Phuc Minh Coffee (Ho Chi Minh)

So, as I mentioned in the previous blog, I went a cafe the first night I arrived in Vietnam but I didn't really pay attention to it. So on the second full day while my friend was at work, I walked back over there. I stayed for about 4 hours or so. I actually ended up going again the next day too. And were I to have stayed longer, I would have gone again, I'm sure.

The cafe itself is not particularly cozy but it is comfortable. It's quite open and bright. The temperature is nice and the music was quite amusing. They played a lot of older pop from the 90s and early 2000s. But every once in a while they'd play something completely random like Hikaru Utada's "First Love". On top of all that, the staff was quite nice and always smiling.

So in visiting there twice and for such extended periods of time, I had ordered quite a bit. Three Vietnamese White Coffees (2 hot and 1 iced), a watermelon juice, a club sandwich, and fries. Everything was quite good, especially the drinks. However, I drank two coffees on the first day and had some problems later. Vietnamese coffee is quite strong and with the added sugar, I had a small case of the jitters. I then crashed a bit later. Hence the juice the next day.

So, this is probably not a cafe that I would go out of my way for. But I definitely definitely appreciated it being so close. If I lived in the area, I would be a regular for sure.

Order: 3 Vietnamese White Coffees, Watermelon Juice, Club Sandwich, and Fries (I forget the prices, but probably average)
Review: I'm so happy it was there for me!

Website: http://www.phucminhcoffee.com/
Location: District 7, HCMC

Sozo (Ho Chi Minh)

So, after visiting Cambodia, I went over to Vietnam to visit an old friend. He had to work during the day and he said in the evening there was nothing much more to do than eat dinner and drink coffee. So every day that I was there, there was a cafe visit. The first night we went to a place near his flat. But I was so excited to see him after two years that I didn't pay attention to it then.

The second night we went to a rather interesting cafe in a different district. According to my friend, someone started this initiative where they take in street kids and train them to work in the cafe so that they can make some sort of living instead of just being street kids. And now when he says "kids", he doesn't mean little ones or anything, they're teens or young adults.

We ended up getting coffee and a cake, even though it was before dinner. I know, what rebels. My friend went with carrot cake and I, after some deliberation, went with passion fruit cheesecake. Vietnam coffee for me. Cappuccino for him.

So, I discovered that I love Vietnam coffee but I'm also glad that it's not really available so often on menus in Japan because I would probably end up with diabetes before my next birthday. It's so sweet and delicious, but also quite strong. Perfect! And the passion fruit cheesecake? Basically it was edible happiness. I had a bite of the cheesecake and it was good but I will say that I made the better choice out of the two desserts.

As for the cafe, it was really cozy and cafe like. There were two floors, and since the second floor was air conditioned, we went with that floor. They had three big comfy looking chairs that were all occupied so we sat at a table. In the corner, they also had a bookshelf full of books that you could buy or exchange for. Basically, everything a cafe should be and have.

So we only went there once, but went I visit Ho Chi Minh again, I will definitely revisit Sozo. After all, they're "restoring hope, changing lives".

Order: Vietnamese White Coffee (50,000VND) and Passion Fruit Cheesecake (60,000VND)
Review: Great place with a great cause

Website: http://web.mac.com/sozoasia/Site/Home.html
Location: 176 Bui Vien, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

Cafe Puka Puka (Siem Reap)

So, I've gone international with this one. On vacation in Cambodia I've seen lots of cafes and it's a shame that I never stopped in any of the ones near my guesthouse. I should have and will when I come back to Cambodia for a revenge match. But anyway, this one qualifies as "good enough".

I had a free day and I was all templed out so I went on a walk to find a cookie shop with souvenirs aimed towards the Japanese. Madam Sachiko Angkor Cookies is a cookie shop that was opened by a Japanese woman. I needed something to bring back to work so I decided to go there. It wasn't a long walk, only about 30 minutes. But it was hot! So when I came out the cookie shop and saw the cafe's menu with fruit shakes on it, I could do nothing but stop inside.

Now, typically I go the coffee route with cafes, right? Well not with the last two, but usually. Anyway, today was another day that I deviated from the coffee path. I ordered a watermelon shake. And let me tell you, I regret nothing! Not only was it cold and refreshing in general, it was also super delicious. It was probably the best decision I made that day.

The cafe itself was also quite nice. I think the shop is somehow connected to the cookie shop, so the staff was similar in brightness. The customer service had a slight Japanese feel to it and to add to that, all the signs were written in both English and Japanese. The place was bright and clean. There was a cute outside seating area underneath some trees with pink flowers.

It was on the way towards the Angkor Wat temples so if you were going there by bicycle or you were getting cookies from Madam Sachiko's, I would definitely suggest stopping into the little oasis. And you should get the watermelon shake. Oh, and if you're lucky, it might come with a glass of cold lotus tea.

Order: Watermelon Shake ($2)
Review: A little oasis after a long hot walk

Website: Cafe Puka Puka
Location: Next door to Angkor Cookies Shop