Coffee in Thu Dau Mot

I don't drink coffee, so I can't say much about it.  Still, it's popular enough to mention--this list is based on the coffee-drinking habits of my friends and colleagues.

This list does not include relaxing garden cafes, as those are interesting enough to get a separate post.

L3 Coffee

My boss recommends L3 for both the coffee and the atmosphere.

Apparently it's a good work/study space.

Milano

The official coffee of ILA Binh Duong.

They focus on coffee.

Mosquito

They decided "Mos" wasn't a trendy name, so now they are "Mosquito."

They also have excellent baked goods, seafood pizza, and sherbet.

Delicious.

Passio

Passio has good sandwiches and grilled paninis.

There aren't many other places selling sandwiches at lunchtime.

Their cookies are overpriced, though.

The Nanny

The Nanny has awesome cakes, flans, sherbet, and matcha.

I eat here even though I don't drink coffee.

(My colleagues do go for the coffee.)

The pumpkin flan is awesome, especially with adzuki beans.

Location Map

Google actually has the right locations for these.  How odd.

Milano, Mosquito, and Passio are all pretty close together.

Street Food: (nameless) sticky rice cart

Many street vendors sell xôi, or "sticky rice."  It can be sweet, savory, fancy, simple... The varieties are endless.  This particular vendor, located across from Citimart on Waffle Street, has a good selection of both rices and toppings.  Her presentation is more professional than most, and her products are above average.

I became interested in this vendor when I noticed she was selling out around 7 AM (despite having a well-stocked cart).  That's quite early, even for Vietnam.

If you're looking for authentic Vietnamese culinary experiences, this business is a nice example.  Just make sure you get here early!

I had to arrive at 6:15 AM to catch her with this much on hand.

She wraps the rice in a cute little leaf.  Classy.

Mr Cuu does not exist, but Ms Sticky Rice is near the map pin.

Thai Food: Vị Thái

Vi Thai is a Thai restaurant with great food and reasonable prices, AND it is open for lunch.  One of my colleagues found it recently, and we have all been eating here quite often ever since.  Local office workers frequent it as well.

They mostly serve noodle dishes and rice dishes, but they recently added a couple of soups and curries.  You can order most dishes with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu. They also have drinks and desserts, including some very good tra da (Vietnamese iced tea).

They will sometimes deliver if you place a huge order.

Current phone number as of July 20, 2017:

091 888 4089

Pad Thai and Papaya Salad (a personal favorite)

Thai Sukiyaki, a yummy tomato-based dish, in two forms: Soup and stir-fry.

It is on the north side of the road, close to the displayed map pin.

Street Food: Bánh Mì Kebab Táo Đỏ

This sandwich stand serves pork meat from a kebab.  It has the traditional round baguettes available, but there is also the option for grilled flatbread.  The available vegetables include cabbage and lettuce, making the sandwiches taste a bit more "western" than some.

The sandwiches are pretty good here, and the business is popular with both locals and expats.

Banh Mi Kebab Tao Do is closed between 10 AM and about 3:30 PM, which is a normal schedule for sandwich stands in Thu Dau Mot.

A yummy sandwich.

The business is on the southeast corner of the street, near the market area.

Street Food: (nameless) fruit cup cart

This is the fruit lady.  There are many like her, but this one is ours.

It is easy to find carts selling fresh fruit in Vietnam.  This cart is directly across from Mos coffee.  My colleagues and I frequent her because she is friendly, her fruit is fresh, and her cart is clean.  (The man who is two storefronts east of her is grumpy, has older fruit, and lets his cigarette ashes get on the fruit while he prepares it.)

She is open for most of the day, although she may run low on some fruits later on.

Papaya, my personal favorite.

She is across the street from Mos.

Street Food: Bánh Kếp Miền Tây

This street food lady sells waffles for 6,000 VND each.

They are waffles.

I am told this is an authentic example of a traditional crepe batter, or something. I'm pretty sure they're just waffles. But they're yummy.

"Bánh Kếp Miền Tây" means "Pancakes, Western Style."

I feel the urge to start naming some of these nameless businesses.

They are waffles.

She is immediately south of MQ Coffee, on the same side of the street.

Street Food: MQ Coffee "Eggos"

MQ Coffee is a chain of coffee houses.  Many of them have recently started making Hong Kong-style "egg waffles."  They're just regular waffles with little bulbs full of chocolate, matcha, cheese, or whatever.  They taste good, and they are also fun to eat or share because you can easily break them up into bite-sized chunks.

MQ itself uses about 80% correct English, which is usually a sign of a legitimate business.

This is one of the businesses that lead me to designating this street: "Waffle Street."

Vy and I share a snack.

Google knows MQ Coffee.