The story
Cục Gạch Quán, meaning "Brick Tile Restaurant," is a tribute to the owner's grandmother and her humble countryside stall. Located in a restored French colonial house on a quiet street in District 1, the restaurant recreates the warmth and simplicity of a Vietnamese family meal. The space itself tells a story: recycled wood, repurposed materials, and a pond with Tram trees set in construction pipes create an oasis that feels far from the city. The owner, an architect, designed the interior to preserve a piece of old Saigon, even keeping the original wooden pillars and using second-hand timber to honor the past.
The guiding motto at Cục Gạch Quán is "eat green, live healthy." The menu is built around vegetables, with no sodium glutamate or chemical preservatives. Guests choose their greens, flowers, and herbs from an extensive list—morning glory, bitter leaf, pumpkin flowers, water-lily, and more—and have them cooked to their liking: sautéed, boiled, in soup, or as part of a hotpot. The kitchen makes its own tofu, pickles, and soy sauce, all without additives. Rice comes from farmers who don't use fertilizers, and drinks include homemade infusions of black beans and rice, just as the owner's grandmother used to prepare.
Beyond vegetables, the menu offers grilled meats with natural marinades, home-style soups, and dishes like soya bean porridge cooked with palm sugar. Desserts are simple and honest: banana ice cream, black bean ice cream, and homemade vegetal jelly. The restaurant's commitment to authenticity earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, recognizing good quality, good value cooking. At Cục Gạch Quán, every detail—from chopsticks stored in a recycled can to the family-style service—invites guests to slow down and taste the past.
Recognition
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