Finally...some decent Cheesecakes, Mud pies & Elephanccinos!

With the rapid developement in HCMC, I'm begining to see familiar Singapore based names emerging within the F&B scene here. To name a few: Crystal Jade, Thai Express, Sakae Sushi and N.Y.D.C., a successful dessert cafe chain, is probably the latest kid on the block.

Since coming to HCMC 2 years ago, I was terribly disappointed to learn that I may never find decent cheese cakes around until the arrival of N.Y.D.C. (Nevermind if Starbuck never comes!)

Efforts were made to maintian the same look and feel inside the cafe. The menu and food quality (including their cheesecakes), I must say is up to its original standard too.

Yogurt craze in Saigon?

Yogurt shops are seen springing up in some parts of HCMC and eating yogurt is possibly an upcoming craze among the youngsters. At least this yogurt shop (Yogen Fruz) near my apartment has been experiencing booming business since its opening day.

Yogen Fruz was first founded by 2 Canadians in the late 80s with their first outlet in Canada. Currently, they have several franchises around the world.

I have visited this shop twice and I must say I'm pretty impressed by their enthusiast & ability to serve (with reasonable level of spoken English), good customer service and the shop front attracting attention with its modern decor & bright lights. Strategically situated next to a coffee joint that's popular with the young and trendy, this yogurt shop is almost full house on weekends & weekdays.

When it comes to the yogurt itself, the quality is there.

As much as the Southern Vietnamese love sweet food, the Bubble Tea shops and Donut joints here did not take off as wildly as they have in many other Asian countries. With the increasing spending power among the Vietnamese youngsters, yogurt shops like this could really take off well and last a long time.

Yogen Fruz located next to Gloria Jean's Coffee joint

Any time you need a face mask...

Roads in HCMC are always dusty. The ladies on motorbikes here are often seen with face masks more than the men. But just in case it gets really dusty, this may be one good way to improvise a face mask on an adhoc basis?