Thursday, August 2, 2018

Hẻm Gems: A Cuppa in Saigon's Oldest Cafe


One of the first things Co Suong does when we sit down in the back of her tiny District 3 cafe is bring out the newspaper clippings.

There are heaps of them, wrapped in plastic and passed to me carefully, one by one. She begins with the international write-ups, stories from Vietnamese newspapers and even teen magazines in California, before moving on to the national press and a handful of paperback books.

Cheo Leo Cafe, now in its 78th year of operation, is something of a Saigon landmark. When she goes out, Co Suong says, she is recognized in public places. Rarely does she even need to give her full name, such is the notoriety of her family’s cafe.

More @ Saigoneer

4 comments:

  1. Interesting that Saigon expanded to the shop and that they still buy from the same suppliers, still produce coffee the same way. Even if the shop doesn't continue on, I'm sure there are others.

    I wonder how this stocking filtered coffee compares with the fancy coffee sold in the US?

    A more "exotic" type of coffee, which you've probably heard of and been sure *not* to try:

    https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/world/asia/18civetcoffee.html

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    Replies
    1. I wonder how this stocking filtered coffee compares with the fancy coffee sold in the US?

      I prefer coffee from Vietnam though not the sock way. French coffee came mainly from Vietnam before.

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  2. One of these days, I'll go there and have a coffee. The Vietnamese should focus on promoting tourism there, I'd bet they could develop a huge business.

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