Southern Vietnam is coming to central London this September
Nguyễn Thị Thanh, a street-side food vendor in Ho Chi Minh City, became something of a local legend for her noodle soups, but became even more famous after catching the attention of Anthony Bourdain and featuring on his No Reservations show in 2009. Brian Woo went to train under her and learn the traditions of Vietnamese food in 2013, and he went on to continue her legacy by opening Cô Thành in Hong Kong in 2017.
Now he’s bringing Cô Thành to London, taking over the former Frenchie site on Henrietta Street. The menu will showcase the vibrant, herb-filled dishes of southern Vietnam, including both signature dishes from Hong Kong and exclusive specials for London – we’re being told to expect Bún Thái, Bún Mắm, Bún bò Huế, Bánh Mì, and a range of refreshing Vietnamese desserts, alongside, natural wines, cocktails, Vietnamese smoothies and Vietnamese coffee.
Speaking about the opening, Brian Woo said: “London has always been a city I’ve admired for its creativity and diversity when it comes to food, so it’s a real honour to be joining that community. Everything I learned from Nguyễn Thị Thanh – the care she took with each dish, the pride in her ingredients, the way she connected with people through food – has stayed with me, and Cô Thành is my way of continuing her legacy. I’m excited to share her recipes and the bold, vibrant flavours of Vietnam with a new audience, and hopefully create the same sense of warmth and connection she inspired in me.”
Key Information
Opening date | September 2025
Address | 16 Henrietta Street, London, WC2E 8QH
For more information | cothanhrestaurant.com
