After a month-long renovation, the SoHo neighbourhood mainstay Chôm Chôm returns with a new line-up of vibrant, flavour-forward cocktails, its own bia hoi beer, and a tailored menu of delicious, easy-to-enjoy Vietnamese street food-inspired dishes providing a destination for guests from across the globe.
At the heart of the reinvigorated Chôm Chôm experience is the easy-drinking, unfussy cocktail programme focused on flavoursome tipples with a Vietnamese edge and all priced at no more than HK$88.
Old favourites have been reimagined, including the signature Pho-jito (HK$88), a rum-based drink complemented by herbaceous flavours including lemongrass, Thai basil and mint and finished with a dash of fresh chilli and the Kaffir Lime Margarita (HK$88) bringing a Vietnamese-twist to the classic margarita with the intense flavour of Kaffir limes.
Of course, the best way to kick off an evening at Chôm Chôm is by slinging back the newly added Chôm Chôm Espresso (HK$88), a twist on the beloved espresso Martini, using a rice wine cold brew, coffee liqueur and finished with an aromatic coconut foam.
Complementing the diverse cocktail menu is our own Bia Hoi (HK$88) brew on tap. A tradition in the streets of Vietnam, bia hoi-style beer is fresh beer served on tap enjoyed streetside over a spread of small, palate-awakening bites. At Chôm Chôm, this singular tap features a special, locally made brew exclusive to the stoop that represents a more modern bia hoi experience.
At the helm of the kitchen is Head Chef Logan Hester, who, after a five-year immersive experience living in Vietnam, brings his culinary prowess and vast knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine and culture to the experience. His time in Vietnam reminded him of the kind of pure enjoyment and awe one could experience when cooking with heart and re-energises the Chôm Chôm story.
His approach is full of passion and honesty paired with a playful culinary intelligence that shines through in everything from the core menu dishes to the off-menu specials and the cocktail and drinks programme.
Chef Logan said, “I wanted to introduce light, refreshing and sensible dishes. Everything on the menu pairs perfectly with the unfussy, flavour-packed cocktails and is meant to be enjoyed any time of the evening. Whether it’s a group of friends just starting out for the night or a solo bite at last call, Chôm Chôm is the soul of SoHo, and we want everyone to feel that they are welcome in our home.”
Bursting with flavour, his vibrant Vietnamese street food-inspired bites provide the perfect pairing for the colourful cocktail programme. Whet the appetite with a selection of old standbys pushed forward, from the Chicken & Cabbage Salad (HK$128) using the beloved local three yellow chicken tossed with crispy shallots and a dusting of kaffir lime to the beloved Pho Roll (HK$128), which sees succulent beef tenderloin wrapped in sheets of pho noodle, these flavourful dishes are the ideal snack to enjoy alongside a round of drinks.
Chef Logan introduces dishes inspired by the team’s recent travels to Vietnam, where the perfect small bite to enjoy while drinking is key to the experience. Enjoy new favourites, including a Chef Logan take on Salt & Pepper Soft Shell Crab (HK$138), served alongside Mekong-style pickles, and the Ca Ri Fried Chicken (HK$138), bite-sized morsels bursting with flavour.
A nod to one of the Chef’s favourite restaurants in all of Vietnam, where he has celebrated four birthdays, the Lac Canh Tenderloin (HK$228) sees thinly sliced pieces of tenderloin marinated in a special house sauce and grilled in the Josper atop a banana leaf; a dish that so consistently hits, Chef Logan and the team felt obligated to bring his version to Hong Kong.
The design remains one that channels the lively, anything-can-happen energy of late-night Vietnam, and recognisable touches of the original restaurant design remain threaded throughout the space, albeit brought forward into a new decade for the fast-paced bar and kitchen. The iconic mural of the woman situated as the dining room’s backdrop is now also revived with intricately placed tilework.
The convivial counter seats still bound the edge of the kitchen, inviting guests to witness first-hand the frenetic pace of the bar and kitchen team, while intimate high-top tables have been introduced, lending a more bar-friendly vibe for guests looking to enjoy easy-drinking cocktails and quick bites as they overlook the stoop — a beacon for the SoHo neighbourhood, lit once more.
Chôm Chôm is now open for walk-in from 6 pm daily.
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