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Tuong Phong Tea
Considered the most authentically "Chinese" dessert shop among Saigon's famous Chinese dessert shops, Tuong Phong Dessert Shop is modestly nestled on a small street in District 5 called An Diem. The interior is quite simply decorated. Regardless of the time, especially in the late afternoon and evening, the shop is always bustling with customers. Sometimes, the tables and chairs are completely full due to the overwhelming number of patrons. Despite not being in a central location, Tuong Phong Dessert Shop's popularity and appeal have earned it the trust and affection of many.
Tuong Phong is one of the famous authentic Chinese dessert shops in the Cholon area.
Upon entering the shop, you'll be captivated by its simple yet cozy atmosphere. The decor is minimalist, featuring a dessert counter at the front and a few tables and chairs inside for customers. Even the sidewalk isn't overlooked, with a few small plastic chairs provided for those who want to enjoy their dessert while relaxing.
With over half a century of history, Tuong Phong dessert shop has won the hearts of many Saigonese with its authentic, authentic Chinese flavors. The desserts have a delicate taste, not too sweet or overpowering, but rather mild with a rich, creamy flavor. The shop's diverse menu offers nearly 30 unique desserts, but the best-selling items are always almond tofu dessert, steamed egg custard dessert, black sesame dessert, and egg tea dessert.
Tuong Phong also offers many authentic Chinese delicacies, including ginseng tonic, mung bean sweet soup, red bean sweet soup, snow fungus, and braised papaya…
Address: 83 An Diem Street, Ward 10, District 5.
Opening hours: 5 PM - 10:30 PM
Chau Giang Tea (Electric Pole Tea)
Chau Giang sweet soup, also known as "electric pole sweet soup," needs no introduction as it has become an iconic symbol for Saigon's sweet tooth. Tucked away in the heart of Dong Khanh Shopping Center (District 5), this small sweet soup shop has existed for nearly 80 years, and its flavor is intertwined with the memories of many generations. Here, you'll be captivated by a magnificent sweet soup counter overflowing with dozens of tempting desserts. Familiar with mung bean sweet soup, red bean sweet soup, water chestnut and lotus seed sweet soup, but also unique with stewed papaya, herbal jelly, ginkgo nuts, and many other varieties.
"Lighthouse tea shop," "electric pole tea shop," or now "ghost tea shop" are the colloquial, humorous, yet affectionate names people have given to this tea shop, one of the oldest in Saigon: nearly 80 years old.
The shop's strength lies in its secret family recipe for making sweet soup, ensuring consistently high quality and excellent flavor. However, the shop has limited seating, with only about 3-4 small tables arranged along the sidewalk. Therefore, most customers choose to buy takeout.
Visiting Chau Giang Tea House is not just about enjoying the sweet flavors, but also about experiencing a unique piece of memory, where time has recorded the stories of old Saigon through a delicious, sweet cup of tea.
The menu is diverse and the prices are reasonable.
Address: 476 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5.
Opening hours: 5 PM - 10:30 PM
Ha Ky Tea
Anyone who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for a long time is probably familiar with Ha Ky dessert shop, located on Chau Van Liem Street. This place is not only a favorite spot for many families and middle-aged people, but also attracts young people. Every evening, when passing by this section of the street, you'll see the shop bustling with customers eating in and taking away.
From a small tea stall with a few simple items, Ha Ky tea shop has grown over three decades into a famous establishment in the Cholon area, associated with the memories of many Saigonese with a sweet tooth.
The shop's diverse menu boasts 38 different types of sweet soups with rich flavors. In addition, there are savory dishes such as spring rolls and steamed rice rolls, offering even more choices. For hot sweet soups, you can try mung bean sweet soup, black sesame sweet soup, or glutinous rice ball sweet soup. If you want to cool down with cold sweet soup, try egg yolk sweet soup, ginkgo sweet soup, almond tofu sweet soup, or strawberry sweet soup. Especially, the shop's authentic Chinese-style Gui Fu Ling is very appealing and attracts many customers. Many have shared that when they want to enjoy Gui Fu Ling, they always go to Ha Ky Sweet Soup.
The shop's diverse menu features 38 different types of Vietnamese desserts with a wide variety of flavors.
Address: 138 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 11, District 5
Opening hours: 10 AM - 10 PM
Lam Vinh Mau Tea
Lam Vinh Mau's dessert stall, with over 50 years of history in Saigon, is a testament to the intermingling of human culture and spiritual values in each dish. The Chinese-style dessert cart boasts a classic beauty with intricate carvings, yet retains its unique character. Customers sit at the cart, watching the owner meticulously scoop each dessert into a cup, add water and ice, and then briefly introduce each ordered dish. The flavors of Lam Vinh Mau's desserts are truly impressive, attracting a large crowd of customers every evening.
The tea cart is decorated with strong influences of Chinese culture.
The daily preparation of the sweet soup is meticulous, elaborate, and time-consuming, requiring careful attention to "maintaining the fire" for each pot. The lingering aroma of the wood-fired stove has warmed the sweet soup cart for years. The famous egg white sweet soup of the Chinese community here is appealing with its smooth, creamy egg whites, blended with a refreshing and sweet aftertaste. Both brown and white egg white sweet soups are popular and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Food connoisseurs often say, "If you want to eat delicious sweet soup, ask the person who keeps the fire burning." Uncle Son and Uncle Hung, the two brothers who own this stall, have poured a lot of heart and soul into this traditional sweet soup cart. With its delicious flavors and timeless stories, Lam Vinh Mau sweet soup has become an attractive destination worth trying for Saigon's food lovers.
Coming here is not just about enjoying the tea, but also about listening to the owner, a man of Chinese descent, share stories steeped in history.
Address: 29 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, District 1.
Opening hours: 6:30 PM - 12:00 AM
