Larry Phong - PAS Architects
Google
As someone who grew up in Vietnam in the 1990s, I’ve known the Trung Nguyên Legend brand for decades. Back then, their cafés were considered upscale — especially popular among older Vietnamese who took their coffee seriously. I remember iconic locations like the one across from Đầm Sen on Hòa Bình Road. I was too young to sit down at one of those cafes then, but the impression of “elevated Vietnamese coffee culture” stuck with me.
Now living in the U.S., I finally had the chance to experience a Trung Nguyên Legend café in person, this time in Westminster. I ordered the signature Legend Coffee and Vietnamese milk coffee — both priced higher than typical fast-serve coffee options, which I expected from this premium brand.
The flavor was bold and unmistakably strong. I brew Vietnamese coffee at home every day using a traditional phin filter with beans imported from small-town producers back in Vietnam, so I’m used to this style. But this blend from Trung Nguyên was noticeably more intense, with a richer bitterness and a thicker mouthfeel — almost nostalgic.
It brought back vivid memories of old rituals: a roadside black coffee, a cigarette in hand, and a quiet morning. I’ve quit smoking for years, but this cup almost made me crave that pairing again. That says something about how powerfully it connects to the cultural roots of Vietnamese coffee habits.
Experience-wise, I’d say the shop leans more modern and fast-casual than what I imagined from the original Trung Nguyên cafés. Maybe it’s the smaller footprint, or the contemporary design — it didn’t quite capture the slower, contemplative vibe I associate with the brand back in Vietnam. There, the shops were large, atmospheric, and set up for people to sit for hours. This one felt more like a stylish coffee stop than a place to linger long.
That said, it was still a meaningful experience — especially for anyone familiar with Trung Nguyên’s legacy. It delivers on quality and cultural flavor, even if the U.S. version feels a bit more streamlined for modern convenience.