If you were wondering what would replace Frenchie in Covent Garden we finally have the answer and it’s great news for fans of Vietnamese food: Cô Thành is coming. Inspired by the international legend that is the Lunch Lady, aka Mrs Nguyễn Thị Thanh (who sadly died in May), Cô Thành already has an outpost in Hong Kong (opened in 2017 by Brian Woo who trained for three years under Nguyễn’s guidance) that is a must-stop spot for destination diners. You may have gleaned what all the fuss is about if you spotted the Lunch Lady’s rise to fame on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations Vietnam episode in 2009.
Covent Garden’s Cô Thành will not only feature signature dishes from the Hong Kong venue but bring us some London-only specials. Brian is keen for a new audience to experience The Lunch Lady’s legacy. This means you can expect:
- Bún Mắm: a vermicelli noodle soup made from fermented fish and shrimp paste broth
- Bún Thái: a Vietnamese take on the sweet, salty, sour and spicy flavours of Thai cooking
- Bún bò Huế: Beef and pork bone broth, roasted shallots, ginger, lemongrass, pineapple, Teochew Grandpa beef ball, pork and mushroom ball, rare beef, beef shank, chắ huế pork sausage, crispy fried shallots, fresh herbs, vermicelli
- Bánh Mì: multiple options of this classic Vietnamese sandwich
There’ll also be Vietnamese desserts (we have our fingers crossed for the Vietnamese dark-roast coffee panna cotta), as well as traditional Vietnamese smoothies, natural wines, cocktails, juices and coffee.
More about Cô Thàn
Where is it? 16 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH
When does it open? September 2025
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @cothanhlondon
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