David Beckham praises Vietnamese cuisine as ‘so good’

On a visit to Macau earlier this month, Beckham dined at Cafe Hanoi, a Vietnamese restaurant that opened its doors in 2022 in the Vila de Taipa area. The establishment not only offers Vietnamese cuisine but also showcases interiors that echo the unique architecture of Hanoi.
Following his visit, the restaurant posted a photo of Beckham on its official Facebook page with the caption: "Thank you so much for choosing us as your dinner venue."
"It was our pleasure to have you and your friends as our guests during your trip to Macau," the post continued. "If there was anything that we haven’t done well, please allow us to improve and do a better job next time. We hope to meet you again next time."

Beckham also shared several pictures of his meal on his social media profiles, lauding the dishes as "so good" and "just what I needed."
The photos reveal that he ordered pho bo (rice noodles with beef) and fried spring rolls, both signature dishes of the restaurant.
During Beckham’s visit to Vietnam in 2014, he tasted various local specialties including fried spring rolls, cha oc (Vietnamese steamed pork paste with conch), cha com (Vietnamese green sticky rice patties), and pho cuon (steamed rice paper rolls) at a venue on Ba Trieu Street in the capital.

Located in a shopping center, Cafe Hanoi features both indoor and outdoor seating decorated with vibrant lanterns that enhance its East Asian ambiance.
Beckham chose not to book a private table for his dinner but instead sat in the restaurant’s common area. He enjoyed interacting with the restaurant’s owner and staff and took photos with them after his meal.

The restaurant’s interior is brightly decorated with simple, authentic Vietnamese details, including lampshades resembling fish-catching baskets.

Decorations in the restaurant also include paintings that feature Vietnamese elements, such as a piece by local artist Heidi Ng depicting the famous train street in Hanoi.

Meal sets at the restaurant, including pho bo and fried spring rolls, are available.

Patrons can choose from rare beef, well-done beef, or beef balls in their pho bo. The fried spring rolls are prepared in a Southern style, featuring a crispy shell that is dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce and served with fresh greens.

In addition to the dishes Beckham praised, the restaurant also serves other popular Vietnamese fare like bun thit nuong (grilled pork with rice vermicelli) accompanied by shrimp, herbs, and crushed peanuts.

The menu also includes nem lui (lemongrass pork skewers), which consists of meat wrapped around lemongrass sticks and grilled, served with vermicelli, fresh vegetables, pickles, and a sweet and sour fish sauce dip.

Egg coffee, a unique beverage from Hanoi, is available at the eatery.

Additionally, the restaurant serves coconut coffee, a distinctive drink indicative of Hanoi’s culinary tradition.

Beckham, 49, ended his professional football career in 2013 following a 20-year stint. He now serves as the president and co-owner of Inter Miami football club in the U.S., and is also a co-owner of Salford City football club in England.