask, it’s not pronounced like that. It’s actually pronounced “bik ny-ah,” loosely translating to “beautiful jade.”
In his first, he shows his discovery of the restaurant. While he’s clearly taken aback by the name, he’s open to seeing how good the restaurant is.
After meeting the owner, he places an order for Pho. When it arrives, he’s amazed.
“Have you ever had a meal that was made purely with love?” he says. “Well, if you haven’t, you just witnessed one.”
Not only that, but at the end, the owner offered to provide the meal for free. Even as he tries to pay, the workers attempt to refuse, though Becerra is able to leave them cash.
He Makes A Discovery
After this first video accumulated over 800,000 views on TikTok and over 14 million on Instagram Reels, Becerra says the restaurant, which had been empty during his first visit, now had a wait time.
Later, he visited the restaurant once more to see how things were going. During that time, he got to know Mrs. Lieng, the woman who runs the restaurant.
“She joyously pulled out an old scrapbook of pictures from her childhood in Vietnam. And, after the most incredible spread of Vietnamese we’ve ever had, she sat down and told me her story,” Becerra states.
According to Becerra, Mrs. Lieng’s husband passed away in 2003. Lieng herself used to have a restaurant in Vietnam, bringing the same recipes to this restaurant and making sure to use “real, whole ingredients.”
“Later on, she suffered a stroke, lost her [driver’s] license, and is now homeless. She stays with a friend and still comes to work every single day,” Becerra continues. “Craziest part, though, she’s one of the happiest people you’ll ever meet.”
To conclude, Becerra says he’s setting up a GoFundMe to help her raise money for an apartment.
“This fund will cover 3 full years of rent for Mrs. Lieng in an apartment near her restaurant plus a security deposit, basic furnishing, and a buffer for utilities,” Becerra writes in the GoFundMe’s description. “We are not buying her a mansion. We are getting her four walls, a kitchen, and a door she can lock at night. The bare minimum she should already have.”
The GoFundMe Is A Major Success
Since posting the GoFundMe, it has raised over $175,000. Becerra later posted a video of himself reaching out to one of Mrs. Lieng’s family members to share the news, who reacted with elation.
On the restaurant’s Instagram page, Mrs. Lieng’s granddaughter shared her heartfelt thanks to all the people donating.
“My grandma has gone through so much to keep this restaurant open because she loves sharing our family’s story, our culture, and the recipes that have been passed down through generations,” she wrote.
“Growing up, I watched her work long days without complaint, always putting everything she had into this place. She has always dreamed of having a home where she could finally rest and spend time with her grandchildren, but it was never something she could afford,” the message continues.
She then says they are, as of the time of writing, keeping the house a secret from Mrs. Lieng until it’s ready.
“I do not think words can fully express how much this means to our family. Your support means EVERYTHING!” the message concludes. “It is honoring a lifetime of sacrifice, love, and tradition. Thank you for believing in her, in us, and in the story behind this place. It means more than you know.”
This Isn’t The First Time The Restaurant Has Gone Viral
The words “Bích Nga” have a pretty normal meaning in Vietnamese. It can also be a given name. Knowing what those words look like in English, however, it’s no surprise that this restaurant has repeatedly gone viral in previous years.
Multiple YouTubers have filmed themselves visiting the restaurant. The restaurant has also been shouted out on several podcasts, with hosts often mocking the visual similarity between the name of the restaurant and a certain vulgar phrase. Photos of the restaurant often go viral on Reddit.
Now, the restaurant is capitalizing on this fame by selling merchandise. So, if you want a “Cafe Bích Nga” t-shirt or hat, it can be yours for around $20.
@juulianbecerra If anyone deserves it it’s this lady. Let’s get Mrs Lieng a home 🙂 GoFundMe link in bio 🤞
BroBible reached out to Becerra via email and Instagram direct message and Cafe Bích Nga via Instagram direct message.