Vietnamese restaurant Cô Thành brings Ho Chi Minh City street food to Covent Garden this October

Vietnamese restaurant Cô Thành will open its first London location on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden on this Thursday. Originally established in Hong Kong, the restaurant is the creation of Brian Woo, who trained under the late Nguyễn Thị Thanh – widely known as “The Lunch Lady” – in Ho Chi Minh City. Woo’s latest venture introduces London diners to the regional flavours of Southern Vietnam, inspired by the street food traditions he learned during his three-year apprenticeship.

Nguyễn Thị Thanh rose to international prominence after being featured in Anthony Bourdain’s travel series No Reservations in 2009. Her cooking, particularly her rotating daily noodle soups, became a symbol of Vietnam’s vibrant street food culture. Woo opened the first Cô Thành in 2017, with the blessing of his mentor, and now brings that concept to the UK capital.

The London branch will serve a combination of signature dishes from the Hong Kong location and new items exclusive to the UK. Menu highlights include Bún Thái (a noodle soup featuring tamarind, chilli and herbs) and Bún Mắm (a fermented fish and shrimp paste broth with vermicelli noodles), alongside Phở Tái Băm (a beef bone broth with a rare beef patty) and a variety of side dishes such as beer-battered chicken wings and Vietnamese summer rolls.

Coming a little later, there will be traditional bánh mì sandwiches, such as the Bánh Mì Truyền Thống, made with Vietnamese charcuterie, pork belly, pâté and herbs in a baguette. Desserts will reflect Vietnam’s street food heritage, including banana and coconut ice cream and Chè Ba Màu, or “three-colour pudding”, made with red beans, pandan jelly and coconut milk. A Vietnamese-style tiramisu and a milk tea flan with boba are also on offer. The drinks menu features traditional Vietnamese coffee, teas and soft drinks, as well as cocktails like the Calamansi Sour and a Cà Phê Sữa Martini. A curated wine list will highlight European and English producers.

The restaurant’s interior has been designed to evoke the atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City’s street dining scene. Details such as hand-painted signage and service stations made from repurposed bánh mì carts aim to reflect the authenticity of the country’s street culture. Stainless steel tables and plastic stools sit alongside banquettes, combining functionality with a nod to urban dining traditions.

Cô Thành’s London opening coincides with the 25^th anniversary of Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential and the 20^th anniversary of The Les Halles Cookbook, both of which contributed to the global interest in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Food Desk

Cô Thành opens on 23^rd October 2025 at 16 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH. For further information or to book a table, visit the restaurant’s website here.