Cơm Quê Dượng Bầu - Vietnamese Homecooked Cuisine — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

We made a reservation and came in around 6:30pm when there were only 3 tables besides us (read: not busy). We were not greeted by anyone upon seated or explained anything on the menu, while the lady at the front desk has been on her phone the whole time and two other waiters coming in and out of kitchen but not serving anyone anything. We looked at the menu on the table and had to walk up to the front desk to order. We ordered 2 appetizers, 1 hot pot and 1 drink for 2 of us. No one however was making us the drink after the order went in and all confused, we decided to ask if they can serve us the drink. The lady unwillingly left her phone went behind the drink counter, lo and behold, she scooped the longan juice from a bucket under the counter into a glass, threw in a pandan leaf and the drink was ready within 5 seconds! After another 20 minutes, our first appetizer fried tofu finally got here, alas, there is no shrimp paste dipping sauce that comes with it as the menu said it would. We asked the waiter who brought us food and with great effort translating he finally realized he made a mistake and super disgruntled, went back to the kitchen to bring us the dipping sauce. After another 5 minutes the fermented fish hot pot came. The entire time no one was coming by our table to attend the fire and mind you, there’d be sparkles coming from under the pot due to incomplete combustion and which, if you’re sitting too close to the pot, risks having your hair/eyebrows caught on fire. No service whatsoever. Food was meh for the price - the same fermented fish hotpot in Toronto where I live is about the same price. I regret not eating at a more down-to-earth food stalls which may even be prepared by people who genuinely care about the quality of the...

Impressed by its charming location and enticing reviews. While the ambiance left a bit to be desired, I was willing to overlook it in favor of trying their food. Unfortunately, my experience was a mixed bag.

Upon entering, I was struck by the lovely setting, with a beautiful outdoor seating area and a cozy interior decor.

I had heard about the poor service from other reviewers, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that our servers was attentive and polite. However, I did notice that the staff tended to rest near the center/entrance of the restaurant when there was no work to be done, which can make the space feel a bit cluttered and uncomfortable. In a small restaurant like this one, it's especially important to strike a balance between providing good service and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.

Now, onto the food – and I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint! The dishes we ordered were bursting with authentic Vietnamese flavors and aromas, reminiscent of home-cooked meals. The portions were generous for the price, and we left feeling satisfied but not overstuffed.

While this restaurant has some areas for improvement, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Vietnamese meal at an decent price. With a bit more attention to decor and table arrangement, as well as a tweak to their staff's downtime habits, I have no doubt that this place could be a true gem. As it stands, I'd give it four stars – worth a visit for...

This restaurant had me cursing under my breath while climbing two flights of stairs, still half-recovering from a fever. My friend swore it was worth it, so I dragged my weak body along, ready to judge. Tucked in what looked like a very questionable old shoplot, on the second floor (if my dizzy memory serves me right), we finally found it. And to be fair… it actually looked quite decent once we got in.

The vibe is very Vietnamese, cozy and unpretentious, like someone’s home turned into a restaurant. We ordered a bunch of local dishes—not your usual pho or banh mi, but more unique, traditional items you don’t see everywhere. I have to say, the food surprised me. It was tasty, different, and felt pretty authentic. My sick grumpy self was slowly converted into a full-bellied happy customer.

Now, I’m a total clean freak, and this place passed my test. The cutlery was clean, the table wasn’t sticky, and I didn’t feel the need to sanitize everything twice. If you’re up for a little adventure with good food and a hidden gem vibe, I’d recommend giving it a go. Just maybe go when you’re feeling healthy...