In the past, Saigon was very simple and beautiful through the images of the dear toad shop, beautiful through the very old coffee shop. Speaking of the long-standing coffee here, it’s definitely a “racket” coffee. Only by drinking this type of coffee, one can feel the full taste of coffee and its characteristic aroma intact that neither filter nor machine can have.
What is “racket” coffee? The origin of “racket” coffee
“Racket” coffee (coffee stock, sock coffee, …) is named after the equipment used to make it. This is the type of coffee that is made by putting coffee powder in a cloth bag like a sock, then dipping it in boiling water, waiting for the coffee to run out, then pouring it into a cup for the customer.
“Racket” coffee has a very specific taste, both fragrant and pure coffee, with a sweet, smooth and slightly fatty aftertaste. Therefore, even though time is still flowing, racquet coffee continues to exist, standing nestled in the heart of bustling Saigon.
As for the origin of the coffee “racket”, they have followed the Chinese around the world. In Southeast Asia in particular, especially Malaysian Chinese who work as porters, live in the current Singapore port basin.
Since 1950, “racket” coffee began to appear in Vietnam and quickly became a heritage, a typical cultural feature of Saigon people until today.
The oldest “racket” cafes in Saigon
Cheo Leo Cafe
Address: 109 – 36 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Ward 2, District 3, HCMC
Price: About 8,000 – 15,000 VND
Opening hours: 05h15 – 12h00 | 13h00 – 18h45
Cheo Leo Cafe was formed in 1938 and has existed for more than 80 years now. Therefore, this place is considered the oldest “racket” cafe in Saigon. This is also one of the most attractive “racket” cafes because it is located in the heart of the city, making it more convenient to travel.
It is known that Cheo Leo Cafe is a household shop and has been “passed down from father to son” from grandparents to present. The shop floor is not too wide, only for 4-5 sets of tables and chairs in front of the yard. However, that does not mean that the shop lacks customers, especially young people and elderly people.
For more than 80 years, the coffee flavor and unique brewing in the earthen pot and “racket” have remained the same for all family members. Therefore, the taste of “racket” coffee here has its own unique and attractive features of old-fashioned “racket” coffee, so it is loved by many guests.
Racket Cafe (Phan Dinh Phung “Racket” Coffee)
Address: 330 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 1, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC
Price: About 12,000 – 20,000 VND
Opening hours: All day (24/24)
Racket Cafe is one of the oldest “racket” cafes in Saigon that attracts a lot of guests by its pure Vietnamese coffee. At first, in the mid-1950s, the shop was just a small coffee cart sold on the street. It wasn’t until after 1975 that Racquet Cafe moved to an alley near the Phu Nhuan intersection and has been sold until now.
During the past 70 years, the special feature of Racket Cafe is that it only closes one session due to family work, the rest is no day off and continuous sales 24/24. Therefore, many people call this cafe “immortal”.
The shop has rather small premises and a simple layout, keeping the old and modern image of Saigon. The attraction lies not only in age but also in the family’s esoteric way of making coffee. Therefore, the unique and delicious taste has never been changed, so it has retained many old customers and attracted many new customers.
Uncle Thanh’s “racket” coffee
Address: 480 Tan Phuoc, Ward 6, District 11, HCMC
Price: About 4,000 – 6,000 VND
Opening hours: 05h00 – 17h00
This is a long-standing “racket” cafe that helps you experience the old life of the Chinese in Saigon that cannot be missed. Not noisy, busy, guests come here just to enjoy coffee. With more than half a century of operation with the simple and old Chinese architectural space, many people have become regular customers.
The “old” way of preparing the restaurant is using a wood stove and super terracotta – a super specialized type for cooking Northern medicine. Mr. Thanh said that only by keeping hot with super soil, the taste of “racket” coffee is better than metal filter coffee. Therefore, when taking each sip, you will clearly feel the aroma and rich taste that melts from the tip of the tongue to the throat.
The shop’s customers are mainly middle-aged and elderly people. They enjoy it like a habit, like satisfying a craving for coffee “rackets”. Especially when this type of concoction does not seem to be popular in the magnificent Saigon.
Ba Lù “racket” coffee
Address: 193 Phung Hung, Ward 14, District 5, HCMC
Price: About 15,000 VND
Opening hours: 02h00 – 17h00
Ba Lù coffee must not be too strange to Saigon people, especially people living around Chợ Lớn. The shop has been around for more than 60 years and comes here to keep the old style of roasting with wood, adding butter, salt and wine to bring up the characteristic aroma.
A special feature of the shop is that all the coffee making stages are done by hand. From grinding coffee, distilling, chopping firewood in a kettle, to roasting coffee with a pan, brewing coffee with a crock pot. Therefore, the fragrance emitted is extremely attractive. The taste of Chinese coffee should be quite light, fragrant and slightly greasy, easy to make people enjoy.
Hopefully, through the above sharing, you will know the oldest “racket” coffee shops in Saigon. They are considered as a stop to find the old coffee taste, enjoy the sincerity and return to the nostalgic space in the crowded and hurried Saigon.
