SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch - Hồ Tùng Mậu — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Stepping into SOKO is like discovering a bright, welcoming hideaway tucked behind the bustle of Sai Gon. The café opens onto soft light filtering through leafy plants, pastel-toned walls adorned with minimal artwork, and the gentle hum of conversation blending with the scent of freshly baked bread. It feels airy and relaxed, almost like a hidden courtyard just off a familiar street.

The culinary offerings here align beautifully with the ambiance. Plates arrive crafted and thoughtful. Ricotta pancakes arrive fluffy and slight, topped with seasonal fruit and dusted with a whisper of icing sugar, offering subtle sweetness rather than overload. Savory brunch options, like a garden-inspired frittata layered with vibrant vegetables and earthy herbs, are comforting without feeling heavy. The cakes steal the limelight. A mille-feuille holds onto sharp vanilla cream between impossibly crisp pastry layers; rich chocolate torte is decadently smooth with a delicate coffee depth.

Everything shows both care and restraint in flavor and composition. Service stays poised, friendly, and intuitive, even when it fills up around midday. Plates appear in a timely manner, drinks are replenished before they fully empty, and staff navigate requests with genuine warmth. Music floats softly, enough to enjoy, but never wash over conversation. The mood stays light and welcoming.

Prices sit high-range, fair for the quality and atmosphere, less formal than an upscale patisserie, but a noticeable step above your everyday café. Portions feel generous without being indulgent, lending themselves well to a lingering brunch or quiet catch-up.

If you're looking for a brunch spot that balances elegance with comfort, where presentation and flavor bloom in harmony, and the space invites you to just sit and be, SOKO Cake, Bake & Brunch is a quiet delight worth a visit. Take your time, choose a slice, and settle into the simple joy of a meal...

SOKO – Ho Chi Minh City Reviewed with the A.R.Q. lens: Ambience, Ratio, Quality

I stopped by SOKO on a late Tuesday, craving something flakey and fancy — and it did not disappoint.

First off, the ambience is beautiful. Think bright, breezy, and effortlessly cool. It’s got that modern café aesthetic without trying too hard — high ceilings, clean tones, leafy vibes. It feels like the kind of place you could post up with a book or spend an hour pretending to work while low-key people-watching. It does get a bit noisy during peak hours, but nothing unbearable. Solid 4.5 out of 5 for the vibe.

When it comes to ratio — meaning portion vs price — it leans luxe. The desserts are dense, rich, and beautifully made, but you’re paying close to 100k VND a pop. Add a coffee and you’re nudging into “mini brunch” territory. I wouldn’t call it cheap, but for the quality and experience, it’s fair. Still, this isn’t your everyday café. More of a treat-yourself spot. I’d say 3.5 for value.

As for quality, the tiramisu was surprisingly memorable — light, creamy, just enough coffee punch without being too boozy or heavy. It felt elevated without losing the classic soul of the dessert. The cream udon? Straight comfort. Thick noodles, silky sauce, hits of mushroom and parmesan — basically what you wish all creamy pasta dishes were. Not groundbreaking, but super satisfying. Easy 4.8 out of 5.

Final ARQ Score: 12.8 out of 15

Would I go back? Absolutely. It’s the kind of place you remember — not just for the food, but for how good it feels to be there. Go when you’re in the mood for a little indulgence...

Overpriced, but beautiful. If you're into instagram posts instead of tasty food, this is the place for you (not if you want good bang for buck, as it is very expensive).

we had the breakfast burrito bomb, chips (normal fries) and steak fried rice, a cappuccino and the tiramisu latte.

Coffee: milk froth way too bubbly, espresso shot overextracted. I've had a lot of good coffee in Vientam for less than 70k and 85k for a bad cappuccino doesn't sound OK. The Tiramisu latte was good though.

Food: breakfast burrito was extremely disappointing. No taste, to be quite frank, and basically no meat (chicken). The nachos were crispy and nice, but the sauce was just as tasteless (salsa tastes like watery tomatoes or something, just nothing there).

The steak fried rice was the best dish, and even this dish lacked depth in the taste too (beef was nice and soft but rice was also tasteless). The chips were quite exquisite as they come with fish eggs on top and the sauce was also strange, but I did enjoy that. I would recommend asking for no fish eggs if you're into traditional chips. A lot of the dishes are fishy though from what you can see on the menu.

Feels like it has a nice goal and approach, beautiful dishes, but the taste just isn't there yet for neither food or coffee.

VERY overpriced for what you get, thus the 2 stars. I would be happy to try this place again, but for now, I...