Outstanding Vietnamese dishes in cozy atmosphere: Restaurant Co Chin Chin (5. March 2017)
When you enter the Co Chin Chin, you are welcomed by a diffuse light and you wonder if the location used to be a fire station as it is somewhat spacious and welcoming. The atmosphere is lovely and I get why people want to pay the Co Chin Chin a visit – however, make sure to get a table in the back or in the front at the side but not in the middle part. The light is too low for my personal gusto. As a starter I went for the “Banh Cuon – steamed rice dumplings with pork and shrimps” (CHF 14.50) which is definitely not practical to eat with chop sticks but tastes great.
When I tried to order my main course, I was informed that they had run out of it. Something which was a bit surprising to be honest but speaks on the other hand for the kitchen, indicating the use of fresh ingredients. Luckily, my second choice, the “Bo Xao Thien Ly (fried beef with Thien Ly flower vegetables and rice)” (CHF 26.50) was available. While the dish looked tiny at first, it turned out to be quite a portion of Vietnamese joy! The “Rau Muong (water spinach with garlic and chili)” (CHF 12.50) was definitely too much – secondly, it intensely tasted like garlic but not like much else.
While I was quite curious as the place was recommended by a friend, I must say I was not entirely satisfied. The service seemed to have a really bad day just not really being friendly – something must have tampered with her mood. However, I don’t get why you would show this to your guests. And when we asked for a cocktail (which was on the menu) and we got the reply “we don’t do cocktails today”, then I am seriously wondering about the service and offering. The dishes on the other hand were good and the prices are very decent for Zurich – which is also true for the beverages like “lemon grass tea pot” (CHF 6.50), “double espresso” (CHF 5.50) or “1l Badiot” (CHF 9.50).
Overall, the Co Chin Chin is a great place to have a couple of tasty dishes for an incredibly fair price in a cozy atmosphere. And if you book in advance, i.e. early enough, and get to score a table in the back, it is definitely worth paying a visit.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Co Chin Chin
Gasometerstrasse 7
8005 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 44 211 99 77
E-Mail: salut@cochinchin.com
Homepage: http://www.cochinchin.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
