Testimonials

Had a really lovely experience at Sam Dining. It has a bistro atmosphere, but the food quality is surprisingly high. You can feel the care and creativity in every dish, from the presentation to the flavours. The **sweet and sour pork** was my personal favourite — so delicious and balanced, definitely a dish I would come back for. I also really enjoyed the drinks, especially how well they paired with the food. What stood out most was the attention to detail throughout the whole experience. From the dishes and drinks to the small touches around the space, everything felt thoughtfully done. A beautiful place with great food, creative drinks, and a team that clearly puts a lot of heart into what they do. Definitely worth visiting.

A nice speak easy bar with good food. No it’s decent food not just good food. Their drink is inspired by chinese medicine so you’ll find cocktail with oolong tea flavor or “thuốc bắc” style Def a place to hang out for cool vibe and new inspiration

SÂM (蔘, "ginseng") is named after Chợ Lớn's old traditional medicine halls, and the food menu is literally organized by the five contegrations - Ngũ Bang (Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka, Hokkien, Hainan). The contemporary cultural dining experience here felt like a intersection where signature flavors from Chợ Lớn were reinterpreted through modern creation. Think of medicine hall’s aroma folded into a cocktail glass. The food are thoughtfully composed, with a creative approach to signature & familiar dishes of Vietnam’s Chinese community in Chợ Lớn. My personal recommendations for food menu are: Char Siu & Lap Cheong Platter, and Sesame Oil Chicken. The seasonings are well-done, reminding me of comfort food belonging to the nostalgic days. The food pairing with cocktail truly elevated the dining journey at Sâm. The fermentation cocktail menu introduce layers of herbal, tea notes, and woody aromas that evolved with every sip. My pick: Inkstone Void. Simply elegant, aesthetic, and subtle.

The owner is very friendly, the food is delicious, the cocktails are good, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant is great, making it a suitable place to dine with family and friends!

Today I'm in Vietnam with friends, working and having fun at the same time! A friend recommended a new restaurant, and it's absolutely amazing! 👏🏻 The food, drinks, and desserts are all so unique! Super delicious! 😍 The owner is so handsome! 😁 The staff at the counter are all Taiwanese, so friendly! 🍀

Super delicious! Every dish was made with care 💗

The young boss is incredibly creative and awesome!

Creative Asian cocktails that are exceptional! Luckily being served by the partner of the bar from Taiwan.

The latest concept from the Nôm Dining team (winner of Opening of the Year and featured in the Michelin Guide Selected 2026) offers plenty of intrigue. From long wooden tables, hanging lights, and a wooden bar to the ambient music, everything evokes bygone days in Chợ Lớn. It took me a moment to remind myself that I was sitting in District 1, not District 5 of old Saigon. Sâm’s bar, based on my admittedly brief experience, does not rely heavily on energetic shaker routines. Stirring is the technique they favor. The drinks I tried possessed subtle, multi-layered flavors with deftly balanced spices, ranging from fermented beverages to cocktails and sake. Chef-founder Chris Fong continues to showcase his signature culinary style through dishes that pair wonderfully with drinks—familiar to Vietnamese palates, yet thoughtfully innovative. From the char siu pork and lạp xưởng (Chinese sausage) to Hokkien chicken and lotus leaf-wrapped sticky rice, every dish was beautifully presented, rich in flavor, and flawlessly executed in texture. While perhaps not the most radically unique dining and drinking experience, it provides a sense of comfort and ease, the kind that naturally brings you back out of lingering fondness.

Very cool bar with a strong Chinatown vibe throughout. The mahjong tables, herbal medicine cabinet, and overall décor create a great thoughtful fusion of Vietnamese and Chinatown elements ,excellent design by the owner. The food and drinks are delicious too, and the service from all the staff is always friendly and professional, which makes the whole night experience even better. Highly recommended!

Stepping into SÂM felt like entering a traditional Chinese medicine shop in the heart of Cholon. The medicine cabinets, calligraphy brushes, the subtle aroma of herbs, and the bar designed like a dispensing area made me believe that each cocktail here was a unique, specially crafted "prescription." I also really liked the concept that the SÂM team pursued. The menu is inspired by the heritage of the Five Clans, the five Chinese communities that contributed to the formation of Cholon. Each dish carries a cultural story, a memory, and a piece of the land. Perhaps that's why an evening here isn't just about eating or drinking. It's like spending a few hours listening to a story told through flavors, herbal aromas, and the atmosphere.

Found a hidden gem for girls' night out. Love the vibe and food. Definitely coming back.

The atmosphere is very cozy and the music is very relaxing, perfect for gathering with friends.

Excellent hidden gem in the centre of the city with great mood lighting & cozy atmosphere. Every detail feels thoughtfully curated, especially the cocktails with flavor profiles are truly unique.

Went to SAM for a birthday party of a friend only 2 days after the opening and we had great night with good food and good music! Will definitely be back!

Came here with friends and honestly really enjoyed the experience. The food was full of flavor, and every dish was well executed. My favorite was definitely the char siu, it was perfectly caramelized, juicy, and incredibly flavorful. The cocktails were great too, which made the whole meal even better. If you’re looking for a place to grab a bite and enjoy a few drinks with friends, definitely check this place out. I’ll definitely be back!

Incredible experience! I love how Sâm Bar tells a story of Vietnamese culture through its exceptional drinks and culinary twists. Everything feels authentic yet elevated. The staff are welcoming and deeply passionate. Will definitely be back! The Staff always 10/10, professional and so friendly Ms. Phuong, Ms. Ngoc so lovely!!! Thanks Sam for brings us nice experiences!!!

The restaurant was a very enjoyable experience, especially suitable for introducing Vietnamese cuisine from North to South to international friends. The staff enthusiastically introduced each dish and provided attentive customer service throughout the meal. What surprised me was that the head chef didn't seem to be Vietnamese, yet the dishes were still prepared meticulously and authentically Vietnamese. Overall, it was a worthwhile experience, and I would very much like to return in the future.

I give this restaurant a perfect 10!

A restaurant that interprets cuisine from all regions of Vietnam, from North to South, with a fine dining vibe. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great, but as a picky eater, there were a few dishes here and there that were hard to eat. I started listening to English from the moment I entered... The bill came out to around 450,000 won without alcohol. Considering the price, it seems just so-so... but if you think of it as a special experience, it seems good! I think it's worth visiting at least once.