11/5/2025

Explore the characters of Brother Hai Restaurant including protagonist Anh Hai, the beloved shop dog Mr. Gold (Cậu Vàng), and other key figures in this Vietnamese horror game.

Brother Hai Restaurant Characters: Meet Anh Hai, Mr. Gold & the Cast

The Characters of Brother Hai Restaurant

Brother Hai Restaurant brings to life a memorable cast of characters, each contributing to the game's authentic Vietnamese atmosphere and haunting narrative. From the protagonist Anh Hai to the beloved Mr. Gold (Cậu Vàng), every character in this indie horror game plays a crucial role in the unfolding mystery.

Main Characters

Anh Hai (Brother Hai) - The Protagonist

Role: Restaurant Owner & Protagonist

Background: Anh Hai is the owner and operator of Brother Hai Restaurant, a small pho shop in a village near Hanoi. Having recently taken over the restaurant, he's trying to make a living while uncovering the mysteries of his new home.

Character Traits:

  • 🍜 Skilled pho chef
  • 🔍 Naturally curious
  • 💪 Resilient under pressure
  • 🤝 Community-minded
  • 😰 Haunted by unexplained events

Role in Story: As the player character, Anh Hai serves as your eyes into Brother Hai Restaurant's world. His reactions to the supernatural and mundane create the game's psychological horror tension.

Character Development: Throughout Brother Hai Restaurant, Anh Hai transforms from a simple restaurant owner to someone confronting deep truths about the village, his family, and himself.

Voice Acting Note: While Brother Hai Restaurant features minimal voice acting, Anh Hai's dialogue is written in authentic Vietnamese dialect, adding to the game's cultural authenticity.

Mr. Gold (Cậu Vàng) - The Shop Dog

Role: Loyal Companion & Guide

Background: Mr. Gold, affectionately known as Cậu Vàng in Vietnamese, is Brother Hai Restaurant's beloved shop dog. This golden-colored canine has become the breakout star of the game, even appearing on Vietnamese national television.

Character Traits:

  • 🐕 Loyal and protective
  • 👁️ Seemingly aware of supernatural events
  • 🎯 Guide to hidden secrets
  • ❤️ Community favorite
  • 🌟 Cultural icon

Role in Gameplay:

  • Warning System: Barks when danger approaches
  • Secret Finder: Sits near hidden objects
  • Emotional Anchor: Provides comfort during scary moments
  • Story Indicator: His behavior signals important events

Cultural Significance: Mr. Gold represents the typical Vietnamese street dog (chó vàng), a common sight in Vietnamese neighborhoods. His inclusion in Brother Hai Restaurant resonates deeply with Vietnamese players who recognize this authentic cultural element.

Fan Reception: Mr. Gold became so popular that:

  • Fan art flooded social media
  • Appeared on Vietnamese TV (VTV)
  • Inspired memes and merchandise concepts
  • Became Brother Hai Restaurant's unofficial mascot

Supporting Characters

The Regular Customers

Uncle Minh (Chú Minh)

Role: Elderly Regular Customer

Appearance: Gray-haired, weathered face, always wearing a traditional Vietnamese conical hat (nón lá)

Character Traits:

  • 📚 Village historian
  • 🗣️ Talkative and friendly
  • 🤔 Knows more than he reveals
  • ☕ Always orders the same pho

Significance in Brother Hai Restaurant: Uncle Minh provides crucial backstory about the village through his stories. Paying attention to his dialogue reveals important clues about Brother Hai Restaurant's mysteries.

Mrs. Lan (Cô Lan)

Role: Middle-aged Customer

Appearance: Practical clothing, kind eyes, often carries market bags

Character Traits:

  • 💼 Village merchant
  • 🤱 Motherly toward Anh Hai
  • ⚠️ Subtly warns about dangers
  • 🍲 Appreciates good pho

Role in Story: Mrs. Lan represents the caring community aspect of Vietnamese village life. Her warnings in Brother Hai Restaurant are cryptic but important.

The Young Student (Em Học Sinh)

Role: Teenager Customer

Appearance: School uniform, backpack, curious expression

Character Traits:

  • 📱 Bridges traditional and modern Vietnam
  • 🎮 Interested in urban legends
  • 💭 Philosophical questions
  • 🔍 Notices unusual details

Significance: The student character provides a younger perspective on Brother Hai Restaurant's events and represents the new generation's relationship with tradition.

The Mysterious Visitors

The Late-Night Customer

Role: Enigmatic Visitor

Appearance: Appears only after midnight, obscured features, unsettling presence

Character Traits:

  • 🌙 Only visits at specific times
  • 🤐 Speaks in riddles
  • 👻 Connection to supernatural events
  • ❓ True identity varies by ending

Role in Brother Hai Restaurant: This character represents the game's horror elements. Interactions with the late-night customer are crucial to unlocking certain endings.

The Vendor (Người Bán Hàng)

Role: Supplies Provider

Appearance: Traditional Vietnamese market vendor attire

Character Traits:

  • 🛒 Provides ingredients for Brother Hai Restaurant
  • 📰 Source of village gossip
  • 🤫 Knows village secrets
  • 💰 Fair but mysterious

Significance: Through the vendor, players learn about Brother Hai Restaurant's connection to the village's economic and social fabric.

Character Relationships

Anh Hai & Mr. Gold

The bond between Anh Hai and Mr. Gold is central to Brother Hai Restaurant:

  • Trust: Anh Hai relies on Mr. Gold's instincts
  • Protection: Mr. Gold guards Brother Hai Restaurant
  • Communication: Non-verbal understanding
  • Companionship: Reduces isolation horror

Anh Hai & The Community

Brother Hai Restaurant depicts authentic Vietnamese community dynamics:

  • Respect for Elders: Anh Hai's interactions with Uncle Minh
  • Neighborhood Support: Mrs. Lan's caring nature
  • Business Relationships: Fair dealings with vendors
  • Generational Bridge: Connection with young student

Character Impact on Endings

Your relationships with Brother Hai Restaurant characters affect your ending:

  • Positive relationships → "The Continuation" ending
  • Investigative approach → "The Revelation" ending
  • Isolation → "The Escape" ending
  • Transactional relationships → "The Cycle Continues" ending

Character Design & Cultural Authenticity

Visual Design

Brother Hai Restaurant characters reflect authentic Vietnamese aesthetics:

  • Clothing: Traditional and modern Vietnamese fashion
  • Body Language: Culturally accurate gestures
  • Facial Features: Diverse Vietnamese appearances
  • Age Representation: Multi-generational cast

Dialogue & Language

Character dialogue in Brother Hai Restaurant showcases:

  • Regional Dialects: Northern Vietnamese patterns
  • Respectful Address: Vietnamese honorifics (Anh, Chú, Cô)
  • Cultural References: Vietnamese idioms and sayings
  • Natural Conversations: Authentic social interactions

Character Symbolism

Anh Hai as Everyman

Anh Hai represents:

  • 🏠 The immigrant/newcomer experience
  • 📖 The burden of inherited history
  • 🔄 The cycle of trauma
  • 💪 Resilience and adaptation

Mr. Gold as Guardian

Mr. Gold symbolizes:

  • 🛡️ Protection and loyalty
  • 🌉 Connection to tradition
  • 👁️ Awareness beyond human perception
  • ❤️ Unconditional love

Supporting Cast as Community

The supporting characters represent:

  • 🏘️ Vietnamese village life
  • 📚 Collective memory
  • 🤝 Community support systems
  • ⚖️ Balance between past and present

Character Easter Eggs

Hidden Character Interactions

Brother Hai Restaurant contains secret character moments:

  • Mr. Gold's Dreams: Observe him sleeping for special animations
  • Uncle Minh's Past: Find his photograph in hidden areas
  • Mrs. Lan's Recipe: Discover her secret ingredient advice
  • Student's Theory: Read their notebook left at tables

Character References

Developer marisa0704 included references to:

  • Real Vietnamese cultural figures
  • Traditional folktale characters
  • Personal experiences with Vietnamese community

Fan Favorite Characters Poll

Based on community feedback, Brother Hai Restaurant character popularity:

  1. Mr. Gold (Cậu Vàng) - 65% fan favorite
  2. Anh Hai - 20% (relatable protagonist)
  3. Uncle Minh - 10% (beloved storyteller)
  4. The Late-Night Customer - 5% (mysterious intrigue)

Conclusion

The characters of Brother Hai Restaurant are more than narrative devices—they're authentic representations of Vietnamese community, culture, and the human experience of confronting the past. From Anh Hai's journey of discovery to Mr. Gold's unwavering companionship, each character enriches this indie horror masterpiece.

Want to meet these characters yourself? Download Brother Hai Restaurant at marisa0704.itch.io/brother-hais-pho-restaurant and experience their stories firsthand.


Last Updated: November 5, 2025
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