Delectable Lunch at KOTO

If you are visiting Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam or the Temple of Literature and looking for a comfortable place with remarkable food to dine in after that, KOTO is the place. KOTO restaurant is a stone's throw away from the entrance of the temple.

KOTO stands for Know One Teach One

We had walked all the way from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum as we thought it was near but it was not. It was located towards the end of Van Mieu Street.

KOTO restaurant green theme

As we had heard that they were always packed, so we were there before 12 noon that day. We managed to get ourselves a good table. Although the restaurant looked empty at that time, it was not. Most tables were reserved. Soon after we sat down, a group of European tourists came in with their tourist guide. Soon, the whole place was packed.

Comfortable seats in KOTO

Apple green walls with photo frames of significant events in KOTO

The restaurant is air-conditioned and has comfortable and relaxing ambience. The downside is the tables are too close to one another. Therefore, we find it lack of privacy here. We could easily overhear the conversation from the next table. We believe that they could hear us too. 

To add to the modern look, the place is decorated with beige lanterns

Chinese characters on the floor

We tried the Vietnamese traditional dishes: grilled chicken with lemon grass and chilli and the fish cake cha ca (DIY).

Grilled chicken with lemon grass and chilli

Their grilled chicken with lemon grass and chilli (125,000 dong) (RM 18.25) is strongly recommended. The chicken is perfectly grilled and juicy. The leaves in the set can be eaten although they are a bit hard. This set also comes with fragrant steamed rice and stir-fried leafy mustard. The portion is just nice.

A tall and eatable decor on the chicken

We prefer the grilled chicken here to the one at New Day Restaurant.

Fish cake cha ca

Fish cake cha ca (DIY) (145,000 dong) (RM 21.20) comes in a rattan tray. There are rice vermicelli, fresh local herbs, pineapple, cucumber, peanuts, cha ca (pan-fried fish with turmeric and dill), citrus dipping sauce and rice paper in the tray. The waitress was happy to demonstrate to us on how to wrap the cha ca and the rest of the ingredients with the rice paper.  

Rolling up the rice paper with a dry hand

The plate where we placed the rice paper needed to be dry to avoid tearing it. Put a little of all the ingredients from the tray on the rice paper and prepare to roll it up.

Dip in the citrus dipping sauce before eating

After it is rolled up, just dip it in the citrus dipping sauce and eat.

Coffee with ice-cream

The waiter had recommended this glass of coffee with ice-cream (45,000 dong) (RM 6.60). We love this one. If you love ice-cream, then you must try this!

Black coffee

Black coffee (29,000 dong) (RM 4.25) as it is called comes in this tall glass and a small container of milk. Without the milk, it is certainly very bitter.

Looks better after adding in the milk

After mixing with the milk, the black coffee tastes better and it has a rich chocolaty colour. 

Pineapple juice

Pineapple juice in KOTO tastes fresh and not diluted. It is 45,000 dong (RM 6.60) per glass.

If you are interested in their souvenirs such as recipe book, apron, stationery and so on, you are welcomed to get them from their counter. This place is all for a good cause (read more about KOTO below).

In a nutshell, KOTO restaurant offers a cosy and comfortable ambience to dine in. The staff speak quite good English and the menu is in English too. We would have come here again if it were located in the Old Quarter.

Some tips:

1. Make reservation to avoid disappointment or go early before peak hours.
2. Be careful when crossing the road in front of KOTO. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from KOTO's doorman / security guard if you are like us, puzzled by the volume of non-stop traffic at Van Mieu Street.
3. Unfortunately, there is no toilet on the ground floor. The washroom is on the first floor and very clean. 

Details of KOTO:
KOTO stands for Know One Teach One. It began with a training centre started by Jimmy Pham,  a Vietnamese-Australian and the centre is dedicated to provide free vocational training to the disadvantaged youths in Vietnam in order for them to lead a better life. Many of the graduates work in KOTO restaurants and businesses. For more details:  https://www.koto.com.au/

Address of KOTO restaurant:
59, Pho Van Mieu, Hanoi.