Nestled in the vibrant heart of District 1, Hoa Túc is an homage to modern Vietnamese cuisine. This isn’t your typical street food joint or an old-school eatery brimming with nostalgia. Hoa Túc reinvents the traditional, delivering a dining experience where every bite tells a story, every dish is a work of art, and the setting itself feels like a warm embrace.
Ambiance: Hoa Túc, meaning “poppy,” is as poetic as its name. The restaurant is tucked away in a charming courtyard just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Hai Bà Trưng Street. The space is drenched in natural light by day and glows with warm lanterns by night, creating an intimate and stylish vibe. Contemporary decor with a nod to colonial aesthetics perfectly balances sophistication and comfort. It’s the kind of place that feels equally fitting for a romantic dinner or a casual meal with friends.
The Food: What makes Hoa Túc remarkable is its ability to take the essence of Vietnamese cuisine—bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and thoughtful preparation—and elevate it with a modern twist. The menu is a love letter to Vietnam’s diverse culinary heritage, blending local ingredients with creative techniques.
Signature Dishes: Start with the prawn and pork pomelo salad: a refreshing combination of sweet citrus, savory meat, and a subtle kick from chili. For mains, the braised pork belly with quail eggs is tender, rich, and unapologetically decadent, served with perfectly steamed jasmine rice. Another standout is their coconut curry with sea bass, which combines the creaminess of fresh coconut milk with the fragrant notes of lemongrass and kaffir lime.
Vegetarian Options: The grilled eggplant with soy glaze deserves its own fan club. Smoky, tender, and umami-packed, it’s a dish that could convert even the most die-hard meat lover.
Dessert and Drinks: Finish your meal with the Vietnamese coffee panna cotta, a silky nod to the country’s beloved cà phê sữa đá. Pair your dishes with one of their craft cocktails or a crisp glass of wine from their thoughtfully curated list.
Service: The service at Hoa Túc is as polished as its cuisine. Staff are attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and quick to recommend dishes or pairings that suit your palate.
Verdict: Hoa Túc is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience—a culinary journey through Vietnam’s past and present, artfully served in the center of Saigon. Whether you’re a traveler looking to explore Vietnamese flavors in style or a local celebrating a special occasion, Hoa Túc promises a memorable dining adventure.
Pro Tip: Book a table in the courtyard for the ultimate dining ambiance.
Hoa Túc reminds us why Vietnamese cuisine has captivated the world: it’s bold, beautiful, and endlessly innovative. It’s not just a meal—it’s a moment you’ll savor long after the plates are...
Read moreHoa Tuc is a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh that offers a range of Vietnamese and international dishes in a beautifully designed space. During our visit, we found several positive aspects of the restaurant, as well as some areas that could use improvement.
One of the standout features of Hoa Tuc was the ambiance of the restaurant. The interior design is tastefully done, and it has a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. Despite being quite full, we were able to secure a table without a reservation, which was a pleasant surprise.
The staff at Hoa Tuc were also friendly and attentive, which made for a great dining experience. They were knowledgeable about the menu and provided helpful recommendations when we were unsure what to order. The food and wine selection were excellent, and we enjoyed everything we tried. The dishes were very tasty and well prepared, which added to the overall experience.
However, one area where Hoa Tuc could improve is in the portion size and the timing of the dishes. The portion size was medium, which may not be enough for those with a hearty appetite. Additionally, our food arrived at the same time as our starter, which detracted from the experience. We would have preferred to have a bit more time to enjoy our starter before moving on to the main course.
Another area where Hoa Tuc could improve is in their pricing. While the food and wine selection were excellent, the prices were quite high, which may not be suitable for everyone. That being said, we felt that the quality of the food and the overall dining experience justified the higher prices.
Despite these minor criticisms, we had a great time at Hoa Tuc. The ambiance was lovely, the staff was friendly, and the food and wine selection were excellent. While the portion sizes could have been a bit bigger, the taste and quality of the dishes made up for it. Overall, we would recommend Hoa Tuc to anyone looking for a great dining experience in Ho Chi Minh, as long as they are willing to pay the...
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FOOD We had the crab and shrimp spring rolls the Seabass with avocado, mango salsa and mashed sweet potato and the soft shell crab with passionfruit sauce. The spring rolls were great, they are deep fried and you wrap them in lettuce and some basil and dip in a sweet chilli sauce. The seabass was soft and had great flavour, the salsa and potato complimented it perfectly. The deep fried soft shell crab was good, they were not too oily, but I feel the batter was too thick.
DRINK They have a very extensive wine and alcohol list, by the bottle and by the glass. The missus liked her wine and I had a coffee which was perfect, it was absolutely wonderful.
SERVICE It was very friendly, we were seated very efficiently and the staff were very warm and smiled, which is above and beyond considering the service we have had so far. The staff recommended sitting inside because of construction noise outside which was nice of her.
DESIGN The interior pales in comparison to outside, but the construction would have been too loud. The chairs are soft and the tables slightly awkward inside. It isn't my favourite motif, but it is nice enough. Outside looked much nicer with a better atmosphere.
OTHER The music inside was beautiful. They played a lot of tasteful jazz (didn't seem like elevator music). WiFi was great.
I recommend to everyone and if you fancy something else, this complex has a...
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