Welcome to this interesting bar that was located in District One of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)! Now, when it comes to alcoholic drinks, my favorite would be the cocktail range and Madam Kew is labeled a cocktail bar that has a good selection ranging from fizzy, boozy, savory, umami to sweet and sour!
Interior design was one of antiquated opulence, and felt like a modern twist to the old Shanghai vibe. The items that caught our attention upon entering should have been this rotary phone and the two sets of abacuses, but I was drawn to the surrounding reddish-orange light setting.
More photographs for better visualization, even though Madam Kew commanded a high review score of 4.5, I am guessing we were too early for the crowd since it was just about 7.30 pm.
Loving the flowery pattern on the chairs that was so 60s-70s.
Long, narrow balcony area that had no air-conditioning; there was a mirror at each end and it almost scared me to death! Didn't help that the entire space was flushed out in red, given the red ceiling lanterns. Bet the staff would have some stories to tell.
Opposite would be the residential block that I blogged about last month; it's quite similar to some of the HDB dwellings we have in Singapore yet so different too. Click here to read more!
Time to return back for our cocktails!
First up would be Reborn Pina with its foamy top. Description was jackfruit sailor jerry spiced rum, pineapple cordial, kumquat shrub and coco chocolate foam. Taste: sweet like pineapple juice yet pretty weak alcohol kick. Still nice though.
Rest of our cocktails that included Madam Citrus (smeared with fine salt on the glass top, this was citrusy as described with a flavor like yomeishu), Smooth Criminal (earthy, woody flavor that the Great Kon attributed to the coffee), Monkey Has a Gun and Tropical Pina (mocktail)!
Personal favorite would be the one with what appeared to be a floating mushroom and a violent name; Monkey Has A Gun! Literally monkey shoulder with camperi and glogg spiced wine; it had a strange yet palatable coconut juice taste enveloped by a smokiness that came from a lightly torched mushroom.
Thinking the mushroom was raw, I took a light bite and surprise, surprise; it wasn't a mushroom after all! It has the crunch and sweetness of raw Chinese chestnut but it didn't taste fibrous and pulpy.
Curiosity got to us and we asked the waiter what it was. He had the most utterly disbelief expression when he answered; it's coconut, to be more accurate, coconut sprout that was aged for seven days! The kind gentleman sensed our bewilderment and gifted us a whole plate of coconut sprouts!
I had to take a video to send to my mom!
Sorry, conversation was in Mandarin!
Extremely large piece of ice! I am an ice muncher and even with the size of my big mouth, I can't squeeze it in! Nevertheless, it was a satisfying and educational session at Madam Kew and I can't wait to be back in the near future! p.s. cocktails cost, on average, about S$15.
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Address
37Bis Đ. Ký Con, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình,
Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Map
As above.
Pricing
Reborn Pina - 240,000 Dong
Madam Citrus - 260,000 Dong
Smooth Criminal - 280,000 Dong
Monkey Has a Gun - 310,000 Dong
Tropical Pina - 200,000 Dong
(subject to service charge and taxes)
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