Ly Thanh Co, a famous travel blogger, is known for his journey to explore 39 countries and territories around the world when he was only 28 years old. He is also the author of 3 books: "Youth in your wallet, what can you buy?", "The world is big, don't go alone" and "Honeymoon with yourself". Recently, the male travel blogger has just opened "To Mo" coffee shop in Saigon.
Among the countless modern coffee shops located on major roads or in bustling commercial centers, there are still modest shops nestled in old apartment buildings. With To Mo - a coffee shop located in Ton That Thiep apartment building, it still creates its own mark with its special location and interesting menu.
For those who are familiar with Saigon, the Ton That Thiep apartment building located at 42 on the street of the same name is not strange. The old and ancient apartment building nestled among modern skyscrapers creates a very special contrast, making this place a highlight in the heart of Saigon. Here, people can see the intersection between the new and the old, between the modern and the ancient of a Saigon that is constantly moving. Although it only has one ground floor and two upper floors, the old apartment building, which is more than 100 years old, is home to more than 20 fashion brands and cafes.
To Mo cafe is located on the 1st floor, inside of Ton That Thiep apartment building (inside stairs).
Because he fell in love with this place, travel blogger Ly Thanh Co built To Mo Cafe on the first floor, inside the stairs of the Ton That Thiep apartment building. The apartment building has two sides, so people call it "outside stairs" and "inside stairs" to distinguish easily. Finding To Mo Cafe is not difficult. You go to the main gate at 42 Ton That Thiep, skip the outside stairs, go straight through the parking space. From here, you go up to the first floor, inside stairs, the shop is on the left hand side.
There is a small path next to the first floor stairs leading to the cafe that is very curious.
Stepping up, the light filled the space, the birds chirped loudly in the green space, completely different from the hustle and bustle just a few steps away. Just stepping into the apartment, you could feel the different atmosphere compared to the outside. The image of the old men and women quietly pondering among the cheerful dynamism of the young people coming here to shop or drink coffee created an interesting intersection. "To Mo cafe wants to be a part of that," the male travel blogger confided.
Curious Cafe Space.
The space of the shop is quite cozy with a ground floor and a mezzanine. Although the area is quite modest, there are many different seating options for visitors. You can sit and chat with friends in the main space of the shop, or at the open bar to observe the brewing process of the barista. You can also nestle neatly on the wooden shelf in front of the shop, looking out the glass door to look down the nostalgic apartment stairs. Or sit on the quiet mezzanine and look out over the entire space.
The cafe has a special seating area. From here, you can look down the stairs or look out to see the green space at the back of the apartment building.
In addition to the curious location and decoration of the shop, the menu here is an interesting highlight. Ly Thanh Co shared: "We are passionate about the flavors of Saigon, so the drinks here are fused with coffee and matcha, creating very unique drink colors." For example, he gave "Cho Lon matcha" which combines Japanese matcha with delicious black sesame and a layer of creamy cream on top to create a unique flavor. The name comes from a famous childhood dish in Cho Lon - black sesame sweet soup.
The name "Cho Lon matcha" comes from the ingredient found in black sesame sweet soup - a childhood dish of Saigon people.
More unusually, To Mo cafe will offer a hidden menu with drinks specially mixed for customers. The shop will go to the market every day, using fresh ingredients of the day to surprise customers. In addition to the 8 existing signature dishes, the hidden menu with mysterious drinks will definitely satisfy your curiosity. As a service style, To Mo cafe's hidden menu can be compared to Japan's famous "omakase" in the coffee industry.
Curious about cool things at the intersection of ancient and modern, old and new.
"In fact, the name To Mo cafe represents the personality of a person who loves Saigon and wants to become a part of Saigon," he shared. When passing by brightly lit buildings, amidst bustling streets, people suddenly get lost in a peaceful place in the middle of crowded Saigon. Find yourself a "shelter" and then freely "To Mo" about both the space and menu of a coffee shop in the old Ton That Thiep apartment building.
