In a fast-paced concrete jungle like Saigon, new restaurants and cafes with innovative decorative themes pop up on a daily basis. However, despite a deluge of themed F&B venues flooding the city over the past few years, it seems that retro Hong Kong style still reigns the roost.
For those who are hooked on old-school aesthetics that are evocative of the Harbour City’s vintage charm, such as flickering neon signs and pinups featuring Andy Lau and Leslie Cheung, you’ll love these Hong Kong-themed restaurants and cafes in town.
Table of Contents
Image credit: Chinatown Saigon Cafe
Steeped in the red and yellow colors of neon lights, this 1980s Hong Kong-inspired cafe will make you feel as if you’ve just walked into a scene of Wong Kar-wai’s iconic movie In The Mood For Love.
Image credit: Chinatown Saigon Cafe
From the patterned tile flooring to the white tile walls decorated with mirrors to the green ceiling complete with old-school fans, every corner here pays homage to old Hong Kong’s dining culture.
Image credit: Chinatown Saigon Cafe
Spanning across the 1st floor and a mezzanine are brown booths paired with green tables, on top of which are old telephones and vintage lamps. Hardly anyone sits down at these tables without posing for some photos with these cinematic knick-knacks.
Hong Kong milk tea, curry fish ball noodle soup, and char siew noodle soup
Image credit: Chinatown Saigon Cafe
Open 24 hours, Chinatown Saigon Cafe also serves hot dishes aside from drinks. From curry fish ball noodle soup (VND60,000, ~USD2.59) for a flavorful midnight snack, to the milky and fluffy Kee Wah pineapple shortcakes (VND45,000, ~USD1.94) for breakfast, Chinatown Saigon Cafe has got you covered.
Address: 10 Pasteur Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Telephone: 028 3821 7845
Website
Image credit: Nguyễn Quang Minh
Decked out with red lanterns and neon signs with traditional Chinese text, Mongkok Roast & Noodles looks like the Hong Kong-themed restaurants straight out of the ’90s movies we grew up watching.
Image adapted from: MongKok Roast & Noodles
Besides, red dividers also add a sophisticated yet chic look to the dining area.
Spanning across 3 floors with spacious dining space, this restaurant is suitable for family and business meetings.
Seafood noodles
Image credit: Nguyễn Quang Minh
As the name suggests, Mongkok Roast & Noodles specialises in noodles, a stalwart favorite among Hong Kongers. From the smoky Hokkien fried noodles (VND128,000, ~USD5.53) to seafood udon noodles (VND128,000, ~USD5.53) with a fresh taste and springy texture, this is a great place to slurp a wide array of comforting noodles.
Vegetarians will not feel out of place here, as the restaurant also serves stir-fried noodles with mushrooms (VND128,000, ~USD5.53) instead of meat for a nutty and tangy flavor.
Address: 108 Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5PM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 0366 234 568
Website
Image adapted from: ChuKee Restaurant
Taking inspiration from the vibrant ’60s in Hong Kong, ChuKee Restaurant’s walls are covered with vintage pinups showcasing ladies decked out in glamorous cheongsams and classic hairdos.
Hanging neon lamps also give the dining space a vibrant color palette of red and yellow as well as a nostalgic look. The restaurant also has a balcony, where you can dine in a breezy space while enjoying the sights of Bui Vien’s nightlife.
Image credit: ChuKee Restaurant
Featuring roughly 300 dishes made by a chef from Hong Kong, ChuKee Restaurant makes a great dining destination for those who want to be spoiled for choice.
Image credit: ChuKee Restaurant
For an indulgent breakfast or brunch dish, try the Hong Kong-style French toast (VND70,000,~USD3.03), which is a specialty in Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng, or street cafes. Dipped in egg yolk and deep fried for a crispy bite, the sandwich is then topped with butter and condensed milk for extra decadence.
Situated in Bui Vien, home to Saigon’s largest bars and clubs, ChuKee Restaurant opens till 4AM. If you’ll be clubbing until late in the evening or early morning, this is an address you should keep in the back of your pocket for some midnight snacks.
Address: 266 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 11AM-4AM, Daily
Telephone: 1800 6781
Website
Image credit: Bao Bei
Decked out in colorful neon signs, lanterns, and sophisticated use of contrasting vibrant colors for furniture, Bao Bei’s interior evokes an old-school Hong Kong vibe.
Dumplings and noodles
Image credit: Bao Bei
While the floor tiles are black for a modern look, their hexagonal patterns also resemble traditional Chinese room dividers. Adding to the nostalgic feel from the wooden furniture are the unique mahjong and Chinese chess patterns on the tables.
Featuring a large capacity of 150 seats along with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, Bao Bei is ideal for group dining.
Image credit: Bao Bei
Putting aesthetics aside, Bao Bei is also famed for its delicious and value-for-money offerings of Hong Kong food, including a separate menu for vegetarians and vegans that most Hong Kong-themed restaurants don’t offer.
For a taste of authentic Sichuan spice, check out the savoury and tongue-numbing Mapo Tofu (VND90,000, ~USD3.89) – we recommend pairing it with a bowl of rice to soak up the dish.
Those who look for a dish with more historical and culinary depth can try the Sha Cha beef with green beans (VND190,000, ~USD8.21). A dish dating back thousands of years, this consists of tenderized beef strips cooked in spicy and flavorful Sha Cha sauce.
Address: Level 2 Viettel Building, 285 Cach Mang Thang 8, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 11AM-2PM | 5PM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 0901 363 388
Website
Tran Thanh (on the left) and his wife Hari Won
Image adapted from: Hari Won
Owned by the family of Vietnamese-Chinese comedian Tran Thanh, A MÀ Kitchen always sees long queues of guests which include his fans and fellow celebrities.
Image adapted from: A MÀ Kitchen
Situated in the heart of District 1, this playful yet vintage space features rustic furnishings, wallpapers portraying Hong Kong’s old cityscapes in vibrant colors, lanterns encased in birdcages, and old photographs of Hong Kong celebrities.
Image adapted from: A MÀ Kitchen
Playing host to a variety of Cantonese dishes with nostalgic visuals and flavors, A MÀ Kitchen’s menu mirrors the diversity of Hong Kong’s culinary culture.
Custard bun (Liu Sha Bao)
Image adapted from: A MÀ Kitchen
For breakfast or appetizers, you’ll want to try the bánh bao kim sa, or custard buns (VND60,000, ~USD2.59 each), with charcoal powder dough and filled with squidgy, sweet salted egg custard.
Image adapted from: A MÀ Kitchen
For a nutritious meal with a unique taste, try the unique pairing of braised spinach and meat with a runny egg yolk (VND148,000, ~USD6.40). Rich in calcium, iron, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and low in calories, this dish is suitable for people of all ages.
Address: 23 Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10.30AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 028 6291 3139
Website
Image adapted from: San Fu Lou
Furnished with red lanterns with muted lighting, vintage pinups, and tables and chairs reminiscent of Hong Kong’s dai pai dong street eateries, San Fu Lou brings everyone an authentic Hong Kong dining experience.
Image adapted from: San Fu Lou
Offering nearly 1,000 dishes from dim sum to roast meat to stir-fried dishes to desserts, San Fu Lou is like a living museum of authentic Hong Kong food in Saigon.
Steamed buns, scallop dumplings, roasted pork belly, mapo tofu
Image adapted from San Fu Lou
You can start your day with the bright-tasting and tender scallop and prawn dumplings (VND68,000, ~USD2.94 for 3 pieces) and warm your stomach with the crispy roasted pork belly (VND188,000, ~USD8.13).
Once you’re full, cap off your meal on a sweet note with 3 bite-size pieces of Chinese herbal jelly (VND48,000, ~USD2.07) for a fresh and cooling aftertaste.
Address: Multiple locations in District 1, District 7, and District 3. View location list here.
Opening hours: 7AM-10PM, Daily
Website
Image credit: Tiệm cơm nước – An Duyên Chợ Lớn
Graced with a food cart decked out in classic Chinese style with bar seats at the entrance, An Duyen – Cho Lon is the ideal place for a round of post-meal drinks.
Image credit: @hanhtinhso23
An Duyen Cho Lon is decked out with a velvet booth sofa, red metal chairs, and room dividers plastered with vintage movie posters under warm lighting, evoking memories of Hong Kong in the bygone days.
Sandwich and boiled egg combo
Image credit: @hanhtinhso23
Boasting a vast selection of both Hong Kong and Chinese food, this Hong Kong-themed restaurant’s guests can enjoy a Hong Kong-style breakfast with a toast filled with butter, coated with a sweet paste made of coconut cream and egg yolk, served with boiled eggs and a cup of tea.
Vegetarians and vegans can order the fresh and healthy stir-fried Hong Kong bok choy (VND55,000, ~USD2.37) to go with rice, while noodle fans can chow down on flavorful Fujian noodles fried with shrimps (VND115,000, ~USD4.95).
Address: 15 Tran Dien, Ward 10, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 7AM-1PM | 5PM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 028 6298 8668
Website
Dim Tu Tac’s interiors may not exude streetside dining flair with dai pai dong furniture and muted lighting, but it sure looks like the kind of place where God of Gamblers characters and the Axe Gang in Kung Fu Hustle would sit down for a fancy meal before a duel.
Image credit: Dim Tu Tac
With sophisticated velvet chairs surrounding round tables, bird-motif murals, vintage partitions, and large windows, Dim Tu Tac pulls off a contemporary look inspired by Cantonese fine dining.
Image adapted from: Dim Tu Tac
While its elegant visuals are sufficient for business meetings or special events, it’s the excellently crafted Cantonese cuisine here that makes a fine dining experience here unforgettable.
Image credit: Dim Tu Tac
Whether you go for the savory and moist chicken braised with soy sauce (VND280,000, ~USD12.10) or the buttery baked abalone pastry (VND88,000, ~USD3.80), every menu item looks stunning and tastes fresh, and rich with quality ingredients from Cantonese cuisine.
Remember to save room for the silky smooth black sesame rolls (VND68,000, ~USD2.94).
Address: Multiple locations in District 1, District 5, and Phu Nhuan District. View location list here.
Opening hours: 7AM-10PM, Daily
Website
Image credit: BAOZ DIMSUM
Decorated with murals reflecting ancient Chinese street life, calligraphy, partitions with classic motifs, and brightly lit lanterns, BAOZ DIMSUM is a Hong Kong-style dining space with a contemporary twist.
Decked out with mostly round tables with 6 seats each, BAOZ DIMSUM is suitable for large gatherings.
As the name of the restaurant suggests, BAOZ DIMSUM’s main focus is dim sum, roughly translated as small dishes that make up a traditional Chinese breakfast in many Hong Kong-themed restaurants. This includes as steamed buns called bao.
Brace yourself for over 30 types of dim sum to choose from, from shumai dumplings with crab meat (VND60,000, ~USD2.59) to char siew buns baked to a golden crisp (VND60,000, ~USD2.59).
Addresses:
Opening hours: 6.30AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 028 3923 1480 | 028 3955 1102
Website
With minimal use of colors such as white and brown, Shang Garden exudes an air of elegance. Meanwhile, ink and wash paintings lining the walls and lanterns emitting soft yellow light give the dining space a distinctive zen look.
Prepare your cameras, because this place has all the right aesthetics for your IG-worthy snapshots in a lavish setting.
Those willing to splurge can find a great selection of dishes here, from dim sum to Cantonese finest food. For a flavorful, juicy, and fresh tasting dinner, opt for steamed prawns with garlic and vermicelli (VND275,000, ~USD11.89). If you’re a vegetarian, order the crispy and buttery deep fried sweet and sour tofu (VND198,000, ~USD8.56) to go with white rice.
There are even private dining rooms which are all tastefully designed, and suitable for large gatherings.
Address: Multiple locations in District 1 and District 7. Check out the stores here.
Opening hours: 8AM-2.30PM | 5.30PM-10PM, Daily
Website
Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of retro Hong Kong design trends all over Vietnam, especially in Saigon.
It’s not difficult to figure out why vintage-style interiors inspired by Hong Kong in the previous century are making a comeback, as most of us Vietnamese millennials grew up watching Hong Kong movies.
With neon signs, lanterns, and vintage pinups frequently spotted on ’90s Hong Kong silver screens, Hong Kong-themed restaurants and cafes in Saigon bring guests a retro Hong Kong-style experience in real life with a trendy twist.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Tiệm cơm nước – An Duyên Chợ Lớn, @anduyen.cholon, Chinatown Saigon Cafe, and Chinatown Saigon Cafe
Enjoying The Smart Local Vietnam? Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more stories like this.
Now that Tết is over, Saigon is now a bustling hub of activity once again.…
If you're in Hanoi this Tết, here are some activities you can look into to…
Vietnamese Calendars for 2023 - made with love by local craftsmen Now that the new…
Mầm coffee tea beer is a perfect getaway for those who are tired of the…
With a chic decor featuring wooden floors, raw brick walls, and European-style furniture, Ante Cafe…
Saigon features some of the best of what Vietnam has to offer. If you're at…