From street vendor to owner of Nan Chu Restaurant

It has been 23 years since a young man full of hopes and ambitions left his mountainous homeland in Shan State in his thirties and started his business in a densely populated city, Yangon. U Aung Shwe is the owner of Nan Chu Restaurant and one of our loyal customers at Pazundaung Branch.

The first scene you will see when you enter Nan Chu Restaurant is, a big smile of U Aung Shwe welcoming his customers. His restaurant sells delicious Burmese curry dishes, hot steamed rice with mix vegetables (Htamin-Pound) and sweet and savory pork sticks. Nan Chu Restaurant is located on Late Kan Street, Pazundaung Township. U Aung Shwe said he named his restaurant “Nan Chu”, which is a name originated from Shan.

His story is very inspiring. In 2001, he started his business as a street vendor on a footpath next to Pazundaung Park. Later, he moved to Late Kan Street and opened Nan Chu Restaurant on the same street. U Aung Shwe’s efforts didn’t stop there. Soon after his restaurant opened, he launched a lunch box delivery service for those people and families who are busy and do not have a time to cook. Customers can request any meals that they like and the restaurant delivers fresh lunch boxes to their doors.

U Aung Shwe first took up our loan in 2021 to expand his business with his dream of owning his apartment for his family. At first, he felt uncertain about taking up a loan because of his previous experience with private money lenders who charge a high interest rate. After our loan officers explained details of the loan product to U Aung Shwe, he found it affordable and accessible, and decided to apply for a loan from us. Up until now, he’s been renewing his loan four times.

As a result of his efforts and ASGB’s loan, he has expanded his business which allowed him to purchase an apartment for his family, while continuing to rent the space downstairs for his restaurant. He said “I set aside a repayment amount every month, which makes sure that I make every payment on time. I believe that receiving a loan means giving trust to each other. I value and respect the trust between ASGB and myself.”

U Aung Shwe is also a good leader. He hires seven staff and closely works with them in every step of the process from sourcing ingredients to serving meals to customers. He wakes up at 4am every morning and starts preparations for the day to open the restaurant. He assigns tasks to his staff and goes to a market to buy cooking ingredients by himself. He would like his customers to eat fresh meals at his restaurant. Nan Chu Restaurant opens from 6am to 10pm every day. It kept open even during the COVID-19 pandemic period. “In Yangon, hospitals and Nan Chu Restaurant do not have days off.” U Aung Shwe said with his smile.

His dream is gradually coming true. U Aung Shwe is paying off the installments for his apartment thanks to the success of Nan Chu Restaurant supported by the ASGB loan. He said “It has been great to work with ASGB. It provides an affordable product which makes me feel comfortable whenever a repayment is made. I would like to thank ASGB for their support”. He also said “Taking up a micro loan is about supporting each other and as a borrower, you need to keep a promise. All you have to do is to make sure that the payment is made on time.”