My favorite restaurant in HCMC. I stayed at an Airbnb near the zoo for 5 nights and I came across this place on my first night exploring the area. The building is a cool old French building on the outside, though the inside is less impressive and just kind of plain. White and clean. But the food!!!!! I ended up eating here 4 times out of the 5 days I stayed at the Airbnb haha. I meant to check out this cute little vegan restaurant in the area (and I still hope to), but I didn't simply because I ate here too much. On my own, i tried perhaps about 6 different dishes - every single one was absolutely fantastic. The best food I've had in Saigon. I came here with a friend and we split the dinner platter for about 150VND each, including drinks, and it was the best decision we could have made. Stir-fry chicken and snail-mixed-with-pork, and fresh spring rolls and mango salad and pork skewers and some sort of delicious fried rice - every part of that platter was amazing. I can also highly recommend the eggplant-pomegranate appetizer; I never thought I'd say this about a vegan dish - and especially one where eggplant is the main ingredient - but this was one of the most delicious things I've had in Saigon. Seriously, I never would have thought something like this could have so much flavor. I can also wholeheartedly recommend the chocolate cake or mousse or whatever with mango for dessert; it had just a subtle hint of spice, and it was the perfect end to our meal. Finally, I'll note the service was great! There was a huge party that arrived next to us - a tour group or something- but our food arrived quickly and the servers all spoke great English. I was always happy with my time spent at KOTO. Finally-finally: this restaurant is actually part of a business-model that trains disadvantaged youth as chefs. How cool is that?? Yet I'm only putting this as a footnote here, because the food is so delicious it entirely stands on its own; that the restaurant is part of a larger-picture project making the world a better place is wonderful, and a reason to consider donating to the cause or sponsoring a student. But even if you didn't care about that aspect of what KOTO is doing, I'm telling you, this is the best restaurant in Saigon. Do yourself a favor, come here, and try a few dishes!

If you are a foreigner, you will love it here. The food is great and staff speaks english. You can experience some vietnam food with western standards, much better than any local around the corner, no aircon place in HMC. Some people will say it's taste is to cater to foreigners, which is what western standards should be, but if you walk around HMC long enough, you will soon understand that the local restaurants are not that good in both price or taste. Asian people will disregard this as not truly authentic... but to me personally, some of the authentic food I ate was not very good. For foreigners, it's best to stick to restaurants such as these.

What I liked most about this place was the service. Everyone of the staff was all smiles and really kind. We had the big sampler for two and a couple of teas for 538k. Food was good, but nothing extraordinary. Overall good experience.

We had the farewell dinner here on the last night of our Intrepid tour. KOTO is a learning restaurant, run by trainees who are employed and trained by the charity for work in the hospitality industry. The food is good and while it tends to be a bit skewed for the Western palate it's still a good meal. We had a set course of appetizers, salads, mains and desert. The staff was attentive and friendly. The desert was actually the best I had during my Vietnam tour since Vietnamese are not big on deserts and you usually only get fruits as desert. I think the idea behind KOTO is great so enjoy your meal, you're helping even though all you do is to eat a good dinner :-) Recommended, I would eat here again.

Charming French colonial era building now hosting a Vietnamese training restaurant. The service can be quirky for Europeans but the food is delicious and well worth a visit. The lunch menu is very good value. There's a vegetarian selection on the reverse of the lunch menu.

We went to the other KOTO restaurant in Hanoi during this holiday and it was excellent so when we heard there was another where we were staying next , we had to go. It's different and we went in the evening this time. However food was excellent and service very good. There are three floors so make sure you book if it's near the weekend as it was packed . We had set menu for five but I didn't think there was enough for me. Next time I will chose from the main course menu . Highly recommended though.

Very tasty and generous portions. We tried a fried duck with a coconut cream and a creme caramel with a coconut ice cream. Both very delicious. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the environment is minimalistic and clean. They also offer 'experiment menues' which we plan to try very soon.

Good food in a setting with an excellent purpose

Had a really good meal here with large group of friends who all enjoyed there choices too. By eating here your also supporting a social restaurant that trains disadvantaged kids to work in the food industry. Staff were friendly and eager to engage with the guests. Would definitely recommend

Just wanted to try this place given its purpose. Tried two different prefix courses. Some items were really good, but it wasn't consistent throughout.

If it's just for the food, I'd give 4 stars but since apart from gastronomy it helps disadvantaged and at-risk Vietnamese kids so I will give it 5 stars. We had the degustation menu and it was pretty good The only thing I didn't like was the frog but that's a personal thing. Dessert is not included unfortunately. We ordered the creme brulee and it was delicious.

Came here for the tour group final meal. Had the whole floor to ourselves. Staff were friendly and the food was great. Took a while to come and could gave been hotter but it tasted great.

A great way to help support people into learning and becoming apart of the hospitality industry! The food and service was what you would expect from a top 4* restaurant in UK. The staff were very polite and welcoming and I got talking to one of the chefs who's been working with KOTO for 10 years.... his passion shone through which is a testament to KOTO!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Super place with imaginative and original food.

Great idea, and I was looking forward to being a guest. But the entire building was being demolished

This restaurant appears to be permanently closed. It’s a shame, as we loved the Hanoi location. The listing should be updated.