Dim Tu Tac (Dong Du Street) – A Culinary Symphony of Cantonese Elegance in Saigon
In the labyrinth of Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary offerings, few places stand out quite like Dim Tu Tac on Dong Du Street. This venerable establishment manages to blend the precision of traditional Cantonese cuisine with the buzz and energy of Saigon’s modern dining scene, creating an experience that’s both refined and approachable.
From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by an ambiance that is understated yet undeniably chic. The tasteful décor pays homage to Cantonese heritage while embracing a contemporary edge, making it the perfect setting for both casual lunches and celebratory feasts.
The Feast Begins Dim Tu Tac isn’t just about eating—it’s about indulging. The dim sum, a hallmark of any Cantonese restaurant, here is nothing short of divine. Start with the shrimp har gow—translucent parcels that burst with the briny sweetness of fresh shrimp. Pair it with the siu mai, where pork and shrimp unite in a delicate embrace, topped with a hint of roe for a pop of umami.
The Peking duck is a showstopper, arriving tableside with its golden, crackling skin glistening under the light. Expertly carved, it is served with pancakes, hoisin sauce, and slivers of cucumber and scallion—a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite.
But the menu doesn’t stop there. The braised abalone with sea cucumber, a luxurious delicacy, speaks of meticulous preparation and a respect for tradition. Each bite is tender, with a depth of flavor that feels almost meditative.
Innovation Meets Tradition Dim Tu Tac strikes a balance between preserving the soul of Cantonese cooking and adapting it to modern palates. Their crispy tofu stuffed with shrimp paste, for example, is a masterclass in innovation—each piece a little golden cube of perfection.
For dessert, the mango pudding and egg tarts round off the meal on a sweet, luscious note. It’s like leaving a blockbuster film during the credits—you’ll want to linger just a little longer.
Service That Stands Out What sets Dim Tu Tac apart from the bustling crowd of Saigon’s dining establishments is its impeccable service. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about sharing the stories behind the dishes. It’s not just a meal here; it’s an education in Cantonese culinary arts.
The Verdict Dim Tu Tac on Dong Du Street is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience that speaks to the heart of Cantonese cuisine while inviting you to revel in Saigon’s cosmopolitan charm. Whether you’re here for the dim sum or a grand banquet, every visit feels like a celebration of flavor, tradition, and impeccable hospitality.
If you’re looking for a place that respects its roots while elevating every element of the dining journey, Dim Tu Tac is where your search ends.
Best dish to try: Peking duck Pro tip: Come early for dim sum service—it’s wildly popular for a reason.
When’s the last time a meal left you utterly speechless? Dim Tu Tac might just do...
Read moreDidn’t plan to write a review, but the customer service truly exceeded my expectations so here I am, giving it the shoutout it deserves.
All the staff were unbelievably nice and accommodating. Every request was fulfilled within minutes, sometimes seconds. With such a large-scale restaurant, I half-expected the service to be a little “distant,” but Dim Tu Tac Dong Du truly makes customers feel special.
Special thanks to Mr. Eric and Miss Jodie. Miss Jodie: Even while pregnant, she remained calm, straightforward, and kind to every guest, including some rather difficult ones. She worked hard to arrange tables efficiently and reassured us constantly, which stopped us from going to another branch haha 😂 She promised a 20–25 minute wait, and that’s exactly what happened. 10/10 for professionalism and patience.
Mr. Eric: From the moment he took our order to the time we said goodbye, he kept us smiling and laughing nonstop. As it was only our second visit, we weren’t familiar with the menu, but he gave us excellent recommendations for their best-selling and tastiest dishes. Every dish was good, but what stood out most was his sincerity, flexibility, and humor. He’s quick, tactful with portion suggestions, and extremely nice. Instead of upselling like some places do, he made us feel relaxed and never rushed, even in such a crowded setting. He was thoughtful too, knowing that our eyes were a bit bigger than our stomachs, haha. He’s a big reason we’ll be coming back!!!! ❤️
Not only them but please give all the other ones praises and raises (if possible 🥹). All the other servers were so so nice and quick even though our table was not assigned to them. I felt extremely satisfied and happy with the experience!!
Food: 8/10. High-quality ingredients and a clean, soothing flavor profile, perfect for anyone who prefers a lighter, low-salt diet. Personally, I prefer stronger and richer flavors, so it felt a little mild for my taste, but the exceptional service more than made up for it. The pork char siu was my favorite, beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Service was also impressively fast. The seafood quality is very good also!
Other notes: Restroom is old but clean. The place gets very crowded with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean tourists lining up, so plan your time accordingly. The interior is beautiful, and the service is lightning-fast. Would say more of a family setting. Bill for two was about 2M+ but we gotta takeaway one dish. The takeaway package was also very decent/polite.
Overall: We came for the food but will return for the people. Exceptional service from start to...
Read moreI never write negative reviews. But I really cannot stand not sharing how terrible my overall experience is.
When we walked in, a male server had this snobbish attitude and seated us in an uncomfortable corner near the door when clearly there are many empty spaces inside the restaurant.
We asked him politely for a better seat given the vacancy but his attitude was not only dismissive, but also short-tempered when he angrily handed our service to another female server. The entire place was almost 70% empty at the time and many servers were standing around aimlessly so we really do not understand what caused the server’s terrible attitude.
The female server also has terrible attitude when serving us at the table with her constant eye-rolls and her passive-aggressive attitude in moving around our tableware. The way she spoke was also rude and loud.
When she was setting down the dishes, she purposely do it so her entire upper body was in our personal space even when there are PLENTY OF SPACE between each person sitting. Poor manners.
The dishes were also unremarkable. Taste-wise, we had better Chinese food in one of the other small Chinese restaurants in Saigon.
And in the matter of food cleanliness, one of the members from our party had a swollen lip due to how unclean the vegetables are in one of the dishes.
When we were nearly finished with our food (a few small portions left on the table, and we were still eating), one of the servers purposely loiter NEAR our table while making large gestures of looking at the bill and at our table. This was an action that they have NEVER done since we have ordered. The server seemed to be giving us a signal to hurry up and leave although clearly there are still many empty spaces in the restaurant and no one was queuing outside.
Overall: Terrible service. Food was unclean and unremarkable.
No wonder the Michelin rating was...
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