Cà phê Đỗ-Phủ, cơm tấm Đại-Hàn — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Do Phu Cafe is an interesting destination if you love to learn a little about the history and explore the old house that used to be the secret base of the Saigon Special Forces.

The lady (perhaps the host) is very willing to introduce and show you where documents, letters, and money were hidden in aluminium cans hanging in the narrow wall. The secret basement, just enough for one person to crawl into, is camouflaged in a wooden wardrobe upstairs, with an exit to the house's back door.

It is great to be able to enjoy broken rice in a space where the objects associated with it seem to witness all the events that happened here, from the past during the war to today's peacetime.

Although it is introduced that the broken rice dish still retains the same flavour as before 1975, honestly I find it a little below average. The meat is too dry and the steamed egg meatloaf seems to have too little glass noodles and wood ear mushrooms in the ingredients. In return, the pickles are very delicious.

The drinks are also very typical, most of them are popular drinks from the old days. But the flavours are not too...

Stepping into Cà phê Cơm Tấm ĐỖ – Phủ felt like opening a door back to the 80s and 90s, when life moved slower, radios hummed in the background, and the scent of home-cooked meals drifted through wooden windows.

The space is a living postcard — weathered walls, classic checkered tiles, vintage guitars hanging by the window, and the warm patina of time on every piece of furniture. It’s not “decor” here; it’s a time capsule. For those of us who grew up in that era, every detail whispers, “Remember?”

And then there’s the food — the star of the show. The cơm tấm here is the kind you don’t just eat, you feel. Perfectly grilled pork chop with a gentle smokiness, fried egg with a creamy yolk, bouncy vermicelli, and fluffy rice — all tied together by a tangy-sweet fish sauce. Every bite is comfort; every bite is a memory. Pair it with a cold soda chanh, and you have a full ticket back to simpler days.

For anyone visiting Saigon, especially those chasing a taste of the past, ĐỖ – Phủ is not just a meal stop — it’s a chapter of your own story waiting...

Awarded as one of the Exciting Things in Ho Chi Minh 2023, Cà Phê Đỗ Phủ is renowned for its culinary offerings. A standout dish is the “Cơm Tấm Đại Hàn” (Korean-style broken rice), which features tender grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, pickled vegetables, and a fried egg, all complemented by a flavorful fish sauce.

They also offer a version of Vietnamese phin filter coffee that’s paired with youtiao (giò cháo quẩy), a uniquely nostalgic combination that reflects the blending of Vietnamese and Chinese culinary influences.

Beneath its unassuming facade lays a pivotal role in Vietnam's struggle for independence, the establishment became a clandestine base during the Vietnam War. It housed secret tunnels and bunkers used to store weapons and documents, playing a crucial part in Vietnamese operations.

This café stands as a testament to Vietnam's resilience and rich cultural tapestry, offering visitors a unique blend of history and gastronomy in the heart of Ho...