Strolling through the bustling Old Quarter, visitors can encounter a coffee shop with a unique name in a small corner on Hang Phen street. Not only a place to stop and admire the streets, this address is a familiar dating spot for many coffee and art lovers.
The rustic name associated with the Old Quarter
Not choosing a name that is too elaborate or fancy like many other cafes, Mr. Tran Viet Anh (52 years old) - the owner of the cafe, chose a very ordinary name - "Phen" coffee. Simply because the cafe is located on Hang Phen street. Partly also to make it easier for foreign customers to call the cafe "Phen".
Visitors can easily feel a special space when setting foot here. The restaurant has only 2 floors, although small, each corner, each wall is covered with the breath of art.
Paintings, ceramics and decorations are neatly arranged, creating an abstract whole, imbued with personal imprints. In the bustling Old Quarter, the restaurant evokes nostalgia for old Hanoi, and at the same time makes guests feel like they are enjoying a colorful and inspiring "visual feast".
According to the restaurant owner, most of the decoration in the restaurant originates from spontaneity and personal passion, not following any fixed patterns. Every time he has new inspiration, he personally adjusts and rearranges the space to suit his emotions and aesthetic taste.
Most of the paintings, statues and flower pots in the cafe are directly composed by his aunt - artist Lan Huong. Therefore, the coffee shop is also a place to preserve and spread the family's love for art.
That is why every corner of the restaurant brings an impression like a small exhibition. For every visitor who sets foot in, they can feel the warm, familiar breath, as well as a bit of nostalgic flavor of Hanoi culture in each small corner.
Selling coffee for passion
Opening a coffee shop for him completely came from passion, not focusing too much on business or profit. This place is originally a family store, so opening a shop is also a way for him to pursue his hobby, turning this place into a creative and sharing space.
For him, the coffee shop is not just a place to sell drinks or space, but a place for him to send his artistic soul to those who love beauty, who can meet, chat, and feel peaceful in the bustling streets.
I don't advertise aggressively, but I want customers to come completely naturally, just enough so that the restaurant can serve well while still maintaining a friendly atmosphere, not chaotic," he said.
Initially, when opening the restaurant, he did not orient a specific customer base. The unique space of the restaurant has attracted many passersby, and the attractive coffee taste makes them come back many times.
Currently, the cafe uses two main types of coffee, Robusta and Arabica. Robusta will be used for blending filters and Arabica for blending machines, meeting both traditional Vietnamese coffee and Italian-style blended coffee styles.
Many foreign customers when trying it all expressed their impression, he shared that some people say they go everywhere but choose to come back here to find this true flavor.
Arianna Wagner, a tourist who accidentally visited this address, praised: "The coffee here is really delicious, I really like the cafe atmosphere - very quiet and perfect for comfortable conversation. In addition, the dog here is too cute! People who regularly visit the cafe are also very friendly and warm. I really like to stop by and have coffee.
Amidst the bustling pace of life in Hanoi's Old Quarter, this coffee shop still quietly exists as a slow stop, where visitors find peace and a very unique slice of ancient urban life.
