The feel
In the heart of Saigon’s District 1, a few steps away from the famous Ben Thanh market, next to the hip clothing shops, and snuggled between touristy hotels on Lý Tự Trọng Street, you will find East West Brewing Sai Gon. This is the flagship, the crown jewel of the franchise, and it feels unexpectedly familiar to me. It doesn’t feel familiar because I’ve been there before, but it feels familiar because it reminds me of the top brewery restaurants in California, which I used to go to for business lunches, happy hours after work, and to watch sporting events.
The open floor plan and the vaulted ceilings are extremely uncommon in congested downtown Ho Chi Minh City, where space is at a premium. These features are unique to East West, and I love how clean, open, and uncomplicated the place feels. The atmosphere is palatial, cool, and airy, and makes coming here utterly comfortable and relaxing. Every time I come here to unwind, it is a well-deserved break. I mingle with the business people, tourists, and locals, searching for relief from Saigon’s tightly packed streets, chaotic traffic, and sweltering heat. Just sit down, toss your laptop or shopping bags to the side, and grab a cold craft beer fresh from the tap!
The beer
Ahh, the beer, the real reason you came. East West Brewing Sai Gon has a craft beer for everyone. From light to strong, fruity to hoppy, IPA to Rosé, no one walks away dissatisfied. The core line-up is strong, ranging from the Independence Stout (12% ABV) to the Golden Berries Blast (4.1% ABV). There is even a Sake Beer and a delicious, eye-opening Coffee Vanilla Porter, made with real Vietnamese coffee. If you’re like me and like something special, at a special price, ask for the Beer of the Month and knock ‘em back like Hemingway or Hunter S. Thompson.
The seasonal beers are a treat for the real craft beer connoisseur, these monthly selections are not available anywhere else in the world, one-of-a-kind, and crafted by the in-house master brewer. These seasonal beers are brewed with in-season Vietnamese fruit and regional spices, and are only available at East West Brewing Sai Gon.
When you’re ready to eat, and you want a beer to go nicely with your meal, printed right on the menu are the beer pairings, with all the entrees and appetizers. Made for someone like me, because I don’t like to think too much, I just point at the pictures on the menu, and the perfect beer is right next to it. You always get the right combination of flavors for your palate, no guesswork, perfect for the foodie with training wheels who wants to brag to their friends (or Instagram) about their superb pairing skills.
The eats
The kitchen offers a large selection of Asian and Western cuisine, perfect for sharing, family-style meals, coworkers going for a working lunch, and team building after a long day at the office. The menu is all brand new and has more options than a Netflix homepage at midnight.
Let’s start with the wings, as you should. The chicken wings come in seven delicious flavors, and during Happy Hour, they fly off the plate and into your mouth. Grab a plate of those wings and a ten-beer sampler flight (The King’s Flight) and you and your crew will be elevated to a new level of heavenly regality.
The lunch menu is in effect from 11 am – 2 pm Monday through Friday, and it doesn’t disappoint. Order from the Lunch Menu and you get a free (Yes, I really said free) fruit tea. Light fare includes scrumptious quesadillas, top-notch salads, and three kinds of fried rice and pastas, with the always satisfying Car-Beer-Nara Pasta. Or try the unique, egg-inspired weekend brunch “Kegs N’ Eggs” (12 pm – 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday) with Free-Flow Beer Package! (Yes, I said free again, but this time it means unlimited beer!) Let’s just say the eggs won’t be the only things scrambled. Forget coffee, East West runs on craft beers and vibes. Brunch goals, know what I mean?
The combo plates are the way to go if you come with a group or a family outing. The Vietnamese beer food (Nhậu) dishes offer seafood spring rolls, crispy chicken cartilage Hong Kong style, homemade sausages, and so much more. All these choices, plus many more, and the beer pairing to match, are enough to feed your small army, work buddies, whole family, and whoever else happens to be tagging along.
When you are ready to eat like a real boss tycoon, oysters, roasted bone marrow in the bone, grilled rack of lamb, duck, smoked goat rib, and the tomahawk steak will have you feeling like a member of the Soprano family. Treat yourself, don’t cheat yourself, you deserve it after a long, productive day of work or exploring the city.
The decor
Walk up the stairs to the main floor, and your cares melt away. Awaiting you are polished concrete floors, huge comfy couches, and beautiful oak picnic tables with sturdy, comfortable seating for large groups. The décor is industrial sheik, with stainless steel beer brewing tanks lining the back wall, and with modern industrial lighting. You aren’t distracted from your group, allowing for the freedom of movement and open conversation. The beer helps with that, too. Pull up at either of the two bars, both have craft beer on tap, one is for cocktails.
The happenings
East West regularly screens the top sporting events, like football, boxing, basketball, and more. A giant projector screen rolls down to ensure a great view of the action from every area of the venue. It’s the best place to grab a pint and root for your favorite team. If you are lucky enough to watch a football match of the home team, Vietnam, you can pop out onto the street-facing balcony, and enjoy the “Đi Bão”, the city-wide motorbike celebration only found in Vietnam. Have a seat, whip out your phone, and live-stream from a safe vantage point, a truly epic once-in-a-lifetime thrill!
Also, if you’re in town for a little while or are a resident of the wonderful city of Saigon, take an afternoon to enjoy the brewery tour. Get a little day drinking in while you learn the Brew Master’s Award Winning secrets, with fresh beer tasting straight from the tap. But please use a glass, don’t put your mouth directly on the tap.
Go on and get out there
So, if you’re looking for the perfect spot to kick off your weekend, a few cold ones after work, hang with the family, or plan a night out with a big group, this is the place. Cold, refreshing beer, amazing food, friendly service, and a relaxed vibe – every time. Reserve your table, show up thirsty, and let East West Brewing Sai Gon at 181 Ly Tu Trong do the rest!
“Damien’s Got the Plug” – Exclusive deals and tips:
- Ask about the special “secret” beer, aged in whiskey barrels, which is not on the menu, and only available for noteworthy occasions and venerable personage, like you.
- Daily | BOTM (Beer Of The Month) | 69k/ 330ml glass
- Mon – Fri | 15h – 18h | Happy Hour Combo | 190k / 3 x 330ml glasses | 12k/wing
- Thurs – Sat | 21h – Closed | Late Night Chill | Buy 2 Get 1 Free All Cocktails
- Sat – Sun | 12h – 15h | “Kegs N’ Eggs” Brunch | Free-Flow Beer 355k+/ pax
