The Loc Tai House at 76 Hang Dieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, captures the attention of patrons with its nostalgic atmosphere, adorned with decor from the past.
Che is a traditional cool Vietnamese dessert that comes in a variety of flavors including jellies, coconut cream, fruit, nuts, and beans.
The five-story building offers a spacious and airy setting. The first and second floors cater to customers, while the remaining floors are the owner's living spaces. The ground floor includes a service counter and seating, while the second floor features a roomy air-conditioned space suitable for bigger groups, while other areas use only fans, which might result in a bit of warmth on hot days.
Owner Nguyen Thanh Thuy, 43, said that the shop's journey started in 2000, just after her wedding.
"Back when I was a newlywed, I didn't have a stable profession. There was available space in the house, and I yearned for a job that would allow me to interact with numerous people daily, so I decided to open this shop," she said.
Before starting the business, she traveled for about six months to places like Hue, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat to learn the trade, as there were not many types of che available in northern Vietnam at the time.
Initially, she acquired recipes without receiving any shared experiences, leading to challenges for her business. Over the years, learning from mistakes and customer feedback, she gradually developed the present-day menu.
A bowl of pineapple sweet soup served at Loc Tai.
"Modern society demands a different dining experience than in the past. Today, it's not just about satiating hunger; it's about savoring exceptional flavors within an aesthetically pleasing environment, accompanied by good service," Thuy said.
Customers visiting the shop will find nostalgic vibes, such as white enamel bowls painted in blue patterned designs, antique trays curated by the owner, and three-legged porcelain bowls used to contain che.
The second floor is crafted with vintage brick walls, dark brown wooden shelves, and bamboo and rattan furniture, mimicking the living spaces of past Hanoi inhabitants.
"My husband really loves antiques. About five years ago, he suggested changing the eatery's look to capture the old Hanoi style. I saw the charm this would bring, making us stand out from other places. So, I agreed with the idea," she said.
Many people thought this was a restaurant at first. Ever since the changes, curious visitors, spanning locals of all ages to tourists from abroad, have been coming to the place. According to Thuy, there's been a notable increase in customers, with daily sales reaching 200 to 300 bowls.
Numerous items with decades of history, worth from tens to hundreds of millions of dong (VND10 million = US$420), are on display here. The owner has carefully collected these items over the years to display in the shop.
Nguyen Van Huy from Cau Giay District and his girlfriend came to the place after reading about it on social media.
"The atmosphere is truly distinctive, evoking nostalgia. This kind of design is rarely seen among Hanoi's che shops," Huy said.
"As someone who's fascinated by antiques and Vietnamese history, discovering a shop that matches my interests brings me a lot of excitement. I chose corn and young green rice che. The vivid green and yellow colors blend beautifully with the coconut milk, enhancing the sweetness. The food isn't just tasty but also visually pleasing," Hoang Kieu Anh, a student, said.
The second-floor balcony, made with see-through glass, offers a spot for customers to enjoy their desserts while watching the busy street and people passing by.
The menu at the eatery includes standout dishes like longan and lotus seeds che (top), black sugar tapioca pearl with tofu, and jasmine jelly with black beans (left).
When the weather gets colder, patrons can savor grilled banana che with thick coconut milk and roasted peanuts on top (bottom), hot cassava, or rice cakes.
Besides che, the shop also provides various snacks like fresh spring rolls, shrimp and pork dumplings, and vermicelli with spring rolls. Prices range from VND25,000 to VND35,000 ($1.05 to $1.50) per che dish, and snacks are priced between VND10,000 to VND70,000.
