The Running Bean Hồ Tùng Mậu - Coffee and Brunch — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Went here for breakfast after our morning walk as I have been their customer since our Hanoi days. A few days ago, we had a meal in their other location in Mac Thi Buoi so the experience can be easily compared.

In Mac Thi Buoi, the service was quicker and for some reason the food is better.

Today, in Ho Tung Mau, we arrived around 8:15am and started ordering. We ordered Avocado Croast and the full breakfast plate (as shown in the photos). We were told that it will take about 20 minutes for the food to be served and we were asked if its okay - to which, we agreed as its okay to wait “knowing” that the food would be great.

20 minutes have passed, and I have noticed that other customers who arrived after us started receiving their orders, but we haven’t received ours. I did a follow up with the staff and was told that she will check. After a good 5 minutes, they have put the cutleries and condiments on our table, and as I looked around to see if the food is on the way, the staff told me to wait for another minute. After around 5 more minutes, the order finally arrived.

The pancakes are a tad tangy to our taste, quite different from what I was anticipating. It doesnt come with butter nor maple syrup which, I believe, normally come with pancakes. The extra syrup costs 15k.

Apart from the pancake, the bacon is chewy and cold.

On the positive side, the egg, sausage and avocado croast are okay. The atmosphere is nice and instagrammable. The staff...

Popped in for lunch as I fancied a bit of change on food and needed a bit of western food. So I have been here before for ladies coffee and desserts already, now decided to rate all together for balanced view.

It's clean, spacious and typical western standards - seemed to be very popular with international tourists and more formal locals. On the higher end of pricing vs other local places, but still cheaper than what I'd pay in London.

Menu is extensive for drinks with plenty of staff to table serve, all very nice. Does get busy and we were notified of an expected 20 mins wait for pasta lunch, but that's fine if you are not in a rush.

I had typical meat bolognese tagliatelle pasta; not over cooked pasta and medium-small sized portion. Don't expect Italian style family sizes and personally in my opinion only could have more salt (but worst case salt and pepper on the table). Knocked off one star as food was warmish, not hot food upon arrival. Friend had the seafood spaghetti.

Cafe/ bistro vibes - one up from Starbucks but I wish they could provide cushions or softer seats to sit on inside, would be small touch to take to next level of comfort.

Casual enough for friends catch up and I'm definitely coming back for their...

The drinks are great - I rate 5 stars for it. However, the staffs are a bit weird as they were standing around my table and laughed. Sometimes, I felt kinda uncomfortable to keep focusing on my laptop as they kept around me. When I planned to order more food, I kept looking around to find someone but there was no one supporting me although I know that there were so many staffs there. I raised my hand to ask a staff near my table, in stead of asking others to support me, he used his hand to stop me and I had to wait for 10 minutes until he finished his table. I know first come first serve but he with his walkie talkie can contact someone to support me and not using his hand to stop me like this - I felt a bit rude but it's ok. Tbh, I found another staff but she also seem like not come to support me - what's wrong with that? Did I stay too long or not order enough drinks to stay there? From this, I decided not to order anything and paid for the meal immediately. Not a good experience but I think it is because the cafe were crowded. If I was late for the meeting and there is no cafe near by, I will come to this...