Bò Kho Cô Mai Since 1984

Bò Kho Cô Mai is a casual beef stew eatery on Hồ Tùng Mậu, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant specializes in traditional southern Vietnamese bò kho. The storefront stands directly across the street from Bitexco Financial Tower. Founder Cô Mai started the business in 1984 using a multi-generational family recipe. The enterprise grew from a modest street stall into multiple branches across the metropolis.

The kitchen simmers beef brisket, flank, and tendon alongside carrots in a fragrant broth. Whole star anise, cinnamon quills, cloves, and lemongrass flavor the aromatic stew. Cooks tint the broth with annatto seed oil for a distinct reddish hue. Patrons pair the beef stew with warm baguettes, egg noodles, or chewy rice noodles. Side plates supply fresh culantro, Thai basil, and lime-chili dipping salt for seasoning.

The drink menu features house-cooked herbal beverages such as seaweed tea and chia aloe vera. Bowls arrive hot with generous cuts of meat and tender slices of carrot. Diners season each bite using small saucers of ground chili and fresh calamansi juice. Pricing sits comfortably within an accessible casual dining range. Nearby office workers and downtown sightseers make up the core daily clientele.

The multi-story dining space features bright yellow walls reminiscent of heritage Saigon architecture. Colorful painted murals depict the original founder alongside vintage street scenes. Guests sit at wooden tables inside an air-conditioned room across several floors. The venue maintains continuous service from early morning until late evening.